We've just returned from spending a fabulous week at 'le gite du pontreau' in Vienne, France. The gite is very spacious and has lots of rustic charm, with a large outdoor terrace and BBQ, huge south facing private garden and lovely 'sun trap' pool area. The owners live next door which is handy if you need some help or advice, otherwise you won't even know they're there! The gite is situated in a tiny hamlet surrounded by farmland and we saw hares, a red squirrel, partridges and a pheasant during our stay, most of them from within the garden!. Away from the peace and tranquillity there's plenty to do and see in the local vicinity. We had a wonderful lunch at a restaurant terrace on the banks of the river Charente at the Hotel du Commerce in Civray, lovely on a sunny day. For a more energetic pastime try canoeing down the river Clain from the canoe hire centre in nearby Vivonne, or for nature lovers there's The valley of the Monkeys about 15 minutes drive away. Overall I would give the holiday and the gite a 5 out of 5. The only thing that could have been better would have been to stay for 2 weeks instead of just the one!