Natura Serena - Gîtes, quiet and a pool in Messé

Natura Serena - Gîtes is a self-catering cottage in Messé, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, with one bedroom, a kitchenette, a large garden and a small pool. It suits couples and travellers looking for quiet, with a welcome that most reviews praise, and a good base for touring by car.
Mapiola is a travel blog: this is not the official website of Natura Serena.
Where Natura Serena - Gîtes is in Messé
Natura Serena - Gîtes is at La Grande Vigne, Rue du Paradis, in Messé, in the Deux-Sèvres department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It is a countryside spot where people come for the quiet. The listing gives Poitiers-Biard airport as 50 km away, so the car is the simplest way to get there.
Guests talk about a beautiful region, a very quiet site and places to visit nearby "if you are curious". La Vallée des Singes is 20 km away according to the listing, and the Musée du Cormenier is 22 km.
What the gîte is like
The listing describes a bright holiday house with one bedroom, a living room and a kitchenette. Reviews describe it as a real little cocoon, well laid out, prettily decorated and very cosy. One of them mentions a unit called Iris, spacious and well equipped.
- Inside. Roomy bedroom, comfortable bed linen, kitchenette with fridge and oven, living room with flat-screen TV.
- Outside. Large garden, terrace, barbecue and, according to one review, a small private garden that is pleasant for an afternoon nap.
- The pool. Small, but reported to be cleaned every day, and much appreciated during a heatwave.
- The rest. Wi-Fi, free private parking, bed linen and towels provided, table tennis and darts on site.
What guests like most
Natura Serena - Gîtes has a 5 out of 5 rating on Google from 49 reviews, which is rare. What almost all the reviews have in common is the host's welcome, described as kind, attentive and full of small touches. Several guests say they felt at home as soon as they arrived.
The reviews also talk about the world cuisine the host cooked for them, a fire in the fireplace and some soft background music for an evening. One person even noticed a delicious wine. Then come the calm, the pool and the carefully done decor. One guest came by chance for work and left delighted.
What to know before booking
I have found no criticism, but that does not mean there is nothing to check. This is what I would look at.
| What people like | What to know |
|---|---|
| Warm, attentive welcome | Gîte designed for two, with a single bedroom |
| Calm, large garden, barbecue | Rural area, a car is essential |
| Pool cleaned every day | It is small, according to guests |
| World cuisine and a well-styled atmosphere | Meals seem to be on request, so ask beforehand |
One review mentions a campsite on the estate, with pitches and washrooms, and another talks about a spa. Neither appears in the description of the gîte, so ask what is open and when. Likewise, one guest came with their two dogs without any problem, but confirm the rules for pets.
Who it suits
I would choose it for a stay for two, as a couple or with friends, to rest rather than rush round sights. The pool, the garden and the barbecue do the rest. It is also a good stop for a traveller working in the area who wants to sleep in peace.
It is not the ideal address for a large family, as there is only one bedroom, nor for anyone who wants to go out on foot in the evening. In Messé you enjoy the garden and drive off the next day.
What to do around Messé
The listing mentions walking, fishing and cycling, along with the La Vallée des Singes zoo and the Musée du Cormenier. Guests talk more about the variety of visits in the region.
If you are looking for other places in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, see Domaine des Tilleuls in Val-de-Livenne, La Cabane à Papi in Thénac or Manoir de Chantemerle in Sainte-Fortunade. I do not know their details, but they are in the same region.













