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Frequently Asked Questions.

How do I know if your descriptions are accurate?

Good point! We have tried to be very honest with our descriptions as we know from personal experience, how disappointing it can be if you do not get what you have been promised! We have been renting out "Jappeloup" since May 2003 and so far we have had no complaints at all about the standard of our accommodation and facilities. Also, for the second year running, we have been awarded the "5 Globes Commended" status with "World One Call" , which is based on the reports of our previous guests. We also publish on this website, a copy of our "Visitor's Book", in which we have pledged to print ALL comments in full and as written. We are glad to say that we have not yet had reason to regret the decision to do so!

Where are the nearest Shops and Banks?

The nearest supermarket is Intermarché in St. Savin around 4 kms away. You will also find a Chemists,Tabac, Bar, Pizzeria, Restaurant, Hardware Store , Post Office and a small Maison de Pays (Tourist Office). There are 2 banks in the village and both have a cash dispenser (as does Intermarché). For those who wish to do some serious shopping, head for the Hypermarkets in & around Bordeaux, about a 30 minute drive away, or the Gambetta area in the city centre.

When are they open?

They usually open at around 9am and close at 7:30pm. Most local shops and banks still observe the siesta and shut, typically, from 1230-1500. The larger supermarkets open all day without a break, but close all day Sunday. Our local Supermarket, Intermarché, opens all day on Saturdays and from 9am to 12 noon on Sundays. If you are running a bit late on a Sunday, there is a small market at the nearby village of St. Christoly that stays open until 1 pm (as does the village store & bakers). There are usually stalls that sell fruit & vegetables, cheeses, meat and fish. . Some shops do not open on Mondays.

Can I use Traveller's Cheques?

The sad fact is that traveller's cheques are not really accepted anywhere in France! Most shops now accept credit cards (Carte Bleu) and your PIN number will be required as in the UK. If your card is not the "Chip & PIN" type, you will probably be asked to show some form of identity with a photograph, (the old style Driving Licence without a photograph will probably NOT be accepted, so it's best to have your passport handy!). Another problem is that the Banks do not like to exchange other currencies for Euros! We know from personal experience that even in Bordeaux we could not find a bank willing to change Sterling or Australian Dollars for Euros! Cash dispensers are probably the best way to change money, although most banks make an additional charge for the service. It usually works out less expensive if you make one or two large cash withdrawals rather than lots of small ones.

Are there 24hr Petrol Stations?

Most supermarkets that have a service station, have at least one 24hr pump that can dispense all grades of petrol and diesel. You will, however, need a "Chip & PIN" credit card... and be able to remember your PIN number! Instructions are shown on a screen (usually in French) after inserting your card, however they are very easy to follow.

Can you provide towels?

Bed linen is included in our basic rental charge, however as a service to our guests we can provide a towel pack consisting of 1 Pool Towel, 1 Bath Towel & 1 Hand Towel for a charge of £5 per pack per week. You can reserve the packs on the booking form when you book with us and pay for them with your final balance.

Can you provide a "Welcome Pack" of groceries?

We can supply 3 types of "Welcome Pack" to help sustain you until you can do some shopping, Basic, Breakfast and Light Meal. Here's what you will have waiting for you when you arrive:

Basic Pack: Bottled Water, Margarine or butter, Milk, small Jar of Jam, Tea Bags, small Jar of Instant Coffee, Bread.

£10 (15 euros)

Breakfast Pack: Basic Pack plus Orange Juice, Breakfast Cereal, 6 Eggs and Bacon (local equivalent, similar to streaky).

£20 (30 euros) up to 4 persons, £25 (38 euros) 4 to 6 persons

Light Meal: Basic Pack plus (Pizza and salad) or (Confit de Canard -

[very tender joints of slow roasted duck], Seasonal Vegetables & Potatoes) or (Home-made Cheesy Crust Shepherds Pie) with Tarte des Fruits & Chantilly Creme.

£40 (60 euros) up to 4 persons, £50 (75 euros) 4 to 6 persons.

These can be ordered on our Booking Form.

Is the water safe to drink?

Definitely! It is regularly tested to ensure its safety, although as in the UK, many people now prefer to drink bottled water.

Where are the nearest restaurants?

There are two restaurants in St. Savin, The Rialto Pizzeria and the Lion D'or. The latter opens daily at lunchtimes, but only on Friday & Saturday night. Within a 20 minute drive there are many restaurants, serving many types of food(including Vietnamese!). The best restaurant close by is the Au Sarment in St. Gervais which serves exquisite French cuisine.

Are prices for long term & winter lets negotiable?

Yes! We are always willing to discuss prices. Hidden away on our "Special Offers" page is a link to our "Winter Lets" page.

Do you allow smoking in the cottage?

In general we do not have a strict "No Smoking" policy. However, as a courtesy to future guests who may not smoke, we do ask that whenever possible guests do not smoke in the cottage. Smoking in the bedrooms is not permitted at all, for both health and safety reasons.

Do I need Travel Insurance?

We would always recommend that guests take out travel insurance before leaving the UK. Our 25% deposit is non-refundable and the total rental fee would be forfeited if you had to cancel within the last 8 weeks and we could not re-let your weeks. Also there could be other problems whilst you are here. Health, accidents, repatriation of persons or vehicles, accidental damage to our or other properties and personal liability could all cause financial problems for the uninsured. Nowadays most Insurance Companies can offer annual travel cover for little much more than the cost of two weeks cover. Don't forget to register for and obtain a European Health Insurance Card from the NHS before you leave. This card is essential for getting healthcare costs reimbursed when you get back to the UK.

Lounge area has comfortable leather seating and low units which house the video, tv The jappeloup in jappeloup cottage is pronounced JAP-A-LOO!use the TV/video and radio/CD/cassette players.Free loan of children's videos (in English) from our own collection.
Bicycles, board games, games and other toys (mainly boys) may also be provided free of charge, on request, depending on availability.The kitchen is English style and fully equipped with a refrigerator, cooker, washing machine, dishwasher, microwave, kettle, toaster, coffee percolator and, perhaps most importantly, a corkscrew! Obviously we haven't forgotten to include the basic items such as cutlery, crockery, utensils, glassware and pots & pans.
French doors (what else!) lead to a south-facing raised patio area overlooking the garden, play area and swimming pool. A garden table and chairs are available so that meals can be taken alfresco as and when you like.The garden of the cottage is fully enclosed.The free-form swimming pool (shared with the owners) has just been completed, ready for the 2003 season.It is 6 metres by 12 metres with Roman Steps to the side, giving easy access to the shallow end. Parents and non-swimmers should note that it is 1.6 metres at the deepest point. We do not add chlorine to the pool for sterilisation, we use a relatively new technique. A small amount of salt is diluted in the pool water (less than the percentage in a teardrop) and this is then converted into chlorine using electrolysis. This system uses much less chlorine, resulting in fresher water and NO SORE, RED EYES.Sunloungers and a hammock are available for use around the pool and in the interest of safety (and to comply with impending French law) the pool area is fenced, with lockable gates as the only entry points.The rest of the grounds extend to over 9 acres, giving you plenty of room to run, hop, skip, jump, play hide 'n' seek and many other games.For those looking house-hunting in France (either for permanent or holiday homes), we are centrally located to explore the Bordeaux, Gironde, Charente, Medoc & Dordogne regions.All in all Jappeloup is the ideal place for unwinding and relaxing, giving you the chance to "recharge your batteries"!