Le clos des jardins

08/08/2024

First flush of green peppers from the potager. Only harvested a few as must find a recipe that uses green peppers as the main ingredient! Any ideas would be warmly welcomed…

08/08/2024

First flush of green peppers. Only picked a few as must find a recipe - or create one - that uses a majority of green peppers. At moment thinking along the lines of haricot blancs « mogettes » of the Poitou-Charentes. Any ideas much appreciated !

11/07/2024

Busy preparing apricots for compote and for tonight’s table of Moules Frites and Apricot Tarte Tatin.

24/06/2024

We’ve just received a cancellation at our other place Unheard of late availability as usually fully booked a year in advance. Now available for a two week stay from 13-27 July 2024 and we’re offering 10% off the second week! Take a look at our website for full details but in a nutshell Le Ruisseau Perdu is a detached property set within several acres of grounds with beautiful views of rolling hills and woodland. Private exclusive use saltwater pool, bikes to borrow… don’t miss this fantastic opportunity!

30/05/2024

We asked our lovely young guests, Poppy and Leo, to feed the sheep, hens and Poussière, the cat while we were working away at . Everyone loved it including the hens who decided to lay extra eggs in appreciation!

12/05/2024

Just made a small batch of ‘compote de cerise au kirsch’ from our frozen supply, in anticipation of another bumper cherry crop this year.

27/04/2024

It’s good to be back home after a long day working on La Villa Vétuste.

24/01/2021

Poached quince, pumpkin pie with cream cheese & caramelised walnut, lemon syllabub and brandy snap.

01/11/2020

First experiment with sourdough discard, a bit too biscuity....

01/11/2020

Sunday Sourdough

11/10/2020

Last of the windfalls destined for the ‘eau de vie’ barrels at . Autumn here in the is quite simply magical.

11/10/2020

Autumn colours of maple, elm and walnut trees at

11/10/2020

Golden Autumn light shimmers off the limestone walls at

02/05/2020

If only we could share with you the romantic fragrance of our beloved Japanese Wisteria

29/04/2020

Time for the lemon tree to go outdoors in the sunshine

18/04/2020

One if our cherry trees in full blossom, planted over 25 years ago when we first moved here.

12/04/2020

Happy Easter from all of us at Le Clos des Jardins!

01/10/2019

Our gorgeous grey p***y cat, ’Poussière ´ means dust in French

29/09/2019

Over rip figs open up to the late Summer sunshine ready to adorn this evenings table with the first fresh walnuts of the season. @ Melleran, Poitou-Charentes, France

06/01/2019

Returned from the New Year’s vin d‘honneur at the salle de fêtes to start cutting and bundling kindling from our recently pollarded ‘Marronnier’(Horse Chestnut) The pressure’s on to get all the trees pruned while the sap is low. It’s cool and crisp here with beautiful frosty mornings but not for long as Spring is just around the corner!

06/01/2019

Somewhat belated Season’s Greetings! In France we have until the end of January to do this and following this French tradition, we wish BONNE ANNÉE, to all our guests who have stayed at ‘Le Clos des Jardins’
Just in case you were thinking of booking again, we’d like you to have the first pick on dates and to remind you to make a deduction of 5%. We’re also holding our 2018 prices on bookings made before 31st January 2019.

06/09/2018

'La Laiterie', former milking parlour, now offers spacious light & airy ground floor
accommodation for four. Nestled in the farmhouse courtyard and set apart from the other two gîtes, this wheelchair friendly bolt-hole has a touch of elegance infused with the characteristic French country charm of 'Le Clos des Jardins'.

17/08/2018

Best year ever for our home grown Charentais melons

03/05/2018

Les billets, c’est maintenant !

Les billets, c’est maintenant !

Ouverture des réservations depuis le 2 mai 2018 ! Cette année, le Festival de Melle s’associe à l’Office du Tourisme du pays Mellois qui se chargera de toutes les questions de billetter…

17/07/2017

Bastille Day! In Melleran village square.

25/06/2017

As promised some pics of the pool at the end of a sunny Sunday!

21/06/2017

So Alison, Francis, Jack and Sylvain get the first swim! Well deserved I'm sure! Daytime pics to follow!

14/06/2017

So this is the new addition to Le Clos des Jardins! Should be finished in a matter of days ! What do you think?

14/06/2017

These beautiful roses 'Pierre de Ronsard' named after the French Renaissance 'prince of poets and poet of princes' can be found at le Clos des Jardins making their first appearance beginning of May and continuing on throughout the Summer.

14/06/2017

Some very exciting news! The new addition to Le clos des jardins is an in ground heated swimming pool. Should be completed very soon! Photos to follow!