Having spent some 30 plus years selling consumer durables to major retailers the thought of yet more daily commutes and long haul flights was just too much to bear. With the kids both grown up, pursuing successful careers, settled in homes of their own, John and Tania decided to sell up and move lock, stock and barrel to this beautiful area of rural France and fulfil a long held dream to own and run a gîtes complex. October 2015 saw us take the plunge and since then we have been renovating three of the five proper ties to a high standard. Hard work but we hope you will think it is worth it. We love the simple pleasures in life, gardening, al fresco living, good wine, good company and warm sunny days. Tania is a natural home maker with a real flair for interior design, we hope you will like the tasteful choice of lighting, furniture and accessories. Considerable thought has gone into the decor, we love it! John is a keen photographer and occasional golfer. We look forward to welcoming you to Chez Fins Bois, we are here to make your holiday complete and to ensure that your stay here will be unforgettable and stress free.

Our family run business has everything you could need for a perfect holiday. You can escape from the hustle and bustle and make this holiday haven your home from home. Offering self-catering facilities, a pool (available seasonally) and beautiful gardens that are just waiting to be explored. Les Hirondelles is a well-equipped four-bedroom cottage which accommodates up to seven people; this gîte was totally renovated in 2016.. Les Vignes is the little sister to Les Hirondelles and ideal for small families. It has three bedrooms in total and can sleep up to six. Again it was renovated in 2016. L'Ecurie is a beautiful stand-alone cottage with its own covered terrace. The gîte has two bedrooms and can sleep four people. Each bedroom is accessed by it'd own staircase. L'Ecurie was opened in 2017. La Forge our 2018 addition is ideal for couples, with a ground floor en-suite double room and mezzanine lounging area Le Manoir was added in 2019 and completed our suite of five, fully refurbished gîtes. It has a large salon/ dining area which is suitable for gatherings, two generously sized bedrooms, both with en suite shower rooms. A large terrace, equipped with sun loungers and parasols, surrounds the generously sized pool. Each gîte also has its own private outside area with tables, chairs and shade, along with a charcoal bbq for those who enjoy the al fresco experience. Bed and bath linen is provided free of charge.

Set in the picturesque Charente Maritime, there is plenty to keep you busy in the local area if you are looking for a more active holiday. If it’s golf, cycling, kayaking, fishing or horse riding that tickles your fancy; you have come to the right place! Or perhaps you would like to take a short trip to Cognac to sample the local produce. A day out to Île de Ré is a must; Saint-Jean d’Angély, Saintes and the lovely beaches at Saint-Georges-de-Didonne, are all within easy reach. Néré is the local village where you can pick up your morning baguette and croissants, enjoy a bistro style lunch or a traditional French evening meal. The simple pleasures are often the best; relaxing on the terrace, while the little ones explore the garden, play on the swings or make use of the on site games (including: table tennis, table football, pool, swingball, badminton and pétanque). In the cooler months you can relax in front of a real Charentais fireplace fitted with a toasty log burner, watching the TV (multilingual, of course) or settling down with a good book (perhaps from our free book exchange).