La Gare - The Luxury Holiday Destination
A Helping Hand
HELPING
HANDs
Ian & Wendy
Michael & Clare
Helping
Hands
Ian
and Wendy
have experience in many aspects of work including customer services, holiday lettings, coaching, construction, consultations, designing and many more.
We want to help you make the most of both your property and your time. Does your home need an extension but you are unsure how to go about getting it designed and costed ? Does your holiday gite need an extra hand at change-over time ? Do you need to go away but cannot find someone reliable to take care of your home / pets ? Do you need an occasional hand with cleaning ? Do you need a wall building ? Do you need to travel somewhere but need a navigator, companion or driver ? Or simply need some company ?
Ian
has been running a Gite in the Vendee for a number of years now, and the winter of 2015/16 saw him (and his dad Michael,and Ian's wife Wendy) construct both a swimming pool and landscaped garden with outdoor kitchen. Ian
also runs other gites for people living in the UK, and last winter installed a new upstairs bathroom in one, as well as undertaking landscaping and small building projects. Previous to moving to France, he was a senior warden at a residential college, and is a graduate of Bangor (N. Wales) University.
Wendy
has spent the last 2 summer seasons working as a holiday courier on French campsites, and has been involved in the hotel and holiday business for many years. Out of the main season she has been assisting Ian
with the running of the Gites, and has been the labourer for the construction projects. She is also a UK qualified driving instructor and ran her own business for many years prior to moving to France. Before that she spent a number of years in the legal profession, after a law degree at Leicester University.
Michael
& Clare
retired to France over a decade ago and bought La Gare to live in. But Michael
is not one to sit still for long, and as a builder with over 20 years experience, and with Ian's help, they built, from scratch, the home we currently share at Longeves. This released La Gare to be upgraded and rented out as a gite. After a few years it became obvious that although the gite was performing adequately it was not maximising its potential. The decision was made to upgrade the outdoor space as this was where the maximum benefit could be achieved. The plans were made, designs discussed and the project started in November 2015.
With Michael
and Ian's building experience, and Wendy's labouring, and interiors ideas, the project to make La Gare something special took off. The outdoor area was designed, planned and built entirely by ourselves, to give the best possible holiday experience, and this is reflected indoors with quality linens and a fresh approach.
Completion was perfectly timed for the start of the 2016 main holiday season, and we have had wonderful feedback from all our guests who have loved the family pool and outdoor kitchen areas.
The winter of 2016/17 has seen a full redecoration of the house, inside and out, as well as construction of new garden walls, and the addition to one bedroom of a set of bespoke wooden bunk beds (hand made by Ian).
As a team we have a wealth of experience in all aspects of the building trade, structural, roofing, stairs, electrical, plumbing, installing septic tanks, landscaping etc.
Our approach is to look at the existing structure or business and to identify the best ways to enhance the potential income. Identify the market particular to that unique business, and focus on making the best of what there is, adding enhancements where possible, and maximising return on investment. It is amazing what can be done with a fresh approach from a new pair of eyes !
