We’re all familiar with the traditional golfing holidays… the fail-safe golf holidays in Spain, but have you ever considered French golf holidays? No? Here at the Old Forge French holiday rental, we’re not only blessed with beautiful surroundings and famous French red wines but we are also lucky to be close by to 3 excellent 18 hole golf courses.

When your planning your golfing breaks, whether your thinking about golf weekends or longer golfing holidays, within a short drive of the Gite you can be teeing off next to the River Yon or looking out over the Marina of Port Bourgenay, enjoying the spectacular western coast of France.

Accommodation at the Gite is flexible, so whether your looking for unusual golf presents such as a romantic golfing trip for two or if you would like a family break or French golf holidays with friends, the Gite sleeps up to 12 people in luxurious comfort accommodating all your needs.

The first of the courses is Golf Club de la Domangere just south of La Roche Sur Yon. This is a long and majestic course with plenty of strategic water, mature trees and bordered by the River Yon. It has 18 holes and is Par 72. In addition there is a 4 hole practice course, a driving range and putting green. There is also club cart and trolley hire and to complete your round of golf, there is excellent food at the bar grill-room.

Next up is Port Bourgenay Golf Course. This 18 hole course with a Par 54 is ideally located on the edge of the sea, and bordering an enclosed forest, the golf course also overlooks the marina of Port Bourgenay. Both the 16th and the 17th holes overlook the beautiful sea where the sunsets create a stunning view, worth visiting for this alone! In addition there is also covered and uncovered practice and a putting green.

The third course close by is Golf des Fontenelles at L’Aiguillon-sur-Vie. This 18 hole course has a Par 72 and a large range of facilities for you to enjoy. It’s an ideal course for holiday golf with generous fairways and a lake, approach green and putting green. In addition there is a a Pro Shop, changing rooms, tea and coffee, bar snacks, trolley hire (including motor trolley), buggy hire and driving range.

To book your perfect French golfing holiday, please see our booking section or contact us for further information.

For many years British travelers have had a passion for spending holidays in France, whether it’s just a short weekend break, a half term getaway or a relaxing summer family holiday, France offers something for everyone.

During these recession hit times, people are more aware than ever of getting good value for money from their holiday and here at the Old Forge we feel we offer exactly that. Sleeping up to 12 people, the Gite is ideally located for easy access and is inexpensive to get to.

Travel by ferry on the short crossing to Calais and you can get your car, family and luggage on a return ticket for less than £100 in the summer. Even Eurotunnel and some of the airlines have fantastic summer savings and deals making it more affordable than ever to enjoy a taste of France.

The Old Forge is surrounded by stunning scenery and attractions to suit everyone, from wine tasting at World Famous vineyards to a fun family day out at Futuroscope or a relaxing trip along the river at Green Venice.

The Old Forge is available to book all year round and we still have some availability for June, July and August, so why not book today and start planning your French summer holiday in the sun!

On family holidays it can sometimes be difficult to find that once place which offers something for everyone, but situated just over an hour from The Old Forge at Antigny is Futuroscope. The theme park has over 25 different experiences, helping you to explore the World in a new way with extreme thrills, images in giant-screen format, breathtaking shows and interactive adventures making this little part of the Vendée a ‘must see’ place to visit.

Some of the key highlights of Futuroscope are:

‘The Gyrotour’ – A 360° observatory that gently spirals 45 metres (150 ft) up into the air for an outstanding panoramic view complete with commentary.

The Best of Dynamic Cinema – Treats thrill fans to its greatest films festival, getting to whiz through Devil’s Mine Ride, hurtling into the harrowing world of Superstition – an adrenalin overdrive!

Travellers by air and by sea – Meet the masters of the air and the sea and join them as they journey free across their habitats. Two gigantic screens, one in front and one under your feet, let you fly like a bird above the whales and dolphins.

Cyber Avenue – Sixty arcade games (extreme skiing, Formula 1, Soccer, Jet Ski…) make your wildest dreams come to life with extreme sensations guaranteed!

Childrens World – Children’s World is a unique place where both young and old can play a range of amazing games. Come and play in a vast, open-air world of games, have a great time laughing and relaxing with your kids.

Dynamic Vienne, + added effects – Discover or rediscover the Vienne by train, hang-glider and Formula 3 car in this crazy ride as you rock and roll along to the prankish whims of Guerliguet, the mischievous tree goblin. Futuroscope’s 20th birthday celebrations see the white-knuckle thrills of the moving seats topped off with startling effects to crank up the excitement level even more.

Dances with Robots – Enter the vast ballroom, climb on board one of the 10 moving robot arms and prepare to be whisked off on a wild waltz 7 metres up in the air! If you prefer, you can choose to be a spectator and look on amazed at this new form of dance designed and performed by Kamel Ouali exclusively for Futuroscope.

Deep Sea 3D - A fascinating display by the hidden beauty of the ocean depths as the Giant Pacific octopus, sunfish, mantis shrimp and more of the planet’s most exotic creatures turn and sway amongst us. The spectacular 3D images take you deep into the last uncharted territories on Earth. Narrated by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. Music by Danny Elfman.

Magical Illusions – See the fascinating magic of Bertran Lotth, one of the most outstanding illusionists in Europe! A prestigious production where the tricks come thick and fast in a blaze of light and music.

In addition to the attractions and shows at Futuroscope there are a wide range of places to eat including:

KaDéliceScope Restaurant (all-you-can-eat theme buffet)

La Crêpe Volante (Pastry cake and crêpe)

Saveurs du Soleil (Tapas, planchas, pizzas and fresh pasta)

Le Cristal Restaurant “The Cusine of the Future” – Bio, molecular in a neverending possibility of colours, shapes and textures!

Comptoirs du Monde – pasta, burger, salads, kebab, Tex-Mex

Studio Grill -Grilled and roast meats a speciality, fresh salad buffet, cold meats and desserts.

Le Lac Cafeteria – Traditional cuisine that caters for all tastes as you relax on the terrace by the lake.

Illico Resto Takeaway service – sandwiches, wraps, salads, crêpes, waffles, sweets, ice creams and drinks… at any time of day.

Picnic area -  A covered area designed for those snack breaks.

In 2010 the park is open every day from 6th Feb to the 14th of November. Between 20th Nov and the 12th of Dec it is open weekends only and from the 18th of Dec through to the 2nd of January 2011 it is open every day again.

For further information please see the official website at: http://uk.futuroscope.com/

For many of us the last time French phrases passed our lips was back in the classroom, reciting the mnemonic ‘Dr. Mrs. Van Der Tramp’ (because it contains the first letter to each of the verbs which conjugate with être – now it’s all coming back!) or maybe a cheeky ‘Une bière, s’il vous plaît!’ here and there, but for those who would like to impress with more than pigeon French, the BBC are offering online language courses for free!

The courses provide an ideal opportunity for people visiting France on holiday to reacquaint themselves or learn French at their own pace with the help of Stéphane Cornicard and 24 interactive video units. The films were shot around Lyons, the Alps and in Provence and you can keep track of your progress through the course by joining the BBC membership scheme.

Units include topics such as Directions, Languages, Adventure Sports, Wine talk, Eating out, Booking a gîte, Walks, Holidays and even Buying a house in France.

For further information and to begin learning French see the following website:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/french/

No body ever likes to imagine the worst situations, least of all when you are on holiday which is why you can be assured that The Old Forge takes every precaution to make sure your holiday is relaxing, stress free and most of all a safe environment for your family.

That is why we have employed the services of leading UK based Fire Safety company, Fire and Safety Solutions Ltd (FASS) to carry out a full risk assessment and safety check at the gîte, providing us with an action plan which we have put into place to ensure we meet, and wherever possible, exceed regulations in France governing holiday rentals.

Paul Wilkinson of FASS said, “It’s important that property owners are conscientious when renting out holiday homes. It’s not just a question of having a smoke alarm or two but also the appropriate fire extinguishers and blankets plus being aware of potential hazards and having clear instructions for an escape route in the event of a fire. We’re pleased to have been able to assist The Old Forge in this”.

Further information about The Old Forge can be found by clicking here.

To find out more about the services of Fire and Safety Solutions Ltd, please visit: http://www.fireandsafetysolutionsltd.com

Located just an hour’s drive from The Old Forge, on the seaside near the scenic Plage de la Concurrence and La Rochelle Bay is the World famous two-Michelin-star restaurant, Coutanceau’s. Visiting the restaurant is hassle free with a private car park is available at the front of the restaurant entrance. If no space is available, you can leave your car keys to the care of the staff who will be pleased to park your vehicle.

Since being awarded the highly prestigious Michelin stars in 1986, Coutanceau’s has become part of the prestigious French group Relais & Châteaux with reputation for being both innovative and creative, in a refined and warm setting.

At the head of the kitchen is Christopher Coutanceau’s, younger son of Richard and Maryse Coutanceau’s, who started his career at Lycée Hôtelier, La Rochelle catering school, learning from the masters such as Gaeuzere, Bardet, Guérard, Oudill, Ferran, Adria – and of course his father. Christopher has now assisted his father for 6 years at Coutanceau’s  and breathed new life into this already outstanding restaurant; he has created new dishes, always with the Coutanceau’s touch, made with first-class seasonal produce.

Joining Christopher in creating gastronomic master pieces is Nicolas Brossard from Sologne who at 19, start at the well-known ‘Lucas Carton’ restaurant under the lead of Alain Senderens, one of France’s most creative chef in terms of food and wine combination.

At the age of 25, Nicolas was then to become Chief Sommelier of the prestigious two-Michelin-star restaurant ‘Réserve de Beaulieu’ (Côte d’Azur). Two years later, the famous French chef Alain Ducasse asked him to become Chef Sommelier at Louis XV, the restaurant of Hôtel de Paris in Monaco.

In 2003, Nicolas met with the Coutanceau family was to be the start of a strong friendship based on mutual respect, understanding and passion for perfection in the kitchen. Their joint effort is what you can enjoy today at Coutanceau’s restaurant.

Coutanceau’s menu’s strive to provide the perfect balance between classic traditional cuisine and innovative dishes exclusive to the restaurant, using the finest seasonal ingredients, ensuring the perfect dining experience for you. Offering both A la carte and traditional menu’s, Coutanceau’s is the perfect choice whether it’s an intimate diner for two, a family meal or large groups for which all inclusive menu’s are available for parties over 6 people.

In addition to the fabulous food is an extensive wine cellar with a wide range of prestigious wines through to contemporary styles ensuring there is something for everyone’s taste. Coutanceau’s have a stock of 18,000 bottles including 9,000 vintage wines with a showcase of the Poitou-Charentes and Vendée where The Old Forge is located. Coutanceau’s also stock a wide range of Port and Whisky and, of course, over a hundred wine names of Cognac from Charentes.

To book your table at Coutanceau’s whist you enjoy your stay at The Old Forge, click here.