Cottages du Lac

What makes Cottages du Lac a great holiday park?

• Attractive, modern venue with large heated pool
• Well-equipped accommodation, including wifi
• Short stroll from a lovely lake beach
• Watersports, cycling, walks on your doorstep; ocean just 15 kms

Cottages du Lac is perfect for families seeking an active seaside and sporty holiday amongst like-minded people wanting the same.

A heated pool with retractable roof was a fantastic new addition in 2015.

Best for:

Ideal for families wanting a sociable venue with good amenities, but which doesn't feel like a "holiday camp"! The nearby lake beach offers great paddling for younger kids; older ones will enjoy swimming and sailing there too.

Outside July & August it's a very good value option for families with pre-school age children, but also for couples or friends who enjoy cycling, walking, lake & ocean watersports - or those just looking for a tranquil, natural holiday destination.

Suitability for:

• Toddlers: very good! Toodlers will enjoy the separate toddlers pool, and will love the short walk to the lake beach (which also offers areas of good shade), and paddling when they get there. Cots & high chairs available for hire.
• Teenagers: works best for teenagers who can entertain themselves with activities such as cycling, fishing or swimming (there are no clubs or amusements on site.)
• Reduced mobility: unfortunately not suitable, please talk to us to discuss alternatives.

Anything to watch out for?

Kitchen equipment includes a combi microwave / grill but not a proper full-size oven. Washing machines are in a shared laundry room. There are a couple of small 'nodding donkeys' around the lake; these are visible from some parts of the site but are silent. The uncovered outdoor pool will be closed for maintenance June 1st-22nd 2018; the other pool (with retractable roof) will remain open.

Why Parentis?

Parentis-en-Born is a traditional Landes market town located in the Landes forest east of the Parentis lake. It is an area noted for a it's natural beauty and range of activities, particularly walking, cycling and water-sports.

Parentis a lively town in summer. Local attractions include the Roland Portalier bull-running arena where 'course landaise' shows are staged (the locals' spectacular, non-violent sport). Fresh-food markets are held three days a week. Several festivals are held in summer too, including nights of the infectious, syncopated sound of Landais brass bands ("La Nuit des Bandas"), children's festivals and the Lake Festival in August. The town has an attractive older quartier with good restaurants.

The sandy lake beach is supervised July & August, and is a popular alternative to ocean beaches, especially for families with young children because there are no waves or currents to worry about, and pine trees close to water's edge offer shade from the sun.

Ocean beaches are a short (15-20 km) drive away at Mimizan and Biscarrosse.

Accommodation

Detached chalets and smart apartments in a tranquil forest setting

Cottages du Lac is made up of approx. 50 detached chalets and 50 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments, built in 2007. The standard of equipment is higher than that typical of many holiday parks, including wifi, flat screen TVs, dishwashers as standard.

The shared 200m2 pool is heated, and there is a small paddling pool for the children.  There is also a second heated pool, with a retractable roof and hot tub (which was new for the 2015 season). The pools are open April 1st to October 31st.

Two types of chalet are available:

• M3 - 2 bedrooms (sleeps 4) - 1 bathroom - 47m2
• M4 - 3 bedrooms (sleeps 6) - 1 bathroom, 1 shower room - 58m2

Two types of apartments available:

• T3 - 2 bedrooms (sleeps 4) - 1 bathroom - 38m2
• T4 - 3 bedrooms (sleeps 6) - 1 bathroom - 45m2

Chalets:

Detached, modern, wooden chalets, each with terrace opening onto the grounds. Some chalets are available with lake view (supplement applies - see prices & availability tab).

Each chalet is decorated in modern cottage style which create a warm, cosy interior with plenty of natural light. Wooden decking, parquet floors and natural colour schemes add to the comfortable, relaxing ambience.

Entrance is via the terrace into a nicely-furnished living/dining area with three-seater sofa and chairs, plus dining table for 4/6. There's a TV with satellite channels (limited English channels).

The open-plan kitchenette is situated in one corner of the living area, and is equipped with vitro-ceramic hob, fridge, microwave and dishwasher. NB Chalets are not equipped with washing machine - shared laundry facilities are available near reception.

Bedrooms are located off the living room and, for two bedroom chalets, comprise a parents' double room plus twin room; for three bedroom chalets there's a parents' double bedroom, twin room, and a small bunk room.

Each chalet has a modern bathroom. Some three bedroom chalets also have a shower room.

Outside, as well as terrace furniture (outside dining table and chairs), chalets are also equipped with 2 sun loungers and parasol.

Apartments:

Modern ground- and first-floor apartments with views of the surrounding forest, built around two plazas.

Each apartment opens into the living/dining area with kitchenette in one corner, opening onto the grounds (ground-floor lodges) or balcony (first floor lodges).

The living/dining area has three-seater sofa, plus dining table for 4/5. There's a TV with satellite channels (limited English channels).

The open-plan kitchenette is equipped with vitro-ceramic hob, fridge, microwave and dishwasher, coffee maker and toaster. NB Apartments are not equipped with washing machine - shared laundry facilities available at reception.

Two-bedroom apartments have a double bedroom plus small children's bunk room; three-bedroom apartments have a double bedroom, twin bedroom plus small children's bunk room.

Two-bedroom apartments have a modern bath- or shower-room with contemporary fixings. Three-bedroom apartments have a bathroom.

Outside on the balcony or terrace is an exterior dining table and chairs. Each apartment has a parking space.

Pool

200m2 heated pool, kids' small paddling pool, plus 2nd heated pool with retractable roof and hot tub (new for 2015). Pools open April 1st to October 31st.

Equipment

Kitchen

• dishwasher
• microwave
• fridge freezer
• coffee maker
• toaster

Entertainment

• wi-fi

House Rules

Please see information on arrival.

Location

The site is located in 5.5 hectares of woodland close to the Parentis sandy lake shore, approx. 2.5 kms west of Parentis-en-Born centre. Bordeaux is approx. 90 kms away.

Local Amenities

Nearest village / town: Parentis
Nearest beach: Lake beach 200m, ocean beach 17 kms
Boulangerie: Parentis
Restaurant: Parentis - chez Flo recommended
Market: Parentis - 3 times/wk July-August

Distance to nearest major transport connections

• Bordeaux airport: 90 kms
• Bordeaux train station: 100 kms
• Bergerac airport: 220 kms
• St Malo ferry: 600 kms
• Calais ferry: 960 kms

Sports & Leisure

There are activities for everyone - on-site, in the immediate vicinity and just a short drive away

Swimming pools

• 200m2 outdoor heated pool
• New indoor pool
• Toddlers' pools
• Pools open 10am - 7pm, one day until 11pm
• Jacuzzi tub
• Poolside terrace

Lake beach

• Just 150m walk away
• Sandy beach
• Lifeguarded in July & August
• Shady picnic areas
• Banana boat rides on the lake!

Sailing

• Sailing school at the lake
• Or bring your own boat!
• Mooring also possible
• Great for kids & adults
• Dinghies, canoes, etc
• Lessons can be booked on-site

Cycling

• On-site bike hire
• Trails around lake & forest
• Fetch croissants from Parentis!
• Lovely way to explore area

Horse-riding

• Several schools in the area
• Lake treks
• Beginners & more advanced

Surfing

• Surf schools in Mimizan & Biscarrosse
• Beginners' taster sessions
• Improvers & more advanced too
• Wetsuit & board hire

Golf

• 3 courses nearby: Biscarrosse, Arcachon, Gujan-Mestras
• Lessons & equipment hire available
• Multi-round packages

Ocean beach days

• Lovely Atlantic beaches at Mimizan & Biscarrosse
• Just 15 - 20 kms away
• Great for body-boarding, surfing
• Life-guarded in summer

Cottages du Lac sauna

• Sauna, rain shower and fitness room
• Massage and beauty treatments also available
• Ideal for pampering weekends, or just a bit of time-out

On-site Leisure

• Boules & table tennis
• Playground
• Beach volleyball & football
• Fitness room
• Multi-sports pitch

On-site

Cottages du Lac offers many convenient on-site amenities:

• Large heated outdoor pool & new indoor heated pool
• Coffee, breakfasts, soft drinks & snack bar
• Breakfast service
• Multi-sports pitch, table tennis & table football
• Children's activity sessions in July & August (see below)
• Sauna with rain shower; gym
• Boules pitch with summer competitions!
• Fitness room, water-polo
• Reception with visitor information
• Bike hire on-site (pay locally)
• Beautician
• Laundry room

Summer Kids' Club at Cottages du Lac

• For ages 6 to 12 years old - afternoon sessions
• July & August only
• Kids' challenges, treasure hunts, discover the park, sports games, circus games, canoe experience, cycling tours

Out & About

The Landes coast & forest is an area noted for it's natural beauty and range of activities, especially cycling and water-sports.

Parentis is a lively town in summer. Local attractions include the Roland Portalier bull-running arena where 'course landaise' shows are staged, the locals' spectacular highly-skilled, non-violent sport. The town also features a older quarter with 15th century church (Eglise St Pierre) and a few restaurants. Fresh-food markets are held three days a week. Several festivals are held in sumer too, including nights of the infectious, syncopated sound of Landais brass bands ("La Nuit des Bandas"), children's festivals and the Lake Festival in August.

Day-trip Ideas:

• Visit Arcachon & climb the Dune de Pilat
• Take the foot ferry to Cap Ferret and 'petit train' across the peninsula
• Café-crawling & retail therapy in central Bordeaux
• Médoc or Bordeaux vineyards and wine-tasting (Graves is closest)
• Tour historic St Emilion (UNESCO world heritage site)

Our personal highlights:

• Climb the Dune de Pilat, and even try a parascending flight to the beach below!
• Try surfing in Biscarrosse-Plage or Mimizan-Plage - several schools in the area.
• A picnic by Parentis lac - find a shady spot and enjoy the tranquility.
• Boat trips around the Bassin d'Arcachon and to Banc d'Arguin.
• An evening of (harmless) 'course landaise', bull running Landes-style, in Parentis - an amazing spectacle & atmosphere.

Lake beaches: there is a sandy, supervised (July & August) beach a short walk from the residence. Lake beaches are a popular alternative to ocean beaches, especially for families with young children because there are no waves or currents to worry about, and pine trees close to water's edge offer shade from the sun.

Lake beach sports include volleyball, petanque, water-polo, beach soccer and other kid's games.

Lake watersports: sailing, windsurfing, water-skiing and kayaking at the local lake. There is also a small marina.

The local lake is also a great opportunity for whiling away the hours in tranquility, listening to the water lapping the sandy shores. The surrounding forest is perfect for picnics and rambling.

Cycling trails: a pleasant forest trail runs from Parentis to Biscarrosse (9 kms) and from there to Biscarrosse-Plage (a further 6 kms). A local 35 kms trail offers a chance to explore 5 local villages. (Bike hire available on-site.)

Ocean beaches, surfing & body-boarding: there are excellent beaches and fun waves at at Biscarrosse-Plage (18 kms) and Mimizan-Plage (25 kms), and surf schools operate in both towns.

Also available to try locally: fishing, horse-riding, tennis, golf and adventure park.

 

Customer Reviews By Feefo

Review posted on 25 Feb 2018

Service: The person we spoke to was very knowledgeable and found answers to our questions quickly. The service was just as described by other reviewers and I would definitely recommend them

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Review posted on 14 Sep 2017

Service: Product:

Service: Had a lovely holiday in Aquitaine region in France through alternative Aquitaine. Booking process was very easy & any questions or requests were dealt with promptly by them. They also provided lots of useful information for the holiday & the area.

Product: Lovely compact cottages. Only thing does not have is an oven in them & no air conditioning but we took our own fans so wasn't an issue. Lovely area - great for the kids as they loved scooting & cycling the paths between the cottages & only 2 mins walk to the lake beach & park. Great cycle routes into nearby Parentis en Born & nearby markets.

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Review posted on 04 Sep 2017

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Service: Great recommendation and follow up, which helped make the holiday booking and holiday itself very easy and enjoyable

Product: We loved our time at Cottages du Lac - the log cabin, pool and facilities were even better than they looked in the pictures and it was such a relaxed holiday despite us going in peak season.

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Review posted on 19 Aug 2017

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Service: Great service, great property

Product: Excellent property, clean, great site and facilities

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Review posted on 05 Aug 2017

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Service: Very knowledgeable support. Accurate descriptions. Good price.

Product: We stayed in one of the chalets for 2 weeks with our 2.5 year old and 5 year old and had an excellent holiday. It is a fantastic location - good swimming pools and so near the lovely freshwater lake with its sandy beach, play park and water sports rental. Good easy cycling nearby. The chalet was basic but clean, comfortable and had everything we needed. Very relaxing place. The small pizzeria/creperie was great (special praise for the fantastic Alex who made us feel so welcome). Reception staff were also really helpful. Only slight negative was that there was some music from the adjacent separate resorts into the early hours on a few nights but it was background only and not that loud and didn't disturb us that much. Overall, a great holiday and we would go back.

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Review posted on 15 Jun 2017

Service: Helpful and friendly service. Straightforward and easy to book.

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Review posted on 04 Feb 2017

Service: Product:

Service: Very pleased with speed of service, the choice of accommodation and information available able the accommodation and resorts.

Product: Well equipped, good location. Lodges were nicely laid out with plenty of space around.

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Review posted on 03 Feb 2017

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Service: Great customer service. Efficient service. Had all the information we needed prior to travelling. Advice given over the phone which was very useful. Would definitely use this company again.

Product: Beautiful and clean apartment. Everything we needed

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Review posted on 03 Feb 2017

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Service: The guys really know Aquitaine and the properties on offer. They have been there and can advise from the point of direct experience. Real added value.

Product: Lovely small complex on the shores of the lake with direct access to sandy beach and great playground. Lovely 3 bedroom chalet which was comfortable even during a 38 degree heatwave! Lovely swimming pool too. Our 3 kids loved it (ages 1,5,8)

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Review posted on 02 Sep 2016

Service: Product:

Service: Very good, honest advice and booking all done efficiently.

Product: Good

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Review posted on 23 Aug 2016

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Service: We had very good communication

Product: The cottages were excellent and very spacious

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Review posted on 13 Aug 2016

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Service: Good service. Easy to use.

Product: Good self catering cottage. Close to great beach for under 5's. Pool was good and amenities are nice.

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Review posted on 12 Aug 2016

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Service: Very helpful

Product: Activities and facilities were good, but apartment was very cramped for 5 people. Also the whole complex felt squashed in, with my minimal green spaces and lots of roads / buildings.

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Review posted on 08 Aug 2016

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Service: Super helpful.

Product: Cottage du Lac. Friendly, clean, peaceful. Just lovely. Pool & lake great for kids.

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Review posted on 13 Jun 2016

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Service: Very helpful with good website and information about the resort

Product: Good condition and well furnished. Check in at 5 pm was a bit late especially given we were asked to check out at 9:30am and to have done the vast majority of the cleaning ourselves before leaving. Pool area was good. Pity we could not also use the facilities next door which looked excellent. Lake view was only a minimal view so probably would not pay the extra amount again to have only a very slight view.

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Review posted on 10 Sep 2015

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Service: great service- efficient, patient, knowledgable and all round excellent customer service. They made choosing and booking our holiday very easy! Thank you Alternative Aquitaine, you undoubtably know your stuff and we would highly recommend you to others.

Product: Cottages du lac is a great holiday village, it does lack a shop (although there is one at the campsite next door but this is not advertised), the snack bar is great but could be even better and we would have certainly used it more had it been! Finally, on the very hot days and particularly nights the heat in the chalets was unbearable - understandably there is no air con, but there wasn't even a fan- a situation that could easily be improved. But aside from these very small negatives a good holiday village, nice location and very relaxed atmosphere.

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Review posted on 03 Sep 2015

Service: Product:

Service: They were very helpful with the booking process & gave lots of advice on the resort we chose.

Product: We had a lake front cottage which was in an excellent location and the cottage was very well kitted out. The cottage was very spacious too. The resort itself was lovely with both nice heated outdoor & indoor pools. The resort was in cycling distance to Parentis and there was a flat cycle path all the way to Biscarrosse Sur Plage. All in all an excellent choice

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Review posted on 27 Aug 2015

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Service: Excellent customer service

Product: The Cottages were just as the description said.

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Review posted on 21 Aug 2015

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Service: Good communication, and arrivals pack.

Product: Lovely cottage, and clean, friendly well maintained site.

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Review posted on 17 Aug 2015

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Service: Some lovely touches, a map of the area and great advice. we would book with you again.

Product: The cottages du lac was for us a very nice venue, in many ways. We really loved the location on the lake with a safe sandy beach, and lake that went up to knee depth - so making it very safe for our 4 and 2 year old boys who are fearless when it comes to water. The pools both covered and outdoor were clean, well maintained as was the chalet we stayed in. They provided good levels of towels, bedding and crockery/cutlery. I would say the setting is good for all ages for a week, however better for smaller children for a 2 week stay as there isn't masses for teenagers. The venues board games night was a huge hit, as was the laughably quirky weather info system. the pool/lake and temperature were always 24/28/30 degrees in some random order depending on whether the weather was nice or not! The pool table in reception and lovely french crepes were a huge hit each evening with our boys, and the relaxed and chilled nature of the venue were spot on for our family.

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Review posted on 17 Aug 2015

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Service: Very helpful and informative

Product: Good location by lake, nice standard of accom

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Review posted on 16 Aug 2015

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Service: Always helpful, extremely polite and prompt responses to questions etc. Would thorough;y recommend.

Product: Great location, many facilities for young and teenage children, with purposeful accommodation which was clean and tidy. Nothing to want for.

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Review posted on 01 Aug 2015

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Service: Excellent service from this company

Product: 2nd year in a row going here. Travelling with teenagers. Excellent park.

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Review posted on 01 Aug 2015

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Service: Alternative Aquitaine provided an excellent personal service. They were happy to discuss our holiday needs and ensure we booked somewhere that exactly met them.

Product: Good value family destination. The kids loved it and so did we!

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Review posted on 25 Sep 2014

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Service: Great service which included a recommendation of the accommodation which we booked.

Product: Lovely, clean accommodation in a good setting

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Review posted on 18 Sep 2014

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Service: Very pleasant and easy to deal with, as usual. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

Product: This was our second visit to Cottages du Lac, with 3 years and 1child in between - so this time we had a toddler in tow. The location and access to amenities remains excellent; the facilities are good too, a great pool (now heated, apparently - a big improvement) and a good little snack bar providing limited but good options for eating and drinking. Friendly staff too. The only negative is that the cabins are clearly showing their age a little and getting slightly frayed around the edges. Nothing major and certainly clean but I'd hope they do some refreshing of bathrooms and certain furniture soon. Other than that, dining options in walking distance are limited out of season, but we knew that and it's not really an issue, especially as you really need a car for this site anyway. Overall - we were very satisfied with it for this trip.

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Review posted on 31 Aug 2014

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Service: Good advice at the booking stage.

Product: There were good and not so good aspects to cottages du lac. The location was wonderful with a well maintained pool and complex, which felt very safe. The cottage itself wasn't great and we have certainly stayed in better.

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Review posted on 31 Aug 2014

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Service: Friendly and efficient service, couldn't be faulted

Product: Everything very good except beds rather hard. Staff friendly and helpful. Site clean and attractive with lots of flowering shrubs. Chalets well equipped and plenty of privacy. Lovely lake beach a short stroll away. Nice pool with plenty of sun beds available.

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Review posted on 18 Aug 2014

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Service: very good personalized service, good organisation and very helpful staff when needed

Product: The site was clean, lovely accommodation and the pool was very well kept. A lovely location, prentis de born is a super little village with good restaurants

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Review posted on 18 Aug 2014

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Service: Very knowledgeable about the area and accomm options. Very responsive and easy booking process / good pre-departure pack.

Product: Better than expected given it was only 3 star! Would definitely recommend paying the supplement for the lake view cottages as these have much better views and most importantly more privacy. Pool area and sport facilities were good and lake beach on door step was handy. A good mix of nationalities in the resort, a sunbed was always available around the pool. High quality (light) lunches at the on-site cafe and the bakery service provided by reception every morning was a bonus. Would recommend the cottages du lac for families, if you are not bothered about being circa 20 min drive away from the salt water beaches.

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Review posted on 17 Aug 2014

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Service: Good advice on what would suit our family and requirements

Product: We had a lac view cabin - definitely worth paying for; much more privacy. Great to be able to stroll a few yards to the lake side beach, playground and nearby restaurant which also has a small shop. On site swimming pool good for little ones but less so for 8+ as not very deep. Staff very helpful

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Review posted on 13 Aug 2014

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Service: Good friendly service

Product: The accommodation (2 bed apt) was a bit of a squeeze for four. It was well kitted out and in good condition, though we were disappointed to be looking over a building site! That said, our kids thought it was great, though we generally prefer quieter places which are a bit more free range & with less noise pollution from local camp sites! Service at the desk was friendly, but a bit lacking in reliable local knowledge. They had no idea about local vineyards to visit & instead suggested we look online. Altogether, we'd rate cottages du lac about 6/10.

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Review posted on 13 Aug 2014

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Service: Good service

Product: Lovely site and good quality property

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Review posted on 27 Jul 2014

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Service: Quick and helpful communication, smooth booking process.

Product: Cottage was lovely, swimming pool a bit small, some noise from the adjacent campsite at night. Staff were very helpful and friendly and the site was very clean and well kept.

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Review posted on 12 Jul 2014

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Service: The team made booking very easy and sent a great information pack. We'll be going straight to Alternative Aquitaine for our next holiday.

Product: The "cottage" was lovely - spotlessly clean and very well equipped. The staff were friendly and helpful. We particularly enjoyed using the pool with the baby and going to the bar in the evening (baby in tow) for a digestif.

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Review posted on 25 Feb 2014

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Service: Really helpful prompt service

Product: great accommodation and location

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Review posted on 22 Feb 2014

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Service:

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Review posted on 21 Feb 2014

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Service: Good, only down point was having to pay on credit card (plus fees) in order to be covered as they are not abta

Product: Good

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Review posted on 21 Feb 2014

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Service: Very friendly

Product: Very relaxing holiday

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Review posted on 21 Feb 2014

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Service: Justin provided great service and is very knowledgable on the area and properties.

Product: Very good standard and value for money. Clean and well managed holiday residence.

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