This charmingly restored gite nestles in a sleepy hamlet in beautiful countryside.  As you dine in your own private BBQ area you can admire the spectacular views and may hear the sound of cowbells.  

The gite comfortably accommodates 6 people and can take 8 by using the sofa bed.  It is exceptionally well equipped and modernised while still retaining the charm of an old building with beams throughout.  The spacious kitchen includes a large dining area.  The lounge is bright and spacious and includes a sofa bed, TV & DVD and has a large range of books and games for your use.  Upstairs has stripped floors and offers 1 double and 2 twin bedrooms. There is a large bathroom with wc and a separate wc.  There is central heating throughout and the bed linen is provided.  

Outside there is a beautiful mature garden leading to a large heated pool (shared with us) which has a shower and a sun terrace with loungers as well as a hidden shaded area to relax in if you need to cool down!  We also have a ping pong area, some giant outside games and offer family bikes for hire.

Le Vignault is in the Deux Sevres department of France and is blessed with one of the country’s best microclimates with 2,600 hours of sunshine per year, second only to the Mediterranean!

We are conveniently situated only 10 minutes from Melle, a delightful small town with beautiful architecture, good restaurants, shops and a bustling market.  We are 25 mins from Niort, 45 mins from Poitiers and Futuroscope, 45 mins from the beautiful waterways of the Marais Poitevin, 1 1/2 - 2 hours from Cognac, Bordeaux and Limoges.  The sandy beaches of the Western coast are just over an hour away as is the beautiful old port of La Rochelle, and the inland beach of Lake Lambon with a variety of water sports is only 10 minutes away.

The hamlet is next to a beautiful forest and we are surrounded by open countryside and farmland which is awash with sunflowers in the summer.  The views are glorious, not only from the gite but as you travel around the area you cannot fail to be impressed.

The area is especially renowned for it’s goat‘s cheeses and the local aperitif Pineau Charente which originated from a "happy" accident made by a cognac maker!!  There are many small local villages to be visited each with their own markets and specialist produce.

The local countryside and woods are ideal for walkers and cyclists (off and on road!).  Also within 10 mins of the gite there are horse riding facilities and tennis courts.  There is a golf course within a half hour drive at Niort.  Our stunning location also makes it an ideal location for artists and photographers.  Nature lovers can enjoy our profusion of wildlife including red squirrels, hedgehogs, jays, hoopo, green woodpeckers, lots of birds of prey and a variety of finches to name but a few!  There are also several fishing lakes in the area.

view of the property