Les Grandes Ecures

Outside there is a 10m x 5m (shared with the owners) salt water swimming pool which also benefits from a fully retractable cover (enabling you to use the pool even on those rare days when the sun is not shining) with sun loungers and pool toys, set in an acre of private garden with views of the beautiful countryside. The outside also has a covered eating area (the hanger) with 2 bbq's a food preparation area (with toilet and washing machine) and a collection of toys and games for all ages including table tennis, trampoline and wooden climbing frame
Thus providing a great base to relax and from which to explore this beautiful region and the varied attractions of the Charente-Maritime and Charente. Close to the beautiful historic towns of Cognac, Saintes and St Jean D’Angley but also within easy reach of the lovely beaches of Royan, La Rochelle and the Cote Sauvage. Coast/Beach:
The beautiful sandy beaches of Royan, the Cote Sauvage, Le Palmyre (with its wonderful zoo) are all within an hours drive.
There is also the stunning L’île d’Oléron and Ile de Re (close to La Rochelle) to explore (both connected to the mainland by a bridge) with there salt marshes and oyster beds both within 90 mins.

Travel:
By car there are various crossings giving you the chocie of the length of drive once in France.
Portsmouth - Cherbourg, Caen, Le Harve, St Malo and Roscoff
Poole - Cherbourg
Dover - Calais
Newhave - Dieppe
By eurotunnel to Calais
By air we are 90 mins from La Rochelle and 2 hours from Bordeaux and Poitiers all connected with budget air lines.

Distances:
We are located in a small hamlet called Les Grandes Ecures, our nearest town with supermarket, bank etc is called Matha and is 10 mins north. The nearest boulangerie is only 3mins drive away in Migron which also has a mini-supermarket and post office. Cognac and St Jean d'Angley are both only 20 mins away with Saintes only 30 mins and Angouleme 1 hour.

Further Details:
Cognac – situated on the Charente river and home to the world famous cognac distilleries., which offer tours during the summer season. It also offers a wide variety of restaurants and bars to soak up the atmosphere and relax. During the summer there are several festivals, one of which is the blues passion, which attracts bands from all parts of the world.

Saintes – Historic city with a wealth of shops and a well preserved Roman Amphitheatre, triumphal arch, historic churches and abbey. Also based on the Charente where a number of boat trips operate.

St Jean d’Angley – A beautiful medieval old town, with an abbey it has a popular twice weekly market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, it also boast a good selection of bars and restaurants.

La Rochelle – One of the most beautiful cities in the region it has the impressive harbour front, with lively marina and old harbour defences which are surrounded by a wealth of restaurants and bars, perfect for watching the world go by. Behind the restaurants is a lovely shopping area with many cobbled arcaded streets. Also a point for many boat trips to Fort Boyard, Ile d’Aix and Ile d’Oleron, and home to a wonderful Aquarium.

Angouleme - Situated on a rocky promontory, surrounded by large boulevards - these stand above the original ramparts that protected the town, with more than 2km of the ramparts remaining intact. A great place to do some serious shopping with a lovely new shopping centre. For motoring enthusiast it host one of the few remaining street rally’s every year in September when classic cars from all over the world come to race around the old town.