Our story

La Garenne is an old fortified farm dating back to the 16th Century, situated amongst vinyards and sunflower fields in a small hamlet in Charente Maritime, western  France. The perfect place for those who want to relax and enjoy rural France.We bought La Garenne in 2006.  Since that we have worked hard to renovate all 6 gites and our family home into comfortable and modern living, but  retaining the charming French style we love so much with beautiful original beams and exposed Charentaise stone walls.

La Garenne is our home and where our children have grown up so to us it is not just a business, but a family life style that we are proud to share with our guests.

We are a sporty  and active family so the quiet rolling country lanes and many forests that surrounds La Garenne appealed to us.

Richard a former british professional triahtlete, still training and staying fit running, biking and swimming but also loves water sport like kite and foil surfing.

Dorte is Danish but has lived both in Spain, America and England before moving to France. She is NVQ 4 qualified in child care and managed a couple of pre school nurseries in the UK. Dorte also take part in triathlon training and races.

Our sons arrived in France when they were 4 and 6 years old. It felt cruel to drop them off at nursery and school, when they could not speak a word of french, but they soon picked up the language and are now both doing a university sport degree in France.

They are both keen triathletes and compete in many races every year. As well as sport they love music and to travel and make as many experiences as possible.

We hope we will have the opportunity to welcome you to what we think is a special place for a holiday.

Dorte, Richard, Oliver and Oscar Hobson.