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| Le
Clos de la Garenne
Département:
Charente Maritime (17) |
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near the historic port city of La Rochelle on France's Atlantic
coast
is the elegant and inviting Le Clos de la Garenne, a bed and breakfast
also offering a studio apartment for two that is rented by the
week, a Cottage for up to 5 people, and a self-catering contemporary
gîte for up to six people.
Set on four hectares of property in Puyravault - a village with its own
fascinating 2000-year history from Gallo-Roman times - this 360
year-old
residence has an interesting past. Vineyards once
surrounded
it and the town, and Puyravault became a point of resistance to the
Roman
invaders. La Garenne has been here since 1650. It began as
the hunting lodge for the priory built in 1040 next to the town's
incredible
pre-Romanesque church constructed in the 8th and 9th centuries.
Both
of those buildings are still standing, despite the ravages of time,
religious
wars, and the French Revolution! The manor house of la Garenne
later became a farm with a vineyard, and various owners added to the
building
as they prospered.
Following the French Revolution, when many noble propertie were sold to the public, La Garenne was purchased by the Audry family. Pierre-François Audry de Puyraveau was a friend of General La Fayette whose ship, L' Hermione, is currently being reconstructed in nearby La Rochelle, and he sacrificed his personal fortune for the people of the French Republic. He was active in 1830 in the 3-day Revolution against the monarchy and completed his career in politics as President of the 'Assemblée Constituante' in 1848. La Garenne once again prospered until the 1880s when phylloxera destroyed the vines. The huge 500-hectare estate was broken up and sold bit by bit until the 1970s when the house, four outbuildings and four hectares were sold by the descendants of Audry de Puyraveau. It was energetically restored and refurbished by its new owner for more than a decade until his sudden death, after which time it sat empty for many years. The current owners ' woke it up' in 1997 to make it their home and open its lovely gate to guests. Today, the region is known for its cereal and dairy products, especially its delectable butter, as the vineyards are gone. The lovely grounds of La Garenne include wild woodlands, fields for the animals, gardens and a young orchard. There is a pond project underway which may one day include a pool. Several terraces around the house, as well as a summer kitchen, make the outdoors at La Garenne very appealing and comfortable. This property is accessible by the handicapped, and the cottage and living rooms are accessible for wheelchairs. In the main house are four rooms on the ground floor - a large kitchen where breakfast is served, a fine 17th century dining room with stone floors and a grand fireplace where guests take dinner, a billiards room, and an 18th century salon with oak floors and a marble fireplace. In the salon there is a CD player and games for people of all ages to amuse themselves when they are not out sightseeing. Of course, simply relaxing in the salon with a good book or to plan your exploration of the region is also appealing. The guest rooms at Le Clos de la Garenne are spacious and tastefully decorated. Two bedrooms with queen size beds, a suite accommodating up to six people, an apartment for two people and a cottage that can accommodate two adults and three children are offered. All are en suite with either a tub or showers. The windows all have views over the gardens making the rooms sunny and bright. This part of France has almost as many sunny days as the Côte d' Azur, so travelers can rest assured their vacation days will likely be consistently pleasant for most of the year. A few steps away from La Garenne is the studio apartment, Tournesol, ideal for two people who want a small self-catering accommodation. The combination of a superb location near La Rochelle, Rochefort and the Atlantic coast, a truly warm and friendly welcome from Brigitte and Patrick François the enthusiastic proprietors, and absolutely delightful and comfortable accommodations will make your stay at Le Clos de la Garenne a happy and rewarding experience. |
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| Guest Rooms | Elegant Dining | The Gardens | Salon & Billiard Room | Cottage and Studio |
