Les Hirondelles

We are situated in the south east Charente region of France very close to the border of the Dordogne and are surrounded by rolling hills and woodland, maize and sunflower fields.The Charente is the place to visit if you're after a slice of traditional French rural life – here age-old traditions are still strong and the Charentais pace of life is decidedly gentle. We are only 2km from the pretty town of Montmoreau St Cybard which has all amenities including butchers, bakers, bank, post office, bar and a little restaurant and a large supermarket.
The stunning town of Aubeterre sur Dronne is only 15 minutes away with its unusual Romanesque monolithic underground church and voted one of the most beautiful villages in France. It has a variety of great restaurants, a wonderful river to swim in or you can sit with a chilled glass of wine or cold beer in the square watching the world go by. There is also a lovely golf course in Aubeterre with terrace, bar and restaurant which make children very welcome, and an activities facility where you can arrange to take a canoe downstream for 12km to St Aulaye or 8km upstream to Petite Bersac Aube.
The area has a wealth of charm and tranquility, from the South Charente with its echoes (but fewer tourists) of the next door Dordogne to the gently sloping vineyards of the wealthy Cognac producing West Charente. Spend your time visiting the many wonderful local markets including Aubeterre, Brantome, Riberac, Chalais and Villebois Lavalette with its feudal chateau dominating the region from its hilltop. Villebois has a market every Saturday morning where you can enjoy a dish of fresh oysters with a bottle of Miscadet under the ancient, covered market square and only 15 minutes away.
The attractive hill town of Angouleme, a walled city built around the magnificent Cathedral St Pierre is 35 minutes away. Best know for its stunning Romanesque cathedral, international comic festival and the Cirque de Ramparts motor racing held each year. After strolling around the ramparts, you can sit and enjoy a 'plat du jour' at one of the many restaurants in the squares or winding mediaeval streets. As the commercial and cultural capital of the Charente it offers a buzzing cultural calendar and is a festival venue for comic strips, rock and world music, vintage cars, toys and games. Also for kids there is the Nautilus water park just outside Angouleme. A giant water park with flumes that go on for ever, water slides, wave machines and just very very large pools and lakes.
Spend a day tasting the wonders of the great houses of Cognac, under an hour away, and learn about the history and production of this glorious amber nectar. Here you will encounter cellars full of ageing cognacs and taste some of the exceptional matured amber that is Cognac, described by Victor Hugo as 'The Liqour of the Gods'.
Brantome Known as "the Venice of the Perigord", is a charming medieval town built on an island on the river Dronne. Its a stunning town with pretty shops and great little restaurants. You can even take a pleasure boat cruise around the town and down the river, or for the more energetic hire a canoe; its great fun attempting the weirs! Visit the vibrant Friday morning market, again stacked with local products
The coast to the north of Bordeaux with the famous towns of Royan and La Rochelle is between 1 1/2 and 2 hours drive from Montmoreau.
There is also a fantastic Safari Park at Guizengeard. Visit two parks of several hundred ha in a 4x4, where you will discover semi-wild stags, deer, wild sheep and bores.
These are but a few tasters of what our area has to offer, and if it all proves too much, take time out to relax by the pool with a good book and a chilled glass of wine taking in the breathtaking views around you, not to mention the utter peace and tranquility this gite offers.