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!
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. Next to the pool area and patio, the small graveled 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!