Gite in la rochelle

[WelshMoth]

Can anyone recommend a gîte in the Poiteau-Charente region? Somewhere not more than an hour from the airport?
Pref with a pool and enough room for 7 not asking much?

You could try www.vendee-vacancies.co.uk

We have stayed here and here. Both were very nice.

Portofino - the second gite looks great.
First link doesn't work!

I know these get booked up a year ahead but will link anyway. Best gites we have ever stayed in and are good for larger groups especially if you rent both gites?

www.gitesandantiques.com

Doh. www.gitesandantiques.com

Sorry- link to the other one.

That looks lovely Ollie! My second link is the other side of Surgeres about 20 mins from Chateleillon Plage. We spent 3 weeks there last summer. I really liked the area and we were lucky with the weather.

The Cognac one was only about 10 mins out of town and surrounded by sunflowers. It is only tarnished in my memory by the fact that dd fell off the swing in the first hour and broke her wrist. So we spent the first night in the clinique de Cognac and swimming was cancelled. I think it was because it felt so safe and quiet I wanted to let her have a bit of freedom to wander......Ps - the swing is in no way more dangerous than any other swing......

The owners could not have been more helpful though - took us to A&E and all.

Ollie what an amazing gite.
Fully booked for my dates though. Gutted!

Portofino - your poor DD!

Where do you find these beauties?
Owners direct, cottages4U etc are not helping me!

I usually use www.holidayrentals.co.uk. ChezNous is another good website worth looking at. I am quite exacting so I use all the filters....wifi, washing machine etc. I do LOADS of research, normally when I am supposed to working I probably have some other places bookmarked as potentials at work. Will have a look in the morning.

And make sure you have an EHIC card and travel insurance

I'm very similar Portofino - I always use Owners Direct and search by date (to avoid that "Oh Ive found the perfect place, dam its booked" feeling). Your poor DD tho - we were on holiday last year and the little boy in the gite next door broke his arm falling off a wall so yes to EHIC card!

What we love about the gites I linked too is the huge walled garden - meaning its safe of the kids to run around in, pool is lovely and the interiors of the gites are just beautiful (owners run an antiques/brocante business too). Great village location but within easy reach (within an hour) of nearby cities and beaches. We've stayed there with friends (using both gites) which was great. Owners are lovely too - nothing too much trouble.

I was well impressed by my French medical experience! Private room, croissants for breakfast. Most importantly. it was all superquick and poor old dd had first class attention. Not the best day/holiday of my life having PFB having to go under GA to reset both wrist bones though.

Porto - well, if you can use your expertise to find me a lovely gite, for 5 adults and 2 children, with pool (pref private)' then I'd be most grateful seriously pushing my luck here

When do you want to travel? Budget? Must haves - apart from the pool ....

Tis awkward cos I need a 10 day booking - 14th to the 24th Aug.

Outside BBQ a must
Fishing/walks/games a bonus.

Sorry, slight hijack, but does anyone else automatically think of the Tricolor French books/audio tapes whenever they hear the name La Rochelle?
"Je m'appelle Martine, j'ais quartoze ans et j'habite a La Rochelle".
Takes me right back to high school ...

To be fair - that is peak season. I can't see many letting you have a mid week booking in August. Unless it is somewhere no one wants to go and they are desperate.

• quatorze. Je suis desole.

Tri Color!

Yes!

Porto yes, very true,
Our dates are bloody awkward this year, wedding early august that we can't turn down. And another on the 25th. We also camp first for at least a week beforehand.

I'm v awkward

portofino is right a ten day let in peak season is going to be difficult to find. Why don't you book a gite for a week and a B+B in a different area for the other days.

IEvenburnToast you don't need to speak French (though obviously it helps). Most restaurants and tourist attractions make allowances for English speakers. I would advise that you stayed somewhere with an on-site (or nearby) English speaking owner who could help you if you had any difficulties.