Author Archives: Old Shades

We love your feedback and if it is do-able, we always act upon it! One thing we have done consistently since we started our gite business is to listen to our visitors.

This game is ace! We love sociable, fun family games, especially as we have so much space to enjoy them in and this is our recent fave. A great alternative to traditional boules, we have been playing it since the spring and we’re completely hooked!

Cognac Blues Passions is a fantastic summer music festival, that brings the heart of Cognac alive for a week of non stop shows every year! Famous for its Brandy by the same name and just around the corner from us, this is a MUST for festival fans of all ages!

France has always been a perfect destination for couples in love and our lovely village of Bagnizeau is no exception, tucked lazily away, amidst a backdrop of stunning countryside. With this in mind, we’ve given our romantic 1 bedroom gite a suitably dreamy make over.

If you are interested in really getting into the cultural heart of your French destination, there are few more direct ways than staying in someone's home, but this isn’t very practical or private, so the next best thing is hiring a gite on an estate where the family live. (Like ours!)

Fear of flying or just sick of airports? Then why not consider booking a ferry to France for your next getaway!? The trip is an adventure in itself, especially for kids! You can take your own car and more of your home comforts, which is particularly useful for families with babies and young children.

We are welcoming a lovely sunny day here in France, as the Easter weekend arrives. Sunshine comes early in Charentes Maritime, as this beautiful region benefits from the highest number of annual hours of sunshine in France! If you love the sun, why not consider booking a holiday in South West France this year?

With the Easter weekend fast approaching, we’ve been busy exploring some fabulous local traditions here in South West France. Here are our faves:

When choosing a holiday, It’s so important to find a family child friendly atmosphere if you are going abroad with babies, toddlers or young children. A welcoming, safe environment is essential to whether parents will get chance to relax and enjoy quality time with their children. The Charente region of France is a great choice for children as it’s wonderfully unpretentious and is very welcoming and friendly.

There is so much to do across the Charente area – and best of all...a lot are FREE or cost just a couple of euros… meaning you can have a fun packed holiday, whatever your budget! Here are our top ten suggestions: