The surrounding countryside is all rolling hills, pine forests and calm. And boy is it tranquil!
If you're used to traffic congestion and driving stress then you will be delighted by the roads leading to the gite, sure there are cars, but not very many of them, driving becomes a pleasurable experience again. Passing through little hamlets that are exactly as you would imagine a french country village to be; a church, a bar, a boulangerie, shuttered windows - simply beautiful.

The gite itself is an old dependent building next to (detatched from) "the chateau" (it isn't a real chateau but it is a majestic building nonetheless, hence it's nickname).
Due to it's heritage status the gite has had to be renovated using only original materials, and haven't they done it well! the craftsmanship is 'par excellence', right up to the authentic 18th century carved wood panelling on the walls of the living room. The tiled floor is of terracotta and slate "a cabochon", the kitchen worksurface is marble, the staircase is made of "tuffeau" which is the traditional white stone somewhat similar to chalk but a whole lot harder.

The grounds are green and spacious bordered by a deep pine wood, which you can contemplate while sitting next to the heated swimming pool, next to the pool there is a covered alcove if you would like to sit in the shade (the alcove also has a fridge that means you don't have to keep going back and forth to the gite for your cold beverages - perfect!)
Of course one cannot guarantee glorious sunshine every day, even in August, so there is a large selection of family board games and a collection of DVDs, however I might recommend that you bring your own DVDs unless you speak very good french, but with the Home Cinema System and CD player you know you have something to play them on.
And, what's more is that the TV and all it's paraphernalia is tastefully hidden away when not in service by marvellously constructed sliding panels, also made from 18th century wood panelling.