L’Olivier
Superb Family Holiday Gite
Judith Burgess Surrey, England
Date of Stay: August 2007
Terry and Catherine have thought of everything. The gite is beautifully renovated and furnished with everything you need for a family holiday from a well equipped kitchen to toys and videos for the children. This will be our third holiday with them this year (2008) and we can't wait for our 2 weeks enjoying the gite, pool and surrounding countryside.
Lovely holiday
Nan, Leigh and Anna UK
Date of Stay: July 2010
I would definitely recommend this gite. The property was clean and the description was accurate. Everything that you needed had been thought of and we especially appreciated the attention to detail like the videos for the children (they loved the Carry On films- thanks Terry!) and the welcome pack of food.
The pool was a real bonus and was well maintained. The pool loungers and parasols were very stylish and comfortable. The garden was well maintained and private with mature trees which gave shade.
Catherine the owner ,as mentioned before ,was helpful and accessible but not intrusive and left us to enjoy our holiday but any problems were sorted out straight away. Also the correspondence with Catherine before and after the holiday was always very efficient and professional.
Apart from a day at Royan/beach and market day at Saintes (wed and sat) we tended to cycle in the local area. We enjoyed the circular la Pierre Crazannes as most of it is on cycle paths and is great for children and it goes past the sculptures in the quarry at La lapidales near Port D'Envaux. Liked cycle ride to Taillebourg with 8 and 9 year olds for ice cream by Charente river (pretty village). We enjoyed the swimming in the river and hiring kayaks at next village Port D'Envaux approx 2km away).
Overall a great place to visit and stay.
Eki Hämeenkuja 2 b 30 13200 Hämeenlinna,Finland
Date of Stay: June 2010
L´Olivier was a perfect choice for our family, right in the heart of rural France. The
gite is 68m2,and with two bedrooms just suitable for four adults.
The gite is surrounded by a beautiful garden, with lots of old trees and nice
flowers.
There's a swimming pool for communal use and it´s a sheer delight when
temperatures rise high as they often do in Charente.
The river Charente gives a lovely background for rural walks in near-by villages.
Our own village Crazannes luckily provided two elementary services for everyday comfort:the baker's and the butcher's were just a few minutes walk away.
For more shopping we drove to St Savinien, a small town with a large
supermarket as well as other shops and restaurants.
There´s a train from St Savinien to La Rochelle if you don't want to drive, though
the roads are good if you don't mind the traffic in summer months)
All in all we had a pleasant stay in l´Olivier and we can recommend it
to anyone who wants to spend their holiday in peace and quiet and
explore the French countryside.
The owners had done an excellent job on their brochure, everything was
as promised and we appreciated the welcome package waiting for us in the gite. The children are well looked after, with their own playground and toys for
all sorts of plays and of course the big pool.
Kaikille suomalaisille lukijoille:voin vakuuttaa,että l´Olivier on mahtava
valinta kesänviettopaikaksi,oma ihanan rauhallinen puutarha,lapsille
hieno leikkipaikka,keinuineen,leikkimökkeineen ja uima-altaan vesileluineen.
Ja ällistyttävän halvalla--verrattuna esimerkiksi Suomen mökkeihin.Lisäksi
halpalentoyhtiöt lentävät kesällä läheisille lentokentille.Auto on tosin maalla
asuessa pakollinen.Annan mielelläni lisätietoja.
Fantastic holiday
Richali United Kingdom
Date of Stay: June 2010
A well presented and equipped property, in a secluded location with excellent facilities and a good size lovely pool across the lawn. Great place to relax with good access to great days out. Very friendly owners who were happy to give advice and recommendations on the local area.
L'Olivier
Helen Northumberland
Date of Stay: June 2010
We had a great fortnight in this brilliantly child friendly gite. We have 2 children age 2 and 4 who loved the pool, swings, garden, sandpit and playhouse. We didn't have the best weather for our holiday but were within "daytrip" distance of La Rochelle, Ile de Re, the fantastic Zoo at La Palmyre and beaches of the Atlantic Coast and La Gironde. Had the weather been great, we probably would have seen none of these and spent 2 weeks lounging around L'Olivier. The gite was very well equipped, comfortable and tasteful. Catherine and Terry made us very welcome and were accessible without being intrusive. Nothing was too much trouble. I came home fully recharged, Thank you!
La Bergerie
Katrina&Dave Rotherham S Yorks
Date of Stay: June 2009
A lovely stay. The house was clean and well equipped with very high standard fittings and fixtures. Full English TV and internet .
Surrounded by gardens, very private .Helpful and friendly owners on site.
Swimming pool was also well maintained.
Nearby attractions- Ile de Re , beautiful un spoilt beaches, walking in the rich countryside., lots of historical buildings and churches, pretty villages , Royan and La Rochelle.
A calm and relaxing break suitable for couples and families.
A lovely holiday!
Sara, Guy, Lucy and Rosie Chichester, West Sussex, UK
Date of Stay: August 2009
L'Olivier is a beautifully furbished Gite, done with attention to detail, great taste and quality equipment. There was everything needed to ensure a relaxing and comfortable holiday. With plenty of garden area and super pool, all well maintained, we all had a great time. Our 2 girls were quite happy to spend the whole day just jumping in and out of the pool and playing in the garden with Catherine and Terry's 2 lovely children.
We received a friendly welcome with wine, local cheese and bread left out for us. Catherine and Terry are available if needed and really charming and fun but also completely unobtrusive so that your Gite and garden are your own private area despite them being close by.
Whilst the surrounding area is peaceful and relaxing, there are many towns and villages to visit with restaurants catering for all tastes. The river Charente is also close by offering all water sports or where you can just take a leisurely stroll. Our children particularly enjoyed the replica motorized boats on the lake and St Savinien, and we ended up going there 3 times!!
We fell in love with the nearby City of Saintes with its beautiful architecture, pretty streets, shops, cafes and restaurants, not to mention its culture and historic roman attractions.
We spent a few days traveling out to the coast for visits to the beaches which were beautiful. However we always enjoyed returning in the evenings to the peace and tranquility of Crazannes
We have already recommended these Gites to family and friends and will definitely be returning ourselves at some time in the future.
A perfect family holiday
The Thatchers Maidstone Kent
Date of Stay: July 2009
We had a wonderful 2 weeks. The gite, garden and pool were perfect. The gite is beautifully renovated, with all our needs catered for. The children's toys and outside play equipment were a big hit with our children as was all the baby equipment Catherine provided. The gardens are beautiful (great place for hide and seek). The children loved the pool and their swimming and confidence in the water has improved no end. We had lovely weather and spent time on the local beaches. There is plenty to do in this area for families with young children. Thank you Catherine and Terry for a wonderful holiday and are looking forward to our return to you next year.
Outstanding gite and service
Liza, Patrick, Alcina and Colette Horsham, Wests Sussex
Date of Stay: April 2009
My family enjoyed a perfect holiday in mid France, well worth the travel. The garden was fantastic fun for the children along with the sandpit, swings, playhouse and garden snails. Service is above and beyond the standard provided in France with superb attention to detail, a wonderful personal touch from Terry and Catherine. Very clean and well organized, beautifully presented bedrooms
and well managed/maintained. Also very thoughtful were the toys and the videos for the children. Great cooking and washing facilities, the gite is warm and the log burner adds a romantic touch to a glass of cognac. Superb sun trap and BBQ in a further enclosed garden for an aperitif. Well sited with quick access to the beaches, aquarium, fun parks, town markets, Vineyards and not far from Bordeaux and the Perigords (bon appetite). A very peaceful and restful environment, either to get-away-from-it-all or indulge in some French culture and goodies. Very highly recommended gite, we enjoyed warm sunny afternoons watching the children play. One last thing - the entire surrounding area is safe and clean. No rubbish.
Highly Recommeded Gite
Ian, Kim and Alex Henlow, Bedfordshire
Date of Stay: October 2008
We had an excellent short stay out of season (October), not only were we blessed by the weather, which was excellent, but the gite was exceptional and ideal for us with our 4 year old, who enjoyed the huge range of videos and the swings in the garden!
Catherine and Terry were excellent hosts and I would recommend this gite to any wanting a quiet retreat in a lovely and underestimated part of France.
Almost forgot about the wonderful log burner in the front room, ideal for autumn and winter.
Stunning!
Alison&Angus Bognor Regis, Sussex
Date of Stay: August 2007
We visited for a week summer 2007 and it would be hard to improve on the experience.
The position was perfect, being only around 5 hours from St Malo, and positioned for easy access to many daytrip locations, e.g.. Bordeaux, La Rochelle, Cognac, Royan and the Islands, and even St Emilion.
The accommodation was very comfortable and everything we could ever need had been anticipated. Gardens were beautiful and very secluded.
You have to travel quite a way to find a good restaurant, but the local shops were great and very good cooking facilities are provided in the gites
A wonderful retreat. We would have no hesitation in recommending these properties to anyone looking for peace and quiet.
Fabulous relaxing family holiday
KarenB Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Date of Stay: July 2007
Karen B and family, Newcastle upon Tyne
We would thoroughly recommend both l'Olivier and la Petite Bergerie. On our first visit to Crazannes we booked l'Olivier for our family of five (children ages 6,7,8). It was delightful, with its own private garden within the grounds. Catherine and Terry have lovingly converted this barn with an eye for detail and a flair for design. As much work has gone into the gardens which are a joy. The pool is well maintained and safe making this a relaxing, family friendly site. You could spend the week on site but out and about there are plenty of places of interest and activities such as horse riding and canoeing to satisfy all.
We loved the place so much we returned with my parents and stayed in la Petite Bergerie. Again, the accommodation did not disappoint. The spacious yet very homely and comfortable living area is ideal for a larger group. We mainly used local shops and cooked or had barbeques but must recommend that visitors try Catherine's home cooking which is available as an extra service. My personal favourite was the lemon tart but all the dishes we chose were delicious.
Catherine, Terry and their family are fabulous hosts. They are attentive and friendly but in no way intrusive. The grounds and pool are such that you can be as private or as sociable as you wish. I look forward to us returning there sometime in the future.
Well worth a visit !!
silver fox Andover, Hampshire
Date of Stay: August 2007
We have now visited 3 times staying in both gites and are going back for our fourth visit (summer 2008) I cannot recommend a visit highly enough, your hosts from arrival to departure cannot be helpful enough without ever getting in the way. Both Gites have been refurbished to a very, very high standard, exceptionally clean & tidy offering everything you could wish for from a self catering holiday. Externally the gardens offer a safe playground while the pool is securely fenced, wonderfully located & maintained. Whilst rural in its location, within easy reach are lovely beaches, quaint villages & of course plenty of good value restaurants. Every time we have visited we have always found something different, this along with the relaxed attitude of the hosts will always make this destination a favourite of ours. As the title suggests "well worth a visit"
La Petite Bergerie
Fantastic week in Crazannes
Ian & Mary Staffordshire
Date of Stay: July 2010
My wife and I plus or daughter, son in law and 6 week old baby Lucy have just returned from a fantastic week at La Petite Bergerie. We have over the years visited most regions of France and had some mixed accommodation however this Gite is exceptional in it's level of comfort and cleanliness. It is modern very well equipped and a real home from home. As the weather was very hot during our week the pool proved to be a big hit allowing some respite from the afternoon heat. The garden and barbecue were also well used during our visit.
Lots to do in the area around including Saintes (for shopping and in particular visits to the supermarkets) , also worth a visit if you have children is the park with the little boats on the left entering St Savinien. Excellent beaches are within easy access at Chatelaillon Plage and La Rochelle.
We had a number of meals out but the best by far was closest to home in the Hotel in St Savinien and excellent value.
Terry has a Lotus and a Caterham and is really interested in cars so this would make an ideal base for a touring holiday with sports cars with safe parking and miles of un spoilt roads and villages to explore.
We will certainly visit again and a final thanks to Catherine and Terry who were very helpful at every stage from the initial booking by telephone to making sure we departed successfully.
Fabulous week
Trevor & Hilary Kent/uk
Date of Stay: September 2009
Such a relief after a long drive from Calais to find we had booked such a
fabulous Gite and the welcome pack bottle of wine was soon enjoyed !!
We picked this area to go across to see the old car racing at Angouleme (Circuit des Remparts) and the to explore the coast near Royan. As two couples this property suited us perfectly with two bathrooms and room at each end.
such a delightful and peaceful spot, hard to leave.
Absolutely outstanding holiday
Adrian Bell Shafton, Barnsley
Date of Stay: August 2009
Just returned from holiday and here are our remarks regarding the accommodation:-
3 beautifully laid out bedrooms all to a very high standard of decor.
2 well equipped bathrooms decorated to a high standard.
kitchen, dining and living room all open plan and very well decorated and really comfy. The kitchen has absolutely everything you will require for a holiday, it's really top quality.
Right about the surroundings again spot on, the pool good size a bit cold but needed on the really hot days to cool and chill out. Great BBQ area and beautiful gardens.
The area has some nice walks but a car is required so you can adventure to the local beauty spots.
Loads to do all within 3/4 hr drive ie: beach, Cognac (brandy heaven) & shopping (Saintes)
Katherine, Terry and family made us feel really welcome and gave us loads of info. to help our stay, they were at hand if required but never intruded it felt like a home from home.
All in all just right would definitely go again, highly recommended and well worth the drive....
La Petite Bergerie
Barbie and Fran Chester UK
Date of Stay: August 2009
The conversion of this barn is second to non. Tastefully done, clean bright and airy (not typically French!), it has everything you need for a relaxing comfortable holiday. Great clean safe swimming pool and play area for children within the grounds. The area is great too with lots to do locally; safe swimming in the river in the next village, even water-skiing at Taillebourg which is also very close and a pretty village. The coast and La Rochelle are within easy reach for fantastic beaches and sea food. We were looking for a place to buy in the area, but with somewhere as good as this to stay we are having second thoughts. Lastly Terry and Catherine were very helpful when needed but were conscious of our privacy. Each Gite has it's own private garden and eating area, but the pool area is great to socialise and meet the other guests. Book early to avoid disappointment!!
Excellent location for a relaxing break.
TAPTDJ Bristol
Date of Stay: July 2009
Thanks Catherine and Terry for our stay in La Petit Bergerie. The Gite was very comfortable and very well appointed, did not miss anything. The pool area is excellent and kept two teenage boys amused. The wi-fi internet access was a bit on and off but not really missed by the adults, more by the boys. The weather for our stay was excellent only one day with drizzle in 2 weeks. Local restaurants in Port d'Envaux and St Savinien were ok but not outstanding. Golf course at Saintes was not very good but Cognac and Royan both good courses and worth playing. Good cycling in the area on lanes with very little traffic. All in all a very peaceful break.
Our holiday in La Petite Bergerie
mummyofwillandjess Fairburn North Yorkshire
Date of Stay: June 2009
It was our first visit to this part of France and to this property and we weren't disappointed with either one. We had the most perfect, relaxing week, probably the most enjoyable, chilled out holiday we've ever had. The gite itself was beyond our wildest expectations. Beautifully decorated throughout and our every need was catered for - even serviettes and food ties to keep food fresh were available!!! Catherine and Terry had thought of everything. Also very much appreciated were the jigsaws and toys for our children although we spent most of our time at the gite either in the gorgeous gardens, at the bbq or in the fab, child safe pool. We only wish we'd known about Catherine's home cooking service being available and we would have loved to have got to grips with oysters while we were there too - we read in the guest book that Terry is an expert at shucking!!! Maybe next time!! We loved the area so much, we've started looking for a renovation project. One word to sum up our time in Crazannes - PERFECT!! Thanks for letting us stay at your lovely gite.
La Petite Bergerie
Gite-seeker South West, UK
Date of Stay: July 2008
Catherine and Terry have created a wonderful place to stay. Very well equipped with everything necessary to make staying as easy and straightforward as possible. Top quality fittings and very comfortable. There's even wi-fi for those who find getting away from it all just that little bit too much of a challenge. This is a tastefully and thoughtfully furnished place and cannot be faulted.