Le Clos des Jardins

Melleran, Deux Sèvres
Self-catering
+33 (0)5 49 29 65 31
Visit owner's website

From
€74 - €181
per night
From
€545 - €1370
per week

Deep in undulating countryside, 3 pretty stone cottages with a shared, family-friendly saltwater pool. English hosts cook supper on Sundays

Place

3 places

Sleeps

Sleeping from 3 – 4

Children welcome
Babies welcome

€74 - €181 per night

€545 - €1370 per week

The Experience

This is great for families – no need to bring all the gear, it’s here to borrow. Along with animals to pet, eggs to collect, table tennis and bikes, there’s a shaded pétanque court and a beautiful, shared limestone pool to splash in too.

With three gîtes on site you will see and hear other guests but you each has their own lawned garden with teak loungers, fig trees and herbs. Two cottages interconnect if you rent both; all have original honey-coloured stone walls, oak beams, natural colours and fabrics. Bedrooms are simple and elegant.

With its sunflower fields, pale stone walls and carthorses, the village of Mandegault is a reminder of how rural France used to be. Cycle along well-marked trails to tiny hamlets, drive to Chef-Boutonne (3 km) for its bustling food market and château; sip Pineau des Charentes alongside locals in a café on the town square. Sit down with Alison and Francis on Sunday evenings for local wine and dinner, made from scratch with home-grown produce.

Le Clos des Jardins - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • Wandering the three acres of lovingly tended grounds – orchard, fruit and veg plots and the small pond
  • The charming owners and their sociable Sunday suppers
  • How easy it is to come with little ones or babies
Le Clos des Jardins - Gallery

You should know

  • You'll see other guests around if you don't rent all three cottages together
  • The beds in the twin room of La Laiterie are best for children
  • You’ll need a car for all your shopping and trips out

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Self check-in
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Barbecue
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Electricity included
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Accommodation

Pricing

Nightly price
from €74
Weekly price
from €545
Damage deposit
€300
Surcharges
Extra bed/sofabed available at no charge.
1 Cottage for 4
From €993 beds2 bedrooms
1 Cottage for 3
From €742 beds2 bedrooms
1 Cottage for 4
From €863 beds2 bedrooms

Information

Booking information

Check in
From 4pm
Check out
By 10am
Other details
Minimum stay: 7 nights, 14 nights in Jul & Aug. Short breaks available.
Closed
Rarely.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Property
This property is part of a working farm or vineyard.

Reviews

If you are thinking of staying at Le Clos des Jardins, just book it! We had a fantastic stay here. The cottage we stayed in (Le Four de Boulanger) had everything we could need. Alison and Francis were really welcoming and perfect hosts. The pool was so lovely - warm and the water felt so soft (that sounds weird but it's how I remember it!). One final mention to all the small touches they can provide if you're travelling with children - stair gates, toys, highchairs, cots - anything you could need. It made our stay really easy. I would stay here again in a heartbeat.

Rebecca, London

La Laiterie is an absolute gem! Beautifully (and comfortably) furnished with a well equipped kitchen and a wonderful bathroom with a walk in shower and a lovely patio and garden. It all worked really well for my husband who has limited mobility and uses a wheelchair much of the time. We had a very enjoyable stay and Francis and Alison are delightful hosts - around when you need them but never intrusive. The very attractive swimming pool was much used during a very hot two weeks.

Nicola, Oxford

We had an absolutely fantastic stay at La Laiterie - we cannot rave about it enough. Alison and Francis were such thoughtful and generous hosts - the delicious meal in their glorious garden with the other guests was a real highlight. La Laiterie is beautiful inside and out - gorgeous interior design, brilliantly equipped and so comfortable. The grounds are lovely - excellent (warm!) pool and well tended vegetable gardens (and can pick some veg for yourselves). We loved feeding the sheep and chickens. We used their bikes to cycle to the nearby bakery and the peaceful lavoire around 8kms away.

Iain, Newcastle upon Tyne

This was our first holiday abroad with two young children – we couldn't have picked a more beautiful, tranquil and well-equipped place to stay. Ralf and Ivy particularly enjoyed picking strawberries for breakfast. The swimming pool was incredibly tranquil and the rental bicycles allowed us to freely explore the surrounding countryside. A very beautiful part of France and such warm, friendly hosts. Thank you!

Miles, Clevedon

We have just spent a wonderful and relaxing two weeks at La Laiterie which we can thoroughly recommend. La Laiterie is beautifully furnished in neutral tones with large comfortable sofas (and beds), crisp cotton sheets and fluffy white towels. The kitchen is so well appointed and has everything you could possibly wish for. The garden at the front of the gite is charming and the beautiful swimming pool is very inviting. A five star gite provided by Alison and Francis who were the most welcoming, warm and generous of hosts you could possibly wish for.

Jo, Tonbridge

We had a lovely two weeks staying in La Laiterie. This was our second stay at Le Clos des Jardins having fond memories of our stay four years ago. Alison and Francis are so welcoming and helpful. They are always happy to provide advice or to make a dinner reservation for you. We joined them for one of their Monday night meals for which they use many home grown ingredients. This was a fun evening and delicious too. The grounds are lovely with many different edible things growing as well as hens and sheep. We loved using the beautiful pool as well as the boule pitch. We hope to return one day.

James, York

This is simply one of the beautiful and peaceful places available on Sawdays and we have ever stayed at. It's the only self catering holiday I have ever returned to. Each of the three gites are well resourced and have everything you could possibly need - and if they don't the owners will happily try and arrange. The pool area is wonderful, while the animals and PYO garden makes you feel like you are stepping back in time (well, it does if you live in South London). Alison and Francis are also the most perfect hosts and lovely people. You really could not wish for more.

Liam, London

What treasure! Le Clos des Jardins is utterly beautiful. There is nothing that hasn’t been considered for total comfort, relaxation and an absolute home from home. Alison and Francis are incredible hosts making us feel so at home in La Laiterie . Thank you!

Joanna, Oxford

L’Ecurie is, sans doute, the very best gite we’ve ever stayed in. It is absolutely perfect for two people. So much thought and care has gone into making everything inside beautiful, harmonious and comfortable. Outside, we enjoyed the lovely private courtyard garden and admired the sparkling pool. Everything needed for self-catering was readily to hand. Most important, Alison and Francis were perfect hosts; charming and friendly but never intrusive, always there with help and advice when needed. For a week’s relaxation in the rural tranquillity of the Poitou-Charente, this is the perfect base.

Bob and Sue, Wimborne

What a wonderful place to while away a week. Francis and Alison were the perfect hosts. They have created a delightful venue that allows you to truly unwind. Our property was beautifully decorated and gave us a taste of French country living enhanced by modern day essentials in kitchen and bathroom. The gardens are a delight and the magnificent pool area an idyllic place to soak up the sun. We particularly loved dining on our terrace, enjoying fresh produce picked from the garden, while watching the sun set and stars emerge. La Laiterie proved to be la creme de la creme.

Rich, Guildford

Our second visit to Alison and Francis’ stunningly beautiful house. Ten years on and there’s now a wonderful saltwater pool (hate chlorine!).. the funny hens and ducks are still there (a new generation) as are the lovely black sheep, who come running if you bring stale bread. We spent a lot of time staying put, listening to birdsong, reading, star-gazing, swimming, playing ping-pong and picking tomatoes and basil from the lovely kitchen garden. This is an exceptional place and the owners are so warm, generous and gracious. It’s quite difficult to leave .. thanks for another wonderful holiday

Jane, London

Staying at Clos des Jardin was simply bliss and a true haven of tranquility. On our arrival our charming host Alison and Francis showed us to our absolutely spotless gite which was beautifully furnished. Every detail had been thought of from the amazing well stocked kitchen to our wonderful safe gated private garden with my sons very own paddling pool. Days spent at the gite were so relaxing whether we took a bike ride along fields of sunflowers or swam in the increadible salt water pool, which was thoughtfully left covered when not in use to keep our son safe. We will return!

Maria, London

Been here 5 times, absolutely love it, its truly beautiful as is the owners Francis and Alison, got very happy memories if this place and cant wait to go back. Magical holiday, wonderful food and accommodation.

Andrea, Sheffield

We have just returned from a delightful holiday in a haven of peace and tranquility at Le Clos des Jardins. The owners, Francis and Alison, made our stay an exceptional experience. Thank you.

Harry, Chorley

This is a unique and wonderful place. Alison and Francis made us feel like old friends from the moment we arrived. The house was spacious, incredibly comfortable and absolutely beautiful and the garden was magical to lie in, reading and absorbing the silence. The pool, petanque and ping pong were all fabulous as was the amazing vegetable garden, stocked with delicious produce. Don't miss the incredible meal offered by the hosts on a Sunday night. Our daughter said it was the best place we'd ever stayed. Enough said!

Ali, London

We found the most perfect haven of peace in Le Clos des Jardins. The hosts, Alison & Francis made us so welcome. A wonderfully well equipped & comfortable gîte within a superb setting surrounded by vegetable & herb gardens. The pool is beautifully designed We long to return to such tranquility, utter paradise!

Jane, Haywards Heath

A very relaxing holiday in a comfortable, well-appointed, gite. Alison & Francis were friendly and hospitable including cooking an amazing meal. We enjoyed swimming in the heated salt-water pool and seeing the sheep and chickens!

Ruth, Margate

We recently stayed at Le Clos des Jardins. It is a beautifully restored property. They have small animals and a pool, which our children (aged 4 and 1) absolutely loved. Our garden was a nice size, flat, and fenced in, which as parents of young children, meant we could relax without worrying they would hurt themselves. We arrived to a bottle of wine and fresh walnuts, and were given homemade scones which were delicious. The owners are very attentive and strive to make your stay comfortable, even offering us the use of their tumble dryer on a rainy day. We’re looking to book again next year!

Amber, Sowerby Bridge

Wonderful, Fabulous, Amazing...words really can't describe all the precious, special moments and memories our family created over the past few weeks...all brought to life by the most perfect hosts Francis and Alison. All your properties are fitted out to a very high standard whist still retaining the charm and character to make you feel welcome. Even though it was October we used the pool everyday, played badminton, table tennis, and enjoyed eating al fresco on many occasions. Alison and Francis cooked for our party of 15 for a special celebrations and it was superb.......we will be back xxx

Jackie, Rawtenstall

Absolutely fantastic place to stay for a family holiday. We really couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful and relaxing place for our holiday. We stayed in Le Four du Boulanger - it was great. Spotlessly clean and fully equipped. We took advantage of the shared pool every day. Alison and Francis are terrific hosts- nothing was too much trouble for them, they even arranged for us to get a replacement tyre when we had a puncture. We have already booked for next year and can’t wait.

Carolyn, Brighton

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Location

The neighbourhood

It’s delightfully rural around here, surrounded by fields and forests, and the hamlet is tiny; there are other forgotten hamlets that you can reach by foot and bike. Everything else is by car – the nearest restaurant is in Courtanne and you’ll find shops and supermarkets in Chef-Boutonne (3 km). Ancient churches that double as classical music venues are close by – the one in Melle is UNESCO listed. The Royal Abbey with its imposing Renaissance architecture and formal gardens at Celles-sur-Belle hosts a music festival every August. Your hosts can direct you to the best markets, fairs, brocantes, gardens, galleries, concerts and more.

Local points of interest from Francis & Alison Hudson

  • Guests are more than welcome to pick fruit & vegetables from the organic garden and prepare something delectably fresh in the well equipped kitchens. Sample our 'coeur de boeuf' tomatoes 'au naturel' and let the children go wild picking raspberries
  • Guests with little ones really appreciate our baby kit and say we should shout about it. This includes cot & bedding, high chair, buggy, baby bath, monitor, paddling pool & is supplied free of charge. Bikes, child seats & safety helmets are also available
  • Set in the heart of the 'Pays d'Art et d'Histoire' of the Pays Mellois. Peppered with delightful Romanesque churches which become the focus for 'Les Nuits Romanes', a rich array of quality concerts and performances throughout the summer months.
  • Countryside walks on your doorstep along limestone 'chemins blancs' bordering fields of sunflowers. Wander down to the local Bastille Day celebrations held on the tree lined village 'place' where you'll be assured authenticity & an incredibly warm welcome
  • There's a wealth of local 'brocantes' and 'vide greniers' to forage for wonderful gems of French bric a brac and why not join the locals for a long lunch at the traditional 'mechoui' (spit roast) and discuss the origins of your found treasures!
  • Join us for a welcome apéritif and sample our home made Pineau des Charentes, Basil wine and nibbles made with home produced chutneys or book an evening meal at our 'table d'hôtes' of home produce

Introducing

Francis & Alison Hudson

Alison and Francis left behind careers in Art & Design and moved out here with their two young children over 20 years ago. As well as working hard to become as self-sufficient as possible – clearing land for veg growing, planting fruit trees, establishing a flock of hens – they have created a successful self-catering business with three gîtes onsite. They have a fabulous eye for detail and a real hands-on attitude doing most of the work themselves from re-roofing and digging out the beaten earth floors to the stencilling on the reclaimed linen curtains.