This is a 17th century farmhouse, now completely modernised. Though not isolated, it is very peacefully situated on a quiet country lane well away from the nearest main road. What is unusual and pleasant about the house is that you drive in from the lane through high gates into a courtyard which is surrounded on three sides by the house and its barns. On the third side it opens out to the garden - about an acre in all, largely laid to grass and completely fenced in, making this an ideal and safe area for children to play. There is an open-fronted barn overlooking the courtyard which has been set up with table tennis and other games. A selection of bicycles is provided. The house is very comfortable and well furnished, though with an eye to making it suitable for families with children. The entrance door leads into the well fitted and equipped kitchen, then through a short corridor (door to shower room with wc and washhand basin) to the large airy living/dining room with French windows on both sides to the garden and courtyard. Large dining table for 8, comfortable sitting area with television, dvd player and surround sound hi-fi. Beyond the living room is a large double bedroom with king-size double bed and separate single sofabed. Back to the kitchen, a door leads to another double bedroom with twin beds and en suite bathroom, and another door takes you up a few stairs to the third double bedroom, also with twin beds. In all then there are two double and one triple bedrooms and two full bathrooms. GETTING THERE - Our house in Vieil Hesdin is really easy to get to. It takes about an hour from the Eurotunnel exit: you head south on the A16 autoroute, take the Berck exit and head east to Hesdin on the excellent N39. This makes it an ideal holiday home for families not wishing to travel too far into France, or indeed for short breaks. For those preferring to fly, it's an easy two hour drive from Charles de Gaulle Airport, heading north on the A1 autoroute to Arras, then across to Hesdin on the N39. ABOUT THE VILLAGE - Vieil Hesdin, as its name implies, was the site of the old Hesdin before it was sacked by the Spanish in 1553. Hesdin was rebuilt at its present site, but today Vieil Hesdin remains a pretty, peaceful village situated on the banks of the river Canche, just a short drive from Hesdin. There is an ancient convent not far from the house and most of the village (including our house) is in a conservation area. Plenty of quiet roads and tracks for cycling or walking along the river or in the nearby woods.
Nord Pas de Calais is a region much appreciated by the Brits and other northern Europeans for its excellent beaches, its history, its cuisine and of course shopping. Le Pays des 7 Vallees is a tourist area within this region having the old market town of Hesdin at its heart. Situated at the confluence of the rivers Canche and Ternoise Hesdin has an impressive central 'Grande Place' dominated by the 16th century town hall. Market day is Thursday, but the boutiques, restaurants and bars, its historic church and buildings, and its status as a 3 star 'ville fleuri' (flowered town) make it a town pleasant to visit on any day. North of Hesdin is the 'Foret d'Hesdin' extending to over 1000 hectares. 15 km of forest roads and 5 km of one of the national Grande Randonnée footpaths make it ideal for walking, cycling and picnics. THE AREA: The surrounding countryside is lush and exotic: thickly wooded, rolling hills, green valleys dotted with palm and banana trees and wide rivers, against the spectacular backdrop of the magnificent Pyrénées (although they are not always visible in the heat haze of summer), making the area wonderful for walking, cycling, golfing, horse-riding, swimming, canoeing, rafting and fishing. Highly recommended are the Grottes (caves) of Sare and Bettharam, the Kakuetta Gorge and the 'petits' trains (La Rhune and l'Artouste). During the summer and autumn there are numerous fêtes in the various towns and villages of the area, all of which are great fun and very lively. THINGS TO SEE AND DO There is so much to do that it is only possible to give a brief summary. Battlefields: Agincourt with its new visitors centre is about 12 km away, and the battlefields of the Somme are within easy reach, as is La Coupole, constructed in 1943 and now a history centre with presentations on the occupation of Northern France. Beaches: Berck Plage is about half an hour's drive as are the quieter resorts of Merlimont and Stella-Plage. Le Touquet is a little further. There are all the usual seaside activities on offer - windsurfing, sailing, fishing plus kite-flying - a speciality of this region. Markets: there are markets in most main towns, e.g. Fruges (Saturday morning), Hesdin (Thursday morning) and a fish market in Etaples. Museums: Many museums including a ceramic museum at Desvres, an ancient Abbey at Valloires with beautiful gardens and a mining museum Sport: Superb golf courses, horseriding, walking, cycling, an aerial adventure course at Guines, boating on the rivers, kayaking and rafting. Theme parks and centres: Bagatelle at Merlimont with 44 family attractions; Nausicaa, a sealife centre at Boulogne, one of the best in Europe; Aqualud at Le Touquet - a water theme park with a 'Magic River' Towns and cities: Amiens with its beautiful cathedral, miraculously spared in the 1940 bombing; Arras with its impressive 'Places des Heros' with buildings dating from the 11th century; St. Omer with its cathedral and Musee Sandelin; Montreuil-sur-Mer, just 20 minutes away; and more.... EATING OUT - This is a region of excellent restaurants from the well known 3 star Chateau de Montreuil to the excellent "fermes auberges" of the region with all kinds of town and country restaurants in between. Being close to the sea, you can eat excellent fish and shellfish. Several restaurants within a short drive of the house. BUYING WINE AND SHOPPING - Wine is not produced in this area, but there are many places to buy excellent wine, from the supermarkets to the specialist wine stores of Calais eg Le Chais, Perardel, Eastenders, and even Sainsburys and Tescos. You will also find smaller specialist wine merchants in most towns. The hypermarkets, created out of the English cross-Channel shopping movement, include Cite Europe and the complex at Coquelles in Calais. But better, and sometimes cheaper, can often be had further away from Calais, and there are two good supermarkets in Hesdin, not far from the house. You can also buy foie gras near Hesdin, and local cheese, fruit and veg at the markets.
PRICES 2009 - From £69 a night for a short break in low season (minimum 2 nights) to short breaks weekly rates from £295 to £725 per week in high season. Please contact Janet Rankin on 01424 830279 or 07714 897117 for more information. Property Location Pool ............................. Restaurants ................. Shops .......................... Main Town .................. Airport ......................... Port .............................. Linen ........................... Arrival day ...................   No Short drive, approx. 5-10 minutes Short drive, approx. 5-10 minutes Hesdin, approx. 5-10 minutes drive Paris CDG 215km, approx. 2h Calais 108km, approx. 1h 15m Provided for a small extra charge FRIDAYS Bookings and further information: contact Janet Rankin e-mail janet@certainaspects.co.uk, phone 01424 830279 or fax 01424 830706. Availability: Changeover day is Friday. Short breaks available outside of high season. | Accommodation | Flights | Ferries | Overnight Accommodation |