— Jane: “The big stone house had been empty for 11 years. I had to do the electrics, put a roof on and all of that. It was a bit of a challenge.”
Interview By: Welcome Beyond
— You are from the UK originally. How did you end up in the Medoc?
Jane: “You wouldn’t believe the story, but I was actually on holiday in the Dordogne with my 6-year-old son. He was bored so I phoned a friend in England and she said, ‘Just drive west, go to the beach.’ I stayed in a little hotel and started to ask around for a cheap little ruined holiday house. A little ruin for £11,000. It sounds mad, doesn’t it?
That is how we ended up here, it was completely unplanned. Then I suddenly thought, why do I want to go back to England? I might as well be doing work on this. I literally walked into the local mayory and said, ‘Look, I’ve got a son who has to start school.’ They brought in the headmaster from next door and he started the next day.”
That is how we ended up here, it was completely unplanned. Then I suddenly thought, why do I want to go back to England? I might as well be doing work on this. I literally walked into the local mayory and said, ‘Look, I’ve got a son who has to start school.’ They brought in the headmaster from next door and he started the next day.”
— Exterior
— What have you been doing before? Are you coming from a creative area?
Jane: “Yes, very much so. I come from a family of artists and I have renovated houses for twenty five years including two Georgian houses in Covent Garden, which were complete slums. That is really how I supported my children. Before that I used to be an antique dealer. I’m passionate about that, so it seemed a logical progression. I just love property and decoration, so I hope my clients will enjoy them too.
As a spin-off quite unexpectedly Paul Getty Images found me and rented the Beachouse to photograph images of the Medoc and this year a Swedish company stayed here to shoot 13 half hour cooking programs with celebrity cook Leila. The also photographed the Beachouse for her new cookery book ‘Cupcakes’. It was a wonderful new experience for me and I learnt a lot about continuity and dressing the house for films and TV.”
As a spin-off quite unexpectedly Paul Getty Images found me and rented the Beachouse to photograph images of the Medoc and this year a Swedish company stayed here to shoot 13 half hour cooking programs with celebrity cook Leila. The also photographed the Beachouse for her new cookery book ‘Cupcakes’. It was a wonderful new experience for me and I learnt a lot about continuity and dressing the house for films and TV.”
—
— Was the house in a pretty bad shape when you bought it?
Jane: “Oh, yes. The big stone house had been empty for 11 years. Somebody had a go at it and put in a luxury American kitchen. Half the roof was off, but you could see what was there, like the original terra cotta. It cost me a fortune, I have to say.
I had to do the electrics, the plumbing, put a roof on and all of that. But here we are, one lives through it. But I never want to do one that size again because it is just so big. It was a bit of a challenge.”
I had to do the electrics, the plumbing, put a roof on and all of that. But here we are, one lives through it. But I never want to do one that size again because it is just so big. It was a bit of a challenge.”
— Lounge
— How would you describe the furniture?
Jane: “The Countryhouse has a very different atmosphere than the Beachouse. It is much more formal and calls for big period armories and more muted colours in keeping with the stone. It is a grander house and more spacious than the Beachouse and boasts classic antique furniture. But I have resisted giving it a burgeois feel and kept a light and typical country farmhouse style.
It faces south, so the quality of light is exceptional in summer. The kitchen was fitted rather conventional but I have added lots of books, lamps, mirrors and candles so that it is not so clinical. There is also space for an enormous 3 meter old factory table seating 16 people.
People also love the nursery upstairs and the big bathroom but they often have an affinity with different rooms each having its own character. A friend has painted some trompe d’oeuil of animals and flowers above certain doors... they are beautiful but very understated.”
It faces south, so the quality of light is exceptional in summer. The kitchen was fitted rather conventional but I have added lots of books, lamps, mirrors and candles so that it is not so clinical. There is also space for an enormous 3 meter old factory table seating 16 people.
People also love the nursery upstairs and the big bathroom but they often have an affinity with different rooms each having its own character. A friend has painted some trompe d’oeuil of animals and flowers above certain doors... they are beautiful but very understated.”
— Lounge
— Are you happy with the result?
Jane: “Yes, it has evolved in a very individual way because it took so long to do. I’ve just had the most wonderful creative clients that deliberately choose the houses because of the way they look. The Countryhouse, they tell me, has a bit of history around every corner.
In the end you get the clients you want and a lot of them say “I prefer to go on holiday somewhere where I find it attractive, rather like it is at home.” I think in all those 10 years, I have only had a couple of clients that completely freaked out because they found a spider’s web or a mouse or something. But now I have slightly altered my copy to say ‘not for minimalists or health and safety fans’. An unspoiled view of the forest, nightingales and a deer flitting across the lawn are more than compensation...”
In the end you get the clients you want and a lot of them say “I prefer to go on holiday somewhere where I find it attractive, rather like it is at home.” I think in all those 10 years, I have only had a couple of clients that completely freaked out because they found a spider’s web or a mouse or something. But now I have slightly altered my copy to say ‘not for minimalists or health and safety fans’. An unspoiled view of the forest, nightingales and a deer flitting across the lawn are more than compensation...”
— Study / Playroom
— What feedback do you get from your guests?
Jane: “I get a lot that say, “Wonderful house!” The dressing up is also a big success with the kids… I’ve got a lot of children, so I have many dresses. They send me photographs of their children saying, “All my sons are cross-dressing now...” (laughs)
I’m trying to think what most touches me... They just send photographs and tell you what a fabulous time they had. And that is very fulfilling. A lot of them say, “Oh, we really hope to be back. We had such a wonderful day yesterday. We had dinner and did a tour of the chateau. We just had a lovely day and it really worked out well.” That sort of thing…”
I’m trying to think what most touches me... They just send photographs and tell you what a fabulous time they had. And that is very fulfilling. A lot of them say, “Oh, we really hope to be back. We had such a wonderful day yesterday. We had dinner and did a tour of the chateau. We just had a lovely day and it really worked out well.” That sort of thing…”
— Rabbit dress-up
Jane's favourites:
The Country House
Transportation
Eat & Drink
Activities
SightsInterview By: Welcome Beyond
— What do your guests usually do in the area?
Jane: “People used to be slightly nervy when they got here, “Oh no, where’s a four-star restaurant? Where can I do this and where can we do that?” which is why I started the visitors book. Guests can read through and people say, “This is what we liked, one, two, three, four.”
But I do have to say I noticed a general change lately. They now seem to do a lot of cooking together, staying in the house and generally just relaxing without doing these frenetic day tours all over the place.
In fact, I’ve had three 70th birthdays. They bring all their family and their grandchildren and they are all cooking in the kitchen. They just seem to love it. Then they have their celebrations, put their balloons up and they do their own thing. I provide loads and loads of candles. That is my speciality, which they seem to love. What I do is I just try and make it like it was before we all got so electronic.”
But I do have to say I noticed a general change lately. They now seem to do a lot of cooking together, staying in the house and generally just relaxing without doing these frenetic day tours all over the place.
In fact, I’ve had three 70th birthdays. They bring all their family and their grandchildren and they are all cooking in the kitchen. They just seem to love it. Then they have their celebrations, put their balloons up and they do their own thing. I provide loads and loads of candles. That is my speciality, which they seem to love. What I do is I just try and make it like it was before we all got so electronic.”
— Bathroom
— Is there something particularly special to you about either one of the houses?
Jane: “When I do a house up, I always do it as if I was going to live there forever. I can’t do it any other way. I can’t say this is the new trend, trendy kitchen, marble work top, etc... I can’t do it like that because I don’t really like that in the end.
The house has the atmosphere that families have lived in it for years. It sounds awful but people sort of say there is a little bit of history around every corner. I have lots of books and children’s books from my childhood there.”
The house has the atmosphere that families have lived in it for years. It sounds awful but people sort of say there is a little bit of history around every corner. I have lots of books and children’s books from my childhood there.”
—
— Tell me a little bit about the region around, the village and the Medoc region.
Jane: “It is one of the least populated areas in France. There are a lot of marshes and forests. Not what I would call beautiful stone villages like the Dordogne. And of course, it has got all the chateaux down one side of the peninsula, which is incredible, around 400 chateaux. And yet 15 minutes away where I am, it is really wild and rather primitive. I used to curse that sometimes and say, “Oh, the Medoc!” You know? But we are getting amazing feedback now. This is another thing that I think is changing, people suddenly want this.
I would say, we are not ‘smart Il de Ré’ and we are not ‘bourgeois Ceillac’, we are a bit rough and ready here. And I have had a lot of clients who have said, “Oh, that’s exactly what we love.” You know, like Montalivet was back in the 50’s. They want the forest now and the cycle rides, to be able to go to a deserted beach. They don’t seem to want the shops so much. But of course, if they do want them, there is Bordeaux an hour and a half away.”
I would say, we are not ‘smart Il de Ré’ and we are not ‘bourgeois Ceillac’, we are a bit rough and ready here. And I have had a lot of clients who have said, “Oh, that’s exactly what we love.” You know, like Montalivet was back in the 50’s. They want the forest now and the cycle rides, to be able to go to a deserted beach. They don’t seem to want the shops so much. But of course, if they do want them, there is Bordeaux an hour and a half away.”
—
— The Medoc is a big wine region as well, isn’t it?
Jane: “Yes, it has got all these amazing... well, the best wine in the world, all concentrated down the Gironde. It is a peninsula, really, then on the other side are the wild Atlantic beaches. We have got a few lakes as well, so when they get tired of the waves and the surfing they can go sit at the lake. At the moment, it is all quite unspoilt. Of course, at the moment we are getting a lot of new buildings. It is unfortunate but you can’t halt progress, can you?”
— Exterior
— Is there anything in particular that stands out that you just have to do or have to see, in your opinion?
Jane: “I tend to like these little restaurants on the estuary with a nice view. And many of our guests just love the markets. Some of them have a day in Bordeaux but not nearly as many as used to. They just seem to like the cycling, the forest walks, the beach and the surfing. And the smaller children love to go to the lake.
I would definitely recommend to do a wine tour, those are wonderful, but mainly it is a family holiday here. There is a sand garden at the beach house, so the parents can sit in their deck chairs and have a glass of wine and the children will use the sand garden as a bit of a beach with their buckets and spades.”
I would definitely recommend to do a wine tour, those are wonderful, but mainly it is a family holiday here. There is a sand garden at the beach house, so the parents can sit in their deck chairs and have a glass of wine and the children will use the sand garden as a bit of a beach with their buckets and spades.”
— Pool
— When is the best time to go in your opinion?
Jane: “I think September and October are the best here because there are less people around. The weather is fabulous and we usually get more sunshine. It is a bit low-key, really, but for me that is the best time.”
—
— Thank you, Jane!
Prices are an indication only. The final quote will be the same low price as booking your vacation directly.
There are no fees to book. Please check directly with the owner for special arrangements or information not listed here.
Service
Self-catering
Accommodation type
Holiday / Vacation rental
Location
Countryside
Special requirements
Children welcome
Please enquire about pets
Not suitable for wheelchairs
No smoking, please
Transport
Car recommended
Private parking
Limited public transport
Prices are an indication only. The final quote will be the same low price as booking your vacation directly.
There are no fees to book. Please check directly with the owner for special arrangements or information not listed here.
Bedrooms
0 Single bedroom
3 Double bedrooms
1 Twin bedroom
2 Rooms w. multiple beds
Additional:
0 Sofabed
0 Extra bed (on request)
0 Air mattress (on req.)
4 Baby cot/crib (on req.)
Bath/shower rooms
4 Bathrooms (ensuite)
0 Bathroom (shared)
0 Shower room (ensuite)
0 Shower room (shared)
0 Toilet (ensuite)
Additional:
0 Toilet (shared)
Other rooms
1 Kitchen
0 Kitchenette
0 Cooking area
0 Living room
1 Dining room
1 Other rooms
Prices for 16 sharingperson
Lowest price
Highest price
April and May per week
£ 2500
£ 2500
June and September per week
£ 3250
£ 3250
July and August per week
£ 3750
£ 3750
November to March per week
£ 450
£ 450
Size: 380 square meters. 1 units available.
“Shabby chic” in style, it is very child friendly with 12 (or more!) “bunnies" at loose in the garden, nightingales singing in the forest and the occasional deer flitting across the lawn. With the entrance gate locked small children can roam free, sleeping in small antique beds, playing with toys and children’s books. The enclosed swimming pool ensures they are safe and the children’s platform 4 X 3 metres depth 0.75 m. With built in steps provides a paddling area. The little bedroom/playroom next to the kitchen is ideal for afternoon naps in the antique “lit clos” or for children needing the reassurance of adults nearby.
Best rates
You pay the same rate as booking with the property directly. There are no booking fees or extra costs to you. That’s guaranteed!
Direct owner contact
Use the ‘Contact’ button on the left to get information about availability and rates from the owner directly — and also receive the link to the property website with further details.
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