Within driving distance of the Channel ports, the Vendée offers fabulous unspoilt beaches that stretch for miles. La Saivrie is a small community of 25 houses, surrounded by wooded footpaths and cycle tracks in an area of gently rolling hills and wooded lanes.

Location: Between La Roche Sur Yon and La Tranche Sur Mer.

The Anglo-French owners live in the neighbouring hamlet and are always on hand to give help and local knowledge.

The shared pool (fenced) is 12m x 6m. It is heated by a solar panel.

Maison Botineau: Sleeps 5 in 3 bedrooms

Ground floor: large sitting room with open fireplace, kitchen-dining room fitted with dishwasher, split level cooker, fridge, microwave, washroom with washing machine, shower-room and wc.

First floor: Main bedroom with a double bed, bedroom 2 with twin-beds, bedroom 3 with single bed with space for a cot if required, bathroom with bath, basin and wc. Garden with garden furniture and barbecue.

Maison Brio: Sleeps 6 in 4 bedrooms

Maison Brio is next to Maison Botineau.

Ground floor: large sitting room with open fireplace, kitchen-dining room fitted with dishwasher, split level cooker, fridge, microwave, washroom with washing machine, shower-room and wc.

First floor: Main bedroom with a double bed, bedroom 2 with twin-beds, bedroom 3 with single bed with space for a cot if required, bedroom 4 with a single bed, bathroom with bath, basin and wc. Garage, enclosed garden with garden furniture and barbecue.

Maison Verdon: Sleeps 10 in 5 bedrooms

Maison Verdon is next to Maison Brio

Ground floor: large sitting room with open fireplace / dining room with two fireplaces kitchen- fitted with dishwasher, split level cooker, fridge, microwave, washroom with washing machine, shower-room and wc.

First floor: Main bedroom with a double bed and en-suite loo/shower-room, bedroom 2 with double bed, bedrooms 3, 4, and 5 with twin-beds, bathroom with bath and basin, separate wc. Enclosed garden with garden furniture and barbecue.

LOCAL AREA

Champ Saint Père is a small rural community of 1500 inhabitants. It offers a bakery, a newsagent, a post-office, a pharmacy, several bars, a restaurant and an excellent supermarket. It is surrounded by well organised footpaths and cycle tracks through delightful shady woodland.

The region is within easy touring distance of the Loire chateaux, the medieval town of Parthenay and the Marais Poitevin. Futuroscope, a cinematic theme park, and the enormously popular Puy du Fou with its "Son et Lumière" are well worth visiting. There is also an excellent local Golf Course and four others nearby and the Indian Forest adventure park is only 8km.

Please quote 'A Week or 2 in France' when contacting the owners: