La Petite Maison
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The house
La Petite Maison is a traditional French 3 bedroom gîte, to accommodate up to 6 people, with exposed beams and lots of character. It is now available for bookings having recently been updated and refreshed. Retaining many authentic original features, it has a rustic feel which suits its location surrounded by nature. Upstairs there are two bedrooms with double beds, one with an ensuite shower, and a further bedroom with two single beds and a bathroom. Downstairs is a living room, and kitchen with dining area. The gîte overlooks the traditional French courtyard at the front, with an outside terrace for dining alfresco and views across the meadow to the woodland. With interior decoration in keeping with its French heritage, La Petite Maison offers a spacious, comfortable and welcoming environment for your holiday.
Registration code
Facilities
- Independent
- No smoking
- Local contact
- Dishwasher
- Washing machine
- Iron
- Vegetable garden
- Pets welcome
- Internet
- Hair dryer
- Bath
- With swimming pool
Availability of 'La Petite Maison'
Surroundings
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Situated in a beautiful rural area in southern Charente, South West France, La Petite Maison is one of two newly renovated gîtes situated at Le Gentil Retreat. It is nestled amongst the vines which produce the region’s Cognac, rolling hills and farmland. Bordering the Dordogne, Charente-Maritime and Gironde departments, it is ideally placed for exploring all the area has to offer. Whether you prefer to visit vineyards, brocantes, markets, restaurants and bars, quaint French villages and towns, or head off to the coast, there is plenty waiting to be discovered. There are châteaux, museums and beautiful churches worth a visit, and the blue lakes at Guizengeard nature reserve are a lovely spot for a walk and picnic.
The nearest small town is Chalais, with the imposing castle Talleyrand where guided tours are available. There is a Château restaurant, and Monday market in Chalais town.
At around 35 minutes drive is the historical village of Aubeterre, famous for having the largest monolithic church in Europe, carved and built into the rock. With pretty little streets and a village square brimming with restaurants, bars, antique and craft shops, and the Dronne river for kayaking, it is a worthwhile place to explore. With a fishing area and bathing at the lake beach it is designated as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
Around one hour's drive are the famous wines and vineyards of St Emilion. A medieval UNESCO World Heritage town with winding cobbled streets, cafés, restaurants, catacombs and a monolithic church dug out from limestone galleries.
Cognac (55 mins) is a famous medieval town which has been making Cognac since the 17th century. With brands recognised worldwide, you are able to visit the distilleries and taste the products.
Angoulême (50 mins) is the regional and walled capital of Charente with historic buildings and shopping boulevards.
Bordeaux, the capital city of Aquitaine and UNESCO world heritage site, is just over an hour’s drive. A historic wine making centre offering many wine tasting tours and courses, often combined with gastronomy.
Further afield, the Gironde is a huge estuary on the south west coast, roughly an hour and a half drive. There are pretty villages, ports and beaches to visit, boat trips and Royan with its fabulous Atlantic coast beaches.
- Rural
- Hilly
- Meadows and woodland
Reviews
La Petite Maison has received 6 reviews over the past 4 years with an average of:
Freek van Zoest from Voorschoten,
Lovely place. Plenty of room and everything is available. Quiet en pittoresk. Great pool and views. Mark and Jackie are lovely hosts. They realy care about their guests. Absolutely loved this place.
Comment from Jackie and Mark
Thank you for your very kind review. We were delighted that you enjoyed the peaceful surroundings and had a restful break, and hope we may see you again in the future!
Laura from Dilbeek,
We hadden 2 fantastische weken. De warmte & gastvrijheid dat we doorheen deze 2 weken mochten ontvangen van Jackie & Marc maakte ons verblijf nog zo veel mooier, ze deden er alles aan wat ze konden om ons verblijf zo aangenaam mogelijk te maken. Prachtige huisje (veel groter dan verwacht), een proper en heerlijk zwembad, in alle rust en met de meest prachtige sterrenhemel.
We raden het iedereen aan!Comment from Jackie and Mark
Thank you Laura for your review and such lovely comments. We are really happy you enjoyed your stay in La Petite Maison. It was a pleasure to welcome you and your family, and we hope you will return in the future!
Valerie & Laurence from Croissy-sur-Seine,
Jackie and Mark, we had a wonderful stay at the Little House and we look forward to coming again soon! So happy to have met you too. Thanks for your kindness and your warm welcome. You are making a fantastic job on making from this old farmhouse a little countryside heaven! See you soon.
Comment from Jackie and Mark
Thank you both for your kind comments and feedback. We are delighted you enjoyed your stay, and look forward to welcoming you back soon!
Restaurants, food & wine
The region is famous for Cognac, Pineau, and Bordeaux wines in particular, and you can arrange a tour or tasting with some of the producers. Local produce and specialities include walnuts, melons, walnut oil, cheese, duck, honey, chicken, Chalais veal, saffron, mushrooms, and an array of other seasonal fruit, vegetables and produce which grow in the sunny and mild Charente climate. There are weekly traditional markets in surrounding villages and towns which offer a selection of local produce and are worth visiting to soak up the atmosphere, sounds and aromas.
There are several restaurants and bistros within a short drive, some of which have vegetarian menu options.
Activities
La Petite Maison is a self contained gîte within Le Gentil Retreat, a picturesque ensemble of rustic dwellings which used to be a vineyard. It is situated in a rural spot but within a short drive of Brossac village, which has a small supermarket, Post Office, bank, bakers, pharmacy, butcher and bistro. Should you just want to relax, unwind and stay on site, there is a fabulous pool and a meandering site covering 15 hectares for you to explore by day, including meadow and woodland areas. You may wish to spend time drawing, painting, taking photographs or birdwatching, or just sitting in the sun by the pool. By night perhaps dine alfresco and be entranced by the incredible starlit skies, and sounds of nature settling in for the evening. There are several nearby restaurants and a recreational lake with seasonal bar at Etang Vallier. The rural lanes are ideal for cycling, walking or driving around to soak in the atmosphere and ambience. You will find many lovely walks and cycle routes, and will be rewarded with gentle countryside views, pine forest, quaint villages and in the summer maybe a spectacular show of sunflowers and row upon row of vines. Canoe hire, fishing, riding and golf are available within half an hour's drive.
- Near hiking trails
- Near riding
- Fishing
Further remarks
The owners live on site at Le Gentil Retreat. La Petite Maison is separate from their house, so they are there if you need anything, but you have your own independence and privacy. There is currently one other smaller 2 bedroom gîte on the site which shares the pool, and could be rented together to accommodate a small group. A further gîte is undergoing refurbishment. Washing machine and drying facilities are available on site if required. The owners encourage biodiversity and local wildlife, working with nature and avoiding the use of harsh chemicals on the land. Pets are very welcome but please note there are no enclosed areas. There are some areas of open water (ponds). The pool is 12m x 6m, and is open from mid-May to mid-September, depending on weather conditions. Le Gentil Retreat welcomes those who wish to slow down, switch off and relax, appealing to guests looking for a peaceful holiday to nourish the soul and escape a busy modern life. It is in a tranquil setting aimed at helping guests recharge and reap the benefits of reconnecting with nature.
Additional price info and offers
We respectfully request that the accommodation is left in the same condition as found on arrival. A deduction will be made from the breakage deposit for damage or excess cleaning.
Pool towels are not included.
Price includes
Cleaning fee, Towels, Bed linen
Price exclusive
- Safety deposit € 300.00