Approached by a country lane, the property is completely enclosed and ideal for children to play in safety. Each property has its own patio and barbecue area, perfect for dining outdoors. The gites are set in generous communal gardens, great for badminton and other ball games with a lovely pool complex, including children's splash pool. The pool area is well furnished with sun loungers, parasols and chairs. A games room featuring table tennis, table football and darts, together with a children's play area with swings and sandpit complete everything you need for a fantastic family holiday.

The nearest local villages of St Severin (6km) and Montmoreau (7km) provide all local services, such as bakery, supermarket, pharmacy and post office. Weekly markets are in Chalais (15km) and Riberac (20km).

Les Ecuries (sleeps 9). The ground floor has a tiled floor, large living room with wood burning stove, well-equipped kitchen/dining area, again with wood burning stove/cooker, equipped with dishwasher, washing machine, gas cooker and microwave; bathroom with shower, wash basin and WC. An oak staircase leads to the first floor where there are 2 double bedrooms, 2 twin bedrooms 1 single and bathroom with shower, washbasin and second WC.

The gite is well equipped with books, videos and games. Bed linen, firewood, electricity and gas are all included. Baby cot, highchair, listener and buggy with parasol are all available on request at no extra charge.

Chez Daviaud is a superb base for visiting both the Poitou-Charentes region and the Perigord- Dordogne region. The area is famed for its wonderful light quality, with sunny blue skies and mild Mediterranean-like climate. Within less than 7km of the gites there are lovely waymarked walks, fishing, river bathing, tennis courts, a nine-hole English owned golf course, or hire facilities, including horse riding, canoeing, kayaking and cycling.

Aubeterre sur Dronne, just 7 km away is perched precariously on a rocky crag above the river Dronne; this is one of the 100 prettiest villages in France. Relax in one of the numerous cafes or dine at a restaurant in the atmospheric village square. 45 km east along the Dronne in a wide, picturesque cleft of the river lies the beautiful town of Brantome, dominated by the impressive Benedictine abbey, partly built out of the towering sandstone cliff to which it spectacularly clings. The town is known as the Venice of the Perigord, as it is built on an island in the river. The Parc Naturel Perigord-Limousin, rather like the National Parks in Britain has been protected for its outstanding natural beauty. This unspoilt area, with its wooded river valleys lies just 20 minutes drive to the north east of chez Daviaud.

Perigueux, the capital of the Perigord-Dordogne (50km) has 39 listed buildings and monuments, including the Byzantine cathedral; colourful markets, shops and street entertainment make this small city a worthwhile place to visit. Slightly further away through enchanting countryside lies the popular town of Le Bugue, famous for its spectacular underground caverns. Or walk through the “sea” in the “must be experienced “ aquarium. Although Le Bugue is easily accessible by car, there is also a 45 minute railway link from Perigueux (easy parking). The Perigord Noir region is famed for its many splendid chateaux, dramatic cliffs and meandering rivers.

The small city of Angouleme , departmental capital of the Charente and just 30 minutes away, is certainly worth a visit, especially to see its remarkable cathedral, regular music and arts festivals and perhaps for a cruise on the river Charente to the water-powered paper mill museum. A new attraction here is the Centre Nautique Nautilis, a superb aquatic leisure centre, with skating rink. The area west of Angouleme is also worth exploring for its market towns, picturesque villages of white limestone, watermills and numerous Romanesque churches. Saintes and Cognac are both attractive towns situated on the wide Charente river; Cognac of course being famous for its namesake, whose major houses, such as Martell and Hennesy offer tours – with tasting of course!

The closest beaches can be found at Meschers, south of Royan, just 90 km from Chez Daviaud. Other resorts, such as St Palais sur Mer, a small “Edwardian “ town cradling a shallow sandy bay are worth a couple of hours drive to the sea. A little further north lies lively La Rochelle, an ancient fortified port, now a major pleasure boat harbour. This is an old and new city, with its Medieval quarter, New England style clapboard shops and restaurants, model automaton museum, impressive aquarium and maritime museum. Alternatively, the wide, extensive sandy Atlantic beaches along the Bordeaux coastline are worth the 100km drive. Whilst in this region you may want to visit St. Emilion and its vineyards (40 mins away from Chez Daviaud), classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.