La grange

We had two lovely nights at John's cozy B&B and slept wonderfully. He was very sociable, served us a delicious breakfast both mornings, and was happy to answer questions about the area or things to do.

The breakfast was fabulous, with croissants, great coffee, fruit, juices, and plenty of different toppings for the bread. The host, a Briton who runs La Grange privately, took wonderful care of us, and the atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming. It's a quiet rural area, with villages offering places to eat and drink, especially toward the Gironde estuary. The Gironde River is about ten kilometers away, though it didn't look particularly inviting for swimming. La Grange is in Saint-Germain-du-Seudre, in the Charente-Maritime department, away from the bustle. The tastefully furnished rooms have a French country house feel, modern bathrooms, and were impeccably clean. Getting there from the motorway means a short drive along small country roads, but it's well worth it, and parking is easy. A good value and highly recommended for a peaceful stop while traveling through.

John is incredibly kind, and the breakfast is truly gargantuan. The decor has a distinctly English feel. It's set in a tiny, peaceful village in the countryside, with vineyards, sunflowers, and corn all around.

Breakfast was excellent.