Les Hirondelles

22/08/2015

Just back from visiting the house. Great time had by all - greatly enhanced by the new wine trug and wine chiller. Lots of BBQs with lovely friends, too.

12/04/2015

Please feel free to share. We still have availability this summer.

12/04/2015

Les Hirondelles is a two bedroom house in Coivert, Charentes Maritime, near France's Atlantic Coast. It was converted from a blacksmiths forge in 1995. It sleeps 4-5 people. It is located in the courtyard of Chez David, the main house which used to be the local cafe until about 1960's or 70's. Coivert is now an agricultural village/hamlet, surrounded by sunflower and corn fields. Nearest supermarket is a drive away in Aulnay (appx 5miles), but there is a convenience store 2 miles away at Dampierre sur Boutogne. St Jean D'Angely is the local town 20 mins away and has a fresh market Weds and Sat mornings. There are no eateries in the village. We tend to BBQ or drive to Saint Jean D'Angely or Dampierre sur Boutogne if we want to eat out. Linen, towels and cleaning included. Facilities as well as the usual, include dishwasher, washing machine, oven, BBQ, 2 adult bikes and 1 suitable for an 8 yr old, table tennis, pool! Wi fi. Points of interest within an hours drive: Cognac (50 mins) golf courses and brandy, Marais poitevin (35 mins) medieval canal for punting; La Rochelle (50 mins) sailing port, old town, shops and restaurants), Chattellaion Plage (45ins) sandy Atlantic coast beach; Saint Cezarre (40 mins) trout farm - catch your own fish and get it bbq'd; Saint Savien (35 mins) electric boats to ride; Saint Severin (15 mins) canoeing; Dampierre sur Boutonne (5 mins by car) beautiful chateau; Saintes (40 mins) roman amphitheatre; cognac (50 mins) I think you can guess what's there!; Matha (20 mins) vineyard/wine tasting/ take your own picnic and sample the produce; Chize zoo (10-15 mins). Obviously, these timings are by car and are estimates, but there doesn't tend to be heavy traffic, mainly delayed if stuck behind a tractor! Ile De Re is just over an hour, and Bordeaux is 1.5-2 hours. Getting there... We usually get the overnight ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo and drive 4-5 hours to the house. Others drive from Calais - about 8 hours. Or day crossing to Caen - we stayed at Mont St Michel to see the sights last year. Easy Jet flies to La Rochelle from Gatwick. Flybe from Southampton.You really do need a car to get around. We've enjoyed many happy holidays here, as have our guests. This is our first year of renting the house with use of pool and facilities, for £650 per week. Let me know if you are interested in renting the house this summer.

28/02/2015

Les Hirondelles at 2 Rue De L'Eglise & Chez David.

28/02/2015

2Rue De L'Eglise (Chez David & Les Hirondelles).

28/02/2015

rue De Mairie (opposite front door of 2 Rue De L'Eglise & Les Hirondelles.)

28/02/2015

28/02/2015

View of Les Hirondelles from the air

31/01/2015

Recent renovations have been hampered by a couple of mysterious fires; Newly renovated chateau at nearby Dampierre sur Boutogne. A river runs through the grounds of this stately home. This is a couple of miles from Coivert and could be cycled to (2 adult sized bikes are available at the house).

31/01/2015

Roman amphitheatre at nearby Saintes (30 mins drive)

28/01/2015

Trout fishing at Sainte Cezarre. Bring your own picnic to eat with the BBQ'd fish you catch. Sundays, 3 courses provided. Weekdays bring you're own picnic. Book in advance as its v v popular especially with the French community. 40 minutes from Les Hirondelles. Salmon also available to catch and take home.