Sage & Black Pepper

Sage & Black Pepper: Pays de la Loire

Wonderfully sleek and modern, this Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie home is not only ideal for beach lovers, but it also calls to the wanderers, explorers at heart, because from here, you can take the Compagnie Vendéenne maritime links, or explore France further afield by making use of the bus or train connections found nearby. But, there’s certainly more than enough to do here, too.

See the archaeological crypts at the museum, take a walk in the park, play mini-golf and visit the waterpark. Pick out your favourite vessel in the marina, or go canoeing, and if your heart is set on the beach, the Grande Plage is only a ten-minute walk away. Spend lazy, sun-soaked days in the surf, building sandcastles and eating as much ice cream as possible.

When you return home, eager for even more time in the sun, you can take to the courtyard where reading can be enjoyed from the sun chair. Cobble together a cheese platter, grab the wine and nibble alfresco as you go through the day’s highlights and plan the itinerary for the next day.

Cooking will be a joyful task thanks to the beautiful kitchen, but if you’re really not in the mood, venture out to find a restaurant instead. Spend evenings with your feet up in the lounge – you might just chat, or you might watch a movie together, but make sure there’s snacks either way. If you’re itching for a bit of stargazing, take to the terrace after sunset to sit in awe of the twinkling night sky.

Home truths:
*There’s free parking for up to two cars on the driveway, with another garage space available for a smaller car
*Though there's enough bed space for high people here, we'd recommend a maximum adult guest count of four
*Your host can provide a cot and high chair for free upon request
*For those with reduced mobility, this is a single-level home
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace