Gites Swallow. Nr. La Rochelle
Large 12 x 6m floodlit solar heated pool.
Wheelchair access. 4 bedrooms sleeps 10

A complex of 5 gites, the original stone farm buildings and courtyard of this historic farm settlement dates from 1750 and includes a restored cottage and converted stables, featuring exposed beams, pine furniture and traditional limestone walls. The renovations were all carried out by the owners, whilst still keeping the traditional character of the farm.

Swallow is a 4 bedroom gite set in three acres, surrounded by woods and fields, yet only 4 km from all amenities. The old farm of 'Pégon' is a safe haven for children. Close to the forest of Benon and also on the edge of the Marais Poitevin or Venise Verte National Park. 15 minutes from the busy town of Niort; 1hr from Futuroscope.

• 1 double bedroom
• 1 doubled bedroom on the ground floor
• 2 twin bedrooms+bunks
• 2 Bath/shower rooms
• Well equipped kitchen
• Dishwasher
• Internet access
• 12x6m Solar heated floodlit pool
• Children's play area

The kitchen. A large, modern well equipped fitted kitchen/dining room including a dishwasher, microwave, gas cooker, fridge freezer, crockery, bowls, pans, cutlery/utensils. The dining area contains a bespoke table and bench seats which seats ten. Exposed beams and exposed stone walls. There is a separate Laundry room with washing machines, sink and ironing facilities plus a freezer for communal use.

Living area. The lounge area has more than enough comfortable chairs and sofa, coffee table, TV, DVD, HiFi with iPod docking station, Internet access is available.

Bedrooms. On the ground floor there is a double bedroom with bedside tables. 1st floor. Master bedroom with double bed, bedside tables and drawer unit. Bedroom 2 with twin beds, Bedroom 3 has twin beds and a set of Bunk beds.

Bathroom and Toilets. On the ground floor there is a WC/shower room, with facilities for a person with limited mobility. Upstairs there is a Family bathroom with WC, and a separate shower room.

Garden and outdoor facilities. There is a private west facing patio with a ramp access and patio furniture and a BBQ. Ideal for afternoon sunbathing barbecuing and relaxing watching the setting sun. The enclosed 12m x 6m pool is situated within easy access of all the gites. It has extensive patio and sunbathing areas with a shower and ample sun loungers. There is a small children's paddling pool adjacent to the main pool. The main pool also has underwater floodlights for those who enjoy a midnight swim. The Play Area is a safe area close to the gites. It has Swings, Badminton net, Boules, Junior Croquet and for the very young a Paddling Pool, Sand Pit, Rocking Snail and a Tricycle. There is a large fully equipped games room with Table Tennis, Pool Table, Bar Football, Basket Ball net and Darts (Darts with adult supervision)

Miscellaneous.This is the ideal spot for peace and tranquility, close to the forest of Benon and the Marais Poitevin or 'Venise Verte' National Park - punts are available for hire. For bird-watchers there are some excellent reserves close by. There are several 18 hole golf courses with visitors always welcome. The nearest town, Mauzé-sur-le-Mignon (3km) has a variety of small shops, supermarket and twice weekly market. Surgères (11km) has 3 supermarkets and full range of shops. Optional cleaning service and linen hire is available. Optional cleaning service available.

Location. The ferry ports of St Malo 3.5hrs, Caen 4 hrs, Roscoff 4.5 hrs, Cherbourg 5 hrs, Calais 6 hrs. The nearest airport is La Rochelle, 30mins and is served by low the cost airlines; Car hire is available at this airport. Located in the heart of the Charente Maritime with its micro-climate, relax in the sun, go to the beach or visit La Rochelle. The natural stone gites enjoy a peaceful countryside setting ideal for cycling but close to a market town with supermarket and many restaurants; ½ hour to Niort Golf Club; 1 hour to Futuroscope, Royan, Cognac and Saintes.

Activities. Beaches. La Rochelle has a pleasant sandy beach by Les Minimes Marina. Châtelaillon-Plage, Aytré and Fouras which are ideal for toddlers, Ile de Ré is a haven for cyclists at any time of the year. 60km of cycle tracks wind their way between pine woods, vineyards, nature reserves and salt marshes. Small white washed cottages with green shutters line narrow streets brilliant with hollyhocks. The West Coast has many sandy beaches with cafes or you can enjoy the delights of St Martin de Ré. Ile D'Oléron (approx 70 minutes) this island has some beautiful beaches on the west side and it's worth taking bikes for a forest ride. The island is flanked on all sides by sand dunes covered with mimosa trees, or carpeted with everlasting flowers, marram grass and sea pinks. Royan (approx 75 minutes) has many excellent beaches including the Côte Sauvage for surfing. Eating out. There are a wealth of good restaurants within easy reach of Pégon. A good local restaurant is La Ferme Flammande, for good value try the plat du jour at midday or for evening meals. 10 mins away from your gite is Le P'tit Caprice at Vouhé, La Crémaillère at Courçon for regional specialties or Le Ronsard and La Roma Pizzeria and many others at Surgères. Further afield at La Rochelle you will find restaurants in abundance with 'Moules frites' and 'fruits de mer' specialties- or try the restaurants in the Marais Poitevin with regional specialties such as eels, leg of lamb, goats cheese and haricot beans.

The international Zoo at La Palmyra set in 14 hectares contains animals from all over the world and is well worth a visit. Rochefort is the headquarters of the French equivalent of the R.S.P.B (L.P.O) as the surrounding marshes are full of birds, and there are a series of excellent reserves only a short distance away. 'Marais d' Yves' 'Moeze - Olèron', Ile de Ré' and the 'Point de L' Aiguillon'. Look out for these birds: Black Winged Stilt - Blue Throat - Hoopoe - Black Kite - Corn Crake - Many Raptors can also be seen.

2012 Prices per week: Saturday changeover

High season - £1165:

Other dates POA

A Tourist Tax has now been imposed for gîtes at the rate of 30 centimes per night per person over 13 years to be paid in euro's on arrival.