Highly rated accessible gîte in Aquitaine

This beautiful gîte sits in 7.8 acres of landscaped grounds on the slopes of a secluded valley on the outskirts of the ancient village of Saint-Maurin, in South West France.

Dating from the late 18^th century, the building has been redesigned to the highest standards and is equipped with a range of features for the disabled, less able and elderly.

The gîte shares its grounds with two other properties, all privately accessed through electronic gates. A 12m-by-6m shared swimming pool is situated immediately outside, in a sheltered area of the gardens. The pool is can be used by all guests as well as the owners when present. Preference is always given to guests. It is possible for guests to reserve exclusive access to the pool for their party on request and in advance – for example, for a specific afternoon, or between the hours of _ and _ on a specific day.

The grounds contain a ruined tower and natural springs, with frogs and black and golden carp populating the spring pools. Wild deer also make the occasional visit the grounds.

The gîte has been awarded the highest grading permissible (four épis) for its property type, by Gîtes de France.

CAR HIRE RECOMMENDED

Towels - 8 euros per person

Linen - 16 euros per person. Beds made up on arrival unless guests bring own bedding.

Accessibility

The gîte has been awarded the highest accreditation for accessibility by the French Ministry of Tourism. The award is for all four categories available: physical, mental, hearing and visual impairments.

Accessible features:

• All on one ground-floor level
• Accessible bedroom with wheel-in shower room
• Grab rails in bath and shower rooms and let-down rails beside WCs
• Portable shower chair
• Ample side-loading to WCs
• All doorways at least 780mm wide, most over 800mm
• Low-level switches
• Low windows
• There is one high-level armchair in each cottage, 22 inches from the ground
• Level throughout. No ramps or steps
• Accessible kitchens with low-level worktops
• Accessible sinks, hobs and ovens. No low-level cupboards
• All accessible bedrooms have the minimum required wheelchair turning space
• No wardrobe doors (curtains used)
• Portable electric hoist available (for stand use only) Guests must bring own sling.
• Electrically adjustable profiling bed and electric pressure mattress available

The gîte is all on one level. The living/dining/kitchen area is open plan. The kitchen has an oven, hob, microwave, dishwasher, refrigerator and freezer. There is also a toaster, kettle, sink with lever taps, lowered surfaces (840mm high).

There is a shared facility in the laundry room, which has a separate washing machine and tumble dryer. There is also a private covered outside patio off the dining area.

The property has two bedrooms. Bedroom 1 has a double bed and a private patio/balcony overlooking the swimming pool and gardens. Bedroom 2 has twin beds that can be put together to make a super kingsize bed (on request). The shared shower room with WC and hand basin is accessible from the hallway.

The gîte is all-electric, with its energy generated from an environmentally friendly and extremely efficient heat pump. The central heating uses an underfloor system, ensuring the habitable areas are kept at a comfortable temperature at all times, whatever the conditions outside. There is French and English digital freeview TV, Wi-Fi and telephone.

There are a number of sights and attractions to enjoy in the nearby area, including the Parc Walibi leisure park at Agen, two golf courses, local vineyards, a family pony club, and the sandy beach and activity lake at Montaigu Plage. There are several picturesque medieval villages to explore in the area as well, plus plenty of great places to eat, all serving traditional rustic fare.