THE MAISON, originally the farmhouse.IN MAY, JUNE AND JULY 2007 prices held over this year. Maison Borges property is a private home and gardens originally renovated with the visits of friends and relatives in mind. What we have is a tree lined drive with lavender borders, extensive, wooded walled gardens with wonderful old stone buildings scattered around - restoration with imagination and style. Genuinely within easy driving distance to superb beaches at the mouth of the Gironde and on the Atlantic coast - convenient to Saintes, Royan, St Emilion, Bordeaux, Cognac, Arcachon and La Rochelle. The Maison, originally a farmhouse, is said to be the oldest building in our tiny hamlet. It is a classic old French farm house, stone built and simple, with fine elegant windows and doors. Sleeps up to 8. Ensuite bathrooms with all the bedrooms and the mezzanine. 2 tubs; 2 showers. One bedroom suite is on the ground floor. Fully equipped kitchen. Balcony. Private terrace. The SWIMMING POOL - 15 metres x 15 metres, fully fenced in, has generous sunbathing space on it's wide, surrounding tiled terrace, and a "beach", and "Wildcat Island". Normally, visits are on a per week basis, or multiples thereof, with changeover day on Saturday. Out-of-Season, we can quote, for a minimum of 2 persons, on a per day basis. We realise that, during the early months of the year, airplane and ferry timetables don't necessarily conform easily to a Saturday to Saturday rental week . So, contact us and we'll see about a schedule that fits with your particular travel opportunities. We're offering a discount of 20% off the Out-of-Season prices for visits to the 15th of April '08. Charente-Maritime, Southwest France
Big sky country; gently undulating, rural, sparsely populated, well wooded and coppiced and astonishingly well stocked with classic birds of prey. On the Atlantic Coast, this seaside department, in the region of Poitou-Charente, is also great walking country and superb for cycling and horse riding.
Stress-free region; little traffic, crime or pressure; where even buzzzz bikes are rare. In the high season it is still possible to find un-crowded roads. Beaches, Sports and Pastimes
There are marvellous beaches: Locally, or towards and beyond La Rochelle, and south from Royan to the great sand dune of Arcachon, there is about a 100km of perfect silver sand. Water sports of all kinds, include surfing, sailing and boating schools. Sea, river and lake fishing can be found. Beaches, Sports and Pastimes
There are marvelous beaches: Locally, or towards and beyond La Rochelle, and south from Royan to the great sand dune of Arcachon, there is about a 100km of perfect silver sand. Water sports of all kinds, include surfing, sailing and boating schools. Sea, river and lake fishing can be arranged. You can find fine golf courses, riding stables, tennis, karting, motocross and all-wheel drive eventing in the area. Horse racing and trotting, rugby, of course, and soccer at local and national levels. Other pastimes include bird watching, flying kites (superb) and flying machines including micro-lites, etc. - closest airfield field, 15km. Day trips
La Palmyre - one of Europe’s most innovative zoos.
La Rochelle - Yacht harbours and a very special Aquarium.
Bordeaux - Famous old town, port and com'l district, beautiful
Romanesque architecture, centre of Bordeaux wine exchange
Cognac - Traditional centre of cognac, tour the "houses" of that famous drink.
Royan - seaside promenade and a superb orchid house.
Poitiers - Futuroscope theme park is not too far away.
Toulouse - an unexpectedly grand and interesting city. At Cite de l’espace you can walk through the Mir Space Station and rub shoulders with an "Ariane 5" space rocket. Wines and food
We are situated in a triangle with Cognac and Bordeaux; distilleries and wineries abound and are fascinating to visit. The Charentaise wines, drunk locally, hold up well against their more illustrious neighbours. Oysters, sold on the steps of the churches on Sunday mornings, are sweet, superb and cheap. The general standard of coquillage and other sea food is exceptional. History
Saintes, our nearest city was once the capital of the Roman province of Gaul - amphitheatre, a triumphal arch, etc.
Territory of Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of Richard the Lion Heart and “bad” King John, and, “by the wrath of God, Queen of England” when she had divorced the French King, Louis VII, to marry Henry II, King of England.
As part of Europe's Celtic fringe, southwest France was home to the Arcadians who, like the Scots and the Irish, were "encouraged" to emigrate, often forcibly, to The New World, giving their name to the Cajuns and to Canada.
Classic Romanesque facades built onto Charente-Maritime farmhouses testify to profits made from shipping (smuggling more likely) millions of bottles of claret and cognac to England’s south coast over several centuries.
THE MAISON, Downstairs
The entrance hall leads to the livingroom and directly to a downstairs bedroom, especially convenient for older guests or wheelchair users. Also, there is an ensuite bathroom and vestiaire with shower, WC and hand basin, clothes washing machine. The livingroom is big, 55m2 (nearly 600 sq ft) . An open staircase divides it into sitting and dining areas. The sitting area has a fine stone Charente chimney with glass-fronted log burning fireplace. The dining area with table seating 8 to 10 also can serve as a recreation space. The kitchen, completely remodelled, is of wood and glass, virtually putting the cooks amidst the trees and lawns. Equipment includes double sink, dishwasher, all gas cooking stove, fridge/freezer, microwave, coffeemaker, kettle and mixer, etc. The Maison has a private balcony off the master bedroom and a large ground floor terrace with table for 8 to 10, chairs and barbecue looking onto the trees and garden we call the "English" park.
THE MAISON, Upstairs
The master bedroom has a full sized double bed and an ensuite bathroom with WC, bidet, hand basin and large corner bath. The double "French" windows open onto a balcony and views down the "English" park and over the surrounding countryside. The mezzanine, with one double bed or two singles, has an ensuite bathroom including shower, WC and hand basin. The granary (grenier)bedroom, with one double bed or two singles, is large with a roomy ensuite bathroom. Massive original wood beams and exposed roof structures throughout.
Media
CD Sound system and DVD players and monitors for movies (don't forget to bring your own, that "must catch up on" stack of DVDs, CDs - or books). Maison Borges is a TV-reception-free-zone. E-mails can be accessed.
Heating and log fireplace. Private parking space. A large number of bicycles are available on a non-exclusive, bike-pool basis - gratis. A few bicycles are specifically suitable for children. Access
It is easy to get here: Cheap flights to La Rochelle, Bordeaux or the more distant Limoges from many countries. From Paris and the North by car: A10 autoroute south to exit 36, you're less than 10 minutes away. From the UK by car and ferry or tunnel: St Malo about 450 kilometres, péages €17; Caen 550km €30; Le Havre 640km €30; Paris 500km €40; Calais 790km €60; good highways, remarkably uncrowded out of season. Private airfields include Saintes, 15min away. And, we have a wire and tree free field next door for helicopter landing.
Prices:
We've kept last year's prices. Out-of-Season: September 07 through June 08
(Spring Discount -- 10% off these prices!) GBP 945* Maison Euros 1190 per week. GBP 710* Longhouse Euros 890 per week. GBP 615* Dovecote Euros 770 per week. GBP 590* Atelier Euros 740 per week. GBP 355* Source Euros 440 per week. Our Out-of-Season schedule includes holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, Easter, Spring, Autumn and Winter school breaks. High-Season: July (July discount -- 15% off these prices!) & August; GBP 1415* Maison Euros 1790 per week. GBP 1125* Longhouse Euros 1420 per week. GBP 999* Dovecote Euros 1270 per week. GBP 945* Atelier Euros 1190 per week. GBP 535* Source Euros 670 per week. * Prices are in Euros. These GBP sterling equivalents are given for your convenience and are at today's rate of exchange (1st June 2008). We will update these approximates from time to time, as energy and the mood takes us. We accept Euros or GBP sterling at the current exchange rate at the time of confirmation of the booking. Please see our General Terms and Conditions.
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Interest: Water Ski 
