Chris and Wendy Blakeman have 2 children . We have also been letting out our French holiday cottages to families with babies , toddlers and children here since 1996, Wendy is a French
state registered child minder ; so we have some experience of what children of all ages enjoy and
what makes their parents holidays enjoyable too.
Its usually the case that if the children are happy then the parents are too.
state registered child minder ; so we have some experience of what children of all ages enjoy and
what makes their parents holidays enjoyable too.
Its usually the case that if the children are happy then the parents are too.
Our
large enclosed garden
has a
sandpit
and
swings
including a
slide
and
baby/ toddler swing
. These are set on an impact absorbing wood chip surface (just in case). There is plenty of space to
play boules
or
ball
. The garden and sandpit are directly opposite Ruche and Horloge cottages and within view of Papillon gite and Grenier gite. Our
Pirate Ship
is the star attraction and great for climbing. Our 3m trampoline has a safety net for secure bouncing fun. There are numerous
large trees
around the garden creating plenty of
shade
and also lots of
super hiding places
. Each week we hold a Teddy bears picnic with bubbles and balloons, cake and fruit and all for free !
Activities for the children
* Scuba diving for kids from 5yrs * Teddy bear picnics * Pottery painting * Fabric painting *
Our
swimming pool
is
completely enclosed
by a 1m80 high fence and wall and is accessed by one gate which is
self closing
and has a
child proof latch.
It is also alarmed for extra security which means if a child should fall in when no one is around the alarm will sound .
It is heated to 28c using an efficient heat pump and even younger children will happily swim / play in it. The older
children will be hard to get out of it.
We also have our baby /Toddler splash pool, an above ground HEATED (to 30c) pool , perfect for young children, toddlers and babies.
There is a good sized terrace surrounding the pools with plenty of sunbeds also a number of trees around the area which also provide shade in different areas at different times of day.
It is open 24hrs a day but with a no noise policy in the evening/overnight/early morning.
It is heated to 28c using an efficient heat pump and even younger children will happily swim / play in it. The older
children will be hard to get out of it.
We also have our baby /Toddler splash pool, an above ground HEATED (to 30c) pool , perfect for young children, toddlers and babies.
There is a good sized terrace surrounding the pools with plenty of sunbeds also a number of trees around the area which also provide shade in different areas at different times of day.
It is open 24hrs a day but with a no noise policy in the evening/overnight/early morning.
and for Mum and Dad...
Barbecue each week with the other families
Seafood nights
Taste du Terroir evenings
Professional wine tastings
Family vine walks
Learn to scuba dive
Baby sitting and mini creche by our very own registered child minder
(Wendy Blakeman)
so you can enjoy a night out with peace of mind or use the mini creche for a few hours peace during the day
Holiday with like minded parents of
children, toddlers and babies
* Board Games * Books * Table Tennis *
What do we mean by Child Friendly and Family Friendly gite holiday ?
Well, for a start Chris and Wendy Blakeman
welcome families
with young children. (generally under 8 yrs in peak season and pre schoolers at other times)That means that there will usually be other like minded families with children, all wanting an
enjoyable relaxing stay
where there are
other children
for theirs to play with. If your children are entertained then it usually means
you'll be able to relax
that bit more.
What else ? We have travel cots, highchairs and stairgates available, we have other items such as potty, child toilet seat, booster seats, toddler steps, bed guards, baby rockers, steam sterilisers all free of charge .
The Enclosed garden has swings, slide and sand pit, PIRATE SHIP and TRAMPOLINE . The swimming pool area is completely enclosed from the gites and garden and accessed through a self closing gate with child proof latch (stops access by children aged at least 5yrs and under - our 10 yr old can only just open it) complete with two heated pools. And don't forget we can also offer our 'babysitting service' so you can enjoy a night out or our day time mini creche service . What else do you need to make your holiday as relaxing as possible - tell us....
However no place is completely without hazards where young children are concerned so please also read our PARENT POINTS
What else ? We have travel cots, highchairs and stairgates available, we have other items such as potty, child toilet seat, booster seats, toddler steps, bed guards, baby rockers, steam sterilisers all free of charge .
The Enclosed garden has swings, slide and sand pit, PIRATE SHIP and TRAMPOLINE . The swimming pool area is completely enclosed from the gites and garden and accessed through a self closing gate with child proof latch (stops access by children aged at least 5yrs and under - our 10 yr old can only just open it) complete with two heated pools. And don't forget we can also offer our 'babysitting service' so you can enjoy a night out or our day time mini creche service . What else do you need to make your holiday as relaxing as possible - tell us....
However no place is completely without hazards where young children are concerned so please also read our PARENT POINTS
Parker family review of La Grange du Moulin, Grenier gite - children aged 5
& 2 yrs
''This is our third gite holiday in France and the set up at La Grange du Moulin far
exceeded our other experiences. Our boys loved the well equipped garden (great sandpit, large garden with great hiding places) the organised Teddy bears picnic, pottery and t-shirt paintings and fabulous swimming pools.We also loved the chance to taste local wines and produce at the taste du terroir evening and meet other guests via the sociable weekly bbq's. We found highly enjoyable activities across the region including a beautiful beach on the Ile de Oleron, the ampitheatre at Saintes, La Rochelle aquarium, the zoo and the boats at St savinien. We also discovered excellent playgrounds in St Jean, Cognac and at a lake nr Angouleme. The small, but perfect market in Aulnay was child friendly and the visiting butcher on Weds afternoon enabled us to try far superior food that we
otherwise would not of had. We have all had a truly enjoyable and relaxing time and I look forward to trying out the moules mariniere recipe as taught by Chris, back home. Thank you. ''
& 2 yrs
''This is our third gite holiday in France and the set up at La Grange du Moulin far
exceeded our other experiences. Our boys loved the well equipped garden (great sandpit, large garden with great hiding places) the organised Teddy bears picnic, pottery and t-shirt paintings and fabulous swimming pools.We also loved the chance to taste local wines and produce at the taste du terroir evening and meet other guests via the sociable weekly bbq's. We found highly enjoyable activities across the region including a beautiful beach on the Ile de Oleron, the ampitheatre at Saintes, La Rochelle aquarium, the zoo and the boats at St savinien. We also discovered excellent playgrounds in St Jean, Cognac and at a lake nr Angouleme. The small, but perfect market in Aulnay was child friendly and the visiting butcher on Weds afternoon enabled us to try far superior food that we
otherwise would not of had. We have all had a truly enjoyable and relaxing time and I look forward to trying out the moules mariniere recipe as taught by Chris, back home. Thank you. ''
McCormick family review of La Grange du Moulin, Fleurie gite - children aged 2.5 and 1yr
''This
place is heaven for young children and therefore for us too ! With a
2.5 yr and 1 yr old, going on holiday is (though wonderful)
a
bit fraught and approached with some trepidation. Wendy and Chris
however, enabled us to have the most fun, relaxed and
carefree
holiday we have ever had with the children. Everything has been
thought of, is provided and is made easy. And at the
same
time we got to enjoy the picturesque and beautiful, rustic French
countryside, wine and food and unique ambience of La Grange
du Moulin. Several people we met here were repeat visitors which
shows how much people rate it and I will definitely be recommending
this place to all my friends with pre schoolers (though on second
thoughts, maybe I shouldn't or we'll never manage to book in
again !) The trampoline, sand pit, pirate ship, swimming pool
(heated) and toddler pool made La Grange du Moulin perfect
for our toddlers (our 2 yr old - ''I love our holiday place'') and
best of all it's all safely enclosed so we can relax. It's
not luxury but we didn't expect or want that and again makes
the cottages much more suitable for little ones. Loved all the info
on activities and the area, which was all useful and also
the vine walk, wine tasting, teddy bears picnic and bbq all of which
was
sociable without being obtrusive. Loved it 10/10, 5*,
thank you so much, see you next year !
Every week we have a toddlers teddy bears picnic, the bubbles, the music, the
picnic are all included and even better it's Free ! Just bring your toddler and teddy.
All the children can join in whatever their age.
picnic are all included and even better it's Free ! Just bring your toddler and teddy.
All the children can join in whatever their age.
We also have pottery and fabric painting each week too. Toddlers can express
themselves with finger painting, babies can have foot or hand prints and older
children can create or follow designs with brushes and sponges.
themselves with finger painting, babies can have foot or hand prints and older
children can create or follow designs with brushes and sponges.
For Mum and Dad we have barbecue and seafood evenings, professional wine tastings, family vine walks and taste du terroir evenings. With other like minded families to chat to as well, you can also share a glass of wine or two on the other evenings
Wendy is a registered child minder here in France and can look after your babies, toddlers and children during the day (one session per week) so you can take some time out. Wendy Blakeman also offers evening babysitting every
night of the week.
night of the week.
