Quieter Seasons

"La Petite Maison Jardinière" is truly a cottage for all seasons, and not just for the dizzy heights of Summer !

Why choose us ?? Use our "Comparison Chart" to see why !!!

From October to April, whether it's for a long weekend (book by the day !) or a week or longer, why don't you :

take advantage of cheap travel deals, by air or ferry

All fares are cheaper at these times of year. In addition, many companies have special offers to fill up spare space : subscribe to the e-mail newsletters of airlines to get advance notice of their special offers.

Also, of course the ferries and planes are a lot quieter and less crowded !

If you have any flexibility about dates of travel, to find the cheapest flights available in any given month visit our Travel Options section. You could even treat yourself to a day or 2 staying in a hotel in La Rochelle or Bordeaux either side of your cottage holiday ! We could even suggest our favourite hotels if you ask !

Mid-week start/finish days are welcome during the Quieter Seasons (October - May), so you can get the cheapest travel offers !

revel in the quiet roads, countryside, bars and restaurants

no crowds, hardly any tourists, just you and the local people enjoying unhurried and carefree travel on the way to that 2 hour lunch !

with up to twice as much sunshine as UK and Ireland (and more !)

The Charente Maritime's micro-climate means we get on average up to 130% more sunshine than the UK or Ireland :

& most months 20-30% warmer than UK and Ireland !

with no need to worry about keeping warm and cosy in the cottage, whatever the weather outside !

The cottage is well equipped with wall mounted combined air-conditioning/heating units

and you're only 20 minutes away from the new "Les Antilles de Jonzac" with year round tropical warmth

An upmarket "Center Parcs" type development, offering year round indoor entertainment whatever the weather outside : 2 swimming pools; beaches (complete with beach bar !); tropical gardens; tropical lagoon; water games/sports; spas; aquagym; fitness centre; saunas; restaurant and shops. And of course it's particularly quiet during school term time and during the "Quieter Seasons" !

Every month offers something different :

see (& smell !) the wine harvests in September/October

cycle through the vineyards and countryside in the October sunshine

(aview of local countryside, October/November 2001)

take a Christmas shopping trip to Bordeaux in Nov/Dec

as experienced shoppers, we have to say Bordeaux is the best place we've ever done our Christmas shopping !

Easy, secure and central parking. Many of the shops are along just one pedestrianised street (Rue St.Catherine). Prices range from designer shops to value for money stores.

And ... plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants for those all important refreshment breaks !

gaze at the Christmas lights in December/January

(La Rochelle, Christmas 2001)

watch spring emerge March—May

(local vineyard, March 2002)

and any month, walk on deserted beaches or through beautiful countryside by day - & cuddle up on the sofa at night !

(Meschers Beach October 2001)

Being the open and honest people we are, we should also say that the price we pay for all that sunshine and warmth, and for the lovely green countryside, is a fair amount of rain in November & December ! However, it tends to come in bursts, often at night, and often with good sunny periods in-between.

But with a decent umbrella, who cares - you're on holiday and if you get caught in a shower, it's a good excuse to pop into that restaurant for a leisurely 3 hour lunch break !

Don't just take our word for it : see what previous guests of our sister gite in the next hamlet have said :

"superb base for searching the Charentes ... hopefully we will soon return to this beautiful area ..." (Tony & Barbara, March 2003)

From booking to being here - the whole experience has been exceptional"

" we particularly loved ... the weather ... all the suggestions of where to go, places to see, where to eat ... we wanted it to be special - it couldn't have been more so" (Sheila & Debbie, April 2002)

" ... [we] explored the surroundings - attractions abound ... a lovely week, which we will always treasure ..." (Martin & Cathrien, May 2002)

Why choose us ?? Use our "Comparison Chart" to see why !!!