2 Bedroom House in Saint Varent

‘La Maison du Gardien’ was originally a one level one bedroom caretaker’s house situated at the end of a range of outbuildings to the rear of our property. A salt water pool has been installed and the house extended into a comfortable two bedroom holiday home. To one side of the property is our orchard where we grow apples, pears, peaches, apricots and raspberries – you are welcome to help yourself when they are in season. 
 
The securely fenced pool adjoins the lawns at the back of the house; with its roomy terrace it is ideal for those long sunny days. The pool is open from the beginning of May until the end of September. Unlike many complexes in France, there is only one holiday home using the pool; although from time to time we (or our house guests) may use it, we will always be discreet and respect your privacy. 
 
‘La Maison du Gardien’ has two bedrooms, twin beds in the downstairs bedroom and a double room upstairs. The upstairs bedroom is large and another bed can be supplied to make this a family room if required; there is also a convertible double bed settee in the lounge. All bed linen is supplied, with beds made up ready for your arrival; for two week stays a change of bed linen is provided. Both bedrooms have electric heaters for out of season stays – between October and the end of April we charge for electricity used. 
 
A cot (with linen), highchair, small baby bath, stair gates etc are available if required. The garden is fully enclosed and separate from the pool which is also enclosed. Babies and young children are welcome. 
 
The tiled lounge is fully furnished with a comfortable sofa and easy chairs; there is a TV/DVD player with a range of DVD’s (which can also receive British TV) and a CD player (but you will need to bring your own CD’s).A wood burning stove ensures cosy winter evenings; a daily supply of logs can be provided for 20 euros a week or pro rata (October to April).  
The kitchen and dining room are connected by an archway. The dining room has a pine dresser, table and chairs and stairs leading to the upstairs bedroom. The kitchen is well equipped with a dishwasher, fridge freezer, gas cooker (no charge is made for the gas), microwave, kettle, toaster, tea towels etc. 
 
The shower room has a thermostatically controlled shower, wash basin with vanity unit, hairdryer and also houses the washing machine. There is a separate WC. Towels are not normally supplied, however if you are flying here they are available at a small supplement. Please note that there are three steps between the lounge and the dining room and so the house is not suitable for anyone confined to a wheelchair. 
 
Double doors from the lounge open onto the south facing paved patio and lawns leading to the pool. Patio furniture and a barbecue are provided for your use. The 10m x 5m pool has a large terrace with loungers and pool chairs and is fully enclosed for safety. The water is a mild salt solution through a zeolite filter which means no strong chlorine effect. It has an automatic self cleaning system which operates during the night. The pool is not heated but has a thermal cover which retains heat at night and if pulled over during the day actually increases the water temperature.

La Maison du Gardien is set in the friendly village of Saint Varent which has all facilities – hot croissants are only a two minute stroll away! The front of the house looks down the drive towards the village square where a market is held on the third Sunday of each month. Doctor, dentist, pharmacy and supermarket are all within the village which has a 13th century bridge crossing the river Thouaret. A small hotel restaurant is due to open in 2012. Nearby Thouars, an old fortress town, is very picturesque with its ramparts and old town; it has a cinema, theatre and a range of restaurants. Every Friday morning it hosts a large bustling market which is well worth a visit – try barbecued eels from the ‘Eel Man’!

Close by is the Chateau d’Oiron which was once the home of Madame de Montespan and now houses a range of eclectic collections. St Varent is in the north of rural Deux-Sèvres and is ideally situated for visiting the Chateaux of the Loire, Pescalis (the largest man-made fishing complex in Europe), Futuroscope and of course the exciting theme park of Puy du Fou.

• Nearest Airport : Poitiers at 55 kilometers distance;
• Nearest Train Station : Thouars at 12 kilometers distance
• Nearest Town : Thouars at 12 kilometers distance
• Travel Info: We are within approx 6 hours drive of the eastern channel ports (Calais and Dunkirk) and approx 4 hours drive of the western channel ports (Caen and St Malo)