Alouette

What Nancy thinks...

Armagnac Gites is a superb cluster surrounded by stunning countryside, including sunflowers and vines; only a 5 minute drive from all amenities, this really is a great base from which to explore.  

How about tasting the numerous wines and Armagnacs of the region and visiting the countless historical sites? Even the kids can become immersed in history - what little boy (or girl!) wouldn't want to set off a catapult in a fortified village?

Activities with the children don't stop there; there are adventure parks, beach lakes with pedalos, play parks, thermal springs (and more) plus there are the bright and colourful evening markets and festivals, where children are welcome to join their parents for a dance in the street. 

Then again, you might not want to drag yourselves away from one of the most family friendly pools I've seen yet.  The toddler section is a dream for parents of little ones who love to splash about but not necessarily swim.  So refreshing on a hot Summer day!

Jo, Jean-Marc and their young family live on site (with their own private garden). Their discreet yet friendly presence ensures that you have nothing to worry about; and although spoilt for choice with toys, if your little one is feeling a bit lonely and fancies a kick about with some fellow small people, they need only ask and I'm sure Oliver and Evie will be over in a shot!

The bedroom layout in Le Faucon is great for two families travelling together, with the twin room conveniently located next to a double (and the loo for night-time visits). The huge family room with its double and single beds mean the other family benefits from their own ensuite bathroom too.

Alouette's front door leads you straight into its open plan living area via a little exterior porch.  This room has a real cottagey feel to it with wooden beams and a feature stone wall at one end with a disused fireplace set within it.

At the end closest to the kitchen is the dining area with a sweet little wooden table seating for 4.  At the far end and set in the corner next to the television is a beautiful 'Godin' woodburner (secured in the cooler months by a fireguard), plus a sofa (also a sofabed) and an armchair with matching foot stool; here you can relax in the cool whilst your little one safely crawls or toddles about playing with the countless toys on offer by Armagnac Gites. The Freesat TV, and DVD player in this area are great should your little one fancy a little 'fix' of their favourite TV program before bed or first thing in the morning, perhaps whilst you get ready to munch on your continental breakfast, delivered to your door by your friendly hosts Jo or Jean-Marc.

The small but well kitted out kitchen area in Alouette is through an open doorway to the right of the front door. This has been gated to allow you peace of mind to work your magic and prepare some great family meals, using the wonderful regional produce sourced at the local markets.  The window in the kitchen looks out over your own private patio area to the side of the house - a great serving hatch no doubt!  A handy loo is located just off the kitchen, perfect for when you have been out in the garden.

The double bedroom is located at the top of the staircase.  This lovely big room, with the continued theme of exposed wooden beams, has two windows looking over the courtyard area and Alouette's patio area.  It has an ensuite bathroom with bath, sink and loo, including a nice little gift set should you have forgotten something. There is plenty of space for a cot or even two in if you have twins! 

Parent points:

• Alouette has electric wall heaters with easily accessible dials, we advise children should be kept away from these. 
• There is one window in the bedroom that is quite low to the ground. The handle for the window is a safe distance from the floor and an extra lock has been placed up high too for added security, however parents are advised not to leave this window open when young children are in the room.

The garden at Armagnac Gites is incredibly diverse, landscaped with mature shrubs and trees, including fruit trees; you will easily find some shade should you be able to snatch a quiet moment with a book. Imagine spending your morning grazing on plums, cherries or figs? Hugh Fernley-Whittingstall eat your heart out! 

All guests will find their own space to play on one of the two lawned areas separated by hedging, or you may all decide to come together for a footy match. 

Each gite has its own terrace with table and chairs seating four, plus a parasol for shade and a handy BBQ for your culinary creations with this region's abundant fresh market produce.

The glorious, enclosed swimming pool (12m x 6m) is a true hit with children and adults alike and is particularly suitable for ‘little ones', thanks to a safe, purpose built toddler area within the pool itself.  Perfectly located on the upper section of the gardens behind the gites, this wonderful pool with beautiful views across the fields, is close enough to plunge into whenever it takes your fancy, but tucked away so as not to feel too overlooked.

Parent points:

• The small walls around Alouette's patio area and other small walls within the garden are capped with loose canal tiles, which if these became a bit of an obsession for any little person, could easily be removed by the owners. 
• There are a few areas in the garden and courtyard where new walkers might need help, e.g. Three steps to access the deck terrace by the pool.
• Parents are advised to keep the gate to Armagnac Gites closed to avoid little explorers getting outside the grounds.

• Enclosed pool (12m x 6m)with large shallow area at the top of the wide steps into the rest of the pool
• Plethora of indoor toys, books and DVDs available for children of all ages
• Outdoor play equipment - sandpit, slide, swing set, Boules set, buckets, rocker toy, plastic wheelbarrow, ping pong table, pool toys and much more
• Stairgates
• Fireguard
• Bedguards
• Cots and cot linen plus moses basket
• Baby monitors (including a video monitor)
• Microwave
• Steriliser
• Highchairs
• Booster seats and toddler chairs
• Hand blender
• Plastic plates, cups and cutlery
• Potty
• Step
• Nightlights
• Socket guards
• Baby bath
• Changing mat
• Bath toys
• Pram & pushchair
• Baby Carrier
• Baby bouncer seat
• Baby sitting service (8 Euros per hour)
• Home cooked meals for children & adults (frozen or fresh if ordered in advance)

Please note that as this is a cluster of properties, not all the equipment is made available in every gite and you may have to request certain items from the owner.

For the children...

There is all the entertainment your little ones could wish for here, including an activity box with colouring books, crayons, playdoh, painting and much more, as well as a dressing up box for boys and girls and all the outdoor play equipment they could need.

Both gites are well stocked with guide books, maps and leaflets on all that this wonderful region has to offer, and you hosts are more than happy to help point you in the right direction too.

Between Toulouse and Bordeaux, in the South West of France, the Gers is located in the heart of the Gascony countryside. Country of Artagnan and the musketeers, it offers rolling and luminous landscapes, with numerous fortified towns to explore.

Castera Verduzan is the nearest village (8km cycle or drive) with a small supermarket, restaurants, bakery, butcher, tabac, post office, gift shop, tourist office and pharmacy. There is a small morning market every Sunday. The thermal baths are very popular and there is also a Casino (with ATM), Horse Racing (offering family entertainment) and an inland lake with sandy beach, waterslide, diving platform, pedalos, children's swimming area, swings, and a café. It has a cheap entry fee and is open June to September.

Guests can taste the wine made from grapes grown in the vineyard at the end of Armagnac Gites' drive. Your friendly hosts, Jo & Jean Marc, can even take you wine tasting if you like (and drive!)

There are so many towns and villages nearby that are worth a visit, below are just a few (lots more details are provided in the property and the Tots Travel Pack before you travel).

In Auch, visit the Cathedral of Saint Marie (with beautiful carved choir stalls) and the staircase to the river with the statue of d'Artagnan half way down. South of the cathedral is the old quartier, a jumble of tiny streets and interconnecting stairways, where Nostradamus lived for some time. There is a good market by the river on a Wednesday, as well as numerous museums, art galleries and shops, not to mention an 18-hole golf course just outside the town with a fabulous panoramic restaurant.

Condom, has great shops, a market on Wednesday and the Armagnac museum is well worth a visit. Salon de The offers superb homemade food and boat trips on the river Baise are available daily in the season. 

La Romieu is an ancient ecclesiastical town - but look out for the many hidden stone cats along the main street! Nearby, there is a famous arboretum.

Vic Fezensac, the largest nearby village (15 min), has plenty of amenities, restaurants, cafes and markets. Here there are 2 famous festivals running for 3 days - the corrida over Pentecost and Tempo Latino in late July, with concerts in the bullring, stalls and the rhythm of salsa.  

If you fancy a change from sight-seeing, there are a whole host of family friendly holiday activities in the area, including golf, tennis, water sports, cycling, walking, fishing, horse-riding, skiing, surfing, canoeing, kayaking and motor racing.

Should you get a ‘grown up' day or evening off, there are numerous opportunities for wine tasting and a wide selection of restaurants to suit all tastes and pockets, as well as a fab Jazz festival at Marciac during August, with many internationally acclaimed artists.

Before booking, please read our Terms and Conditions.  

Rental price is based on 2 adults and one child (over 2yrs). The bedroom can accomodate two adults and up to 2 babies in cots and or a campbed. There is no supplemental cost for babies under 2yrs.

Additional supplement of £50 per week for 1 additional person over the age of 2 yrs.

Holiday start dates are flexible (except for July & August when start date is Saturday) at 'Armagnac Gites' so please do enquire about the dates you are interested in and we can let you know if it could be possible.