The French gite holiday sleeping 10 that’s baa, spa and par!

The key to the gite’s success as a perfect base for a multigenerational holiday or break with friends is probably down to location. The gite is in an area known as the ‘seven valleys’ (let that give you some indication of the level of rural bliss you can expect on your family weekend break!) with the cobbled streets of charming Montreuil-sur-Mer close by, plus the famous medieval battlefield at Agincourt too, for the history buffs in the family. Of course, the ultimate crowd-pleaser is the beach, so do factor in a day at the glamorous coastal resort of Le Touquet, 40 minutes away ‒ for swimming, sand yachting, boat trips and the like. For anyone who doesn’t fancy getting wet and sandy, there are endless chic boutiques, galleries and cafés! If you’ve got time, drop into Berck-sur-Mer too where you might be lucky enough to see seals basking in the sun at low tide, and if you need one more je-ne-sais-quoi up your sleeve on your French gite holiday, the brilliant theme park Parc Bagatelle ‒ thrills all round ‒ is only 30 minutes’ drive away.

But more about the gite ‒ a huge, light-filled, architecturally-designed 1950s property to sleep 10 people, complete with original parquet flooring, grand fireplace, bedroom balcony and four lovely bedrooms including a kids’ 4-sleeper. And although it’s in a peaceful setting, that’s not to say that there’s little for the family to do – au contraire! Owner Hubert will be more than happy to show you the ropes on the small golf driving range he’s created in the gite’s garden (for your use and your use only, save the sheep!) and other ways to enjoy your surroundings include relaxing in the private hot-tub (great view!), heading to the farm next door where the children can help to collect eggs, going canoeing and kayaking nearby, and enjoying family walks ‒ for goose, heron and even stork spotting. There’s also a charming goat farm 5 km away where children can help feed the goats whilst the grown-ups buy up some lovely goats cheese to enjoy back at the ranch.

French cheese, yes, that’s a good start, but if the thought of catering for everyone at your family gathering gets you in a tangle, fear not, there’s plenty more foodie inspiration on the doorstep. French gite holidays aren’t complete without a trip to a traditional market, so rock up at picturesque Hesdin or Montreuil-sur-Mer market (each within 20 minutes’ drive) before knocking up a family feast to be enjoyed either around the gite’s huge table or on the terrace for a family barbecue. For (very!) local flavour, be sure to clink glasses with the sparkling redcurrant aperitif made by the gite owner’s family business right next door. If the name of it ‒ ‘Perlé de Groseille’ – sounds familiar, it’s because it’s also the name of the gite, the word ‘Groseilliers’ meaning redcurrant bushes! A readymade delicious dessert can come from the same place – owner Cathy makes the best sweet crepes!