Gîte Chez Mary - perfect for families and groups

Gite Chez Mary offers spacious accommodation (110m2) and stunning views for a maximum of 7 people. For larger groups we can accommodate an additional 2/3 people in Studio Chez Mary and 4 people in Suite Chez Mary - contact us for details. All bed linen, tea towels and bath towels are included, and you will find all the beds made up when you arrive. Animals are welcome for a small additional charge of 25€ per stay. We are situated in a small hamlet just 4kms from the thriving market town of Chorges, an easy two hour drive from Marseille airport. For other transport options see below. The gîte is on the upper floor of what was originally a working sheep farm. It consists of one large light and airy open-plan living/dining/kitchen area, three bedrooms, a large bathroom and a separate toilet. The outside space is a balcony (4.55m2) leading from the living room and, at the bottom of the wooden stairs that lead to the apartment, a large covered wooden terrace (55m2) exclusively for guests' use; a perfect spot for lazing on the garden furniture, dining 'al fresco' and simply looking at the breathtaking views! For the more energetic there is a table tennis table - popular with young and old alike! The living area has two large comfy sofas, either side of a central coffee table, and large french doors leading onto the balcony. There is a flat screen 32 inch HD television and unlimited internet access, as well as a variety of games. The kitchen is fully equipped and has a fridge freezer, dishwasher, electric fan oven and induction hob, microwave oven, toaster, electric hand mixer, liquidiser, coffee machine and kettle. The oak dining table comfortably seats six people. High chairs are available on request. Bedroom 1 has a standard double bed (140 x 190cm). Bedrooms 2 and 3 each have two single beds (90 x 190cm) which can be joined together to create large king size beds (180 x 190cm) if required. If there are 7 in your group, there is plenty of space to put an additional single bed into one of the bedrooms. We can provide a cot for a baby. All bed linen, tea towels and bath towels are included, and you will find all the beds made up when you arrive. The spacious, modern bathroom offers a large walk-in shower, twin wash basins, a heated towel rail and a double-ended bath tub that is just perfect for soaking 'à deux'! Also in the bathroom you will find a laundry corner neatly housing a washing machine and tumble dryer. There is a separate toilet (a true 'loo with a view'!) and hand wash basin. Heating is by means of a wood pellet burner and electric radiators. There is covered parking for two cars and we have plenty of secure storage space for bikes and skis, etc. The summer months offer markets, live music in the streets and swimming and water sports at the Lac de Serre Ponçon (10 mins). In winter you have a choice of ski resorts in close proximity. Our personal favourite is the family-friendly resort of Réallon (20 mins) though if you are looking for something more extensive then we recommend Les Orres at 40 mins away, Vars/Risoul at 55 mins or Serre Chevalier at 60 mins. There is also good cross-country skiing nearby. Throughout the year there are villages to explore, good food to eat and great walking/cycling/mountain biking, with trails direct from the front door. For the more adventurous there is white water rafting and kayaking on the Durance river, as well as paragliding and climbing. A three-course supper with wine can be provided on the day of arrival at a cost of 15€ per person. Catering during your stay can be arranged at prior request. We can also do a shop for you before your arrival - we will charge you the cost of the provisions plus a 5€ service fee. We are on hand and happy to assist as required. We access our living space from the other side of the house and so your privacy is guaranteed. We speak English, French and Spanish - and a little Italian! Getting here: By Car: If you are driving you can take the AutoRoute all the way to Grenoble from most of the coastal ports. From Grenoble you have two choices; the N85, Route de Napoléon, which winds across the mountains to Gap, or take the A51 and then the N75 south from Grenoble (along the edge of the Vercours in the direction of Sisteron) to Aspres-sur-Buech, then the D994 east to Gap. By Plane: Marseille is the closest airport. When hiring a car, take the A51 motorway north towards Gap. After the end of the motorway, just south of Gap, follow directions to Tallard and after Tallard take the D942 north to join the N94. Turn east, direction Briançon to Chorges.  Other airport options are Avignon (2h 16m), Grenoble (2h 20m), Nimes (2h 37m), Chambery (2h 37m), Turin (2h 45m), Toulon-Hyeres (2h 51m), Lyon-Saint Exupery (2h 52m), Nice (3h) and Geneva (3h 30m). It is also possible to fly into Grenoble with Easy Jet or Ryan Air, or Lyon with scheduled or budget airlines.  If you fly into Nice it is faster to drive along the coastal motorway then north up the A 51 rather than taking the ‘short cut’ across the mountains. By Train For overnight travel, take the London to Paris Eurostar train, arriving at the Gare du Nord station. Transfer by Metro to the Gare Austerlitz station (about 20 min.) Take the night train to Gap or Chorges (marked as the Briançon train) departing approx 22:00 and arriving at about 07:00 next morning. Eurostar offer a service from London to Aix en Provence or Marseille, you will need to hire a car from either of these destinations. Alternatively for daytime travel take the TGV from Paris or Lille to Valence and then a local train to Gap or Chorges. In Gap, you can hire a car from several agents located 100 metres from the train station.