Farmhouse in Ste Christine, Near Fontenay le Comte, Vendee

Farmhouse in Ste Christine, Nr. Fontenay le Comte, Vendee, France - Peaceful Location on the 'Green Venice' Circuit Touristique 

Internet access Bikes available Horse riding at the stables next door Kayak and canoe provided Built at the turn of the century this beautiful authentic farmhouse is situated in a picturesque quiet canalside village in the French Interregional Park of the Marais Poitevin. This is an area of natural beauty featuring a vast network of waterways linking to the west coast. The Atlantic beaches, La Rochelle and the chic Ile de Re can be reached by car in under an hour.

The Farmhouse has ample space for relaxing in the sun lounge or main lounge with French doors to the garden, and the sociable French style bar in the kitchen is great for wine sipping and chatting. Two of the bedrooms have en suite bathrooms with an additional family bathroom on the ground floor. Bedroom 3 can be set up as a king-size or 2 or 3 singles. An induction hob is great for cooking and for children there's a high chair, cot, sterilising kit, changing mat and safety bolts on doors at both the bottom and top of the stairs. Outdoor dining furniture, barbecue, hammock, deck chairs, loungers, books, table tennis and paddling pool are provided.

Just 3 minutes' stroll from the canal and parkland area laced with little woodland boardwalk bridges and picnic benches. Easy family cycling and walking routes are on the doorstep and we have bikes available for guest use, although more challenging bike routes are not far away. Right next door horses can be hired from the equestrian centre. We have canoes at the house for guests to wheel down to the wharf 200m away and within 2km there are several 'embarcaderes' where the flat-bottomed local barques can be rented. Fishing permits can be obtained. There is a small village bar opposite which serves drinks and tapas with a monthly Latin music evening. Cycle to the many cafes, creperies and restaurants in the surrounding waterside villages, which all have markets and/or firework festivals during the summer. Nearby historic abbeys offer concerts and 'son et lumiere' productions.

There is a bakery and Cave (selling a large selection of wines) less than 5 minutes drive away and the nearest supermarket and shops are under 10 minutes drive where there is also an outdoor swimming and toddler pool The nearest sandy beach, about 20 minutes drive, surrounds a lake with water chutes and a small cafe. Not far from there is a zoo, a small adventure park and in Fontenay a rope walk in the trees. Fontenay and Niort, each about 20 minutes drive, are both good sized pretty towns on the river with many shops. large weekend markets, restaurants and historic buildings. About an hour away are the Atlantic beaches and the chic Ile de Re with its beaches and marinas. Also gardens and castles to visit. Further afield the huge theme park of the Puy du Fou, and the Futuroscope with its giant cinema screens.