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At this fab farm conversion, in one of the sunniest parts of France, frazzled parents can enjoy a well earned rest while tots to teens happily play the days away. Swathes of sunflowers, corn on the cob and vines surround the cottages in a peaceful rural setting and the beaches and islands of West Coast France are half an hour away.

Owners, Paula and Rob have invested all their experience as parents in the transformation of this rambling Charantais farmhouse into three well equipped cottages for families, complete with a lovely big garden, heated pool and games room that are really geared up for children to play. The couple are also working on a fourth cottage which is due to open in Spring 2015. La Bigorre is surrounded by fields of sunflowers, corn and vines

In the enclosed garden, toddlers won’t know what to do first, from discovering the dedicated under 5’s swingset and slide playhouse, to the ride ons, trikes, rockers, play tables and toys. Older children have their own adventure swingset and there’s a treehouse, trampoline and huge grass games field with football nets and the necessaries for croquet, cricket, badminton and boules. In an open games barn, let the tournaments commence of table football, table tennis, air hockey and pool, while a small craft shed is kitted out with paints and materials to get creative.

While all this is going on, grown-ups can lounge by the 10x5m heated swimming pool (safely fenced and gated) although the kids will soon shatter the peace by splashing around with the inflatables and diving down for sinkers. Apaddling pool is also provided so babies and toddlers can have a paddle and a play too.

To calm things down indoors, the owners have built up a huge selection of DVDs, from Bob the Builder to Harry Potter, plus there’s a good choice for grown-ups to watch when the kiddiwinks are in bed. Playmobil, Little People and Barbie are also among the toys provided as well as family board games and books for bedtime stories.

All four holiday homes are spacious and very ‘French country cottage’ in style, combining rustic features and traditional furnishings with all mod cons, including fully fitted kitchens, iPod docks and free Wi Fi is available in the open games barn. A long list of baby equipment is also provided to make everything that bit easier, including Bumbo seats, bouncy seats, high chairs, cots, bed guards, baby monitors and sterilizers. All the cottages have their own terrace with outdoor seating, parasol and BBQ so families can spill outside for breakfasts al fresco and sunset sizzles. The owners usually host a barbecue for families during their stay and they will also supply breakfast, dinner and drinks packs by prior arrangement.

Accommodation overview

La Bigorre consists of The Farmhouse and Well Cottage, which each have three bedrooms, and The Stables which has 2 bedrooms. An internal door between The Farmhouse and Well Cottage can be left unlocked to make a 6-bedroom home for extended families and friends. A fourth cottage, The Grange has 3 bedrooms (1 with a king size bed, 1 with a double bed and 1 children’s room with 2 singles and a bunk bed).

The Stables sleeps up to 6 people plus babies in cots and there is space for a cot in each bedroom. The cottage is ideal for families with younger children, being very close to the toddlers garden, games barn and pool. The Stables has been converted in a cool, Mediterranean style, with a spacious and sociable open plan layout that flows from the lounge area, into the dining area and through to the white fitted kitchen. French doors open onto a private dining terrace where tomatoes are usually planted for families to help themselves. On the first floor, the lovely master bedroom with an attractive exposed stone wall, has a king size bed, a further double room, while a children’s bedroom has two singles and a bunk bed. The large family bathroom has a bath with a shower overhead, WC and washbasin.