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Lesley & Toby Dorman-Groves

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The house

  • Quiet, rural area

We look forward to welcoming you to 'Les Hirondelles', our privately owned gite/holiday home in the Southern Charente.
Les Hirondelles is a large and beautifully renovated barn standing on a hillside, which includes all modern facilities, yet still retains the character features of huge oak beams and Charentais stone walls. It has a spacious garden leading to the countryside with established fruit trees and has a fantastic open sided covered hanger as a patio, meaning you can sit out in the fresh air and BBQ come rain or shine looking out far across the sunflower fields, woodlands and hills beyond. The 10 x 5 m pool is totally private to the property and surrounded by a decking patio with sun beds and choice of areas for al fresco dining.....again with those views! The pool has an alarm system and is fenced so safe for children. The barn can sleep up to 12/13 people and is extremely spacious both inside and out. 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.
This spacious property includes the following features;
A light and airy entrance hall leads to the large open plan kitchen, dining and lounge area with patio doors leading out on one side to the covered patio and the other side to the pool.
Large comfortable lounge and dining area with exposed Charente stone walls, huge oak beams and tiled floor. Double doors lead to the stunning pool area and there is a wood burner for cosy winter evenings. Satellite TV with all UK Freesat channels, plus DVD player and Wifi internet access.
Modern and well equipped dining kitchen (oven, dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, fridge freezer) with oak beamed ceiling and double doors leading to the huge open sided covered patio.
Private, alarmed 10m x 5m pool surrounded by decking with views out over the countryside and plenty of space for sunbeds and tables
There is a downstairs en-suite bedroom for anyone who may have trouble with the stairs as well as a separate toilet and hand basin.
Upstairs there are 4 very spacious and airy bedrooms leading off a landing featuring huge oak beams.
The master double bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, and there is a 2nd large double bedroom with a double bed and single bed and a large bedroom with king sized bed.
and a children's room with a bunk bed and 2 singles.
There is a large oak beamed half tiled family bathroom with bath, toilet, separate shower with sliding glass doors, and the sink sits on top of an old cast iron singer sewing machine base adding yet more character.
A cot and high chair can be provided upon request.

Facilities

  • Independent
  • No smoking
  • Local contact
  • Suitable for large groups
  • Safe for small children
  • Dishwasher
  • Washing machine
  • Iron
  • Cot
  • High chair
  • TV
  • Internet
  • Fireplace
  • Bath
  • With swimming pool
  • Private pool

Surroundings

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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.

  • Rural
  • Hilly
  • Meadows and woodland
  • In or near a village
  • In or near a town
  • Near swimming water

Restaurants, food & wine

There is a charming little lunch restaurant in Montmoreau which is only 2km away and then an abundance of restaurants in Aubeterre sur Drone just 15 minutes away. In Villebois Lavalette there are two little pizza restaurants and the lovely La Lavalette restaurant situated opporsite the covered market. Riberac which is 30 minutes away has many good restaurants and there are also restaurants in Chalais, again around 10 - 15 minutes drive and the lovely Barbezieuz around 25 minutes away. There is a lovely little restaurant in the little village of Palluaud just 15 minutes away as well as lots of restaurants in the little villages dotted around the countryside.

Activities

There is some lovely walking in the area along with many cycling tracks both on road and off road. 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. There is a golf course near Aubeterre with a bar, restaurant and terrace and makes children very welcome. The attractive hill town of Angouleme is 35 minutes away, best know for its stunning Romanesque cathedral, international comic festival and the Cirque de Ramparts motor racing held each year. Spend a day tasting the wonders of the great houses of Cognac, about an hour away, and learn about the history and production of this glorious amber nectar. The beautiful town of Brantome is just under an hour away where you can wander the cobbled streets, take a canoe around the island town or sit in the park with its huge trees and stunning plant life. There is a wonderful golf course near Aubeterre just 15 minutes away with a bar and restaurant with terrace and children very welcome. 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.

  • Bicycle
  • Near hiking trails

Additional price info and offers

Long weekends are also available out of season. In the cooler months we supply 1/4 cube of wood free of charge and if you require more then we charge what our supplier has charged us for that year. Prices negotiable.
We ask the property to be left as clean and tidy as you found it, otherwise you can choose to take the cleaning service which is €100 payable the day before you depart. If the cleaning has not been done or paid for we reserve the right to take it from the breakage deposit.
Pool towels and bath towels are charged at €5 each per set if required.
Strictly no more than 12 people in the gite an no functions.
Please note we have a minimum of 3 night stay at a price of €950.

Price includes

Bed linen

Price exclusive

  • Safety deposit € 300.00
  • Cleaning fee (compulsory) € 100.00
  • Price towels per person (optional) € 5.00

Do you have questions?

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Reviews

Les Hirondelles has not received any reviews over the last 4 years.
  • Myriam Van Heygem from Buggenhout,

    10 stars

    We hebben heel erg genoten in dit huis. Vooral van de omgeving. Het uitzicht is gewoon prachtig en raak je niet op uitgekeken. De eigenaars waren ook steeds bereikbaar in geval van problemen of vragen. We hadden een probleempje met de trap van het zwembad en dit werd direct opgelost met de glimlach.
    Een echte aanrader !!

    Comment from Lesley & Toby Dorman-Groves

    Dear Myriam, thank you so much for taking the time to review Les Hirondelles and we are so pleased that you all enjoyed your holiday. We hope to welcome you back one day and enjoy the rest of the summer.
    Best wishes
    Lesley & Toby

  • Irene van der Blij from Delft,

    10 stars

    Echt een geweldige vakantie gehad hier! Het huis is zowel binnen als buiten lekker groot, en bevat alle handige benodigdheden. We kregen een warm welkom van de eigenaren en ze waren ook altijd behulpzaam en adviseerden ons over leuke plekken om te bezoeken. Het zwembad heeft een goede grootte en is heerlijk om af te koelen tijdens de warme zomerdagen. Het uitzicht vanaf het zwembad en het terras was gewoonweg fantastisch: alleen maar mooie natuur en niet eens één huis te zien. Toch zitten de lokale bakkerij en de (grote) supermarkt op een kleine afstand. Er zijn ook allerlei leuke dingen te doen in de omgeving, zoals kanoën en het bezoeken van dorpjes en steden. Al met al hebben we hier een fantastische ontspannen en leuke vakantie gehad. Ik zou deze gite aan iedereen aanbevelen!

    Comment from Lesley & Toby Dorman-Groves

    Dear Irene
    Thank you so much for taking the time to review Les Hirondelles, its very much appreciated. We are so pleased that you all enjoyed your holiday and found many things to see and do in this beautiful area.
    We would like to wish you a lovely summer and maybe we will see you again!
    Best wishes
    Lesley & Toby

  • Saskia Cornelis from EMMELOORD,

    10 stars

    Wat hebben wij een fantastische week gehad in "Grange lapin ". Alles is zo met liefde en zorg gedaan. Zowel binnen als buiten het huis Een adembenemend uitzicht en zoveel rust. Lesley en Toby hebben echt gezorgd dat er niets ontbrak. Bij binnenkomst waren alle bedden opgemaakt en stond er een mandje met allerlei verwennerij.
    Er is mooi zwembad aanwezig. Grasveld waar de kids hebben.kunnen voetballen. Supermarkt en boulangerie is 5 minuten rijden. Er is genoeg informatie , foldermateriaal en tips aanwezig om leuke bezoekjes te brengen in de omgeving.
    Lesley en Toby, bedankt voor jullie warme ontvangst

    Comment from Lesley & Toby Dorman-Groves

    Dear Harry and Saskia,
    Thank you so much for taking the time to review Grange Lapin, it’s very much appreciated. We are so pleased that you enjoyed our property and all that our stunning region has to offer. We hope to welcome you back again in the future either to Grange Lapin or Les Hirondelles. Have a lovely summer!
    All the best
    Lesley & Toby

Per week starting from

€995

Per week starting from

€995