Family Friendly Holiday Cottages in the Vendée, France

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How far are you from the Puy du Fou?
Gîtes Les Chaffauds is approximately a 30 minute drive from the Puy du Fou Park - the biggest tourist attraction in the Vendée. The park opens at 9:30am each day, so you do not have to get up really early to arrive in good time. The late evening show finishes at about 11:30pm, so once you have walked through the crowds to your car, you only have a short drive back to your accommodation.

2. Do I need a car to stay at Gîtes Les Chaffauds?
A car is essential for a visit to our holiday cottages. We are located in a small village with no public transport.
You can fly into France and then hire a car from Nantes Airport or La Rochelle Airport, or you can bring your own car and take a ferry or tunnel crossing to one of the northern ports of France.

3. Are there shops and restaurants near to Gîtes Les Chaffauds?
The closest shops are in Sainte Cecile – a 3 minute drive away. You will find a small grocery store with a selection of breads. The main shops and restaurants are a 10 minute drive away in Chantonnay - plus several supermarkets, banks, cafés, and a weekly market.

4. Do you allow pets at Gîtes Les Chaffauds?
Unfortunately, pets are not welcome at either of our holiday cottages.

5. Are linen and towels provided?
No, we do not provide any bed linens or towels - so please bring your own towels, sheets, pillow cases and quilt covers. All beds have pillows, quilts, mattress and pillow protectors.

6. What is the check in time and check out time at Gîtes Les Chaffauds?
Check in time is from 17:00 and check out is by 10am.
Please let us know your approximate arrival time so that we can ensure that we are there to greet you and show you around.

​7. Can we have an early check in / late check out at Gîtes Les Chaffauds?
This is not usually possible from May to the end of September, as we usually have guests leaving and arriving on the same day, so need time to prepare the holiday cottages for the next arrivals. Out of the main summer season, we can usually be more flexible if we do not have back to back bookings.

8. Are Gîtes Les Chaffauds wheel chair accessible?
Unfortunately, neither cottage is wheelchair friendly, as both have bedrooms on the first floor and there are steps to the main entrance doors.

​9. Is there parking at Gîtes Les Chaffauds?
Yes, there is parking on the gravel courtyard in front of Les ammonites for up to 3 cars, plus a second parking area to the side of La Maison du Soleil for 2 cars.

​10. Is there a WiFi Internet Connection at Gîtes Les Chaffauds?
Yes, we have a high-speed Fibre Wi-Fi network that covers both holiday cottages. This network is secure and free of charge.

11. Are the Gîtes suitable for children?
Yes, both holiday cottages at gîtes Les Chaffauds are suitable for children of all ages.
For young children there is a cot, highchair, stair gates, and lots of plastic cutlery & crockery.
For children of all ages there is the huge garden and swimming pool area.

​12. Can we rent both holiday cottages together?
Yes, we only rent out our cottages together - so can accommodate up to 10 guests and two babies in the two cottages in total. There are 2 bedrooms in La Maison du Soleil and 3 bedrooms in Les Ammonites.

​13. Is there a Tourism Tax in Saint Cécile?
Yes, there is a Taxe de Séjour to pay in Sainte Cécile/Chantonnay. This is paid by all guests over the age of 18 on a per person/per night basis.We currently add this tax into our general rental tariffs.

14. Is there a cleaning charge at the end of the holiday?
We do not charge an extra fee for cleaning, but we do ask guests to leave the cottages in the same condition as you found it. Full instructions about what is expected on your last day are included in the Guest Information Book in your cottage.
If the house is not left in a clean and tidy condition, we reserve the right to take a portion or all of your security deposit as payment for any extra cleaning needed.

​16. If I fly, how can I reach Gîtes Les Chaffauds?
There are two airports within around an hour of our holiday cottages and car hire is available at both Nantes Airport and La Rochelle Airport.

17. Is there a washing machine that we can use at Gîtes Les Chaffauds?
Yes, each holiday cottage has a washing machine and there is a washing line in the garden to dry your clothes.

18. I am arriving on a Saturday afternoon, or Sunday. Will shops be open?
The local supermarkets close at either 7 or 8pm on Saturdays, and the Super U in Chantonnay is open on Sunday mornings.
If you are arriving late or on a Sunday afternoon, please let us know if you would like us to buy some shopping in for you. Payment for this will be due on arrival.

​19. Is there a BBQ and outside seating for all guests at Gîtes Les Chaffauds?
Yes, there is a charcoal BBQ available for guests use at each cottage, along with a table, chairs and pergola.

​20. What is the weather like in the Vendée?
The Vendée has a micro-climate with over 2500 hours of sunshine per year.
The summers are generally long and hot, with temperatures ranging from mid-20 to mid-30 degrees. The warm weather usually starts around mid-April and goes on until the end of September.

​21. How do I pay for my holiday at Gîtes Les Chaffauds?
We accept credit cards and bank transfers as payment. A 30% deposit is required to secure your booking, with the remaining 70% plus £300 security deposit being paid 8 weeks prior to the start of your holiday. If your holiday starts less than 8 weeks away, then payment in full is required to secure the booking.
Your security deposit will be returned within two weeks of the end of your holiday, once we have had time to inspect the property.

22. What do I need to bring with me?
We provide the basics to get you started: 2 x toilet rolls per WC, liquid soap, condiments, cooking oil, tea, coffee, sugar, washing up sponges, some dishwasher tabs, dustbin bags, cleaning products. You will need to bring beach/pool/bath towels, supplies for your holiday, sun tan cream and bed linens etc..

23. Can I charge my electric car at the property?
Unfortunately we do not have a facility to charge electric cars, and for safety and insurance purposes, no charging of electric cars is allowed on the property. The nearest electric car chargers are in Chantonnay - at the Lidl supermarket.

Our reservations are managed by
Annette Khan (EI)
Vendée Holiday Cottages
Gîtes Les Chaffauds, 18 rue Ecoliers, 85110 Sainte Cécile, France

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Tel: 00 33 (0)2 51 28 43 98
Mobile: 00 33 (0)6 43 37 87 74
WhatsApp: 00 33 (0)6 43 37 87 74


Siret: 530 1149 66 00019

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