Architectural Salvage, Antiques and Brocantes Here in southwest France there are many antiques and bric-à-brac outlets, some that are full time shops and others that are staged as fairs and markets throughout the summer. We made a short mention of these markets in an earlier post but haven’t reported on the less prolific architectural salvage [...]
Archive for the ‘Life in France’ Category
Shopping for Antiques, Old Furniture and Architectural Salvage in France
Posted in Antiques, Architectural salvage, Brocantes, Life in France, Places to visit, Poitou-Charentes, tagged Antiques, Cast Iron Rads, France, Renovation on February 18, 2012 | Leave a Comment »
Zoodyssée: a Great Day Out For The Kids And The Family
Posted in Life in France, Places to visit, Poitou-Charentes, Zoodyssee, tagged classic car rental, family holidays, France, Gites, Poitou-Charentes on November 8, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Zoodyssée, situated in the forest of Chizé, Deux-Sevres, is one of the largest wild animal parks in Europe dedicated to European species. The park is split into two areas, le Petit Parc which houses the smaller animals, a farm area (petting zoo) and a number of buildings where you can see various reptiles and behind-the-scenes [...]
Taxe de séjour
Posted in Classic Car Holidays, La Grange, La Petite Maison, Life in France, Poitou-Charentes, Taxe de sejour, The Gites, Winter Holidays, tagged Charentaise farmhouse, classic car rental, family holidays, France, Gites, Poitou-Charentes on November 3, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Since 1st January 2011, the French authorities have implemented a tax on holidaymakers to help fund local regional tourist agencies. This is called Taxe de séjour and is payable by every person staying in holiday accommodation for each night of their stay. There are exemptions for children under 13 years and discounts applied to families [...]
Kiss and chips
Posted in Halloween, Life in France, Parties, Poitou-Charentes, tagged family holidays, France, Halloween, Poitou-Charentes on November 2, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Saturday, 29th October, saw the second Halloween party hosted by Amanda and Dave at Le Saint Martin bar/restaurant in Brux. We were up for a laugh but what to go as? Amanda mentioned that our friend Brett was thinking of going as Gene Simmons, the outrageous frontman of the band Kiss. So, after a few [...]
Gîte Accommodation for Large Groups: The Surprise 70th Birthday Party
Posted in Classic Car Holidays, La Grange, La Petite Maison, Life in France, Parties, Poitou-Charentes, Swimming, The Gites, Vanzay Village Life, tagged bbq, Birthday Party, Catering, Charentaise farmhouse, family holidays, France, Gites, holidays on September 1, 2011 | 1 Comment »
If you are looking for spacious accommodation for a large party, here’s a post that tells how we provided this for a large group of friends celebrating a birthday for a week this summer. We had the pleasure of accommodating a large party of 16 in June who were here to celebrate Sue’s 70th birthday [...]
A New Swimming Pool for our Gîtes
Posted in Classic Car Holidays, Classic cars, Driving in France, Life in France, Poitou-Charentes, Swimming, The Gites, tagged Charentaise farmhouse, classic car rental, family holidays, France, Gites, Poitou-Charentes, swimming pool, Vanzay on June 24, 2011 | 9 Comments »
Installing a Heated Swimming Pool ….. the story in pictures Project Summary Pool supplier: Desjoyaux Piscines Main Contractor and construction team: Sarl Top Rénov Pool Dimensions: 9m x 4.5m. Depth 1.2m (shallow end) to 1.4m (deep end) Filtration type: saltwater Heating: via heat pump Terrace: 85m² smooth patio slabs, colour Champagne Location: La Ferme de L’Eglise, 11 [...]
10 things to do in June & July in Poitou-Charentes
Posted in Classic Car Holidays, Life in France, Places to visit, Poitou-Charentes, tagged Beach, Classic cars, family holidays, Gites, holidays, Poitou-Charentes on June 17, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
1. Jazz! For jazz lovers – from 29th June to 3rd July there are a series of concerts being held in the Gâtine area of Deux Sevres. Please see their website for details of all events. 2. Ancient History Musée des Tumulus de Bougon – this museum centres around 5 tumuli built in the Neolithic [...]
10 Things To Do in Winter in South West France
Posted in Citroen DS, Classic Car Holidays, Classic cars, Driving in France, Jaguar MK2, Life in France, Places to visit, Poitou-Charentes, The Gites, Winter Holidays, tagged food market, Poitiers, Gites, Charentaise farmhouse, Classic cars, Jaquar MK2, Angouleme, Citroen DS, Civray, France, Poitou-Charentes, family holidays, churches, Paris, cycling, brocante, flea market on January 25, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
1. Visit a Sunday Morning French Market There is a nice one in Angoulême in the Place de Victor Hugo. Even though it’s in the city it has a village feel to it and the cafe on the corner is also open, along with the patisserie and boulangerie. 2. Go Walking Whether you set out from [...]
Eddie climbs a tree
Posted in Life in France, Poitou-Charentes, Vanzay Village Life, tagged Horse chestnut tree, kittens on August 24, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
Kitten goes missing, Mini and I go looking for kitten. And hear plaintive mewing from somewhere…
