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Owner/Property
Manager: Stephanie Hope
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Overview
Description
A centre for everywhere in the middle of nowhere.Hidden between the mill stream and the forest, Chez Meunier offers complete privacy and peace. While you enjoy the sun-trap private pool you will hear nothing but the birds in the surrounding woods . Also brilliant for star-gazing after a hard day doing nothing! The Charente skies are some of the least light polluted in the world.
The local countryside presents a mosaic of colour, with sunflowers, linseed, maize and wheat and the occasional family group of cattle grazing happily in the fields. But the area is best known for its vineyards, supplying grapes for Cognac and our local delicacy Pineau.
THE HOUSE:
The low, unassuming façade belies the huge amount of space contained within. The entrance, beside the pool, leads into a large bright hallway and the ground floor. Overlooking the pool is the bright, airy and fully equipped kitchen/diner. The giant oak table will seat 10 with room to spare and the kitchen has all the appliances and utensils you will want. Across the hall is the sitting room which again looks out onto the pool and beyond into the woods. With duel aspect windows this room is delightfully bright and restful, being comfortably furnished with armchairs and settees, TV and DVD and a supply of books and games. At the end of the hall is a toilet with hand basin. Beside this cloakroom is a large area for any outdoor wear, boots and coats, ideal for hikers and explorers! There is also a large telescope in the hall for any stargazers.
MASTER SUITE:
The wrought iron staircase leads up to a large hall and into the stunning Master Bedroom, which has a super king-size sleigh bed under a beautiful vaulted ceiling showing all the ancient oak beams. There is a full-sized wardrobe and large chest of drawers, plenty of space to store all your bits and pieces. The large en-suite wet room is fully tiled and fitted with a skylight to let in the sunshine. This bedroom has views to the east across the mill stream, Le Ne, and the rising sun.
DOUBLE BEDROOM and TWIN BEDROOM:
On this floor there are a further two bedrooms, a double and a twin. Both have ample storage and idyllic views over the forest. These 2 rooms are directly opposite the large family bathroom featuring a bath as well as shower, for those folk who enjoy a soak!. Both bathrooms are newly fitted with the best quality and style. Fully tiled with beautiful vanity units to contain all your bathing paraphernalia.
All linen and towels are supplied and renewed each week.
OUTSIDE
The 10 x 5 metre pool is surrounded by a European Standard Security barrier which has child-proof locks. The outside dining area has large table on the paved patio under a canopy and is next to the stone barbecue. The view from here is just the fields and forest. With the occasional deer passing by and an amazing amount of birdsong. Next to the pool area and patio, the small gravelled garden has figs and walnuts aplenty in season and also the pigeonnier is here, which houses all the bikes for your use.
THE AREA
The Charente region has many attractive towns and villages and a sightseeing holiday could include: COGNAC and a visit to one of its world famous Brandy Houses – watch the process and sample the product! ANGOULEME, with its beautiful Cathedral in the heart of the Old City, where a wander through the maze of narrow streets offers a delightful range of pavement bars and gourmet restaurants to suit everyone. Angouleme is also the capital of the cartoon industry and a visit to the paper making museum on the banks of the beautiful Charente is a must. You can take a boat ride from Angouleme along the Charente river. Also visit the chocolate factory where the kids (big and small ;-) can have a go at making chocolate to take home.
The famous and fascinating CHAPELLE DU TEMPLIERS at Cressac – is just a healthy bike ride away from the house. Soak up the aura of its frescoes before pedaling on to Blanzac for a coffee.
See the web site for the chapelle here- https://www.lacharente.com/fiche/detail/178059
JARNAC, which straddles the lovely Charente river. is another beautiful small town, here you can take a boat trip on the river to see kingfishers. JONZAC is in the centre of the Wine Trails and visiting the local Cognac and Pineau producers all around us is great fun, they are always very keen to show guests around and let you sample the produce. Our closest town, BARBEZIEUX is such a pretty, typically French, small town with its Plane trees and boulevards. This is where you will find a large selection of shops and supermarkets and also the twice weekly street market. We go to Barbezieux once or twice a week for a morning coffee and pain au chocolat!
For the more adventurous:
Golf enthusiasts can play the championship course at Cognac, beautifully designed around a Chateau and its vineyard. There is also an 18 hole course in Angouleme and a pleasant 9 hole course at nearby Pillac. The Charente river offers numerous opportunities to hire canoes and kayaks, for an hour or for a day. AUBETERRE-SUR -DRONNE, with its underground cathedral and voted one of the most beautiful villages in France, has a range of options and is 25 minutes away. For the ramblers and cyclists, the quiet lanes and rolling hills provide a perfect setting. There are waymarked paths and bridleways, or you can explore the valleys of the Ne and the Boeme yourselves with local maps. Other activities and experiences: In Angouleme, the annual Cartoon Strip Festival ( Bande Desinee ) and the Rampart Rally ( vintage cars from all over Europe racing round the City streets ) in September. In Cognac, the annual Blues and Jazz Festival in early July attracts internationally renowned artists every year. In Barbezieux, the Music Week is early July, where local and regional musicians play a variety of styles in the bars and around the streets. There are also organised live concerts and exhibitions throughout the summer. There is always a 'Sortir' magazine supplied with ALL the events for the month listed. Throughout the region, almost every village offers weekly markets, fares and occasional exhibitions. In the summer, the “Farmers Markets” are a fantastic way to sample local produce in the villages, where you usually have the chance to buy the meat, cook it there and then on the BBQ and wash it down with some local wine!
Bedroom Details
Bedroom 1
1 x Super King Bed
Master ensuite with triple wardrobe and chest of drawers
Bedroom 2
1 x King Bed
Kingsize bedroom with triple wardrobe and drawers
Bedroom 3
2 x Single Beds
Twin single beds plus chest of drawers. Opposite the family bathroom
64 Reviews
Leave ReviewBeautiful secluded restored old mill.
By Families Benson & Baldwin on 09-Aug-2025This was our 4th year staying at Chez Menuier - situated in woodland it’s absolutely beautiful & peaceful . It is charming with large rooms with beams, well equipped everything you need. Outside it has a charcoal BBQ and a covered area for outside dinning, clear skies with fantastic views of the Milky Way. The outside pool is a perfect way to keep cool on the very hot days. Steve & Harry are perfect hosts, nothing to much bother, Harry has a wicked sense of humour & Steve takes care of your every needs even making appointments for the vet to have the obligatory worming before coming back to the UK, they have both become dear friends. Their dog rascal doesn’t see very well but he is friendly with a wacky tail, ouch ! Have thoroughly enjoyed our time here, a perfect place to visit places or just sit back with a glass of wine with candle’s flickering and owl’s hooting. Thank you Steve & Harry for helping us to make memories we will treasure forever. 🥰
Owner response on 03-Sep-2025
It's been our absolute pleasure Marion. We wish you and all your delightful family the very best and thank you for your lovely review.
Amazing place to stay, well furnished, spacious, sparkling clean.
By Ian Gemmell on 10-May-2025Great location, close to all amenities but very quiet and secluded. Central location with access to many charming villages and larger urban centres. Hosts very helpful but unobtrusive. Great pool!
Owner response on 03-Sep-2025
Thank you Ian, we hope to see you next year. Take care
A hidden gem in the French countryside
By Tim Ernst on 24-Jul-2025We had the pleasure of staying at Chez Meunier for 9 nights in July 2025. The house is beautiful and the private pool was perfect for us as a family of 4. The kitchen was huge and provides big windows that open up to the pool area meaning the kids were always safe even if we were cooking up lunch or dinner. The outdoor eating area is lovely and this is accompanied by a table tennis table and a bbq. The bedrooms were a lovely size and having 2 bathrooms made it much easier to get everyone bathed and showered after a day by the pool. We spent most of our time at the house but did venture out to Angoulême which was a lovely city to walk around. We also visited Aubeterre-sur-Dronne for a look round the small Sunday market, followed by a visit to the underground church, which, trust me, you would have never seen anything like before. Aubeterre-sur-Dronne also has a river beach which the kids loved. The backdrop was stunning. Nice and safe and felt like you were on a real beach. The owners Steve and Harry were a delight to meet. Close enough that they’re there for anything you need (including an evening chatting over a glass of wine or 2) but discrete enough that you don’t notice they’re there! The sheer amount of work that Harry has put into the house really shows and looking through their photo album of all the work, it’s quite fascinating. We are usually a beach/seaside family and this year decided to try something different. It was probably the laziest most relaxing holiday we’ve ever had, so if you’re looking for a tranquil, private holiday location, look no further. A car is necessary though as you are in the middle of nowhere. We drove from the UK to France so had our car available to use to get around. We would definitely consider staying at Chez Meunier again in the future. 10/10 Thanks again, Steve and Harry! Love the Ernest family. X
Owner response on 08-Aug-2025
Dear Tim and Claire, thank you for your wo perfume review. We enjoyed meeting g you both and your two girls. Please tell Isla I have framed her thank you artwork and will hang it in the gite tomorrow during the turn-round! We certainly hope you come again. Stevie
Our Happy Place
By The Trehys on 05-Jul-2025We’ve had a fortnight stay at this gorgeous house every year since 2011. We missed the Covid years but every year we book for the following year as we leave. I can say that the house is well equipped for our family of six and we all enjoy the pool, evening barbecues and the peace and quiet of its rural setting. I feel the fact that we’ve returned year after year speaks for itself but what I will say is that in the 14 years we’ve stayed there the standard of the property has remained high. The level of energy invested by the owners has not diminished. This is because Steve and Harry are committed to ensuring that everyone has a good time and go out of their way to see that they do. This holiday they were very supportive when my daughter needed a trip to A&E, Steve accompanied us which was a relief as her French is very good. Thank you Steve. Thanks again, Steve and Harry, for another fabulous holiday. Until next year.
Owner response on 29-Jul-2025
We look forward each summer to seeing you all and the family and when you rebook it is always a huge reward for us. As you say there is no better vote of confidence. Thankyou
Wonderful Property stay 14th June for two weeks 2025
By Marjorie Philpott on 14-Jun-2025Four of us had two wonderful weeks here. We wanted for nothing. Very well furnished, and beds were really comfortable. The pool is brilliant, just along side the house so not far to enjoy it. Steve and Harry, the owners, are such helpful people. If we wanted something or needed help they were there. In fact we have booked again for next year Can't wait. Thanks again for everything Steve and Harry
Owner response on 30-Jun-2025
For 4 guests, who have stayed each year in a different part of France, to be so happy that they want to stay here again, is very, very rewarding. So thank you for both your lovely review and for deciding Chez Meunier is worth a 2nd stay. See you next June
Wonderful Property
By Marjorie Philpott on 14-Jun-2025Four of us had two wonderful weeks here. We wanted for nothing. Very well furnished, and beds were really comfortable. The pool is brilliant, just along side the house so not far to enjoy it. Steve and Harry, the owners, are such helpful people. If we wanted something or needed help they were there. In fact we have booked again for next year Can't wait. Thanks again for everything Steve and Harry