Porte Royale

Ref: FLA120G

La Porte Royale was the old gate used to enter La Rochelle. Indeed, the street where the house sits is 10 minutes walk from the centre of the town. Once you are at the house, you do not need to use your car any more. Moreover, La Rochelle has 86km of cycling lanes and it is a real delight to discover this beautiful historic town with its numerous lovely parks and views over the ocean riding a bike! That is why the owners will leave for the use of their guests 7 bicycles (3 adults, 2 teenage, 2 children plus a cart for baby). Otherwise, the town lends free bicycles too. La Rochelle is a town full of charm and style with a lot of architectural pieces such as the town hall that must be visited, numerous old houses dating from between the15th to 18th Century, the great clock tower standing on the old port, and the old port itself with its massive towers. Every morning the covered market dating from 19th Century offers fresh fish and food. For restaurants you can pick one out of many that are located under the old arch covered streets and squares. For children, we suggest you visit the aquarium of La Rochelle. The nearest sandy beach is called “la plage de la concurrence” and is around 15 minutes walk from the house; otherwise la plage des Minimes with numerous water activities is 5km away. Also, you can cycle or drive through the bridge that leads you from La Rochelle to the unspoilt Ile de Ré. Within easy reach by car you can discover les Sables d’Olonnes, Poitiers, Cognac, and Saintes. DETAILS OF ACCOMMODATION A gate opens onto a lovely little garden planted with tree, grass and flowers with an octagonal above ground swimming pool (4.60m diameter and constant depth of 1.30m) with solar heating. The garden has also a teak table and chairs plus deckchairs to relax in. All the living area downstairs is open plan and has sliding bay windows onto the garden to give a natural flow of indoor/outdoor living in summer. To the left the dining room has table and chairs with a charming little area outside where the owners love having a coffee after meals. The sitting room in the centre has comfortable sofas and armchairs with satellite TV, DVD player, and a piano. To the right is the fully equipped kitchen with dishwasher.  Off the sitting room a corridor leads to a bathroom/wc with bath and shower plus washing machine and dryer. There are also a double bedroom with comfortable trundle double bed, a single bedroom with a French window to a little wooden deck with table and chairs for 2, a small child playhouse and just outside a small organic garden where you can help yourself to vegetables. There is a third bedroom that will remain locked. From the sitting room an open staircase rises to a sort of suspended corridor off which is a double bedroom with bath and wc open-plan to sleeping area; and the elegant master double bedroom that has a TV and dressing area, plus en-suite bathroom with bath and shower, and a separate wc. The house has internet broadband access and telephone. The entire property has been recently redesigned and redecorated with organic materials only. BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS: Broadband with Wi-fi available at this property providing clients with free access via their own laptop.