Belle Etoile - 7 Bedroom (Sleeps 18) Farmhouse in Charente
Luxury Farmhouse and Gite with spectacular rural views, heated pool, games barn.
Book with the owner direct
Owner/Property
Manager: Gareth Wilding
Book this Farmhouse by contacting the owner
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price, property details and availability.
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Overview
Description
A Little Paradise on the Charente-Dordogne Border. This villa is in a rural setting.Farmhouse and gite with large pool. Peaceful location on the Charentes / Dordogne border, close to both Cognac and Bordeaux wine making.
Suitable for 2 or 3 families wishing to holiday together in a private environment, Belle Etoile is a luxuriously converted 19th century farmhouse and loft apartment combining rustic charm and contemporary chic. Situated in an unspoilt, peaceful hamlet with stunning rural views across rolling countryside, close to Villebois Lavalette on the Poitou-Charentes/Dordogne border, approximately 25 minutes drive south of Angouleme.
During the peak summer season the house and gite can only be rented together, so guests have exclusive use of the exceptional solar heated pool, which extends to 20 metres for lane swimming, and the courtyard with its pergola for alfresco dining, chimenea barbecue, fire-pit, floodlit boulodrome (boules/petanque court), and exceptionally equipped gamesbarn.
The pool, with its infinity-view across rolling countryside, is securely enclosed by child-proof fencing, and accessed by a self-closing gate. The adjoining sun terrace is furnished with 2 large parasols, 10 x cushioned sun-loungers, and a large rattan corner sofa – the perfect spot to watch the sun go down.
The surrounding private garden, with children’s swings, and a hammock chair hanging from the signature walnut tree, is adjoined by a paddock where children can kick a football about or organise a game of family cricket or rounders.
The property has wi-fi internet connection and English FreeSat satellite television.
Belle Etoile is suitable for year-round use. Its deep stone walls keep it cool in summer and warm in winter. A wood burner in the living room, and oil-fired central heating heats the house, while the gite has its own wood-burner and very effective electric radiators.
Located in the ancient hamlet of Isle, where hollyhocks abound from June to September, just 3 kilometres from the historic village of Villebois Lavalette, with its Knights Templar chateau and medieval, covered market square.
Villebois Lavalette has excellent restaurants, shops and services, including: butcher, baker, newsagent, supermarket with petrol station and car hire, tourist office, post office, doctor, dentist and more. The Saturday market is delightful and friendly, where people meet for coffee, to catch up on news, to eat fresh oysters and to buy local produce and crafts.
It is just 3 kilometres to an excellent supermarket, restaurants and all services.
The almost traffic-free roads and gentle terrain make this an ideal area for walking, cycling and touring.
Within easy reach are a number of weekday street markets, eg Chalais on a Monday and Brantome or Riberac on a Friday.
Even closer to Belle Etoile is the village of Ronsenac; this is 2 kilometres away and can be reached by footpath. Ronsenac has a lively bar which serves food, a well-equipped children's play area and a public tennis court.
26 Reviews
Leave ReviewA beautiful house, tastefully appointed and furnished
By Mike G on 05-Jul-2014A beautiful house, tastefully appointed and furnished, in an outstanding location with distant views of farms and villages, enhanced this year by the surrounding fields of sunflowers. We stayed for the last 2 weeks of July and with the never-ending sunshine spent a lot of our time in the gardens or by the heated pool, although there is a fully equipped games room. On the occasions that we did venture out we enjoyed the pretty villages of Aubeterre, with its church carved into a cliff, and Brantome with its vibrant Friday market together with trips to Cognac, Riberac , Angouleme and of course the local village of Villebois with its excellent restaurant in the town square opposite the 17th Century covered market, overlooked by the Chateau. It is a truly stunning house, in a location that would be difficult to beat, equipped with 5 star fixtures and fittings for the enjoyment of like minded people. We look forward to our next visit.
We will definitely be back!
By Carolyn Hanks on 29-Aug-2014We had a FANTASTIC two weeks at Belle Etoile. It was everything we dreamed of! The property is stunning. The house is perfect and had everything we needed. The views from the house are stunning along with the pool and garden. Great location with lots to do and visit. We took our bikes and did lots of cycle rides through beautiful french villages. We were a party of 12 (6 adults and 6 kids) and we all had a brilliant time. We will definitely be back! Thank you x
The sunset and the profusion of stars
By Bill Quirke on 03-Sep-2014We were a couple, part of a group of 8. We stayed in the gite next door to the main house. This was like a separate apartment with lots of space, separate bedrooms - an en suite double and a twin - with a fully fitted kitchen, a large seating area, and a wood burning stove. This meant we could be separate when we wanted, and join in the larger party in the main house. We ate and hung out in the main house, which is cosy and beautifully decorated, as well as beating our host consistently in both table tennis and bar football in the games barn. Playing pétanque gave us a chance to appreciate the views of the landscape, the sunset and the profusion of stars. The location itself is in a small tranquil hamlet close to a market village with good bars and a great restaurant. Angouleme is 20 minutes away, convenient for the very good Caves Charlemagne.
I can't wait to go back.
By Carol Croom on 28-Sep-2014We had expected a beautiful location and a stylish, yet comfortable interior and we were not disappointed. The views are spectacular from every window and the house is delightful: well kitted out kitchen; spacious, yet cosy sitting room with an efficient wood burning stove for cooler evenings; an enormous and comfortable master bed – we felt instantly at home, and did not want to leave at the end of our holiday. The tiny hamlet is quiet and the garden private and yet Belle Etoile is ideally situated for exploring the surrounding countryside. We enjoyed many walks in the local area from the house – on one occasion seeing a pair of otters. We also ventured further afield to canoe at Brancome, visit the monolithic church at Auberterre and the old city of Limoges: Cathedral, art gallery (both free entry) and lunch at a café in a nearby medieval square. But there is no need to go further than the garden and pool for a completely relaxing holiday. I can't wait to go back.
An amazing wow factor
By Ozzie on 04-Oct-2014The property has an amazing wow factor on arrival. It's spectacular views are truly breathtaking and straight away we felt ourselves relax! The garden and outside areas of pool and eating are so well done in terms of ease of use and use we did! Even though it was October we swam in the pool and relaxed in the sun . It is in such peaceful surroundings that we were reluctant to leave the property to go to the local supermarket which is fantastic ~ no queues and everything you could ever want !! The interior of Belle Etoile has been so well thought out. Every room was spotlessly clean and beautifully decorated.The kitchen is well equipped with everything we have at home and more! We loved our early evenings drinking Rose outside to sitting snuggled up in the beautiful lounge. We will definitely be returning later this year.
Wonderful location for a cosy Christmas
By Michael Bell on 13-Jan-2015What a wonderful location for a cosy Christmas. Central heating, Log fires, beautiful walks and loads of lovely red wine. Great time had by all.