Acacia

What Penny thinks...

This cluster of 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 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!

The British owners are on hand to give help and advice and are accompanied by their very free range chickens and friendly dogs and horses.

Acacia is one of three lovely gites in this small cluster at Gites de Lavalette.

**SPECIAL OFFER - £50 DISCOUNT ON BOOKINGS OF TWO WEEKS OR MORE. PLEASE ENQUIRE**

This two bedroom, child friendly gite is all on one level so is ideal if your toddler is about to take their first steps or if one of your party requires wheelchair access. The property has been recently renovated and is now spacious and well kitted out for family life. The beams and exposed walls bear testimony to its agricultural heritage, yet the clean modern feel means that it is a lovely base for your family. Double doors onto an enclosed courtyard give you further peace of mind that your children will remain safe whilst having plenty of room to play.

The main living area is spacious and airy and has a modern open-plan kitchen, dining room and living area, complete with TV and DVD player. It can be heated by a wood-burning stove in a large Charentais fireplace for cosy, out of season evenings. The kitchen has all the facilities that you would hope for, including a washing machine, gas oven, microwave, coffee maker and fridge/freezer. Baby equipment (including highchairs, blender, cupboard locks, etc) is all provided.

A double bedroom and a twin bedroom are on the same level, along with a wet-room with wheel-in shower and separate loo. Heating can be provided for cooler evenings.

This charming collection of buildings is perched on a hill and provides 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 a selection of bikes available for guests of all sizes (small, medium and large, including a trike and two child seats) and a country footpath on the doorstep make 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 organised 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 onsite 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 delivered to your door - ideal for the evening of your arrival. A selection of home cooked meals using fresh locally sourced ingredients 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 the going to help a long way towards that goal! With happy, content children, having a relaxing holiday becomes a real possibility. On top of this however, there are many very beautiful places to visit including the closest village (Salles Lavalette) which has a bar, restaurant, a shop and a church. For the ‘gourmands' amongst you, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from and of course the local markets are a colourful and lively place to choose the very best ingredients.

• Cots
• Highchairs
• Booster seat
• Potty
• Steriliser
• Plastic cutlery
• Plastic step
• Changing mat
• All on one level
• Socket guards
• Baby bath
• Children's toys
• Bath toys
• Outdoor toys and equipment
• Hand held blender
• DVD player
• DVD library

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.

For the ‘gourmands' amongst you, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from and of course the local markets are a colourful and lively place to choose the very best ingredients.

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 mean 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 strp, 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 is 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 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.

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