Le Forestier is a large 7 bedroom property set in the heart of Wine and Cognac country. This is one of the original buildings from the Hameau 'Le Forestier' set next to the town of St-Hilaire-du-Bois. The property is just 5 minutes from the market town of Jonzac. The Charente-Maritime region is located on the West coast of France and in a perfect location for great summer activities.
The property is able to sleep 12/13 plus baby and is suitable for all types of families and groups wishing to go somewhere that feels a bit out of the way. It is easily within travelling distance of many facilities, sights to see, major towns and the coast.
Sorry no pets or smoking allowed.
The property is a restored farmhouse furnished as a family home, situated in a quiet 'hameau' near a working farm. The house has 14 rooms, including 7 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 WC's and able to sleep 12/13 plus baby. French patio doors open onto the large 1100m2 lawn.
The right side of the house has oil-fired central heating, and the left has electric radiators in every room.
Les Chambres
Ground floor bedrooms are generally all very similar, with tiled floors, keeping it cool in summer. There is also a baby cot available at the property, so please do request linen when contacting us.
The first floor bedrooms have typical Charente style windows and all benefit from Velux windows to increase the amount of light. Rooms vary in size but are quite large (typically 3m x 6m).
La Cuisine
The modern kitchen comes fully equipped with plenty of work surfaces, breakfast bar, 5 hob gas powered range cooker (also with internal spit), dishwasher, fridge freezer, as well as a microwave, toaster, and kettle. There is plenty of cookware and tableware to cater for a large group!
Sejour
In summer, this is one of the coolest rooms in the house but, in the rare event of a cooler evening, there is a large traditional Charentaise style fireplace equipped with guard and the necessary tools.
Salon / Salle à Manger
This is a very large room of about 12m x 10m, and has French doors on two sides. It is well equipped with sofas and dining table and includes a stereo system, DVD player and TV. This room keeps very cool in the summer heat.
A second large sejour / dining room in the second half of the house normally serves as a playroom but is adaptable for other uses.
Amenities
There are 2 separate WCs in the house, both on the ground floor. Also there are 2 bathrooms with shower, bath and basins. These are situated one on each part of the house. In one bathroom there is a washing machine.
Outside
There is an outside 18' by 12' unheated outdoor surface splash pool surrounded by a large level grass area, ideal for the kids (both big and small!). There is plenty of garden furniture for outdoor meals or simply for relaxation and there is a portable BBQ for the warm summer evenings. The deep authentic well is covered for safety.
Parking
There is room for about 3/4 cars on the circular gravel drive.
The Local Area
There are plenty of places to explore in the surrounding area.
Here are just a few of the main spots.
Jonzac - Ville Thermale
Jonzac is the local market town, and is quite an unusual town, as it is is mainly powered by geothermal heating. It is one of the few places where you can find this worldwide. The geothermal heating is also used to heat the water for a local themed swimming pool called "Les Antilles".
Jonzac Market
Jonzac offers its very own market on Tuesdays, which offers many types of fresh local produce, including fish, cheeses, fruits and gifts or souveniers. Although more expensive than the many supermarkets in Jonzac, the produce is authentic Charentais goods, and quite often better tasting and better quality.
Supermarkets and Petrol Stations
As for the supermarkets, there is an Intermarché, and an E.Leclerc, although the E.Leclerc is generally better due to being larger. Also, there is a Super-U in Mirambeau (in the opposite direction to Jonzac from the property). This is useful if you are travelling to the autoroute, as it is on the way.
There are local petrol stations at Intermarché and E.Leclerc
Les Antilles de Jonzac
This is a wonderful day out for kids and dads/mums alike. The facilities are extensive but are very good even on a warm day due to its outside swimming pool, and 'beach'. It is themed on the Antilles and the Caribbean, and so includes a large lagoon swimming pool as well as a 25m pool with diving facilities. For the fun lovers there is a wave machine in the lagoon area, and a reasonable sized flume for the kids. Also there is a large jacuzzi with waterfalls, fountains and many other facilities.
If that isn't for you then there is a large spa and healthcare facility, or 'L'espace Forme', with saunas, gym, jacuzzi and a maze of pools.
Cognac
As you can guess, this is the very centre of cognac distilling, and the perfect place to buy authentic cognac. The Hennessy and Martell distilleries are very significant places to visit, especially for the tours of the cellars and distilleries.
There is a wide variety of shopping available in Cognac also, but shopping at Saintes is also good.
Les Plages
The West coast of France is home to some of the best beaches in France. They span the whole coast, and the main differences between the beaches are the waves and the sand type (near the Gironde Estuary, there is fine sand and calmer seas).
As you can imagine, the waves are very significant on this Atlantic coastline, which is great for watersports!
The closest beaches, being Royan and St Georges de Didonnes, are just 45 minutes drive, but for the more venturous, Arcachon and the Cote Sauvage is 2 1/2 hours away but is an extremely good area for waves. There is also La Grande Plage on Île d'Oléron, which is about 1 1/2 hours drive. This is also extremely good for waves, and is incredibly long and wide with beautiful sand.
Cheques are preferred.
Weekly prices for each season:
Low-season £ 400.00 GBP
Mid-season £ 800.00 GBP
High-season £1100.00 GBP
Le Forestier
17500 St Hilaire du Bois
Nearest town: Jonzac
Contact Kate & John Lillington by email;
Tel. +44 1983 522206
Kate & John Lillington speaks
English 
Francais 
Please quote Our Inns when enquiring or booking
