We are a couple in our forties with two children, age 6 and 9 originally from Canada, now living in France and Holland. We enjoy all kinds of activities as a family and are seeking similar style homes for home swaps.

We have a large home in a small French village, with 5 luxury en-suite bedrooms and a small gite apartment with another two bedrooms. The open conservatory seats 14 for meals and there is also a smaller dining area and salon with English and French TV. Kitchen facilities are available in the gite and we also have a BBQ for you to use during your stay.

Situated in the heart of the Vendée region, Pays de la Loire, our manoir is surrounded by over an acre of private gardens and backs onto a small stream and parkland, making it just about a perfect setting. With its central location in the village of Sainte Hermine, Pays de la Loire, our manoir finds itself just 40 minutes from both La Rochelle and Nantes (both feature international airports) and just 5 minutes from the motorway to/from Bordeaux, Nantes, St Malo or Paris. Also 40 minutes away is Puy du Fou, the famous theme park featuring a Roman Coliseum, nightly spectacles and period villages.

Sainte Hermine itself has retained it’s rustic French charm and there are two small bars, one an English Pub serving food. There is also a nice restaurant, a boulangerie, butcher and even a small movie theatre, all within easy walking distance of the manoir. Every Friday morning there is also a market featuring local fruit, vegetables, meat and seafoods. During the summer months there is an outdoor municipal swimming pool just down the road.

Within a few minutes drive is the village of Thire which hosts the annual William Christie Baroque music festival in the gorgeous gardens of William Christie’s home.

The location is perfect for any number of activities whether it’s a day at the beach, a visit to local chateaux, wine tours (this is Pays de la Loire after all), canal boating in the Marais Potevin or a trip to the zoo with the kids.