La Brossardiere

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A Warm Welcome awaits you

For a relaxing holiday in the heart of the Charente. You will be welcome at our comfortable gites at Le Logis de la Brossardiere.

Dick and Jenny offer you their hospitality and an opportunity to relax in a restored Logis.

By the banks of the meandering Charente River, close to the historic town of Taillebourg, where Eleanor of Aquitaine spent her (first) honeymoon, and where long ago the French repelled the invading English, the area offers relaxing holidays. Nearby is the river port of St Savinien, the ancient town of Saintes, Royan and the Atlantic coast with its golden beaches. Fishing, cycling, boating and other water-sports (including water-skiing) are all locally accessible, while the villages and towns of the region offer good markets and restaurants, and cultural events and seasonal festivals. And for those who wish to truly relax, there is, of course, the poolside, and our landscaped grounds to enjoy.

The Logis and its outbuildings are built in locally quarried stone and in parts are many centuries old. It has an outstanding position overlooking the river Charente. During the wars of religion (in the C17), and possibly earlier, it was fortified; one turret remains today.
The house is situated between the ancient port of St Savinien and the village of Taillebourg, famous for important battles against the Vikings and the English, who have been visiting for hundreds of years. A fifteen minute drive away is the lovely old Roman town of Saintes, with its amphitheatre, the Germanicus arch, its daily markets, as well as cultural activities, many of which are based at the Abbaye aux Dames, now much used as a music school. Further upstream is Cognac, South is the old road to Bordeaux with its wineries, and while to the West are La Rochelle and Royan and the Atlantic Coast. There are to be found the oyster beds and seafood restaurants of Marennes, while more locally are the pleasure boat trips on the river.

There is lots to do and see. The climate of the Charente Maritime is historically second to the Cote D' Azure for sunshine in France, while its proximity to the Coast tends to avoid the temperature extremes to be found further inland. The coastline boasts superb fish restaurants, and is the centre of French oyster growing and mussel farms. Tailllebourg has two riverside restaurants, one with pedalos and boats for hire.

River fishing is on the doorstep and a private carp lake just a few minutes drive. At Fontcouverte, 15 minutes drive is an 18-hole golf course, while a more established course is at Royan, 30 minutes away. Bicycles can be hired locally. The pool is 14 meters x 5 meters and is for the use of our guests (and us) only.

The gites all have separate entrances and are not overlooked by the main house or other gites. Each gite has a private courtyard or terrace for barbecues, etc with a more spacious communal area on a newly built patio.

Although we are in truly rural France, we must apologise for the noise of the neighbour's cows, the occasional train, and the even rarer tractor.

The Gites

All apartments have gas cookers, refrigerators, washing machines, woodburning stoves or electric radiators, private areas with garden furniture and barbecue. There is in each gite a sofa bed, which allows the addition of two extra people if you wish. There is adequate cutlery, crockery and cooking utensils for most purposes.

Riverview (up to 5 people)

This cottage faces south with a magnificent view of the river from the kitchen and balcony. A double bedroom, a twin bedroom, Kitchen /dining room, lounge and a full sized bathroom, with shower and toilet.

(View of River from Terrace - Riverview)

Le Pipeau (bird's call)

Annexed to the House, this is a mezzanine apartment of great charm, converted from an old bakery with an original oven and fireplace, flagstone floor downstairs, with ancient oak beams. There are stairs to the gallery, which has a double bedroom and shower /toilet. It has a private courtyard, close to the garden and the pool. Large lounge and kitchenette. The Sofa bed sleeps 2, if desired.
(View of lounge and kitchen - Le Pipeau)

L'Hirondelle (Swallow's Retreat-Up to 6 people)

This is the biggest apartment. It is built up one flight of stiars, with its own large private balcony with morning sun. Large lounge /diningroom and kitchen overlooking the garden and pool. Full sized bathroom, separate toilet, twin bedroom and double bedroom. Original old oak beams throughout.

(View of kitchen - L'Hirondelle)

How to get there

Best way to arrive by car from the UK, is Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to St Malo. It takes about 4hrs from St Malo. Your objective from any direction is the Paris-Bordeaux Autoroute, the A10. From St. Malo, you achieve this best by travelling to Rennes, then Nantes then Niort at each city taking the ring road to the west, and following, if in doubt, the signs for Nantes, then Bordeaux. You leave the A10 AutoRoute at Saintes (junction 35), and follow the signs for Saintes Centre, then take the road (NOT the Auto route) to Rochefort and La Rochelle, all this within 2 minutes after leaving the Toll plaza. After about 1.5 kilometres, you turn right, to Ecurat. At Ecurat, you see the sign for Taillebourg on the right at the crossroads, and you follow the road and signs, straight on at St James and over the river. You then turn hard left, into Taillebourg. The house is best found by continuing from Taillebourg, with the river on your left and the railway line on your right, for about 1.5 kilometres, then crossing the railway line, and taking the first street on your right.

BA and Air France fly from the UK to Bordeaux, and Ryanair flies to various local airports such as La Rochelle and Poitiers. Budget airlines are also increasing their services from various airports in the UK to the area. Train travel from Paris and the UK is also available. For example, connections are available at Lille from Eurostar to TGV services towards Bordeaux, or from Paris towards La Rochelle with connections en route to Saintes.

Write, call, fax or email if you want help, specialised information or brochures. We can arrange collection at station or Airport.

Weekly Tariff for Accommodation - (Prices Correct 1st September 2005)

	Nov - March	April, May & Oct	June & Sep	July & August	Capacity (maximum)
L'Hirondelle	£195	£335	£455	£560	4 (6)
River View	£195	£335	£455	£560	4 (5)
Le Pipeau	£155	£305	£405	£505	2 (4)

Terms and conditions

Deposit. A deposit of 25% will confirm the booking. The booking can't be guaranteed beyond seven days without a deposit.

Payment of balance-is due at the latest 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the holiday.

Cancellation. You may cancel your booking at any time if the cancellation is made in writing by he person who made the booking and subject to the following Conditions...

The deposit is forfeit if the booking is cancelled between the time of booking and 8 weeks prior to commencement.

If the cancellation is made between 8 weeks and 6 weeks prior, then 50% of the accommodation is forfeit.

Between 6 and 4 weeks, 75%.

Later than 4 weeks prior to commencement, the entire cost is forfeit.

We strongly advise taking out holiday insurance which covers cancellation as well as other eventualities. Under French law, it is the individual who is responsible to be covered by insurance, not the proprietors.

Services. The price covers all electricity and water charges, except for low season lets.

Commencement of booking. The property will be available from 4pm on the nominated day. It need be vacated by 10am on the nominated departure day.

Hirer's responsibilities. The hirer is responsible for leaving the premises in a clean and tidy condition; failure to do so will incur extra charges. Damages or breakages to the property or contents will be repaired or replaced using monies from the hirer's deposit. This deposit of £50 is payable with the balance of payment for accommodation. We undertake to return this deposit, less the cost of damages and/or breakages, within two weeks of departure.

Amenities. The use of the accommodation, equipment, swimming pool and any other amenities on the site is entirely at the hirer's risk, and no responsibilities can be accepted for injury, loss or damage to the user's or other visitor's person or belongings, including motor vehicles.

While every effort has been made to ensure our brochure is accurate and is made in good faith, the representations contained in it and any other advertising will create no liability on the part of the proprietors.

Dick and Jenny Inwood
Logis de la Brossardiere
8 Rue de Logis
17350 Taillebourg, France
Tel: 0033 (0)5 46917728
Fax: 0033 (0)5 46918257
Email: dick@labrossadiere.com