Renter's Notes
A full information file will be found in the longère. These notes are intended to assist you in planning your visit. If there is anything else you would like clarifying, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Beds
1 x double bed in Master Bedroom (140cm x 190cm)
2 x single beds in Goose Bedroom (80cm x 190cm)
2 x single beds Guest Bedroom (90cm x 190cm)
1 x double sofa bed in TV Lounge (137cm x 137cm so suitable for small children only). 1 x folding single bed (can be used in any of the bedrooms).
Maximum capacity is 6 persons (plus cot).
Duvets and UK sized pillows are provided, along with extra blankets. Please bring your own bed sheets, duvet covers, pillow cases, towels and tea-towels. If you are unable to bring your own towels/bed linen we can provide these for an additional charge (bed linen will be left out for you to put on beds).
We provide both a summer weight and winter weight double duvet, so you can use whichever you prefer.
Bicycles
We have three adult mountain bikes, a child's mountain bike, trail-a-bike and child's bike seat available for your use free of charge, and these are stored in the stone outbuilding in the garden. Alternatively, bring your own bikes or hire them locally, to explore the quiet countryside lanes, canal paths and marked cycle trails. Note: it is now compulsory for under 12 year olds to wear a cycle helmet either riding a cycle or as a passenger in a child seat when on a road - you can bring your own helmets, stick to the off road tracks and canal paths, or use the ones we provide (child size small & medium only).
Books/Guides
We have a small library of paperbacks, novels, and local interest books available for you to read in the TV Lounge. You will also find a good selection of Brittany/Normandy guides books e.g. Michelin, Rough Guide, AA, Lonely Planet, Eyewitness, Hachette, Cadogan. We have the local maps from IGN, which is the French equivalent of the British Ordnance Survey:
Further guidance can be sought at Josselin's excellent Tourist Information Office, which is open all year.
Car washing
We have an outdoor tap and car washing brush/bucket at the cottage, and provide car wash shampoo. There is a watering can to help with rinsing. Alternatively you will find modern car washing facilities at the SuperU in Josselin or E.Leclerc in Ploermel.
Children/babies
Plastic tableware is provided (plates, cups, cutlery). High-chair & quality cot with mattress are available, but please bring your own bedding. Baby bath and child's toilet step provided. We provide a travel stair gate which can be used at the top of the stairs or bedroom doorway in the main cottage, but it is not possible to fit a gate to the bottom of the stairs due to the nature of the staircase. As the dormer windows are low level we have fitted window locks, and provide a key to remove the restriction if required. A fire guard is available to place in front of the wood-burning stove.
Electricity
The standard voltage in France is 220 Volts AC, 50Hz. Any electrical appliance normally used for a different voltage must have dual voltage compatibility (most modern electric shavers and other electrical appliances do). The standard plug is the French two round prongs type. Adapters to convert English plugs to fit French electrical sockets are available in the cottage, together with an English 4-way adapter.
Games Equipment
A number of indoor board games are available for your use e.g. Trivial Pursuit, chess, solitaire, Mastermind, jigsaw puzzles. We also have an outdoor games box in the garden outbuilding containing balls, and garden games e.g. boules. A selection of DVDs suitable for children and adults are available in the TV Lounge.
Garden
There is a mown fenced garden to the front, right-hand side and rear of the cottage. The garden extends to the rear for several hundred meters. A small orchard area contains apple trees, cherry trees, plum, hazel and walnut. The rear garden borders and far garden are naturalised with a mix of cider apple, native oak and chestnut trees, and this ideal for children to play, explore, and let off steam. Provided are a front garden bench, table and six chairs in the front garden, table and six chairs on the rear gravel terrace, 4 multi-position relaxer chairs, and a wrought-iron garden table and 4 chairs under the fruit trees. We have a Charcoal barbecue, garden games box, two child's tree swings, chair hammock and full sized hammock.
Hair-dryer
We have a hair-dryers available for your use. This will usually be found in the cupboard in the main bathroom.
Heating
The main lounge, TV Lounge, kitchen, and second bathroom are covered by modern electric thermostatic radiators. Bedrooms are covered by electric thermostatically controlled convector heaters. In addition there is a large wood burning stove in the main lounge and we supply logs free of charge.
Household Essentials
We aim to provide all the basic essentials that you would wish to find, and don't want to have to pack or buy on a holiday e.g. hand wash, toilet paper, washing-up liquid, dishwasher tablets, matches, fire-lighters, dish cloths, cleaning materials, bin bags, washing powder & fabric conditioner. We also try to provide many useful extras, subject to restocking e.g. tea-light candles, serviettes, children's straws, kitchen foil, cling film, plastic food bags, salt & pepper mills, coffee filter papers, cooking oil, olive oil & wine vinegar, and a selection of dried herbs - or pick fresh ones from the garden.
Internet
We have Wi-Fi at the cottage, which is always switched on. You can connect using your own smartphone, iPad or laptop.
Kitchen
Gas cooker powered by bottled gas (spare bottle kept at property) and electric oven. Fridge, freezer, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, iron & ironing board, electric kettle, coffee maker, cafetiere, toaster, whisk, blender, electronic weighing scales. All pots, pans, cooking utensils, crockery, glassware & cutlery provided for up to 6 persons. A good quality set of sharp kitchen knives are provided.
Parking
The country lane outside the property serves just three properties besides our own, so is very quiet. You are just as likely to see a tractor as a car. There is off-road parking on the front drive. Further off road parking is available on the grass in the front garden is also available. It is also possible to park larger vehicles on our grass verge to the front of the cottage (e.g. motor caravan).
Rubbish
The rubbish is not collected from the front door in rural areas of France, as it would be far too time consuming to serve the hundreds of rural hamlets that exist. Instead, the Town Council provide two large roadside waste containers - yellow for recyclables and grey for landfill. Each householder takes their own rubbish to that point. Ours are situated in the lane just outside the front of the cottage. The nearest glass bottle recycling point is at Coet Bugat, two minutes from the cottage. We ask guests to cooperate with this system, and do things 'the French way'.
Safety
For your personal safety we have installed 3 smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide alarm at the cottage. A fire extinguisher is provided in the kitchen. A small first-aid kit is located in the bathroom cupboard.
Washing Machine
We have a modern automatic washing machine at the cottage and provide free washing powder tablets and liquid fabric conditioner. There is a large outside clothes drying line in the rear garden and an indoor clothes drying rack.
Water
We have mains water connected to the cottage. All mains water supplies in France are metered, so please try to ensure that water is conserved, and help keep rental prices down. The water is fine to drink.
Water heating
There are two separate and independent electric water heating systems. One covers the kitchen and family bathroom and the other covers the guest bathroom. A timer turns the main water heating on at night to take advantage of economy rate electricity. The guest bathroom water heating is switched on at the bathroom wall if required. If the cottage has not been previously occupied, you may need to wait for the water to heat up on the first night.
Waste Water
Like many French rural properties the hamlet does not have mains drainage. This means that all waste water (both kitchen and toilet) is sent to an underground tank in the garden, which the French call the Fosse Septique. The waste water undergoes a natural biological action and then filters off to the bottom of the garden where is further treated through an underground gravel bed. It is essential that only toilet paper is flushed down the toilets and all other items are disposed of in the bins provided, or the system may become blocked.
Wildlife
This is the French countryside, so expect a bit of wildlife. We have spotted an Adder at the bottom of the garden in Spring - but these are essentially non-aggressive shy creatures who will avoid contact, but wearing stout shoes if venturing into the rough grass would be a sensible precaution. Common lizards often bask on the stonework of the south facing front of the cottage, and field mice take advantage of free wheat and sweetcorn in the surrounding fields. It is not unusual to find a large frog hopping around the garden or on the doorstep. The area has many types of birds of prey, with buzzards, kestrels and owls being spotted from our garden. You may hear owls calling at night. In spring swallows nest under the eaves. At dusk you can sit on the garden and watch bats perform acrobatic displays in the air while catching flies and moths. In autumn, a red squirrel likes to stash our walnuts and hazelnuts in various places around the garden, and return at regular intervals to eat them! You may spot a fox or deer in the surrounding fields, and Kingfishers and otters at the local river bridge.
Beds
1 x double bed in Master Bedroom (140cm x 190cm)
2 x single beds in Goose Bedroom (80cm x 190cm)
2 x single beds Guest Bedroom (90cm x 190cm)
1 x double sofa bed in TV Lounge (137cm x 137cm so suitable for small children only). 1 x folding single bed (can be used in any of the bedrooms).
Maximum capacity is 6 persons (plus cot).
Duvets and UK sized pillows are provided, along with extra blankets. Please bring your own bed sheets, duvet covers, pillow cases, towels and tea-towels. If you are unable to bring your own towels/bed linen we can provide these for an additional charge (bed linen will be left out for you to put on beds).
We provide both a summer weight and winter weight double duvet, so you can use whichever you prefer.
Bicycles
We have three adult mountain bikes, a child's mountain bike, trail-a-bike and child's bike seat available for your use free of charge, and these are stored in the stone outbuilding in the garden. Alternatively, bring your own bikes or hire them locally, to explore the quiet countryside lanes, canal paths and marked cycle trails. Note: it is now compulsory for under 12 year olds to wear a cycle helmet either riding a cycle or as a passenger in a child seat when on a road - you can bring your own helmets, stick to the off road tracks and canal paths, or use the ones we provide (child size small & medium only).
Books/Guides
We have a small library of paperbacks, novels, and local interest books available for you to read in the TV Lounge. You will also find a good selection of Brittany/Normandy guides books e.g. Michelin, Rough Guide, AA, Lonely Planet, Eyewitness, Hachette, Cadogan. We have the local maps from IGN, which is the French equivalent of the British Ordnance Survey:
- 1:25:000 Ideal for walking (Series Blue 0919E Josselin).
- 1:100:000 Ideal for cycling (Carte de Promenade Lorient & Vannes).
- Tourist maps for exploring the area by car (Gulfe du Morbihan & Belle-Ile 1:60:000).
- Rivieres & Oceanes Bretagne Sud 1:80:000.
Further guidance can be sought at Josselin's excellent Tourist Information Office, which is open all year.
Car washing
We have an outdoor tap and car washing brush/bucket at the cottage, and provide car wash shampoo. There is a watering can to help with rinsing. Alternatively you will find modern car washing facilities at the SuperU in Josselin or E.Leclerc in Ploermel.
Children/babies
Plastic tableware is provided (plates, cups, cutlery). High-chair & quality cot with mattress are available, but please bring your own bedding. Baby bath and child's toilet step provided. We provide a travel stair gate which can be used at the top of the stairs or bedroom doorway in the main cottage, but it is not possible to fit a gate to the bottom of the stairs due to the nature of the staircase. As the dormer windows are low level we have fitted window locks, and provide a key to remove the restriction if required. A fire guard is available to place in front of the wood-burning stove.
Electricity
The standard voltage in France is 220 Volts AC, 50Hz. Any electrical appliance normally used for a different voltage must have dual voltage compatibility (most modern electric shavers and other electrical appliances do). The standard plug is the French two round prongs type. Adapters to convert English plugs to fit French electrical sockets are available in the cottage, together with an English 4-way adapter.
Games Equipment
A number of indoor board games are available for your use e.g. Trivial Pursuit, chess, solitaire, Mastermind, jigsaw puzzles. We also have an outdoor games box in the garden outbuilding containing balls, and garden games e.g. boules. A selection of DVDs suitable for children and adults are available in the TV Lounge.
Garden
There is a mown fenced garden to the front, right-hand side and rear of the cottage. The garden extends to the rear for several hundred meters. A small orchard area contains apple trees, cherry trees, plum, hazel and walnut. The rear garden borders and far garden are naturalised with a mix of cider apple, native oak and chestnut trees, and this ideal for children to play, explore, and let off steam. Provided are a front garden bench, table and six chairs in the front garden, table and six chairs on the rear gravel terrace, 4 multi-position relaxer chairs, and a wrought-iron garden table and 4 chairs under the fruit trees. We have a Charcoal barbecue, garden games box, two child's tree swings, chair hammock and full sized hammock.
Hair-dryer
We have a hair-dryers available for your use. This will usually be found in the cupboard in the main bathroom.
Heating
The main lounge, TV Lounge, kitchen, and second bathroom are covered by modern electric thermostatic radiators. Bedrooms are covered by electric thermostatically controlled convector heaters. In addition there is a large wood burning stove in the main lounge and we supply logs free of charge.
Household Essentials
We aim to provide all the basic essentials that you would wish to find, and don't want to have to pack or buy on a holiday e.g. hand wash, toilet paper, washing-up liquid, dishwasher tablets, matches, fire-lighters, dish cloths, cleaning materials, bin bags, washing powder & fabric conditioner. We also try to provide many useful extras, subject to restocking e.g. tea-light candles, serviettes, children's straws, kitchen foil, cling film, plastic food bags, salt & pepper mills, coffee filter papers, cooking oil, olive oil & wine vinegar, and a selection of dried herbs - or pick fresh ones from the garden.
Internet
We have Wi-Fi at the cottage, which is always switched on. You can connect using your own smartphone, iPad or laptop.
Kitchen
Gas cooker powered by bottled gas (spare bottle kept at property) and electric oven. Fridge, freezer, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, iron & ironing board, electric kettle, coffee maker, cafetiere, toaster, whisk, blender, electronic weighing scales. All pots, pans, cooking utensils, crockery, glassware & cutlery provided for up to 6 persons. A good quality set of sharp kitchen knives are provided.
Parking
The country lane outside the property serves just three properties besides our own, so is very quiet. You are just as likely to see a tractor as a car. There is off-road parking on the front drive. Further off road parking is available on the grass in the front garden is also available. It is also possible to park larger vehicles on our grass verge to the front of the cottage (e.g. motor caravan).
Rubbish
The rubbish is not collected from the front door in rural areas of France, as it would be far too time consuming to serve the hundreds of rural hamlets that exist. Instead, the Town Council provide two large roadside waste containers - yellow for recyclables and grey for landfill. Each householder takes their own rubbish to that point. Ours are situated in the lane just outside the front of the cottage. The nearest glass bottle recycling point is at Coet Bugat, two minutes from the cottage. We ask guests to cooperate with this system, and do things 'the French way'.
Safety
For your personal safety we have installed 3 smoke alarms and a carbon monoxide alarm at the cottage. A fire extinguisher is provided in the kitchen. A small first-aid kit is located in the bathroom cupboard.
Washing Machine
We have a modern automatic washing machine at the cottage and provide free washing powder tablets and liquid fabric conditioner. There is a large outside clothes drying line in the rear garden and an indoor clothes drying rack.
Water
We have mains water connected to the cottage. All mains water supplies in France are metered, so please try to ensure that water is conserved, and help keep rental prices down. The water is fine to drink.
Water heating
There are two separate and independent electric water heating systems. One covers the kitchen and family bathroom and the other covers the guest bathroom. A timer turns the main water heating on at night to take advantage of economy rate electricity. The guest bathroom water heating is switched on at the bathroom wall if required. If the cottage has not been previously occupied, you may need to wait for the water to heat up on the first night.
Waste Water
Like many French rural properties the hamlet does not have mains drainage. This means that all waste water (both kitchen and toilet) is sent to an underground tank in the garden, which the French call the Fosse Septique. The waste water undergoes a natural biological action and then filters off to the bottom of the garden where is further treated through an underground gravel bed. It is essential that only toilet paper is flushed down the toilets and all other items are disposed of in the bins provided, or the system may become blocked.
Wildlife
This is the French countryside, so expect a bit of wildlife. We have spotted an Adder at the bottom of the garden in Spring - but these are essentially non-aggressive shy creatures who will avoid contact, but wearing stout shoes if venturing into the rough grass would be a sensible precaution. Common lizards often bask on the stonework of the south facing front of the cottage, and field mice take advantage of free wheat and sweetcorn in the surrounding fields. It is not unusual to find a large frog hopping around the garden or on the doorstep. The area has many types of birds of prey, with buzzards, kestrels and owls being spotted from our garden. You may hear owls calling at night. In spring swallows nest under the eaves. At dusk you can sit on the garden and watch bats perform acrobatic displays in the air while catching flies and moths. In autumn, a red squirrel likes to stash our walnuts and hazelnuts in various places around the garden, and return at regular intervals to eat them! You may spot a fox or deer in the surrounding fields, and Kingfishers and otters at the local river bridge.