Charente Maritime Holiday Rentals

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Apartment in St Fort sur Gironde, Charentes Maritime, France
Excellent Location In Typical, Quiet French Village
Set Amidst Stunning Rolling Countryside. Close Beaches
2 Bedrooms Sleeps 4/5
Free WiFi

Well appointed apartment, all brand new for 2011, tastefully refurbished and enjoying an excellent location with country views, yet in the heart of a typical, small French village with all amenities. Close to Royan, Meschers and the fabulous sandy beaches and the Gironde estuary. Daily provisions are available on your doorstep and there is a twice weekly market. Being just 1 hour from La Rochelle and Bordeaux, it makes a perfect base for exploring this beautiful region.

St Fort sur Gironde is a small and enchanting village, set into the stunning rolling hills of the Charente Maritime countryside, with the tranquil fishing port of Port Maubert close by. The larger and beautiful port of Mortagne sur Gironde is slightly further along the estuary where portside restaurants are located. Sample those delicious French delights of seafood and more. Daily provisions are on the doorstep; the local bar, on the ground floor below, is English owned, family orientated, and offers a warm welcome to both locals and guests to the region. The bar is very typically French in that it closes most evenings around 8pm unless there is specific demand or an organised soirée, so strictly no noise. Overlooking the market square and the small village chateau, it is easy to while away the hours watching the world go about its daily business yet peaceful enough to ensure a relaxing break. St Fort is steeped in history and there is an 11th century church within view. In the daytime the bells can be heard marking the hour and half hours in.

There is a small market in the square below every Tuesday and Saturday morning with fish, vegetables and other local produce. The village has full amenities including a local store, bank, post office, bread shop and Co-op store. Larger supermarkets are within a 20 minute drive, where most items can be purchased. Horse riding/boat trips locally. There is superb walking, bird watching and cycling on the doorstep. History all around. Royan, Bordeaux, Saintes, La Rochelle all within easy reach.

Local accompanied wine tours are available.

St Fort sur Gironde is an old bourgeoisie pretty village just inland from the estuary and off season is generally fairly peaceful. The area is most famous for Cognac and wine, and on nearly every country road you will have the opportunity to taste and buy if you wish. There is simply too much to do and see in the area to list, but for starters the nearest beaches are at Meschers, about a 15 minute drive. It is a small town with a bustling port and harbour, offering a large selection of excellent and reasonably priced restaurants. A little further along you will find St George de Didonne and Royan, again offering superb beaches, watersports and a multitude of shops, restaurants and places of interest. Slightly further along the coast is where some very good surfing beaches can be found, or from Royan you can take the ferry across the Gironde to the wilder side of the Atlantic coast, where the surf is big! La Rochelle is under an hour to the North, with Bordeaux less than an hour to the South, both having much to offer; La Rochelle is allegedly one of the prettiest ports in France, with masses of shops and waterfront restaurants to suit all pockets and tastes and Bordeaux is famous for its architecture, and of course, wine. Just a few minutes away is the picturesque port of Mortagne sur Gironde where boat trips along the estuary are available, or take a picnic to the quieter Port Maubert. Cognac, St Emilion, Bergerac, are all within easy reach.

Regrettably, the property is unsuitable for the less able due to its location on the second floor and the lack of lift access.

The nearest sandy beaches are at Meschers, which is about a 30 minute drive away. Further afield is St. George de Didonne and Royan, at approximately 35 minutes drive. Slightly further afield is the "wilder side" of the Atlantic, at Lacanau and Carcans ocean, perfect for keen surfers. Take the ferry from Royan or Blaye, or drive time is about 1.5 hours. Cognac, Sainte, Angouleme are all within easy reach.

Golf courses at Royan, Saintes, Cognac and Bordeaux. There is a 9-hole golf course in Montendre, approx. half an hour away. In the heart of the Royan region surrounded by the ocean, dunes and pines, the Maine Gaudin Golf Course is a wonderful 18-hole course. Laid out in the middle of the Coubre forest, at Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, this is a unique 3-par golf course with views over the ocean as well as a compact 6-hole course. At the tee of the fourteenth hole (a 167 metre 3-par hole) there is a unique viewpoint with panoramic views of the blue of the ocean, the Cordouan lighthouse and the tops of the trees. This course – also known as the Maine Beautiful Coast Golf Course – was created in 1977 at Maine Gaudin in the parish of Saint Palais-sur-Mer. In 1987, a further 9-hole course was created. The compact 6-hole course dates from 1992. In 2001, the Maine Gaudin Golf Course was taken into public ownership.
 

The Apartment: Open plan living room and dining area with kitchen combined. There are four large windows making the space light and airy. It is comfortably furnished for 4/5 people with UK and French TV plus a DVD/CD player and a range of DVDs.
The living room incorporates a dining area with table and chairs, well placed by a window enabling you to watch the morning market whilst enjoying your fresh croissants from the baker. The floors throughout are laminated wood giving a clean, modern feel.

The brand newly equipped kitchen has a halogen 4 ring hob, full electric oven, fridge with small freezer compartment and dishwasher and a combined microwave and grill. Full cookware, crockery and utensils plus picnic items, all new. There is a washing machine located in the bathroom.

Bedroom 1 has views across the village square to the open countryside beyond. It has a comfortable king size bed with a good quality mattress. Bedroom 2 has a large bunk bed with a comfortable double bed below and single on top. Both have plenty of storage space. There is a family bathroom with toilet, sink and massage cubicle shower. Also washing machine located here.
 

The heating is by way of electric heaters. Air-conditioning is not generally necessary, since you have the benefit of the breezes through the 7 large windows. The kitchen cupboards are stocked with basic provisions which you may need on your holiday, but don't wish to buy, for example spices, salt and pepper, cooking oil, etc. There is also a selection of produce in the cupboards for your use. A generous welcome pack is provided to enable you to prepare a simple meal; cheese, wine, biscuits, juice, butter, eggs etc.

Outside
In sympathy with the building's heritage and protected status there isn't a balcony, but every morning and evening you'll still want to swing open the windows at the front and take in the delightful views across the village and hills in the distance. There is ample parking in the village square to the front of the property and although there is no outside space, you can visit the bar below and enjoy a cool glass of wine or beer on the terrace fronting the village square, and meet locals and holiday makers alike doing the same.

How to get there: The nearest airports are La Rochelle at just under an hours drive, and Bordeaux at approximately one hours drive. Limoges airport is about 2 hours drive and Bergerac is over 2 hours away.
Airport pickup/drop off can be arranged at extra cost although a car is recommended if staying for more than a weekend and you want to explore further afield.
Drive time from Calais approximately 7.5 hours.

Contact:

Linda White

 Tel: 01206 271484

E-mail : jlw@uk2.net
 

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