OVERVIEW

Le Petit Roc is an old Charentaise farm which has been restored and developed to create a variety of high quality gites, ranging from the four bedroom converted barn (Les Marronniers: sleeps 8-12), to the three bedroom farmhouse (Le Cerisier: sleeps 6-8), to the one bedroom cottage, (Le Pommier: sleeps 2-4). For larger groups you can combine Les Marronniers and Le Cerisier and rent the whole main building, Le Petit Roc, which sleeps 14-20.

All three gites have been finished and decorated to a high standard which combines many of the original stone and oak materials with modern tiling and oak flooring. All the gites provide satellite T.V., DVD players, music systems for CD’s and MP3 players, and complimentary wireless internet access.

Outside, the focus of the gites is their private terraces which allow for summer living in the shade of two huge chestnut trees. These private terraces lead down to the pool terrace which is equipped with barbeque, large seating area, electric points and wash basin. The terrace is shaded by a plum tree and overlooks the pool.

The swimming pool is the centre piece of the terraces and gardens, and is suitable for toddlers bathing, teenagers diving, and adults swimming or relaxing on the sun loungers. The pool slopes gently at first allowing toddlers to explore safely, then reaches three feet or so for the middle section, before plunging to eight feet in the deep end. It is surrounded by wooden decking, which is in turn surrounded by beautiful trees and plants, beyond which are the fields of hay and sunflowers. The pool is surrounded by fencing and is accessed by a metal gate with child lock. Swimmers also benefit from a solar shower within the pool area, and a toilet just outside the main gate.

Sloping away from the pool are the landscaped gardens, dominated by a magnificent weeping willow, and shaded by a shelter of firs. There are swings and slides for younger children positioned so that parents can keep an eye on their children from the pool or even the balcony of Les Marronniers. Within the gardens guests will find a variety of fruit trees and in season can help themselves to apples, peaches, plums, cherries and figs.

The gardens lead out to the sports facilities; a recently built tennis court, a five a side football pitch (30m x 10m), a large football goal with net and a grass badminton court. On the platform adjacent to the tennis court are a full sized sand volleyball court, and a petanque court in the shade of the oak wood.

Next to the sports fields is the one and a half acre wood which provides a great adventure playground for slightly older children, especially as it is bordered by fields and a farm track.

The trees are a mixture of varieties but oak predominates. In the early autumn you can pick your own mushrooms if you know what you are looking for, and the wood supplies the log burner in Le Pommier.

Surrounding the property are the fields and lanes of several farms, and some quiet hamlets. The lanes and tracks are ideal for walking, especially for young families, as the owners have themselves discovered on warm afternoons. Traffic, other than tractors, is rare, and Le Petit Roc itself is at the end of the tarmacked road.