Lying close to France's western coastline, this ground-floor apartment is both contemporary and full of character – a combination that's not as easy to achieve as you might think. Behind the front door, you'll find living quarters with stark white walls and wooden floors, plus an eclectic collection of decorative items that range from large artwork and mounted antlers to quirky feature walls and big mirrors. That being said, all the basics are nailed, too – the tiled kitchen has lots of sleek surface space and equipment for whipping up some tasty home-cooked fare. One of the home's biggest perks is the fact that guests get access to a large private garden complete with a terrace on which to lounge and dine while taking in refreshing lungfuls of crisp coastal air. The lawn's also big enough for games if you're bringing little ones or four-legged friends along with you. When it comes to seeing a little more of the locale, the Matata Caves are all of two minutes' walk from the front door and offer a unique way to appreciate the Gironde Estuary. Nuns Beach takes about a quarter of an hour on foot to reach if the weather's being kind to you, while the large coastal town of Royan is twenty minutes away by car, too.

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Additional fees

• Well-behaved dogs are welcome to join you for an additional €15 per stay

• Arrivals between 3pm and midnight will receive a personalised welcome here – an additional fee may apply for arrival times earlier than 3pm, or later than 8:30pm

Additional fees subject to a 3.5% handling charge.