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Clos de la Garenne
Languages: English, Spanish spoken; German and Italian understood. Payment by bank transfers, Visa, MasterCard or cash. Checks only in euros on a French bank. Département:
Charente Maritime (17) Special
Features: Access for the Disabled
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near the historic port city of La Rochelle on France's Atlantic coast
is the elegant and inviting Le Clos de la Garenne, a bed and breakfast
also offering a studio apartment for two that is rented by the week.
Set on four hectares of property in Puyravault - a village with its own
fascinating 2000-year history from Gallo-Roman times - this 360 year-old
residence has an interesting past. Vineyards once surrounded
it and the town, and Puyravault became a point of resistance to the Roman
invaders. La Garenne has been here since 1650. It began as
the hunting lodge for the priory built in 1040 next to the town's incredible
pre-Romanesque church constructed in the 8th and 9th centuries. Both
of those buildings are still standing, despite the ravages of time, religious
wars, and the French Revolution! The manor house of la Garenne
later became a farm with a vineyard, and various owners added to the building
as they prospered.
Following the French Revolution, when many noble propertie were sold to the public, La Garenne was purchased by the Audry family. Pierre-François Audry de Puyraveau was a friend of General La Fayette whose ship, L' Hermione, is currently being reconstructed in nearby La Rochelle, and he sacrificed his personal fortune for the people of the French Republic. He was active in 1830 in the 3-day Revolution against the monarchy and completed his career in politics as President of the 'Assemblée Constituante' in 1848. La Garenne once again prospered until the 1880s when phylloxera destroyed the vines. The huge 500-hectare estate was broken up and sold bit by bit until the 1970s when the house, four outbuildings and four hectares were sold by the descendants of Audry de Puyraveau. It was energetically restored and refurbished by its new owner for more than a decade until his sudden death, after which time it sat empty for many years. The current owners ' woke it up' in 1997 to make it their home and open its lovely gate to guests. Today, the region is known for its cereal and dairy products, especially its delectable butter, as the vineyards are gone. The lovely grounds of La Garenne include wild woodlands, fields for the animals, gardens and a young orchard. There is a pond project underway which may one day include a pool. Several terraces around the house, as well as a summer kitchen, make the outdoors at La Garenne very appealing and comfortable. This property is accessible by the handicapped, and the cottage and living rooms are accessible for wheelchairs. In the main house are four rooms on the ground floor - a large kitchen where breakfast is served, a fine 17th century dining room with stone floors and a grand fireplace where guests take dinner, a billiards room, and an 18th century salon with oak floors and a marble fireplace. In the salon there is a CD player and games for people of all ages to amuse themselves when they are not out sightseeing. Of course, simply relaxing in the salon with a good book or to plan your exploration of the region is also appealing. The guest rooms at Le Clos de la Garenne are spacious and tastefully decorated. Two bedrooms with queen size beds, a suite accommodating up to six people, an apartment for two people and a cottage that can accommodate two adults and three children are offered. All are en suite with either a tub or showers. The windows all have views over the gardens making the rooms sunny and bright. This part of France has almost as many sunny days as the Côte d' Azur, so travelers can rest assured their vacation days will likely be consistently pleasant for most of the year. A few steps away from La Garenne is the studio apartment, Tournesol, ideal for two people who want a small self-catering accommodation. The combination of a superb location near La Rochelle, Rochefort and the Atlantic coast, a truly warm and friendly welcome from Brigitte and Patrick François the enthusiastic proprietors, and absolutely delightful and comfortable accommodations will make your stay at Le Clos de la Garenne a happy and rewarding experience. |
| Rooms:
2 guest rooms (one for 2 people and one for 3 people) both with en suite
bathrooms; 1 suite of 2 chambres for a maximum of 6 people with en
suite bathroom with shower only; 1 apartment for 2 people with en suite
/ tub and shower; and one cottage of two chambres for a maximum of 5 people
with en suite / shower. All rooms have queen size beds (except children's
rooms).
Prices per night: Double Room for 1 person € 61 - for 2 persons € 71; Twin for 2 people € 81. Extra bed/person € 20 breakfast included. Baby cot/crib € 10 - equipment included. Suite Tilleul & Belle Epoque € 102 - € 172 for two to six persons; Cottage for two adults and up to three children € 81 to € 131 per night. Studio apartment (Tournesol) is € 350 per week November to March (except school holidays) - € 400 per week April to October,€ 450 per week in July and August. Visitor taxes of .99 euros/per person/per night are extra. Dinner: by prior reservation on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Fresh seasonal cuisine, with special consideration for vegetarians, allergies, dietary restrictions, children's meals, etc. The price is € 27 per adult, wine included. Children under 10 years of age € 12 and € 22 for teenagers. Booking Information: Reservations are confirmed only after a signed agreement together with the deposit is received (supplied in English to guests by the owners). A 25% deposit of the total stay is required to hold the reservation with a minimum of € 50 per room booked or € 100 per family accommodation. Deposits can be charged on Visa or MasterCard by the proprietors. Balance of payment is due upon arrival. Any other expenses not mentioned on the agreement will be paid at the end of the stay by cash or by Visa or MasterCard. No pets permitted on the property as the owners have two dogs, two donkeys, chickens and sheep. Television in the Salon. No land line telephones, but Internet access is available. Public telephone booth in street in front of church if needed. Open
all year with some winter closures. Please inquire.
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Directions:
From Paris Gare Montparnasse by TGV to Surgères, 2 hours 40 minutes (TGV). From Paris by auto: take the A10 via Tours/Poitiers/Niort. Exit 33 to La Rochelle/Rochefort/Surgères. At Mauzé sur le Mignon (not necessary to go into town) follow Rochefort/Surgères direction on D911. At 1st traffic light in Surgères, turn right. Before Gare SNCF at the round-about (fire and police stations), turn right under railway bridge. This is D115 to Puyravault. Continue for 4 kms to the D205, turn left to Puyravault. In the village, turn right at the church onto rue de la Garenne (sign for Chambres d'Hôtes). Le Clos de la Garenne is another 500 meters on the right. Airport:
La Rochelle
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| Guest Rooms | Elegant Dining | The Gardens | Salon and Billiard Room | Cottage and Studio |
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