Chez Aline - rural french farmhouse

Bursting with a unique topsy, turvy character, Chez Aline is a wonderful example of a rural French farmhouse, dating from the mid-nineteenth century. Chez Aline will sleep very comfortably four in a large double bedroom and a bright twin bedroom. We can also offer extra accommodation for a further two people on a double sofa bed. Entering into the airy hallway you will find doors to the family kitchen / dining room; twin bedroom; shower room; toilet and large storage cupboard. The family kitchen / dining room is dominated by a large insert log burner and beautiful authentic beams. Cook up a storm here, or simply relax with a good book and a glass of something local! The twin bedroom is a bright room and is perfect for the little people in your life, but still great for grown-ups too! Moving on up to the upper level of Chez Aline you will find an extremely spacious double bedroom filled with antique furniture and wonderful country-side views. Also on this level you will find the spacious lounge with sofa bed. This room is again dominated by a large fireplace and authentic beams, with lots of seating and space to relax. Chez Aline also has use of the bread oven for creating mouth watering BBQs and not to mention use of the grenier for alfresco dining. A separate, more traditional charcoal BBQ is also provided. Moving outside Chez Aline, and just steps from your front door, is your own private garden. We have created seating under a Tilleul tree to enjoy that glass of something cool or for alfresco dining. POOL AND HOT TUB Just at the bottom of the orchard, up the old oak beam stairs you will find the above ground heated pool, with open views over the countryside – a real relief on those hot days. We also supply sun chairs and little corners for additional relaxation and alfresco dining. For the grown ups, a real treat, a Swedish log burning hot tub which is perfect for spring and autumn weather when the evenings are less balmy, but also a great benefit after cycling and walking all the routes on our doorstep. CHARMING KITCHEN AND ALFRESCO DINING SPACE We are extremely proud of our outside kitchen and eating space - La Petite Cuisine. This is built on the original footprint of an old outbuilding that sadly was beyond rescue. When we were planning what we could do to make our guests’ holidays that more special, we decided to utilise Richard’s core skills of being a chef! The aim of La Petite Cuisine is to provide our visitors with a unique alfresco dining venue, where yours truly will be found cooking up a storm with produce grown in our own vegetable plots and orchard, but also utilising ingredients foraged or bought from our neighbours. Menus will be based on what’s available, ensuring freshness and quality for our guests. We’re also partial to good old-fashioned BBQs and time honoured French classics. If you fancy a lazy day around the pool or gardens, we are more than happy to fire up the plancha for a special lunch or dinnertime treat! Richard is also very experienced in catering for vegetarians and those with special dietary requirements, including, for example, those following a gluten free diet. Dining can also take place in the barn - just speak to Richard. If you fancy something that extra special, why not speak to Richard about the ‘chef at your disposal’ service. Richard will be happy to help you develop a menu for any occasion, and cook it for you! Leaving you to enjoy your holiday, while you have your own private chef for the evening! COUNTRYSIDE LIVING Ideally situated in the Poitou Charente, we are based in a beautiful farming hamlet, perfectly located for touring and exploring this little known part of France, and all it has to offer! We are also ideally situated for exploring the wine routes of the Haute Poitou and the Loire Valley. Keen cyclists and walkers will be spoiled by the many routes on offer, including a Petit Chemin de Saint Jacque de Compostelle - right outside your door! LOCAL PRODUCE Our aim is to grow and cook as much of our own produce as we can and to utilise the fantastic store cupboard of wonderful organic ingredients from the countryside, and from our neighbours - keeping everything local and fresh. À MANGER Upon your arrival you'll be welcomed with a glass of something local and a basket of provisions to help you along until you get to the market. Also, if you wish later, dine in the summer kitchen and eating space ‘La Petite Cuisine’. Menus and prices are displayed, and are based on what’s fresh and of the season. Another option is to take advantage of the ‘chef at your door’ service; to make your stay that little more special! Discover the history and beauty of this authentic region in Western France. Gourgé is a commune in the Deux-Sevres department in the Poitou-Charentes region in western France. It is 10km (6.2 miles) from Parthenay. The tiny farming hamlet of Bois Mort is located in the Deux-Sevres department, one of four that make up the Poitou Charente region – the other three being Vienne, Charente and Charente-Maritime. The Deux-Sevres, sits in the north of the Poitou Charente region, just below the Loire Valley, which makes it an ideal staging post to sample the wines of the Haut-Poitou and the Loire, with the picturesque fairy-tale city of Saumur only a 55 minute drive away. The Deux-Sevres is an unspoilt, farming area, so in the summer expect sunflower fields, swaying golden wheat and tall lush fields of maize. We are close to two beautiful villages, Gourgé with its Romanesque church, beautiful ancient roman bridge and old water mill, where you can fish and picnic – it’s also possible to hire horse drawn gypsy caravans at certain times during the summer! Within the village is a small store and bakers. In the opposite direction lies the medieval village of St Loup Sur Thouet, a ‘Petit Cite de Character’, with bars, restaurant, auberge, baker, newsagent / bar tabac and village store. Also in the village is a small chateau and church, with beautiful stained glass windows and interesting history – being linked to two local saints. We are blessed in this region with a wonderful climate and diverse geography, making it a fabulous place to come and enjoy your holidays, whatever your interests – gastronomy to kayaking, walking, cycling, or simply sitting by the pool and relaxing - it can all be found here! Free parking is available on site. We recommend having your own car. Chez Aline, paired with our other gites – the Old Goat Shed and Maison de Maurice really makes Bois Mort the perfect destination for family get-togethers, but all the gites are also sufficiently independent to ensure complete privacy. Website can be viewed here: (URL HIDDEN) There is also space for the children to burn off that bit of extra energy in the separate play area.