![Holiday Home Exterior [summer]](https://media.vrbo.com/lodging/43000000/42540000/42535200/42535159/9dd3d46a.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium)
10/10 Excellent
Gail D., Schenectady, NY
Aug 1, 2019
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Charming cottage in idyllic countryside
Entering the property through the wooden door in the ivy-covered wall is like stepping into The Secret Garden, but less wild and with a swimming pool added. The cottage is beautifully restored with stone walls, wood-beamed ceilings and large windows, and surrounded by lovely flower beds and potted plants. There are plenty of places for a family to spread out: comfy sofas in the living room, patio table with umbrella and loungers by the pool - both of which are shaded by the garden walls until after lunch. After driving down from Paris, where we had worn ourselves out being tourists, we very much enjoyed being able to relax by the pool for a few days before heading out sightseeing. Although the days were very hot (we stayed in late July) the large windows and fans provided in the bedrooms enabled things to cool down at night for comfortable sleeping. The kitchen is adequately equipped with plates, pots, utensils, some essential cooking supplies, like olive oil, salt and pepper, and an easy to use (and fast!) induction cooktop. The washing machine in the kitchen is a great bonus and with a simple 'fast wash' setting we were able to do laundry and hang things to dry overnight most days.
Pipa and Alex could not have been more thoughtful hosts. They welcomed us with a bottle of wine, a tour of the cottage, and some dinner supplies since we had arrived in the evening after the local shops were closed. They advised us on where to buy groceries, the best beaches, towns and markets to visit: whatever we asked about they had an answer for and they offered help at every turn. For example, they provided us with a sun shade for a trip to the beach, a large picnic blanket, and sand tools for our children to use, and didn't mind at all that we took their towels to the beach.
The village location was ideal for us: quiet and off the beaten path, but also within striking distance of several popular tourist sites. We took day trips East to Nîmes and the Pont du Gard and West to Perpignan and the Pyrenees. Coming home to cool off with a dip in the pool was a perfect way to end the day!
Gail D.
Stayed 12 nights in Jul 2019
