Farmhouse with Private Pool - authentic retreat perfect for family holidays
| People | 9 |
| Bedrooms | 3 |
| Bathrooms | 3 |
| Space | 2,260 sq. ft. |
| Property type | house |
| Minimum Stay | 3 - 7 nights |
Overview
3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and 2 shower rooms, sleeps 9/10
The sea is within an easy hour and the River Charente is on your doorstep. Bicycling is great for all ages - with quiet mainly flat lanes in the warm open countryside. Though there is access to much activity it is just such a lovely place to relax, recover a little, and enjoy those things which make holidays memorable. Local fish, excellent wine, the cheese, the cognac and pineau can all be found in the local markets and greatly enhance the ambiance . The accommodation is very flexible. The third bedroom has a double bed and two single beds with an en suite shower room. There is also a sofa bed in the living room, a travel cot and futon upstairs and plenty of flexible extra space but the house is set up for a comfortable 9/10 person stay, including a handful of kids.
About Sarah Thurstan
I was born and grew up in North London and spent 30 years in Lancashire and have now moved to Folkestone in Kent, having spent 4 years back in London. My parents lived in Hadlow Kent for twenty years, so I feel I am coming back to my youth.
I am the owner of a training company and work as a facilitator and coach. I am also a professional actress and have a daughter who is a psychologist and a son-in-law who is a film editor. I am divorced and enjoy meeting new people.
Sarah Thurstan purchased this house in 2006
Why Sarah Thurstan chose Saint-Savinien
I speak fluent French and have always loved France. As a teenager my mother sent me to France every summer, (probably to get rid of me). To own a house in France was my dream, now realised.
What makes this house unique
As soon as I saw the house I knew it had to be mine. My father was an architect and I appreciated immediately the farmhouse structure with white exposed limestone. The big windows look out onto a verdant valley of artichokes, walnut trees and sunflowers. The pool was set below the house with a vine covered terrace, which I have now renovated and is perfect for summer evenings.
Guestbook comments from the owner
We were so tired and pretty stressed and desperately needed some R & R. It's not often you go on holiday everything is better than you expected. When we arrived we found in the kitchen fresh baguette, delicious cheese and a great bottle of red wine. What a treat and very thoughtful of the owners - a great welcome and start to the holiday. The farmhouse is spacious and full of French character and the area is divine! The time relaxing by the pool was just what we needed. A true find - we recommend it.
Facilities
Accommodation and facilities for this holiday house in Saint-Savinien in Charente-Maritime
- house (detached)
- Self-catering
- 2260 sq. ft.
- Max. occupancy: 9
- children welcome
- pets not allowed
- near the sea
- rural
- village
- Away From It All
- Family
- Romantic
- Basic Soaps
- Fireplace
- Hair Dryer
- Internet
- Iron & Board
- Linens Provided
- Living Room
- Local Maps
- Paper Towels
- Parking
- Sofa Bed
- Sunbed
- Toilet Paper
- Towels Provided
- Washing Machine
- Wood Stove
- 4 Ring Stove
- Blender
- Coffee Maker
- Cooking Utensils
- Dishes & Utensils
- Dishwasher
- Freezer
- Grill
- Kitchen
- Microwave
- Oven
- Pantry Items
- Refrigerator
- Hob
- Toaster
- Child's Highchair
- Dining
- Dining Area
- seating for 10 people
- 3 Bathrooms
-
Bathroom 1 -
Toilet
,
Bath with Shower
Bathroom 2 - Toilet , Shower Enclosure
Bathroom 3 - Toilet , Shower Enclosure
- Utility room downstairs with extra toilet
- 3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 9
-
Bedroom 1 -
1 Large Double Bed
,
Also a sofa
Bedroom 2 - 1 Double Bed
Bedroom 3 - 1 Double Bed , 2 Single Bed , 1 Cot
- The master bedroom has its own separate external access as well as normal access; it has ensuite bathroom. Bedroom 2 has a separate shower room. Bedroom 3 ('The Dorm') has an ensuite shower room. There is a sofa bed in the salon downstairs. There is also a futon that can be put in one of the bedrooms.
- Books
- Books - Fiction / Non-fiction
- Books for Kids
- CD Player
- DVD Player
- Games
- Games for Kids
- Radio
- Television ...
- Toys
- Video Player
- Deck Chairs
- Beach Towels
- Bicycles ...
- Boat ...
- Terrace
- Golf ...
- Kayak / Canoe ...
- Garden
- Barbecue
- Tennis ...
- Terrace
- 5 bicycles
- 8 garden chairs
- 3 deck chairs
- Long-term Renters Welcome
- not suitable for elderly or infirm
- wheelchair inaccessible
- Outdoor Pool
- Private Pool
- caves
- churches
- cinemas
- laundrette - not serviced
- forests
- library
- museums
- playground
- restaurants
- ruins
- winery tours
- bird watching
- horse riding
- paddle boating
- scenic drives
- sight seeing
- walking
- ATM/bank
- Babysitter
- fitness centre
- groceries
- hospital
- laundrette - serviced
- massage therapist
- medical services
- cycling
- equestrian events
- fishing
- fly fishing
- freshwater fishing
- golf
- hiking
- jet skiing
- mountain biking
- swimming
- tennis
Reviews
Exceptional!
5/5 -
(9 traveller reviews)
Lovely farmhouse
We had a great time in this spacious house, not like a holiday house, but a real home. Everything you can think of is there.
The kids (14, 14, 10, 10 and 6) couldn't get enough of the swimming pool, and we just loved the patio with the barbecue.
The house is in a very quiet location, so you can sleep with open windows, and wake to the sound of birdsong - wonderful!
The house is old and we're not particularly fond of the wall-to-wall carpet upstairs, but it's the only negative point about this place.
Saint-Savinien is 3 kms away and has a very good restaurant "Le Saint-Savinien". Saintes is about half an hour away, and is a very nice town - definitely worth a visit. "La Grande Plage" on Ile d'Oleron is a very large sandy beach, and not too crowded. We also visited "Le Marais des Oiseaux" on the island, but please, don't go there - it's a total waste of money: apart from geese and gulls, there's nothing much to see.
I would certainly recommend this house to all my friends who want to visit the Charente region.
We loved your farmhouse - complete relaxation
Oh my god!! We loved your farmhouse from the moment we stepped into it, its authenticity, homeliness, beauty, setting, - everything about the place was perfect. Even losing my camera turned out to be a lovely experience! We'd been out on your bicycles (inspired forethought) so when I couldn't find my very expensive camera we decided to re-trace our steps. We returned to the beautiful church in Saint Savinien to find that there were notices plastered in the entrance way saying (in French and English) that a camera had been found and to ring a number, only the number given was unobtainable!
So, – cut a long story short - I, as the nominated French speaker (v poor I have to say) spoke to 2 very warm and lovely Frenchmen walking their dogs who then helped me to contact the Curate. I spoke to the curate who then contacted the person who had put the notices up! Eventually I spoke to him and between us with his poor English and my very poor French we arranged to meet only he insisted on bringing the camera to your farmhouse. He turned up later that afternoon in a huge Mercedes, refused a bottle of wine we wanted to give him as a thank you and told me he’d been through the images on my camera to discern who it belonged to – he liked the many images of English Castles! I must remember to lose a camera next time – everyone was so, so lovely.
Jean Luc is very sweet and we liked his cat.
Sarah, you have an amazing farmhouse – I think we may be back!
Anne xx
A magical house in a beautiful area
This was the best holiday in years, as soon as I walked in I felt relaxed and at home, the house is beautifully decorated in the French rustic style, it feels very homely, especially the big kitchen with the long dining table. I loved jumping in the pool every morning for a refreshing swim, and my one year old was very happy, surrounded by family and exploring his way around the kitchen! The nearby town of St.Savinien is the epitomy of French charm, and we enjoyed evening walks in the village looking at the sunflower fields. I managed to relax here in a way I haven't done since before my baby was born! I still think about it now and already want to plan next year's holiday...it was divine. Thank you for a wonderful holiday.
A magical place in a beautiful area
This was the best holiday in years, as soon as I walked in I felt relaxed and at home, the house is beautifully decorated in the French rustic style, it feels very homely, especially the big kitchen with the long dining table. I loved jumping in the pool every morning for a refreshing swim, and my one year old was very happy, surrounded by family and exploring his way around the kitchen! The nearby town of St.Savinien is the epitomy of French charm, and we enjoyed evening walks in the village looking at the sunflower fields. I managed to relax here in a way I haven't done since before my baby was born! I still think about it now and already want to plan next year's holiday...it was divine. Thank you for a wonderful holiday.
A wonderful restful holiday. Gorgeous house & area
The whole stay was blissful, possibly the best holiday we've ever had. The house is gorgeous, beautifully decorated and lovely rooms, esp that fantastic kitchen, we loved cooking and spending time in there. We felt immediately 'at home' and we're talking about returning every year - I can't wait!!
The atmosphere is as magical as the house and the very pretty area it's in too, I haven't relaxed as much or as easily in ages and I'm still feeling refreshed despite the busy few weeks I've had since returning. Thank you to all at Vaufraiche for the care and attention you have paid to this house - it's apparent in every detail and it felt like you genuinely care about providing the best holiday possible to your guests. Best wishes, Jaime Taylor
Wonderful week in Vaufraiche
We have just returned from a totally fabulous week at the Vaufraiche farmhouse. As two families of four (including 3 teenagers and a 12year old), we were very comfortable in this beautiful house with its' fabulous swimming pool.
A small stream runs through the fields below the pool which supports a rich wildlife including kingfishers, swallow-tailed butterflies and multi coloured dragonflies.
We took the bicycles out in the cooler evenings and mornings and explored the immediate area. There were fields filled with sunflowers and hundreds of storks, stunning sunsets over the Charante river and a beautiful little chateau.
The local wine is delicious and very good value and went down very well chilled with salads and barbeques.
This is the third time we have stayed here over the last 10 years, it has proved ideal for holidaying with very young children and our now much older teenagers, it would be equally deligtful for adults looking for a peaceful escape.
Location
Located in the hamlet of Vaufraiche, with its nearest town of St Savinien just 2 kms away. Within 20 kms are the historic towns of Saintes and St Jean D'Angely, and further afield are Cognac and Surgeres (25 kms). The countryside is sun baked and open astride the River Charente as it makes its way to the sea to the west, whilst to the east it is covered in sunflowers, maize and the vineyards of the Cognac region. The sea is 45 minutes drive with beaches on the Atlantic coast and on the Iles de Re and d'Oleron, with their nearby towns of La Rochelle, Rochefort and Royan.
Other Activities: Boating, kayaking and waterskiing
Photos
Prices & Availability
Prices for this holiday house in Saint-Savinien, Charente-Maritime
- Rental Basis:
- per property
- Owner accepts payment in:
- GBP
| Rental Period | Minimum Price | Additional Nights | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly | Event Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Early Summer
27 May 2018 -
30 Jun 2018
3 night minimum stay
|
£464
for 3 nights
|
|
£950
|
|
|
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|
Summer
15 Jul 2018 -
25 Aug 2018
7 night minimum stay
|
£1,400
for 7 nights
|
|
£1,400
|
|
|
||||
|
Summer
26 Aug 2018 -
29 Sep 2018
7 night minimum stay
|
£950
for 7 nights
|
|
£950
|
|
|
||||
|
Late Summer
30 Sep 2018 -
27 Oct 2018
4 night minimum stay
|
£414
for 4 nights
|
|
£650
|
|
|
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Additional pricing information
| Cleaning Fee | £100 |
| Refundable Damage Deposit | £300 |
24 Jun - 1 Sep: Stays of less than one week are not possible.
1 May- 23 Jun:Stays of less than one week are possible.Please negotiate with owners.
1 Sep -31 Oct : Stays of less than one week are possible.Please negotiate with owners.
Owner's Cancellation Policy
- Available
- Unavailable
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