to Saint-André-de-Roquepertuis , we are pleased that you found your way to the Résidence de l'Acacia, hopefully without any major difficulties.

If you have any questions that this information document does not answer, you can usually find us on the terrace or somewhere on the property or in our flat (on the top floor) - we will be happy to help you.

If no member of our family should be in the house, you can also just write an email ... or wait until we come back.

In case of an urgent problem, you can reach us at the mobile number 06 04 15 87 42.

General information can be found on the following pages. 

Please understand the notes only as well-meant tips without guarantee of completeness. As you may have noticed in the writings we have sent you so far, we try to practise a gentle kind of tourism, in harmony with the environment, nature, the inhabitants of the village and the guests of the house.

It is also in your hands what you make of your stay in St. André; it depends on your inner attitude whether it will be relaxing or stressful for you.

If you would like to collect information material during excursions and display it in the lounge "grande salle" or on the notice board on the terrace, subsequent guests would also be pleased.

Above all: take your time, let things happen to you, enjoy the style and special atmosphere of the Résidence, the village and the nature ... Don't be annoyed if something doesn't meet your expectations. Please pay attention to the price-performance ratio (only by foregoing luxury can we continue to keep our tight budget), then perhaps you will soon be one of the friends of the Résidence de l'Acacia who come to visit us from time to time, all year round.

As you know, we grant a 5% reduction on your rental price from the second rental onwards.

In addition, from your second rental onwards, we deduct 5% of the rental price of the newly referred guests from your bill for each rental that comes about after your stay through your recommendation to friends and acquaintances. So it's definitely worth taking nice photos to show at home ...

... or bring along as a souvenir the acoustic travel guide "PROVENCE" from the Geophon audio book publishing house, in which a whole chapter is dedicated to the Résidence de l'Acacia and the valley of the Cèze.

We wish you a relaxing and eventful time in our house.

The Beck family

Check-In

Moving into the Résidence de l'Acacia

It is practical to leave your car on the village street RUE DU RANC near the church and bring your luggage to the flat you have rented (downhill is easier. . .).

Deposit, parking

After you have paid a deposit of 200 euros, you settle in comfortably and try to distribute all your luggage evenly in the flat (maybe you feel the same way as we do, we often leave half of it in the suitcase, as proof of how unnecessary most things are ...). You can park your car in the private car park P1 or P2 on our property (back of the house, access see village map, Chemin du Vallat ... via a small bridge: Chemin de la Raffine). Please make sure that the nine parking spaces are sufficient for all guests and that the gate is always closed. Although there has never been any damage to our property, we understandably cannot accept any liability. Do not leave any valuables unattended, either in the car or in the flat, unless you have taken out a very good luggage insurance policy and love the paperwork in case of damage.

Please do not park your car anywhere in the village. The municipal administration asks for your understanding that the few marked spaces are reserved for the respective residents. A large bus passes through the narrow streets twice a day, and the fire brigade must have free access in case of emergency. There is a very large public car park at the edge of the village.

The flats: Inventory and small repairs

In the kitchen cupboards you will find crockery, cutlery, cooking pots and everything you need for a small holiday kitchen. If something is missing or you break something, please refrain from getting replacements yourself. Perhaps you can imagine what a collection of different crockery and cutlery would be after only a short time, and it would be almost impossible to conjure up a beautifully laid table. Please let us know in good time so that we can provide suitable replacements if possible. Please pay for the damage you have caused before departure.

If you are unable to meet us in person, please send us an e-mail and tell us about the problem, possibly stating what needs to be replaced or repaired, and we will do our best.

Please do not bring any of your belongings outside. Unfortunately, guests have already carried bed linen and pillows to the pebble beach of the Cèze and left living room furniture out in the rain ...

Additional services offered by the Résidence de l'Acacia for a fee:

Bathroom

In the bathroom, a boiler constantly produces hot water without you having to take care of it. Please do not throw anything (except toilet paper) into the toilet. Previous blockages have been extremely embarrassing and costly for all concerned. Please expect that the culprit can be found and that our plumber will present him with the bill. (This is what happened, for example, with a shampoo bottle and a Barbie doll in the drainpipe).

Heating

All rooms are equipped with electric radiators. There is a button on the side ( I = on, 0 = off ). At the top you can set the temperature, the unit then switches on or off automatically by thermostat. There is a fire hazard if the radiator is covered!

Laundry

Washing machine (3,50 Euro), iron and ironing board are available from Monday to Friday. Freshly washed clothes can be hung on the large clothesline on the property or on the drying racks provided.

Cleaning

You will find cleaning buckets, brooms, shovels, mops and cleaning agents in your flat. For reasons of hygiene, we ask you to use and dispose of consumables such as cleaning and washing-up liquid, sponges and cleaning cloths yourself. We will provide you with fresh materials so that you do not get into trouble on the first day, but we ask that you replace these items.

Please also remember to sweep the terrace belonging to your flat every now and then and to wipe down your table, because uninvited little guests, such as insects or littering dogs and cats, can be kept away more easily that way.

Terrace

A popular meeting place is the large terrace in the courtyard of the Résidence, where it is easy to make contact with other guests. However, please respect that we have reserved a table and chairs for each flat. If you would like to form group tables, please clear up at the end of your holiday - thank you very much.

Common rooms

In the natural stone vault, on which the house was built in various stages over the last centuries, we have created lounges for our guests. Where the farm animals used to stand (you can still see the original horse harnesses, for example), you can now sit down with your friends in the rain or when it's too hot. Please leave your private drinks in the flat, help yourself to the drinks in the fridge during your stay in our historic vaults (this helps us to finance the maintenance of the common rooms with all the games and entertainment and to support the winegrowers in the vicinity) and leave the premises as you would like to find them.

TV, billiards, table tennis, table football, games for young and old

. . . are available to you free of charge by arrangement.

Please remind your little ones to put everything back in its place.

Barbecue

The barbecue in the courtyard is available to all guests at all times. It goes without saying that you should never leave the fire unattended and keep enough water in buckets nearby to be able to extinguish the fire at any time. Barbecue charcoal is sold in all supermarkets. Please do not use our private firewood for the winter. Barbecuing outside this barbecue area is strictly forbidden by the fire police! If there is a lot of smoke in the countryside during the (dry) summer, the 24-hour manned fire monitoring centre will immediately notify the fire brigade and you will have to expect a hefty fine ... with so many forest fires every year, it's understandable.

If you are planning a barbecue, perhaps ask the other guests if they would like to join in to make the fire lighting worthwhile.

Pool and Cèze

On hot days, water has an irresistible attraction for young and old. In our small pool area, peace, tranquillity and relaxation are the order of the day - you can romp, jump and make a racket a few minutes downhill on the magnificent beach of the Cèze. The water of the Cèze is regularly tested and the results published on the information board of the Mairie.

In each flat you will find a key PISCINE with which you can open each of the entrance gates to the pool area. Use at your own risk. Please also take care in your own interest to avoid any pollution, to make do with a minimum of chemicals in the water (who wants red eyes and skin irritation after bathing?) and use the shower before each bath. If we notice wilful contamination (as has unfortunately already happened), we will understandably have to ask you to pay for refilling and the necessary disinfection.

After bathing, when no one else is in the pool area, please lock the pool again.

For technical reasons (water treatment), the pool is closed from nightfall, 9:30 pm at the latest, until 9 am.

Lawn in the garden

For your comfort, we are happy to provide garden furniture. Especially in the first days you should not underestimate the power of the Mediterranean sun, we have seen many a sunburn, not only in high summer....

Flowers and plantings

Several floods caused great damage in previous years. For example, in 2002 there was knee-high muddy water in the house.... Goudargues had to be evacuated during the night ... you can still guess at the damage to the village bridge, which was flooded at the time. The water masses that roll down the valley from the mountain top during heavy thunderstorms are incredibly powerful. We too had to start from the beginning several times.

Most of the time, however, the opposite is true and it doesn't rain at all for far too long. If you notice that a planting is about to wither, we ask you to work small miracles with a few drops of water. It would be a shame to pour the water from the salad wash down the drain while the flowers outside are in desperate need of water.

The diverse fruit in the garden is completely untreated and you are welcome to pick it for your own enjoyment.

Chilled drinks

We offer water, Orangina, Cola, ice, beer, open red, rosé and white wine in the "Grande Salle" lounge. Please put the money in the caisse provided - we trust you.

Peace and quiet and neighbours

Holiday mood, cheerful exuberance, warm summer evenings and the odd glass of wine rarely fail to have their effect. Without realising it, voices get louder, which can sometimes be very disturbing when other guests or village neighbours may have already gone to rest. Turn down the volume to a minimum from 10 p.m. onwards, or go to the lounges in the natural stone vault .... the metre-thick walls have been protecting you for centuries.

Animals I

Please refrain from feeding stray animals on our property or even in your flat. The animals do not understand the constant change of guests and consequently expect the same treatment from the next guest without the latter knowing anything about it. It can be very annoying if you can't open the door or window because, for example, one of the many cats wants to get in.

You also want to be undisturbed on the terrace or by the pool, dog and cat excrement spoils your appetite.

Please help us not to tolerate stray animals on our property.

Animals II

You have chosen a holiday destination in Southern Europe, so you should be prepared for the animal world that is indigenous here: In addition to completely harmless snakes, there are also vipers, after which you must see a doctor or go directly to the hospital in Bagnols-sur-Cèze.

Between dry stone walls there are scorpions, among others, which have already frightened many a new guest - but not much more. These are not the dangerous African species, but a southern European one whose sting is comparable to a bee sting. No one in the area can remember ever having experienced a scorpion sting.

We cannot control the absolutely harmless spiders in the house, they often weave huge webs overnight. If you discover spider webs in your rooms, please do not conclude that it has not been cleaned .... . . but take a hoover or broom, or leave it at the web - spiders eat other insects and are actually useful animals.

In summer, flies, mosquitoes, wasps and ants seek human proximity. Often we ourselves are to blame because we carelessly leave food and sweets lying around, or do not clean the patio table thoroughly after eating. Cleanliness, closed windows and doors during the day, ventilate at night - that's how the locals do it.

If you get stung a lot, we recommend a good spray or small devices for the socket. Ask us, we have these. In the supermarket you can get the matching anti-biting mosquito refills .... which are far less dangerous to your health than too many bites directly under the skin.

Waste disposal

Please be sure to separate

Telephone

Fortunately, we have had mobile network reception almost everywhere for some time now.

Internet

We will be happy to give you the password for a small fee so that you can freely use our wireless connection in the Résidence.

You have free wifi at the Office du Tourisme in Goudargues or at the Mairie in St. André.

Boules

In each flat you will find petanque balls. At our car park, we have designed a boules area. Or, if you like, go down to the washhouse and enjoy the boules court with piquenique benches that has been painstakingly laid out - perhaps organise a match with the other guests?

Boat hire

Open daily at the village bridge in high season, but there are of course many other providers. In low season, contact our tourist information office in Gou-dargues.

Fishing

Trout and plentiful fish stock - but please only with permission.

Info: Tourist information office in Goudargues.

Tennis

Two well-maintained shaded courts can be found beyond the village bridge. Further information and court reservations: Tourist Information Office in Goudargues.

Climbing

Climbing rock equipped with eyelets for attaching the safety rope, approx. 20 minutes on foot. Rarely used, so please check yourself. Many climbing areas can be found nearby, e.g. Seynes, on the Chassezac in Berrias and Casteljau, . . .

Organised climbing activities with equipment hire are available in Méjannes le Clap.

Horse riding

Among many other riding possibilities, there is a nice riding stable in Bas Toupian, just behind Goudargues, with whom we are happy to work: La Ballade duVal de Cèze. France will hire out poneys to lead your little ones, or the slightly bigger ones and take you out for a ride yourself.

Hiking trails

The starting point is the large car park where several marked circular walks begin. A map and a detailed description of the network of paths are available from our tourist information office in Goudargues.

Current information and additional offers

We display all important news and planned events on the information board on the terrace and in the information corner in the "Grande Salle" lounge. If you have something to share with the other guests, you are invited to present your information there as well.

Depending on the season, we offer various small events, e.g. horseback riding in the beautiful countryside, film evenings, wine tasting, absinthe ceremony ... but also guided hikes and exploration of our "secret" stalactite cave in St. André de Ro-quepertuis up to whole theme weeks (e.g. language courses for beginners and advanced, painting courses).

Please register in good time directly on the list of participants.

In addition, our colleagues in the tourist information office in Goudargues are there for you every day. As a contribution, we are legally obliged to collect the "taxe de séjour" from you - so make use of this competent and up-to-date advisory service.

Shopping facilities

Unfortunately, the former numerous shops in the village had to close down because of the car mobility, e.g. the supermarket "SuperU" and the small specialised shops in Goudargues - or Intermarché in Cornillon and the big shopping centres in Bagnols-sur-Cèze can be reached without problems.

Opening hours are normally all day Monday to Saturday (in Goudargues except in summer with a lunch break) and in the morning on Sundays.

Wine cooperatives or individual winegrowers can be found throughout the area.

Market every morning, e.g. Wednesdays in Goudargues and Bagnols; Fridays in Barjac; Saturdays in Uzès and Pont St. Esprit. A list of other markets can be found on the Internet.

Letterbox

Diagonally opposite the public telephone box and the mairie, you will find a letterbox which is emptied every working day.

If you are expecting mail yourself, please do not hesitate to let us know so that we can check our letterbox.

Post office

In Goudargues, direction Frigoulet diagonally opposite the "SuperU".

Cash

ATM in Goudargues on the main road or in Barjac or in Bagnols.

Doctor and hospital

There are several doctors in Goudargues, including the German Dr Duvelius (Tel. 04.66.39.56.31).

In Bagnols-sur-Cèze you will find the nearest hospital with a 24-hour emergency room and ambulance.

Pharmacy

Goudargues, on the right at the entrance to the village, in Barjac . . and in Bagnols.

Police

at the crossroads to Cornillon, opposite Intermarché.

Emergency call

Dial 112 to be connected to the central control centre for fire brigade, police, paramedics, emergency ambulance.

(" Je suis à la Résidence de l'Acacia ; 2, Rue du Ranc, à St. André de Roquepertuis, 30630 ")

Petrol station

at Intermarché in Cornillon;

Garage

in Goudargues, entrance to the village on the right; and opposite the Camping municipal.

Church service

Every Sunday you can attend Catholic mass in the parish church in Goudargues. Protestant services in Bagnols-sur-Cèze or Pont St Esprit; you will also find a mosque there.

Check-out

Excerpt from the Résidence de l'Acacia

After you have hopefully spent some relaxing days in our house, we ask you to vacate the flat by 10:00 am.

Please leave the flat broom-clean, so you will find the long sought stockings rolled under the bed, dispose of your rubbish and collect the bed linen in the baskets provided.

Refer a friend

Did you like it with us? We would be very grateful for a nice short review on one of the corresponding portals (Google, tripadvisor, holidayhousecheck, facebook, zoover etc.) or a small message by e-mail via our homepage www.appartements-acacia.com.

From the second rental on we grant a price reduction of 5%. In addition, we deduct 5% from the rental price of the newly recruited guests from your second rental onwards for each rental that comes about after your stay through your recommendation to friends and acquaintances. So it is definitely worth taking nice photos to show at home.

Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.

The Beck family,  we wish you a pleasant stay

The use of the facilities of the Résidence de l'Acacia, rooms, car park, swimming pool, grounds is your personal responsibility.

We do not accept any liability.