Accessible only by private boat, what better place to "get away from it all" than an island, a mile from either shore of the Gironde. After a tough day tasting the exceptional wines on offer in the Médoc châteaux, you can leave the hustle and bustle of Pauillac behind you as you return by speedboat to the unparalleled tranquillity of Ile de Patiras. Or perhaps you prefer to shun the real world completely and spend the day relaxing in a hammock under a tree or watching the river go by.

Ile de Patiras is approximately 2 miles long by 1 mile wide, and is mostly given over to maize farming or vineyards. Château Trinité Valrose and its accompanying 12 acres, cottages and ancient vineyard buildings are in the middle of the island. Surrounded by mature trees and hedgerows and at least a mile from our nearest neighbours, La Trinité Valrose is a perfect haven for countless birds, butterflies and wild flowers. Nature enthusiasts will be impressed by the constantly changing flora and fauna. The river is also popular with fishermen; shrimp, salmon, shad, lamprey and elvers can all be caught here at various times throughout the year.

Accommodations

19th Century vineyard estate buildings have recently been renovated, but retain many of the original features. The new 10 metre long pool is situated in a walled courtyard alongside the old wine making vats, making it a perfect sun-trap. Each gite has a barbecue area and garden with plenty of furniture for outdoor dining or sunbathing, as well as a modern kitchen and comfortable lounge with sofa bed.

Gite d' Ile Trompeloup has 4 bedrooms, original fireplaces, stone walls and terracotta tiled or wooden floors. It is an ideal holiday home for the larger family or group. Gite d' Ile Cazea sleeps 5. It was originally a barn and has been lovingly converted into an enormous, split level, 2 bed roomed gite.

Each gite benefits from its own 15 metre long garden including a barbecue area & terrace; perfect for summer evenings. A communal laundry room is also provided for your use free of charge. In addition to your own garden, there are also fields, wooded areas, and half a mile of shoreline available for your use. The surrounding fields are perfect for ball games. A TV & DVD player with a variety of titles, and a selection of board-games and plenty of books are also provided. In order to explore the surrounding area, visit the shops or eat out at one of the many restaurants lining the quay, we can offer you 2 free return boat trips per group per day to Pauillac, our nearest town. For a small additional charge we can offer services such as baby-sitting, bread or grocery deliveries and a meal on your arrival night.

Start your holiday with a trip on a private motor boat! Ile de Patiras is a private island paradise situated in the Gironde estuary. Suzi & Al, the resident English owners will warmly welcome you to this traffic & stress-free haven which will enchant the whole family. There is plenty of space for ball games, an adventure playground, sandpit, badminton, table tennis, pool volleyball, boules, canoes, a sailing boat. Or just relax with one of our collection of books or DVDs. 19th century vineyard estate buildings have been renovated to create two stunning gites. There are no bunk beds or box rooms here. Each gite has plenty of space, beamed ceilings, wooden or tiled floors and beautiful original stone walls and fireplaces. Cazeau has 2 bedrooms, sleeps 5; Trompeloup has 4 bedrooms, sleeps 8 - 10.

Location

Ile de Patiras is situated in the Gironde, about 2km from either bank. It is the perfect place for you and your family to spend a week or two 'away from it all' with plenty of space for the kids to enjoy the kind of freedom not usually available to them. The island provides an isolated paradise where children can chase bugs, climb trees & run wild without traffic or crowds to get in their way. You can relax completely, hearing nothing but birds & moving only to cool off in the pool. The island also boasts its very own vineyard, where Thiery proudly welcomes you to taste his exclusive wine and learn a little of how it is made. Pauillac is our nearest town, allowing exploration of the Medoc and its many chateaux. Bordeaux (and its airport) is about 45 minutes drive away. The sandy surf beaches of the Atlantic are about 30 minutes drive from Pauillac, as is Hourtin Lake, offering water sports activities. For those arriving by car, Pauillac is around 6 hours from Caen or St Malo

Notes on the rental rates Christmas and New Year changeover dates are flexible. Price includes a free daily return boat crossing per group to Pauillac. Further return boat crossings are possible at a cost of 35 Euros each. Linen, towels, electricity, gas etc all included in the price.

Transfers Transfers between Pauillac on the mainland and Ile de Patiras are made by our private powerboat. Cars can be left in the plentiful free parking on the portside as there are no roads on the island. Any motorized transportation needed (for carrying luggage) is provided by our tractor & trailer. As the boat does belong to us, (and not a ferry service) we are completely flexible with regard to crossing times. Included in the price you pay is a daily return journey to Pauillac.