Who Visits Kergarec? Kergarec is not only for families. During the school holidays, it is true, our visitors are almost all families; mostly British and Irish with a smattering of French and German.
They come from every walk of life and a large percentage are returning visitors who frequently bring their friends. Often, two or more families come together and stay in separate accommodation, getting together when they wish. There are outside dining facilities for all locations
Outside the main school holidays we have a mixture of young families not limited by school holidays and older people. We are particularly well equipped for babies and young children; baby sitters, stair-gates, cots, high chairs. baths with shower attachment, microwaves, DVD s etc. WiFi throughout.
Children Friendly. Parents can enjoy their holiday secure in the knowledge that their children are safe in the garden. Kergarec is entered through code controlled electric gates which close automatically after the residents’ cars. All the animals are in paddocks (they can bite you but they can’t kick you). The lake has a fence over 6ft high and is approached through a double bolted gate. There is a strategically placed and very well equipped play area for children of all ages as well as adults. Activities range from sand pit and Wendy house through swings slides and see saws to table tennis, badminton, boules and football. Cricket even started last year players aged from 3 to over 50. With the proximity of the beaches and in the interests of safety and ecology we have decided against a swimming pool. There is the sea two miles away and two public pools within ten minutes drive.
The Gardens: The park-like gardens of Kergarec are beautiful by any standards. Totally secluded, screened by natural vegetation they contain hundreds of specimen trees and shrubs interspersed with swathes of lawn. Within the garden there are three barbecues and ample garden furniture; quiet shaded walks and secluded corners to relax in peace.
We have secure parking within the grounds and a full-time gardener-cum-handyman, Gilbert, who is most helpful – if you speak French!
Location: Kergarec is situated in the countryside just two miles inland from the bustling seaside resort of Benodet with all its holiday amenities (including a supermarket). There are long, open sandy Beaches close at hand and a host of intimate, rock surrounded, coves beloved of the British, a few minutes drive away. As a complete contrast the tree fringed river Odet and its estuary provide shaded riverside walks.
Getting Here: Most of our visitors arrive from one or other of the north French ports. Roscoff is the nearest – 90 mins drive; St Malo is 2hr 30mins. Cherbourg and Caen – 5 hours. The tunnel gets nearer every year and can now be done in about 7 hours. The airport most used by our visitors is Brest which is an hour away. Quimper has its own airport but flights are, at the moment only from London City.
The Area: There is nothing ‘kiss-me-quick’ about Benodet. It is a tasteful resort with all the facilities one would expect. Outdoor music to meet most tastes in the evenings throughout the season. Boat trips up the Odet to Quimper and out to the Glenan Isles. A supermarket, cinema, casino and the best ice creams I have ever tasted. Organised children’s activities on the beach, sailing, surfing and riding schools, tennis, bike hire, horse riding and a host of reasonably priced restaurants. There are two public swimming pools within ten minutes drive.
Historic Quimper With its hypermarkets, shops, galleries and ‘old town’ is a quarter of an hour away. Concarneau, fortified fishing town. Pont Aven, beautiful village with artistic heritage (Gaugin). La Torche where the world surfing championships were held in 2014, are all close at hand.
Privacy and a very high standard of accommodation. Open plan beamed ground floor with a lounge/dining area, ample, good quality, furniture. Kitchen area with full sized appliances including dishwasher. TV, DVD and WiFi. One double and one twin bedroom, both upstairs (stair-gate). Bathroom with bath and shower upstairs, separate toilet, downstairs. . Sun lounge and small private garden equipped for sitting and eating outside.
