La Finesse
Chambre d'hôte
ABOUT "La Finesse"
Trish & Mark
“La Finesse” is our beautiful boutique French farmhouse B&B, just 35 minutes from the incredible award winning “Puy du Fou”. With its heated in-ground pool and beautiful mature gardens, La Finesse is the perfect place for guests to unwind in a stunning natural environment. A husband and wife team, with a background in hospitality, we set off in 2017 in our motorhome to find that dream French property in which to run our B&B. We immediately fell in love with “La Finesse” and have never looked back. We love sharing the wonderful vibe of this magical place. The location is perfect with Puy du Fou so close, and for those wanting a break from relaxing by the pool, the Chateaux of the Loire Valley; the glorious Vendee beaches; historic La Rochelle with its chic boutiques, cafe culture and Marinas; Marais Poitevin National Park and Futuroscope are all fantastic days out. For activity seekers , virtually on our doorstep, we have Bocaspeed karting track; Parc Adventure 79, for zip line and paintballing experiences; as well as Pescalis Natural Park with its many fishing lakes, aquarium, cycle/electric scooter hire and restaurant/bar . We are very fortunate to have a beautifully maintained cycle/walking track a stones throw from our front door, which connects to the National cycle network, making La Finesse a great base for walking and cycling holidays.
OUR ROOMS
The Baroque Suite
A spacious elegant junior suite, with separate seating area, ensuite shower-room with power shower as well as french doors leading to a private terrace and the gardens.
(This room can sleep 2 adults & 2 children on request).
*****
Both rooms benefit from a private guests entrance, quality bedding, fluffy white towels, hairdryer, toiletries, UK/EU adaptors as well as complimentary tea/coffee making facilities.
Luxury Double Room
This stylish double room leads directly onto the gardens, with a private seating area. It boasts a beautiful ensuite bathroom, with rolltop bath.
*****
Both rooms benefit from a private guests entrance, quality bedding, fluffy white towels, hairdryer, toiletries, UK/EU adaptors as well as complimentary tea/coffee making facilities.
OUR SERVICES
Concierge
Your hosts, Trish & Mark are able to help you plan and arrange your activities and dining requirements for the week.
Pool
Roman steps take you into our beautiful in-ground heated pool, ideal for cooling off in the French summer sunshine. Sun loungers and pool side chaises longues are available to guests.
****
Pool towels are available on request
Daily Breakfast
Continenal breakfast is served each morning, with a selection of fresh local patisserie, fresh fruit, muesli , natural yoghurts and fruit juice.
Freshly brewed coffee/tea.
Garden
Large established garden, with alfresco dining area, croquet lawn, table tennis , with glorious views of the surrounding countryside.
Daily Housekeeping
Daily room clean is available on request at a small extra charge
Daily Housekeeping
In House Dining
In house dining, Table d'hôte & BBQ packages are available at La Finesse with advanced booking.
Wifi
Wifi is free and available throughout La Finesse.
Beach Packs
Including body boards, beach towels. bucket & spade, beach games & other items on request, at a small extra charge.
Puy du Fou
Packs
A few essentials for you to take to the incredible Puy du Fou!
waterproofs, water, snacks, suncream, packed lunches available with advanced notice. (a small charge per person applies).
GALLERY
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PUY DU FOU
Puy du Fou Park
Puy du Fou is a historical theme park in the heart of the Vendée region. The park brings more than 3 million visitors every year, making it the second most popular theme park in France after Disneyland Paris. La Finesse is 35 mins from the Park making it an ideal base . The Park is open 7 days a week and full ticket informaton is available on their website.
Cinéscénie Evening Show
Seen by over 12 million spectators, this show involves 2,550 actors on a stage spread over 23 hectares and 28,000 costumes. Lasting for 1 hour 30 minutes, it includes many new attractions. The world's biggest night-time show has become an absolutely unmissable and legendary experience. Over the last few years Cinéscénie has reached a new level, with many innovations: new lighting effects, new 3D video projection, and new sets have combined to create 10 new scenes in 6 years with new special effects. Cinéscénie is a sight to behold! Advanced booking is essential, these tickets sell out months in advance and shows are only available Friday & Saturday nights June - September,
Wine Tasting
Let us arrange a local wine tasting for you, whether a curious beginner or a connoisseur, our sommelier will make sure you have an afternoon to remember!
Horse Riding
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DAYS OUT
Marais Poitevin
Magical natural park criss-crossed by hundreds of kilometres of navigable canals.
These canals are known as the “Green Venice” and may be explored in traditional flat bottomed boats called “barques”, which can be rented by the hour with or without a guide at the many jetties throughout the region such as at Coulon “the capital of the Venise Verte”.
Nearer the sea the Marais becomes a hugely important overwintering and stopover site for migrating birds and many areas are provided for bird watching. There is one area we love to visit which floods in winter and spring when it is inhabited by hundreds of swans, but dries out in the summer and is home to cattle and cowboys on horseback!
This area really is a must whether explorer,walker,cyclist,bird-watcher or if you just fancy spending an hour or two at a canal side restaurant or bar watching the barques float by.
Beaches
The beaches of the Vendee are incredible. Miles of golden sand to walk or recline on, Atlantic surf to ride or just paddle in. We know all the best spots whether you like the bustle of resort towns like Les Sables-d'Olonne and La Tranche-sur-Mer or the privacy of those secret beaches where you can really get away from it all and relax. Ask for a Beach Pack with everything you need for a day at the beach, just bring your swimmers!
La Rochelle
One of our favourite days out. If you like sailing, chic shops, quayside bars and restaurants, against the backdrop of beautifully preserved architecture you will love La Rochelle.
This wonderful city has it all; strolling through the historic quarter there is a photo opportunity at every corner; the historic old harbour (Vieux Port) with its iconic twin harbour towers is the perfect accompaniment to a long lunch in the sunshine or an early evening apéritif and it is from here you can board one of the trip boats for a cruise out to the islands or Fort Boyard (napoleonic sea fort and the venue for the game show of the same name).
The new marina (Les Minime) the largest marina for pleasure boats in Europe is crammed with some incredible craft which together with the welcoming locals helps to create the laid back classiness which keeps drawing you back.
Loire Chateaux
Spoilt for choice is an often used phrase but it certainly applies to the Loire Valley Chateaux. There are over three hundred to chose from ranging from 10th century fortified castles to magnificent renaissance architectural gems.
There are far too many to list here but many of the ones that can be visited like Chinon, Saumur and Oiron are only one to one and a half hours drive from La Finesse, which when combined with some retail therapy or a wine tasting make for a memorable day out.
Futuroscope
This unique parc which receives two million visitors a year is based on multimedia cinematic and audiovisual techniques. Its has several 3D and 4D cinemas along with other amazing attractions and shows, some of which are the only examples in the world, and an evening show by the Cirque du Soleil.
Wines & Vineyards
We have to confess to being lovers of wine rather than students but we spent many months in our motorhome researching the region and purely for research purposes did visit a few vineyards to purchase the odd bottle, so we certainly know where they are, and jolly good they are too!
We can bring you breakfast by the pool, point you in the right direction; and can even arrange a rescue party should, as has occasionally been known, the unforeseen happens!
If it's a wine tasting experience you are after, let us know as we can arrange this for you with a terrific sommelier at a lovely chateau only half an hour away.
CLOSE TO HOME
Pescalis Resort
Pescalis is a 250 hectare Natural Park of which 100 hectares are lakes. No surprise therefore it is the largest fishing complex of its type in Europe. As well as being a no-kill fishing complex, it hosts and houses a range of other activities. From here you can hire bicycles and the exciting TrotRX electric scooters which are great fun for exploring the park. For family fun there is minigolf, an aquarium, horse riding and lovely lakeside restaurant and bar, L'atipi'k. There is even a nightclub which is open Fridays and Saturdays until 6am!
Cycling & Walking
Voie Verte, formerly an old railway track is a wonderful cycle and walking path which is practically past our front door. From La Finesse you can walk or cycle South to Breuil Barret or North as far as Bressuire via Pescalis, Moncoutant and Courlay. The Voie Verte also connects with many othe circuits as part of the National cycle network. It is possible to walk or cycle for hundredsof miles on this network and rarely need to negotiate the roads
Adrenalin Lovers
For the adrenalin junkies, 5 minutes by car / 15 mins by bike, on the other side of the magical Chantemerle forest, and virtually next door to each other are the bocaspeed karting circuit and Parcadventure79. The former is a petrolheads paradise with a testing 880 metre circuit. The latter gets you closer to nature with ariel nets nets and ziplines for all ages and abilities; and also a laser game area.
Air Vende Loisir, 5 mins by car/ 10 mins by bike, motorised hang glider, autogyro or light aircraft flights.
Elastic bungee off a viaduct, 15 mins by bike/30 mins walk
Vouvant
On a bend in the river near the Mervent forest, you will find one of the most beautiful villages of France, the medieval village of Vouvant. Legend has it that Vouvant was created in one night by the fairy Melusine from a sip of water and as many stones as her apron could hold.
This magical place has attracted many artists who exhibit their painting and scultures at their studios, galleries and even the Romanesque church in the square. Enjoy walking the narrow streets, stop for a drink or a meal at the excellent cafes and eateries, stroll along the river under the medieval ramparts and make sure you climb the 101 steps of the enchanting Melusine Tower to take in the breathtaking views.
Historical Sites
The whole region is scattered with historical landmarks, from prehistoric dolmen to a World War II submarine base used in the filming of scenes in Indiana Jones and Das Boot. A short drive or cycle from La Finesse is the small Vendee village of Saint Pierre du Chemin which contains some of the bones of St Valentin and where in a festival week every February there are celebrations and a chance to see these relics in the church!! Other worthwhile places to visit are the Chateau Mesmin; the renaissance city of Fontenay le Comte and the former capital of the Vendee; the mining museum of Faymoreau and the magnificant Abbaye Maillezais where you can really appreciate the size and importance of this religious site with a virtual reality or augmented tour, or visit in December for the renowned Christmas markets.
Lakes
Apart from the lakes of Pescalis, the larger lakes of Mervant and Chassenon with their water sports and beaches are just 30 minutes away by car. They have pedaloes, canoes, kayaks, paddle boards and of course restaurants for that long lunch or cold drink by the water. Nearer to home, 10 minutes by car/20 mins by bike, we have a small lake at L'Etruyere where in the summer you can hire pedaloes, and it has a small waterside restaurant / bar.
GUEST REVIEWS
"We have stayed twice already, Trish and Mark are the perfect hosts. You will receive a warm welcome to their beautiful farmhouse. The interiors and furnishings are stunning. They have researched local activities and days out so you will have plenty to do. But if it's relaxation you are looking for then this is the perfect place too. Lounging by the pool in the sunshine, looking out at the beautiful views. Quiet strolls in the country or even bike rides to the local restaurant. You will not find a better place to stay. They have put their heart and soul into this and it shows".
Kim & Rob, Kent
"We spent an amazing couple of days in this gorgeous country getaway. The room we stayed in was stunning, and we were looked after like royalty. Mark and Trish are fantastic hosts, whose passion for the region is contagious. It is a beautiful corner of France, with so much to do. Though Puy du Fou is a must! This is by far the best attraction park in the world, and represents great value for money. We will back again!"
Estelle, London