Podien Cottage
Podien Cottage is part of a working Côtes de Blaye vineyard. Once the workers' home, the cottage has been charmingly restored and filled with modern touches to help create an effortless stay.
Podien Cottage is part of a working Côtes de Blaye vineyard. Once the workers' home, the cottage has been charmingly restored and filled with modern touches to help create an effortless stay.
Both bedrooms are located on the lower floor. They are spacious with homely details such as a patterned headboard, long mirrors and paintings hung on the walls. Each has an ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower. One ensuite has a washing machine on hand if needed and there is stand-alone bath in one of the bedrooms. The bedrooms both have double beds, however one can be converted into two singles.
Doors from the upper level lead out to a newly built patio terrace with a long heated swimming pool to one side against the terrace wall, providing privacy from the tennis courts and village on the other side. There are sun loungers near the pool for you to relax on warm summer days. The terrace also features an outdoor seating and barbecue, set up for long evenings cooking delicious meals together. Toast marshmallows on the fire pit, ideal for gathering beneath the stars.
The organic Côtes de Blaye vineyard is in the Bordeaux region and provides the perfect backdrop to your holiday. Podien Cottage is on the village side of the working vineyard, with views of the grounds, vines and estuary in the backdrop. Wine tours and tastings can of course be arranged. The cottage is also next to the village tennis courts, which you are invited to use.
The heart of the local village is a short walk away and has all your essentials including a small grocery shop (with fresh bread), a butchers and a pharmacy. On some Sunday mornings the village hosts oyster stalls on the main street.
Part of a certified organic vineyard in the Bordeaux region of south-west France, Podien Cottage is one of two charming homes set within the estate (see also Foy Cottage).
This working vineyard, producing a range of Blaye-Côtes de Bordeaux wines, is a unique location for your holiday – the estate’s château dates back to the 18th century. The wine produced is mainly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and the vines are grown in clay and limestone, typical of the conditions on the right-bank of the estuary. There are opportunities to tour the estate and sample the wines.
Podien Cottage is on the village side of the domaine, next to the village tennis courts which guests can use (just ask for the key). It's a very short walk to the heart of the village with its grocery store (selling fresh bread), butchers and cafe-bar-tabac, which serves coffee and rustic French food. On a Sunday morning you can pick up rotisserie chickens at the village butchers and there is occasionally a stall selling oysters.
Blaye (6.5km) is the nearest town, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Citadelle de Blaye. Designed by the celebrated French military engineer Vauban, Citadelle de Blaye is a fortress offering panoramas over the Gironde estuary. Built in the 17th century, the citadel of Blaye had 1.5km of ramparts, over 30 hectares of fortifications and 1,500 soldiers occupying the fort.
Spend time strolling through the citadel's narrow streets and meet the craftsmen, restaurateurs and shopkeepers who dwell in the once-fortified fortress. Tours are also available for those who want to delve deeper into history and enter the underground passages below the surface. The town of Blaye also offers cafés, restaurants and shops for you to refresh yourself with. The town is easily reached by car or you can cycle along the back country roads.
Travelling slightly further away, take a day to visit the picturesque St. Emilion (47km), a medieval hilltop village located in the famous Bordeaux wine region. Surrounded by UNESCO vineyards, St. Emilion has two thousand years of history found in beautiful architecture and monuments. Golden bricks shine in the sunlight as you wind through the village, exploring historic vineyards, cafes and shops.
This part of south-west France is home to the Aquitaine coastline, the longest sandy coastline in Europe, stretching 230 kilometres. Spend the day by the surfing shores of Lacanau (60km) on the Médoc peninsula (reached via car ferry) or venture north to experience the charm of Royan (86km), just less than 90 minutes by car.
House Interiors
Upper Floor
- Open-plan lounge and dining area with Smart TV, fireplace with stove and doors leading to terrace and pool
- Open-plan kitchen, well-equipped including dishwasher, microwave, fridge, toaster, oven, kettle
Lower Floor
- One bedroom with double bed, bath in the bedroom, doors leading to garden and en suite bathroom with shower
- One bedroom with double bed (can be split into twin beds), door leading to garden and open en suite bathroom with shower
Outside Grounds
- Heated salt-water swimming pool (8x3m depth: 1.8m) with safety cover. Open approximately May to end-September
- Poolside terrace with sun loungers (x2) and outdoor dining area
- Barbecue
- Firepit
- Lower garden/grounds
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!
Security deposit
€200 charged to client’s credit card two weeks before arrival and refunded upon departure, subject to full inspection.
Arrival time
4pm.
Departure time
10am.
Energy costs included?
Included in rental price.
Linen & towels included?
Yes, including pool towels.
Pets welcome?
Not permitted.
Changeover day
Fridays June-end of September, and Christmas. Flexible during other periods.
End of stay cleaning
Standard changeover clean included in the price. Guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit.
Smoking Allowed?
Not allowed.
Insurance
Guests are required to be in possession of a valid insurance policy, which covers them for cancellations, loss of personal belongings, personal liability and any accidental damage caused during their stay.
Minimum stay
2 nights.
Heating costs included?
Included in rental price.
Pool heating charge?
Included in rental price. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures.
Tax
French Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs €1-€10 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required).
Internet access?
Wifi internet access included in rental price.
Pool opening dates?
The pool is open approximately May to end-September. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.