Testimonials

“This is a gem of a Gite”

The gite is beautifully located by the river just outside the village with a large garden – ideal for sunbathing or simply reading (with a late afternoon tipple!) or playing boules. The accommodation is super. Downstairs there is ample space with a dining room and a separate comfortable lounge. A very well equipped kitchen has all you will need for culinary delights (we didn’t end up going to the local restaurants – we did a lot of travelling around in the day so were happy to stay in the comfort of the Gite and cook for ourselves). The bedroom is cosy and the bathroom has a great shower.

One big plus is that you can book the gite by the night as well as by the week which suited us perfectly. The bar in the village is nice for a walk and quiet drink. There are lots of chateaux within easy driving distance (Chateau d’Oiron which has a really interesting modern art exhibition and Montreuil-Bellay are both especially good. Chateau Saumur is undergoing restoration so visitors don’t actually see very much and unless you want to see some jousting (more for children) it’s probably not worth the trip. Abbaye De Fontevraud is fascinating. There are churches in all the villages you drive through. St Loup Lamaire – just 5k away is pretty and the ‘lavoirs’ at Moncontour are a step back in time. Parthenay is close for a wander round the old city. There are lots of wineries at Chinon to stock up home supplies!

Last but definitely not least are Donna and Pete who live right next to the gite. We can’t say how much we appreciated their hospitality. They made us feel very welcome and were so helpful throughout our stay. They were kind enough to invite us to evening drinks with their friends on our last night which we really enjoyed – although we felt the effects of their generosity the following morning! They were brilliant hosts and a really nice couple! This was our first visit to a gite for a number of years and we felt we made a brilliant choice and would have no hesitation in recommending it to others. ~ John and Jayne

“Heaven on earth”
11 Aug 2011

Staying with Donna and Pete in Gourgé was honestly the best time away from home I have ever experienced. Everything was just fantastic. Honestly, if I could afford to live 6 months in France and the other 6 months in Australia, that would be the area that I would go to based on my experience with them. The history, the scenery, the food, the wine, the surrounds, feeling like you are ‘home’; I couldn’t have asked for more… wait, would have liked to have stayed longer!!!!! Donna and Pete ensure that you want for nothing. It is in an ideal location… although not if you are chasing a raging night life.. which I wasn’t. However, you are not that far from anywhere and can make the experience what ever you want it to be. I am more than happy to be contacted should you want further detail but my rating is 5 out of 5 for everything!!!! ~ Frances

“Warm, welcoming hosts, lovely Gite, plenty to do and see…”
08 Aug 2011

The bread, cheese & wine was there to greet us after our long drive down from the ferry port – a very generous welcome from Donna & Peter who did everything they could to make our stay enjoyable. The Gite was large, spacious and comfortable and the garden, all the way down to the river, was at our complete disposal. If you enjoy French history and architecture, there are more Chateaus scattered around the area than you can shake a stick at. We liked the Ancient Quarter in Parthenay, especially climbing the old tower at one end where the views from the top are spectacular – there’s a lovely restaurant at the top of the quarter and a picturesque river walk at the bottom. We also enjoyed some good restaurants – one in particular, the Chapeau Rouge served us a lunch to remember. One of our highlights was visiting Saumur on market day. From the Chateau at the top of the town, to the vibrant market, to the huge river, and the great food – it was a day to remember. But, really, there were too many memorable days to mention and more places to visit and things to see than the time available to us.  ~ Jacqui, Ged and Mimi

“A step back in time at Gourgé – down the road from Parthenay”

I recently had the pleasure of spending a relaxing and reviving week with Donna and Peter at their wonderfully resorted century old Country get-a-way called ‘Au Pont’. The owners go out of the way to make you feel welcome and even stocked the fridge with cheese and fresh bread on our arrival. The unit we stayed in included a kitchen, dinning and huge lounge as well as 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Much larger than we expected.

We spent several days exploring the local roads and villages on the bikes they provided and discovered some wonderful spots to picnic. The property sits right on the banks of the river where we sat each evening and watched the sun set over the old Roman bridge that almost adjoints the property. If you want to relax, unwind and immerse yourself in history, take a visit to ‘Au Pont’. ~ Sharon and Karen

I’ve really enjoyed the basketball, boules and the boat. The beds are really comfy and it is nice to be able to eat outside! Especially pain-au-chocolat in the mornings. Louise

Thank you for an amazing week! James

Thank you for your warm welcome – little touches like teabags, wine and cheese were much appreciated. Well equipped, cool inside when it’s hot out. Lovely place to spend time reading in the shade whilst watching the children paddle in the river. Memorable for breaking Neil 3-2 at ping-pong. Sarah.
If you have a bike 4 suggestions….St Loup and Cremille, Parthenay, Saumur, Airvault to St Jouin de Marnes to Moncontour (there are more details on the bike routes in the guest book “au pont”). Neil – Radstock, UK~ The Wheadon Family

“My memories of Gourgé are very serene and restful. I have told everyone how wonderful a few days in your establishment would be.

I am going to attach your blog to emails that I write to my family and friends, and encourage them to at least SEE what I was raving about, so that they might consider going there themselves.

Thank you both ENORMEMENT again for the wonderful time I had at your place. I loved your Australian-ness, the hospitality, the beautiful food, the little notes, the peaceful and friendly environment, the castles and your accommodating kindness and friendliness.

I am so glad I had the time in Gourgé, it gave me the needed break between the tour, and my time in Paris which was fantastic also.”  ~ Hedy – Cleveland, Australia

“A most enjoyable holiday filled with fun and laughter”

“Thank you for your kind hospitality. A most enjoyable holiday filled with fun and laughter.” ~ Jason & Paivi

“I enjoyed having the spare time to do what you want. Also the dog Adrianna who comes over sometimes” ~ Will

“It was an enjoyable holiday. It was fun playing table tennis and swimming in the river” ~ Ben

“We have a problem…..we are so relaxed we can’t be bothered to drive home. Thank you for the personal touches of kindness. We hope to come again!  ~ Love and God Bless Rachael & Bill

Gourgé a village near Parthenay
Is where two Aussies have come to stay
Au pont is their place, and we have had
The good fortune to stay for a while in their pad
Their kindness to us Brits
And our daughter and kids
Was generous in the extreme
Nothing too much or so it would seem
So thank you dear Donna & Pete
And good on yer! Till next time we meet.
~ Love and many many thanks, John & Jean

This was our first visit to this area of France to spend time with our friends. What a beautiful area, full of history and historique buildings. The Gite was a lovely surprise – very spacious and comfortable as a holiday home. The owners Donna and Peter Hein, could not have been more helpful. Their “aussie style” Sausage Sizzle was a great way of bringing the local community together and was most enjoyable.

We hope we can visit again at some time in the future.

~ Pauline and David Jones (Darby County Legend) 27/9/10

As the saying goes – “All good things must come to an end”, and so it is with this holiday. We have had a great time with our family and friends – full of laughter and fun. We have also met and spent some time with your neighbours. It is a wonderful friendly community in a fantastic rural setting. Donna and Peter, have created a spacious, comfortable holiday Gite with pleasant gardens leading to the river. You have made sure that we always have everything we need, and could not have been more helpful. We hope we can come and stay again – maybe next year.  ~ Doreen and John Bowring (Lincolnshire – UK) 28/9/10