The Property
Les Marronniers adjoins a traditional early 19th Century charantais farmhouse in private grounds of approximately two acres in the heart of the small village of La Croix Comtesse, set in a landscape of sunflowers, wheat and maize fields and wild flowers. It has been converted into a charming two bedroom cottage retaining many of the original features and furnished with both antiques and traditional pieces.
The House and Garden
The front doors open from the sunny south east facing terrace into a bright and large sitting/dining room furnished with comfortable sofas and table and chairs. The kitchen adjoins and looks out to the front terrace. French doors lead through to your private garden and terrace in the rear which is furnished with a table and chairs, sunbeds, umbrella and bbq. Downstairs you will also find a separate fully equipped utility room with a washer/dryer, iron and ironing board and a shower room.
There are: Television with satelite television and radio channels, DVD player with DVDs and CDs for you entertainment also puzzles, games and lots of books.
The kitchen is fully equipped with everything necessary for your stay. There is a full size fridge/freezer, dishwasher, gas cooker, microwave, toaster, electric kettle and food processor.
Upstairs are two large individually decorated bedrooms, one double, one twin and a second shower room.
All bed linen, bath and beach towels are provided and changed weekly. A travel cot and high chair are available for your use.
The house is heated in the winter by electric heaters.A generous welcome pack is provided and includes your first breakfast of croissants, bread, butter and jam with tea, coffee and milk.. All detergebts , soap etc are provided, as is barbeque fuel.
The area
La Croix Comtesse is within the La Rochelle micro-climate second only to Provence in annual hours of sunshine. Hot in the summer sun and clear and bright on winter days.
The quiet and tranquil location is only minutes away from the small town of Loulay with shops and traditional weekly market. St Jean dAngely (15 minutes away) has a wonderful market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Further afield is La Rochelle with its ancient colonnaded streets and medieval sea port. Among the coastal islands is Ile de Re, reached either by car or by ferry from La Rochelle with wonderful fishing ports, seafood restaurants and exclusive shops and miles of beaches, bird watching reserves and bicycle trails.
The area also boast the famous "Venise Verte," an area of magical rivers and canals drained centuries ago by the monks which you can explore by boat.
Rochefort has Louis XlVs Naval Base and rope works and the construction of a full size wooden warship to visit. Also there are the Roman remains and vast amphitheatre in Saintes, the secrets of brandy making in Cognac and medieval abbeys and old chateaux in the area. In the summer there are classical and jazz concerts and performances at many venues in the area.