Our campsite is open. Due to the ever changing travel restrictions across Europe, please contact us before arrival during the winter months. Our gîte is open as normal.
Small relaxing campsite, 2 Bell Tents and a Spacious 4 star rated 1 bedroom Gîte situated in our 16th century stone house
Camping & Gîtes La Forêt de Tessé is open all year. We are situated in the Charente department of Nouvelle Aquitaine (was Poitou Charente) in the South West of France. The area is the second sunniest after the South of France.
We have a 10 pitch campsite with a choice of grass pitches or 4 hard standing pitches 1 of which is a fully serviced pitch. We also have 2 fully furnished Bell tents each with their own kitchen cabins and a spacious 1 bedroom gîte to rent. The camping field is completely separate from the gîte that has a separate entrance and a courtyard.
The in-ground 10 m x 5 m swimming pool is opened from mid May to mid September. The pool is not heated, but the water temperature in summer reaches 30 C°.
Free WIFI is available
This is an ideal stopover location if you are en route to Spain or Portugal
We are approximately halfway between the ferry ports and Spain. There is easy access to the main routes that lead to the South of France, Spain and Portugal. The N10 non-toll motorway is about 10 minutes drive away, the A10 toll motorway is about 25 minutes drive away.
In the colder months our modern shower and toilet facilities are heated.
Stay with us and experience the tranquility of French rural living
You can find us in Grosbout, a peaceful hamlet in the commune of La Forêt de Tessé with a close knit community. Long hot summers and a warm spring and autumn means outside dining is possible from April till the end of October. With no light pollution we have the most amazing clear night skies. We are surrounded by farmland and small woodland. The roads nearby are really quiet and ideal for walking and cycling, there is hardly any traffic. The area is dotted with picturesque villages, beautiful stone houses, churches and chateaus. We have bikes to rent if you need them. In July & August we deliver bread and pastries for breakfast every morning.
Amenities and Sights Nearby
The nearest bar/restaurant and boulanger is in Montjean only 5 minutes drive away or 15 minutes by bike if you are feeling energetic. Sauzé-Vaussais and Ruffec 10-15 minutes drive have all amenities: shops, food markets, bars, restaurants and supermarkets.
Swimming lakes, river swimming and canoeing are about 15 minutes drive away.
There are lots to see and do in the area without the crowds of tourists. We are ideally located for days out to La Rochelle, Angoulême, Cognac (tasting tours) to name a few.
Our ‘Information Folder’ supplied on arrival will contain detailed local information about places to visit, activities, restaurants, supermarkets etc.
About Your Hosts
Your hosts Mark & Ildiko live on site and are available if you require any help or information. We are happy to make your reservations if you are not so confident speaking French. We used to live in England although Ildiko is originally from Hungary. In 2013 we left England to explore Europe in our motorhome and we decided after nearly seven months on the road to make South West France our new home. After two years of very hard work we opened our little campsite and year 2019 is the addition of our first gîte. All of this could only be achieved with the help and support of our new neighbours, friends and the mayor.
Look forward to meeting you in the near future.
Mark & Ildiko
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