La Ferme de James (GAU.17)

La Ferme de James is a 3-bedroomed farmhouse, sleeping 6 (+ baby), outside the village of St-Hilaire-de-Villefranche (Charente-Maritime), 11km S of St-Jean-d’Angély, 16km N of Saintes (Michelin map: 521). VFB is delighted to have featured this property since 1996. Saturday arrival.

Dating from about 1900, this Charentaise farmhouse, restored in 1994, is situated in a tiny hamlet among fields of sunflowers and vineyards, set back off a minor road. Careful and tasteful restoration has resulted in a very appealing house, charmingly arranged to provide a very high standard of accommodation. A mixture of traditional and contemporary furnishings combine with exposed stone and beamed ceilings to give a comfortable ‘country’ ambience and the whole is impeccably kept. A beautiful covered terrace (approximately 4m50 x 8m) provides a sheltered area for outdoor meals, while beyond is a colourful garden of some 900m² with lawn and lovely flowering shrubs. There is a small plot of land, behind a fence, at the end of the garden where the owners’ donkey and chickens are kept at times. The setting is private (the nearest neighbour is about 10m to the rear of of the property but no windows overlook the garden) and peaceful, although some noise may be apparent from the Niort to Saintes branch line 1km away which carries light traffic (about 8 trains a day). The charming owners live 200m away; Monsieur farms cereals and Madame works in agricultural tourism. They speak some English and will personally welcome all their guests. Visits in the area include a Benedictine abbey at St-Jean, a 16th-century river island château at Dampierre. The oyster beds and salt marshes at Rochefort, the Ile d’Oléron and the fascinating wetlands of la Venise verte are also worth a visit. A superior and immaculate property combining comfort and charm, off the beaten track but within easy reach of many places of interest.

Accommodation: Ground floor: kitchen, living/dining room (with glazed fireplace), 1 double-bedded room, shower room, wc. First floor: 1 twin and 1 double-bedded room (both with en-suite shower and wc). This property is particularly suited to indoor and out-of-season living, due to a higher than average level of comfort.

Activities: Outdoor swimming pool (July – September) and tennis in St-Hilaire. Indoor swimming pool and fitness centre (with jacuzzi and sauna - open all year) in St-Jean-d’Angély. Bicycle hire and golf course (9 holes) at Saintes. Horse riding at 2km and golf course (18 holes) in Fontcouverte (11km). Sea at 55km.

Services: All essential shops and services and tourist office in St-Hilaire. Supermarket in St-Jean-d’Angély and Saintes. Market at St-Jean-d’Angély on Saturdays and Wednesdays, and at Saintes every day except Mondays.

Location
Outside the village of St-Hilaire-de-Villefranche (Charente-Maritime) – 1042 inhabitants – 11km S of St-Jean-d’Angély, 16km N of Saintes. Michelin map: 521.
 
Activities
Outdoor swimming pool (July – September) and tennis in St-Hilaire. Indoor swimming pool and fitness centre (with jacuzzi and sauna - open all year) in St-Jean-d’Angély. Bicycle hire and golf course (9 holes) at Saintes. Horse riding at 2km and golf course (18 holes) in Fontcouverte (11km). Sea at 55km.
 
Services
All essential shops and services and tourist office in St-Hilaire. Supermarket in St-Jean-d’Angély and Saintes. Market at St-Jean-d’Angély on Saturdays and Wednesdays, and at Saintes every day except Mondays.
 
Description
Dating from about 1900, this Charentaise farmhouse, restored in 1994, is situated in a tiny hamlet among fields of sunflowers and vineyards, set back off a minor road. Careful and tasteful restoration has resulted in a very appealing house, charmingly arranged to provide a very high standard of accommodation. A mixture of traditional and contemporary furnishings combine with exposed stone and beamed ceilings to give a comfortable ‘country’ ambience and the whole is impeccably kept. A beautiful covered terrace (approximately 4m50 x 8m) provides a sheltered area for outdoor meals, while beyond is a colourful garden of some 900m² with lawn and lovely flowering shrubs. There is a small plot of land, behind a fence, at the end of the garden where the owners’ donkey and chickens are kept at times. The setting is private (the nearest neighbour is about 10m to the rear of of the property but no windows overlook the garden) and peaceful, although some noise may be apparent from the Niort to Saintes branch line 1km away which carries light traffic (about 8 trains a day). The charming owners live 200m away; Monsieur farms cereals and Madame works in agricultural tourism. They speak some English and will personally welcome all their guests. Visits in the area include a Benedictine abbey at St-Jean, a 16th-century river island château at Dampierre. The oyster beds and salt marshes at Rochefort, the Ile d’Oléron and the fascinating wetlands of la Venise verte are also worth a visit. A superior and immaculate property combining comfort and charm, off the beaten track but within easy reach of many places of interest. Featured by VFB since 1996.
 
Accommodation
Ground floor: access from outside into living/dining room with 1 step up.
 
·     Kitchen (3m40 x 3m60) with dual cooker (3 gas rings, 1 electric ring and electric oven - low cooker hood), fridge with freezer compartment, dishwasher, microwave, mobile barbecue. Tiled floor. Door to living room/dining room (down 1 step) and shower room. Patio doors to terrace.
·     Living/dining room (4m50 x 6m) with glazed fireplace and television. Tiled floor. Open-tread stairs to first floor. Doors to garden and bedroom 1.
·     Bedroom 1 (4m20 x 6m) with 1 double bed (1m40). Tiled floor. Door to garden (down 1 step) and shower room (up 1 step).
·     Shower room with shower cubicle and washing machine. Tiled floor. Door to outside.
·     Separate wc.
 
First floor: open-tread stairs (beware low beam on stairs) to landing with doors to:
 
·     Bedroom 2 (4m90 x 3m30) with 2 single beds (0m90). Beamed sloping ceiling (low beam). Vinyl floor. Door to en suite shower room with shower cubicle and wc. Vinyl floor.
·     Bedroom 3 (4m90 x 3m85 - ½ step down) with 1 double bed (1m60).  Sloping beamed ceiling (with low beam). Vinyl floor. Door to en suite shower room with shower and wc. Vinyl floor.
 
Gas for cooking included – Electricity not included (electric radiator in every room) – Bed linen included, household linen available – Baby-sitting available on request.

Note 1: Please take care on the stairs due to their polished surface.
 
Note 2: There is a local tax (taxe de séjour) applicable at this property for all guests. The cost is 0.50€ per guest (over 14) per day, and should be paid directly to the owner.
 
Where household linen is available, payment should be made direct to the owner (one set costs 20€ for two people and each additional person staying at the property pays 5€).                  
 
Breakage Deposit: 100€ Sleeps: 6 + baby MAXIMUM (cot not provided)
 
Comments
“VFB and the owner, Madame Gauthier, have been excellent.” “We would highly recommend the proprietors and the cottage to any future clientele.” “This one ranks among the very, very best.” “The owners were very kind and made our holiday that bit special.” “This is one of the best gîtes VFB have to offer – peace, calm and relaxation in abundance. We can now go home recharged after our stay in this well-appointed house.”
 
Description updated July 2009