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"Le
Refuge Mélusine"
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Location
Once a working farm this old home is located in the south of Vendée, along the French Atlantic Coast, a romantic region also rich in history.
Gentle, rolling hills and a characteristic "bocage" landscape (hedges, pastures, fields, forests) provide an idyllic setting for this old stone house with its tasteful, comfortable furnishings (including some antiques).
It is located within a short distance to a tiny rural hamlet.
Access:
- By car: From Essen, Germany for example - (Paris-Tours-Niort)-Foussais: 950 km (900 km on the motorway)
- Motorail service/train: Düsseldorf-Nantes
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Airplane: Düsseldorf-Nantes (special fares!) + approx. 115 km by rental car (motorway)
- Railroad: Essen-Paris-Niort (TGV) + 40 km by taxi or rental car starting at Niort railway station
Things to do:
Quiet walks on solitary hiking trails (marked for the most part) to discover the gentle "bocage landscape" of South- Vendée off the beaten track. Bike rides along peaceful little country roads and paths (2 bikes provided for you)
Discovery and sightseeing trips: The ocean; Dolmen and Menhire in Vendée; La Venise Verte ("land of slow, gentle waters"); La Rochelle's harbor; Poitiers: (Futureoscope), Puy de Fou historical theme park with reenactments; castles, forts, windmills, romantic churches.
Water activities on four idyllic reservoirs, 220
hectares overall and just 4-8 km away (we provide inflatable dinghy).
Within 4 - 6 km: 2 small beaches (some sand), boat rental, sailing- canoe-
surfing lessons on Lac de Mervent.
The ocean: Enjoy the 15 km long, quiet southernmost Vendée beach of La
Faute-sur-Mer (60 km distance, 55 min. by car). There is a nudist beach
at the southern tip.
Guided or unguided discovery boat trips at Marais Poitevin's green water maze "Venise Verte" (approx. 25 km).
Fishing in local lakes and rivers (short-term, reasonably prices licenses available locally).
Other local activities
Cross-country running on trails right in front of the house/horse riding
facility within 400 m/tennis 4 km away/biking (bicycles available) on
quiet, rural trails: Our informational material describes recommended
tours /mini golf: 4 & 8 km away/ croquet: 4 km/rock climbing (level 4-7
difficulty): 6 km
Other:
Food stores (fresh fish!), "traiteur", bakery, physicians, vet, pharmacy,
bank, post office etc.: 4 km away /// historical shopping area, weekly
market, large shopping centers (such as "Leclerc"), museums, cinemas etc.
in Fontenay-le-Comte (population 16 000): 13 km away /// about 15 restaurants
(such as a "Crêperie" in a moated castle) within 4-13 km (from typical
local fare to elegant dishes: Three-course menus start at 60 FF)/// Divertissements:
Interesting animal park, children's park with play equipment, vinery (Piscotte
wine tasting), small forest museum with playground, language school etc.:
3-9 km
