This lovely gite has been converted from an old stone barn attached to the family fermette deep in the heart of Charente, a region which borders the Dordogne. The Charente enjoys one of the most favourable climates in France, with fairly mild winters and warm summers that don't feel too oppressive.
Our gite is a two minute walk from the village of Beaulieu Sur Sonnette where visitors can buy freshly baked bread and a selection of pastries most days at the local post office. The gite is located on a very peaceful lane which runs to the edge of a substantial forest some 3km distance away. The nearest food shopping is in the village of Champagne Mouton, which is less than 10 minutes away by car. Champagne Mouton also has two bakeries, a tabac, petrol station and cashpoint facilities. There is a highly rated fine dining restaurant with a daytime cafe section in St Lauren de Ceris which is approximately a 10 minutes drive away.
Chasseneuil-sur-Bonnieure is 15 minutes away by car and has two large supermarkets, two bakeries, cake shops, a large pharmacy, sports bar, two pizza restaurants and a range of cafes and French bistros. It also has a cinema, outdoor swimming pool and a substantial Memorial de la Resistance.
Looking out from the front of the gite, guests enjoy an uninterrupted view of fields, hedgerows and trees. The gite has a self contained garden space which is sheltered by a 30 foot high mixture of bamboo and laurel hedges, further enhancing guests' privacy. There is plenty of car parking space at the front of the property.
The gite is split level and open plan throughout. There is a wood burning stove (wood is supplied free of charge to short term guests), magnificent oak beams and exposed Charente stone walls, as well as the usual mod cons including washing machine, large fridge freezer, French TV, a library of books, DVD player with an extensive selection of films, electric cooker, microwave and coffee machine.
Guests will find it easy to unwind in this tranquil space with its large sliding French doors which enhance the light and airy feel of the property. There is a double bed and single bed on the top floor, and a comfortable sofa bed downstairs.
Beaulieu has a hard core tennis court as well as open access to the village football pitch. There are municipal open air pools nearby.
Guests looking for a more authentic water experience can dip in the local Sonnette river. Canoe trips are available at various places along the river Charente, as well as excursions in a range of riverboats. Further afield, you can take in the lakes of Lavaud and Mas Chaban. There's a swimming beach at Guerlie, as well as all the usual lakeside activities including sailing, rowing, and canoeing. Visitors also come here to walk along the lake edges, to fish and to bird watch.
For ramblers and walkers holidaying in Charente, there are numerous walks and hikes, while cyclists can enjoy nearly 500km miles routes with little traffic and "green-paths" that are signposted and adapted for all types of bicycle. There are many local bicycle circuits in the Charente offering cyclists various levels of difficulty.
Rules regarding dogs :
âPlease notify us if you are planning on bringing your dog.
âDogs are to be kept on a leash when outside the property and with their owners at all times.
âDogs are not allowed on the soft furnishings and beds.
âPlease bring your own blankets and beds for your pet.
âDogs must NOT be left alone inside the property at any time during their stay and must always be supervised by their owners.
âMaximum 2 dogs are allowed.
âRestricted dog breeds are NOT allowed on this property.
âNO cats allowed.
(We love dogs and have a rescue dog of our own, but it is very important to us that these rules are followed. Thank you)
There are numerous sites of interest on the doorstep, including the spectacular Chateaux de Verteuil, which is a 10 minute drive and Chateaux La Rochefoucauld, 25 minutes away by car. Chateaux de Vertuil dates back to 1080 and has since been extensively rebuilt, although 12th century walls still remain. Chateau La Rochefoucauld straddles seven centuries of architecture and visitors can enjoy a magnificent Renaissance staircase, Marguerite de Valois's bedroom, kitchens made out of karst rock, ceremonial rooms, a vast library as well as approximately 80 period costumes.
Cognac is 1 hours drive from the gite. Cognac has various museums dedicated to its famous liquor including the Pays du Cognac discovery centre and the Arts du Cognac museum. Cognac's wine growers also welcome visitors throughout the year and offer activities such as breakfast at the foot of a tradional Cognac still, as well as samples of the local cuisine.
The historic town of Confolens is a 25 minute drive away. As the town is built on the junction of the rivers Vienne and Goire, visitors have easy access to lovely river side views framed by some beautiful houses, coffee shops, restaurants and various boutique shops. Visitors can also take scenic train trips and velo-rail excusions from Confolens.
Guests can also enjoy the prehistoric monuments around Ruffec, a 20 minute drive by car. Visitors can explore remains from the Neolithic era, when humans first began to settle in the area. Further afield, for 2000 years, ancient temples have been sheltered by the the woods at Les Bouchads. There is also a large amphitheatre here. Close by is a Roman Gaul information centre that provides the historical background to this ancient site.
The Angeac-Charente dig ("Dinosaur Valley") is also open to the public every year. Discovered in 2010, bones dating back 135 million years have been unearthed. Visitors can also head off in search of the first human beings at Placard Cave , the Chair-a-Calvin rock shelter and the Roc De Sers. This prehistoric journey can be continued in the prehistory centre at Montbrion.
Romanesque art can also be found at the abbey of St-Amant-de-Boixe, one of the oldest monastic centres in the Charente. There are models, interactive terminals, displays, illustrations, archaeological objects and other activities designed to help visitors access local Romanesque history.
Also within easy access by car is the historical town of Angouleme, renowned as the International Comic Strip Capital thanks to its famous festival, Comic Strip Museum and cartoon covered walls. Don't miss the opportunity to wander around the Angoueleme covered market with local farm supplied produce. From the ramparts at the Place de Halles visitors can see the old town of Angouleme by walking all the way around. This delightful walk provides exceptional views and gives you easy access to a more hidden Angouleme with listed buildings, paved streets and lovely facades. Other points of interest in Angouleme include the Saint-Pierre Cathedral, the paper museum and the museum devoted to the fine arts, archaeology and African and Oceanic art.
Getting Here
The Charente is well served by international airports at La Rochelle and Poitiers, and further afield at Bordeaux and Limoges. If travelling by train, Angouleme is well
served with services from Paris. Driving from the ferry ports takes around 8 hours from Calais, while its quicker from St-Malo.
Brittany ferries runs services from Plymouth to Roscoff and Portsmouth to St-Malo, while Irish passengers can travel direct from Cork to Roscoff. They also run services to three ports in Normandy: Cherbourg, Caen and Le Havre.
