Sunflower

What Penny thinks...

This cluster of three properties goes a long way in addressing the very specific needs of families. Not only is all the practical, day to day equipment on hand but extras such as bikes, outdoor play equipment (swings, slides, toys and so on) are there to make sure that your children will never be short of things to do.

In addition, the owner Catherine is a British Horse Society riding instructor who can give you and your children riding lessons or arrange treks into the countryside so you and your family can have a holiday that is as active or as peaceful as you wish!

Ian and Catherine, your hosts are on hand to give help and advice and are accompanied by their very free range chickens and friendly dogs.

Ideal for a family one or two familes holidaying together or a larger group that want to holiday in the same location but each wanting their own space and privacy.

Horse-riding lessons and trekking available on site. Sunflower is one of three lovely gites in this small cluster. Click to find out more about what is one offer at
Gites de Lavalette.

£50 DISCOUNT ON BOOKINGS OF TWO WEEKS OR MORE

The conversion of Sunflower, only recently finished in Spring 2011, has been done to meet disability access standards and as such is eminently suitable for a young family's needs or those with restricted mobility. Many of the original features have been retained such as the beams and open stone work giving a taste of the buildings former use.

The double height ceiling in the open plan living area gives this gite a lovely light and airy feeling and the sunshine yellow wall captures a real summer spirit. The whole space allows for the family to socialise together, catch up on a DVD or take five with good old CBeebies.

The kitchen is newly fitted with a washing machine, gas cooker, fridge/freezer, microwave and coffee maker and the dining table seats 6.  

There are three good sized bedrooms, one master double with ensuite shower/wet room, a double/twin and a third room with twin beds, as well as a family bathroom.

There is a small terraced area outside the gite for al fresco dining; this is only partially sectioned off behind a low stone wall but as the gite is within the main courtyard, it is within a completely enclosed space and opposite the children's main play area. A perfect place to sit and enjoy a glass of something cold whilst watching the children play happily.

This charming collection of buildings is perched on a hill and has been ‘done up' to provide a lovely setting for your holiday. Your children are well catered for here as there are plenty of toys and outdoor play equipment (swings, slides, wooden climbing frame and sandpit) as well as the ponies to visit and of course the swimming pool to splash around in. The pool is 10m x 5m and has a constant depth of 1.5 meters. Floats and woggles are provided to ensure many hours of fun! "New for 2012 heated toddlers paddling pool"

There is also a selection of bikes available for guests of all sizes (small, medium and large and includes a trike and two child seats) and a country footpath on the doorstep, making this an ideal setting for walkers or cyclists. The two baby seats (and helmets) even mean that you can take the youngest members of your party on the short trip to the nearby village. In addition there is badminton, table tennis and a boules court all available for your use.

Horse Riding
The owner is a British Horse Society trained riding instructor and offers lessons and trekking for adults and children of all ages. There are 2 ponies and 5 horses on-site and all the safety equipment is provided; all you have to do is turn up in trousers and trainers ready for an adventure! The owner has encouraged children as young as 2 to enjoy sitting on a pony so this is a fantastic opportunity to give your children a new experience with the support of a professional and safety conscious instructor. Riding is organized once you arrive and prices start from €15 for half an hour. Packages can be arranged for more experienced riders.

For the grown ups...
Your hosts Catherine and Ian live on site with their children and aim to make your stay as relaxing as possible. From the pre-arrival shopping service for late arriving guests (or those simply don't want to start their holiday in the supermarket) to the pre-bookable babysitting service, Gites de Lavalette offers a stress free break.

Delicious meals can be delivered to your door - ideal for the evening of your arrival. A selection of home cooked meals using fresh locally sourced ingredients are available every evening - food is delivered ready to heat in the oven. 

We know that it is the grown ups that need a break and we think that the 12 acres and panoramic views of sunflowers and vineyards are going to help achieve this goal! With happy, content children, having a relaxing family friendly holiday becomes a real possibility.  

The local village is just 3 minutes away by car and is a pretty village with church, post office, bakery bar/restaurant, delicatessen and a caterer willing to cater and deliver for special events and parties. There is also a working flour mill to visit which provides some of the flour used in the bakery. Organic vegetables are available from the Friday market.

The local market town of Villeboise Lavalette (10 minutes away) has many of the conveniences of a slightly larger settlement and includes a doctor, dentist, bank, cashpoint, supermarket, restaurants and a tourist information centre. Every Saturday there is a covered market which sells fresh fruit and veg from the local area, as well as delicious fresh oysters which should be enjoyed together with a bottle of Muscadet!  

Nearby Aubeterre is one of France's "plus beaux villages" and is the place to go for a bit of gentle, family canoeing (ideal for children from about the age of 3 onwards). We would highly recommend packing a picnic and your swimming costumes and preparing for a gentle morning on the river. The sand covered river beach is a good place to take a dip and a choice of restaurants and an interesting subterranean church means that it is worth visiting even outside the canoeing months.

On a slightly larger scale, the ancient fortified city of Angouleme has some fascinating attractions, plus a direct rail link to Paris (2.5hrs). This University City is home to the world famous comic strip museum, known as the Musee de la Bande Desinee. This tells the history of 150 yrs of the comic strip, showing the different styles of art. Something for everyone here; Angouleme, set on the top of a hill with spectacular views, is surrounded by ancient ramparts and stuffed full of wonderful cobbled streets, home to some traditional boutique shops and cafés, with the centre having been sympathetically restructured to include a modern shopping centre. Here is the place to go if you want time to wander and soak up the bustling French life or just sit for a while in the sun soaking up the café culture.

Before booking, please read our Terms and Conditions.

Please note - Heating is not included in the price. If it is required during your stay (normally September/October through to April/May), then it will be charged locally (see factsheet for details).