Bois Bourdet - Petite Maison

Weekly prices from:
395 GBP , 483 EUR

	Sleeps 2+1infant in 1 bedroom
	There are paddling pools available and little ones are encouraged to use the heated outdoor pool (safely fenced & alarmed)with adult supervision. Heate dto approx. 30 degrees Apr-Oct.
	There are plenty of books, toys and craft materials available.
	A playhouse with mini kitchen, tables, chairs and blackboard, as well as a large sandpit area have joined the swings and slide in competing with the feeding the resident chickens as for the top outdoor highlight amongst mini guests. Also, netted trampoline.
	Little ones are encouraged to help feed the free-range chickens and collect their eggs.
	The owners are strongly committed to protecting the environment and sustaining the local community. They recycle, compost, use local suppliers, eco-friendly paints, cleaners and supply natural and local 'treats' for guests in the form of complimentary toletries and welcome gifts. They have reed-bed sewerage system and rain-water harvesting.
	Treatments from a visiting local therapist can be pre-booked and special pampering breaks are often available in the winter months.
	Cots, high chairs, stair gates, sterilisers, changing mats, baby baths and baby monitors are all available.
	Babysitting is available on request
	Delicious 3-course meals with an emphasis on fresh local produce are available. The cuisine is excellent and often a major factor for returning guests. These can be served on the gite terraces/dining rooms.
	Private terrace equipped with garden furniture and a barbecue

Overview

Just one day at the lovely Bois Bourdet B&B and cottages is enough to see why its guestbook has more promises to return than an Arnold Schwarzenegger film! The former 18^th century farm is a pastoral scene to inspire the most reluctant of artists, the mouth-watering meals on offer could seriously rival a Michelin starred restaurant and the thoughtful extras for both pre-schoolers and their parents are superb.

TThe cottage's beautiful original features such as 18^th century oak beamed ceilings, exposed stonewalls; huge fireplaces and wooden floors are complimented with simple yet elegant furnishings. The attention to detail extends to thoughtful extras such as the hand-made organic soaps in the bathrooms, the ‘help yourself’ vegetable patch ...read more inside

Overview [continued]

... and delicious home-made jams and cookies in the welcome packs.

Weekly pizza making sessions for children of all ages are a real favourite with junior guests at Bois Bourdet. They love to get messy mixing the dough and then creating their own tasty toppings. Plus. Mum and Dad get to have a quiet couple of hours or so to relax and are then treated to a delicious pizza for lunch!

La Petite Maison is a characterful romantic retreat for two plus a baby. Formerly a barn with an old fashioned bread oven, its sympathetic conversion has kept the character with restored oak beams, exposed stone walls and the pretty oven and chimney making a feature in the bedroom. The interiors are country contemporary with shaker style furnishings and quarry tiled floors. The bedroom has a pretty ensuite shower room (baby bath can be provided for little ones). Outside a furnished terrace has ample furnishings for dining al fresco or simply enjoying the view with a glass of the local wine in hand. Inside the open-plan living area comes equipped with modern amenties such a dishwasher, microwave, TV, DVD player and CD player.

Local Knowledge

Bois Bourdet is in the Deux-Sèvres region at the heart of the Poitou-Charentes and just five miles from the historic town of St Maixent-L’Ecole. The owners are happy to book cycle hire and provide picnics for those who wish to explore. They can also advise on activities from golf (six excellent courses are nearby), horse riding, fishing and canoeing, to rock climbing, go-karting and even hot air ballooning! There are several lakes nearby including the beautiful Lac du Lambon (10mins drive), which has a sandy beach. The Atlantic coast is within an hour’s drive, as is the gorgeous pedestrianised old town of La Rochelle and the lovely Ile de Ré, a mecca for French holidaymakers. Cognac and Poiters are also within easy reach and well worth a visit.

Getting There: The nearest airports are Poitiers (45mins) , La Rochelle (1hr20mins) and Bordeaux (approx. 2hrs). Try www.skyscanner.net as a useful low-cost flight comparison. Alternatively, travel by train in just 2 hours from Paris (Eurostar to Paris approx 2 hrs + 2hrs Paris-Poiters). Eurostar can also be booked direct to Poitiers (approx 4hrs) and then car hire is available from Poiters rail station, Bois Bourdet is then just a 40 min drive from Poitiers. By ferry, St Malo is the closest port being four hours drive away, Caen and Le Harve are around five hours drive, whilst Boulogne and Calais are six and severn hours drive respectively. The owners will be happy to help with directions for the drive and recommend stop off points for lunch etc to break the journey once booked.

Check availability and book online at www.babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk

More photos overleaf