Le Clos des Jardins

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

Per night
€74 - €181
Per week
€600 - €1500
Place

3 places

Sleeps

Sleeping from 3 – 4

Children welcome
Babies welcome

Deep in undulating countryside, three pretty stone cottages with a shared, family-friendly saltwater pool and charming, generous owners

Per night
€74 - €181
Per week
€600 - €1500

Visit the owner's site and book direct with them. No fees or fuss from us.

What part does Sawday’s play?

Use our quick form to drop the owner a line asking anything you need to know.

Ask a question

€74 - €181 per night

€600 - €1500 per week

The Experience

Great for families – no need to bring all the gear, it’s here. Along with animals to pet, eggs to collect, table tennis and bikes, a shaded pétanque court and a beautiful, shared limestone pool. Find a basket of homegrown organic veg and fruit from the garden and taste homemade aperitif treats from the owners.

You will see other people around but each cottage has its 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 (3km) for its bustling food market and château; sip Pineau des Charentes alongside locals in a café on the town square.

Le Clos des Jardins - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • Wandering through the stone arch through the olive trees for a swim in the fabulous saltwater pool
  • Living slow – young children will adore helping collect organic fruit and vegetables from the potager, saying hello to sheep and chickens
  • Visiting some wonderful markets, people-watching in the cafés, feeling very French
Le Clos des Jardins - Gallery

You should know

  • The beds in the twin room of La Laiterie are best for children
  • Sorry, no dogs

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 €600
Damage deposit
€400
Surcharges
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.
Closed
Rarely.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Property
This property is part of a working farm or vineyard.
Owner has pets
Animals living on the property

Reviews

I just love it here. Alison and Francis are fun, warm and welcoming, like dropping in to see old friends - it is no wonder that guests come back year after year to this lovely place. You couldn't fail to be impressed by the care and attention they've have put into restoring their home and cottages and their style is a real delight for anyone who enjoys a beautiful interior and garden.
Inspected Katie Sawday's Inspector

Rebecca, Stroud, Gloucestershire

We had the most wonderful week at Le Clos de Jardins. We were in much need of a holiday and this was just the place to soothe our souls! We stayed in La Laiterie which was spotlessly clean, comfortable and equipped with all the mod cons one needed to make our week feel like a home from home. Alison & Francis could not have been more welcoming and always there should we have needed anything. They have created the most beautiful garden which is there to be enjoyed, including fresh herbs, a vegetable garden, grape vines, fig trees & orchards.


Alison, Norfolk, UK

We had an amazing week staying in La Laiterie with our children. The hosts Alison and Francis were so kind. They had so many things to help our stay with our baby including a little tent for our baby, a buggy, baby bath etc. It was much appreciated. The attention to detail in the decor was really beyond most places we have stayed. Beautiful crisp white linen, a walk in shower, a gorgeous cottage style garden and a fabulous pool. They even arranged bikes for us with a trailer for our baby. We would love to go back. Thank you for a wonderful holiday Alison and Francis.


Rebecca, London

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.


Nicola, Oxford

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.


Location

The neighbourhood

It’s delightfully rural 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 (3km). Ancient churches that double as classical music venues are close by – the one in Melle is UNESCO listed.

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 garden produce and home made chutneys.

Introducing

Francis & Alison Hudson

Alison and Francis left behind careers in art and design and moved to France with their two children over 20 years ago. As well as working hard to become as self-sufficient as possible they have created a successful self-catering business. They have a fabulous eye for detail.