French Escapes

Sunshine, peace and charm await holidaymakers who head for our choice of great escapes in south west France, land of verdant vineyards, quaint villages and medieval towns providing. They all provide ample opportunity to sample the country’s legendary cuisine as well as some of the world’s finest wines, all in exquisitely convivial surroundings.

Explore the charms of Limoges’ medieval Quartier de la Boucherie with its terrace bars and restaurants, or the city of Saint-Émilion which, with its surrounding vineyards, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its long and prestigious legacy of wine-making. Don’t miss the little market town of Aigre, home to Gautier Cognac, one of the oldest cognac houses in the world, aging its products in an 18th century water mill. Cobbled streets, bustling markets and niche shops abound.

This is great country for walking, cycling and watersports, too. Scenic trails are plentiful and the Monédières massif has around thirty mountains to challenge fitter holidaymakers.

In The Heart Of The Vineyards

Discover our charming Château-Hotel

About twenty kilometers from SaintEmilion, in the village of SainteRadegonde, surrounded by vineyards and peaceful nature, the Château de Sanse proudly dominates the valley. This old 16th century building, in blond stone, will be the place for your family holidays, your romantic weekends or your business stopovers.

Sandra and Joris warmly welcome you to their chateau-hotel near SaintEmilion. You will enjoy the many 3-star services, the restaurant with traditional cuisine revisited, comfortable rooms and many other little touches.

TO FIND OUT MORE, OR BOOK DIRECT: www.leranch-camping.com +33 05 55 73 71 96

2 camping pitches for tents, motorhomes or caravans and 4 ready to camp tents (Glamping) which include2 safari tents with wood heated jacuzzi’s, a yurt and a ‘Lotus bell Stargazer’tent. Plenty of space and a warm welcome awaits you at Le Ranch Camping et Glamping.

1 Rue Des Chalets, 19470 Madranges France

Set amongst the smiling sunflowers and magical Cognac vines in the peaceful hamlet of La Grue, our three gites all have individual, private courtyard gardens with pretty flowers, scented herbs and the occasional tomato plant for you to use. Imagine waking to breakfast in your garden with freshly baked pastries, local ‘confiture’ and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Later, how about a barbecue? Each gite has a stone-built barbecue and outdoor dining seating with a parasol for those family meals ‘au dehors’.

If you’re feeling social, our shared courtyard with outdoor seating area along with ping-pong, table football and darts board is often where friendships are struck.

Our large, inviting swimming pool in its own walled garden with key entry has plenty of space for sun loungers and parasols. The shaded decked area is ideal for a break from the sun and perhaps a spot of colouring, a game or even private dining of an evening.

People who enjoy outdoor life flock to the Peak District in great numbers to walk, cycle, climb and explore the National Park. Beavers Croft is an exceptional 17th century self-catering property hidden in the tranquil heart of the terrain, alongside Howden Dam on the edge of Derwent Reservoir.

It’s an extraordinarily beautiful spot, offering picturesque views from every angle. Unusually, it’s also completely secluded from the tourist traffic and bustle that such beauty often attracts. There are no passers-by and no other houses within sight, making it the ideal spot to wind down, relax and genuinely ‘get away from it all.’

Beavers Croft itself is a postcardperfect barn conversion combining rural character with 21st century comfort. Sleeping up to eight people in three bedrooms plus a mezzanine overlooking the lounge. It has two bathrooms, a well-equipped kitchen/ diner and two acres of beautiful gardens, with dining space on a private patio. Furniture, fittings and appliances are all up-to-the-minute, including audio-visual equipment, kitchen appliances, fire pit and pizza oven.

Views are outstanding, as is the local history. Derwent Reservoir – the middle of three in the Derwent Valley – was the training site for the RAF’s daring ‘bouncing bomb’ air raid on Germany’s Ruhr Valley Dams in 1943 and changing the course of the Second World War, as immortalised in the 1955 film The Dam Busters.

The gardens give access to the lake and lovely walks. Owners Ab and Pippa, Airbnb ‘superhosts,’ ensure their guests have everything they need on arrival,

Hidden Gem

along with a generous welcome pack. Conservation conscious and wildlife friendly, they are proud that the property is entirely off-grid, powered by solar panels and a biomass heat generator.

The Peak District – mainly in Derbyshire but also covering parts of Staffordshire, Yorkshire and Cheshire – has many popular tourist spots within an easy car journey, among them the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Derwent Valley Mills, the Heights of Abraham, Crich Tramway Museum, the pretty town of Bakewell and the spa and showcaves of Buxton, but Ab says many guests just stay put at Beavers Croft.

“It’s inspirational,” he says.

Beaverscroft, Hope Valley, Derbyshire; T 07368 308681

E abdoulayediaw1@me.com

Airbnb @ Beavers Croft.