Lovely Old Farmhouse And Stone Holiday Cottage With Pool And Panoramic Country Views
Tranquil Countryside Location Near Cognac, Angoulême And Saintes
Farmhouse (sleeps 6), & Cottage (sleeps 2)
|
|
Our 300+ year-old, traditional Charentaise farmhouse is near Cognac, and set within walled gardens. The house sleeps 6(from 2013), is comfortably furnished, with paintings and rugs throughout. It is well equipped with TV, satellite, & WiFi. The cottage for 2, is a converted stone stable in a corner of the gardens. The tiny hamlet of Coucoussac lies on a hilltop, and nestles amongst vineyards and sunflower fields within Cognac's "Fins Bois" region, of SW France. The property is perfectly situated to explore the surrounding countryside on foot, or bikes (freely available). There are many places to relax in the gardens. Perhaps read a book under the shady pergola or on a sun-bed beside the swimming pool. Maybe enjoy a glass of the local, award-winning wine, and watch the evening sun cross the Charente landscape from the Point-de-vue, before wandering along to the auberge/restuarant, where the friendly owners will serve you delicious regional dishes. It is only a 3-minute stroll away.
|
|
| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 28 April 2012 - 30 June 2012 | €900 | 7 | ||
| 30 June 2012 - 1 September 2012 | €1250 | 7 | ||
| 1 September 2012 - 27 October 2012 | €900 | 7 |
La Petite Ecurie (sleeps 2) Prices
| Rental Period | Per Night | Per Week | Per Month | Min. Stay (Nights) |
| 28 April 2012 - 30 June 2012 | €425 | 7 | ||
| 30 June 2012 - 1 September 2012 | €550 | 7 | ||
| 1 September 2012 - 27 October 2012 | €425 | 7 |
Notes on prices
Prices are per week in Euros, and include all linen, towels (including towels for the pool), and a "Welcome Pack", with sufficient provisions to avoid the worry of finding a supermarket on arrival.
Changeover day
Rental periods are from Saturday to Saturday. Arrival after 4pm and departure before 10:00am.
|
La Petite Ecurie (sleeps 2)
|
|
|
The ground floor is open-plan, with stone walls and exposed beams. The Sitting area, is comfortably furnished, ovelooking the garden and small pond where many garden birds bathe daily . There is a TV/DVD player and an extensive DVD library is at your disposal. Although most time is spent outside, a wood-burning stove is installed for the cooler autumn and early spring evenings. The kitchen area is fully equipped including oven, hob, electric kettle, filtered drinking water etc. A washing machine is available. The hand-made staircase leads to an open landing with daybed. The bedroom has double bed, built-in wardrobes, and ceiling fan. The shower room has W.C., basin and walk-in shower. Outside, facing west is your private courtyard, which takes advantage of the beautiful sunsets, and is equipped with BBQ, table, chairs & parasol. The rear of the cottage opens into large gardens with many places in which to relax, and leads to the large swimmimg pool. |
|
Notes on accommodation
All bed linen, towels and pool towels are provided. We also supply a welcome pack of goodies on your arrival containing fresh baguette, milk, tea, coffee, sugar, fruit juice, butter, jam, cheese, ham, eggs, and of course, some local wine. So there is no need to worry about rushing off to find a supermarket, after your (maybe long) journey.
As we live "next door, or across the garden" from you, whenever possible, we like to welcome our guests shortly after arrival with a cup or glass of something, and to answer any questions you may have. After that, we will become as "invisible" as possible, respecting your privacy at all times. However, should you wish (or need), help, recommendations etc., we are on hand to do whatever we can to make your holiday in Coucoussac a very special one.
Accessibility
Access to the house is via a gravelled area with step into the entrance.There is a small step up into the sitting room area, and no sleeping accommodation on the ground floor. The ground-floor shower is large, but there is a small step up to the wc.
The cottage has easy access but again there is no ground-floor sleeping accomodation.
The swimming pool has Roman steps at the shallow end.
Outside
The farmhouse and cottage are set apart, offering total privacy. The large gardens are planted with a variety of trees and shrubs with several seating areas to relax in with a good book or a glass of the local, award winning, wines.
near the swimming pool there is a summer kitchen equipped with BBQ and fridge, for guests in the farmhouse. Next to this is a stone pergola with stone table for al fresco dining .
The cottage has a private courtyard with panoramic views towards cognac town. There is a BBQ here, and outside furniture.
The large swimming pool (11m x 5m), is a salt water system (with none of the affects associated with a chlorine controlled pool), and is shared by house and cottage guests. A counter-current system is installed.
The owners use the pool from time to time but, only when it is not in use by guests.
There is private & secure off road parking for all guests, and several bikes are available at no charge, to explore the surrounding countryside.
Coast/Beach
The coast is within a 75 minute drive. La Rochelle 75 mins., Rochefort 70 mins., Royan 70 mins. and Bordeaux about 90 mins. A man-made lake with beach and swimming is located at Angoulême and it is possible to swim along several stretches of the Charente river within a 25 minute drive.
Golf
2 lovely18-hole golf courses can be found within a 30 minute drive - at Angoulême and Cognac.
Travel
A car is essential. Car hire is available at the nearest airports, which are La Rochelle and Poitiers (75 mins.).
By road, the nearest ferry port is St.Malo (approx. 4.5 hrs.) or Caen (5.5 hrs.). Dieppe is approximately 6 hrs.away.
By train (Eurostar/TGV), to Angoulême from London St.Pancras via Lille or Paris, is a very relaxing way to travel.
Distances
Angoulême (historic ramparted city), 39km. Cognac (home to most of the big cognac houses), 20km. Jarnac (home to some other big cognac houses), 19km. Saintes (full of Romanesque architecture), 50km. Poitiers (lovely ancient city + Futuroscope), 103km. La Rochelle (Vieux Port, shops, restaurants, aquarium), 90km. Rochefort (Napoleonic naval port & associated history), 68km. Bordeaux (Sophisticated, world's no.1 wine centre), 131km. Limoges (world famous porcelain), 126km.
Further details
With many lovely historic towns and villages around, sight-seeing is a dream, and there is a great choice of restaurants. It's possible to visit local markets almost every day. There is a good boulangerie and bar/restaurant at Siecq (1km). Les Romarins (good traditional restaurant) is a 3 minute stroll along the Rue de Bellevue. There are many, many vineyards to visit, with tastings of Cognac, Pineau and very good wine. There are also many festivals held throughout the summer, including the famous Blues Passions at Cognac (July) - a week of free street concerts throughout the town as well as the main Concerts in the Park, with big-name performers from around the world.
There is also the equally famous Circuits des Remparts (vintage car rally) at Angoulême in September, where, as well as the vintage car races around the city's walled ramparts, a great atmosphere is to be experienced within the town as vintage car enthusiasts from around Europe come to show off their prized machines.
Booking notes
For reservations, contact the owners in the first instance. You will be sent a booking form via email or post. Complete booking form and return with 20% deposit. The balance is due 6 weeks prior to rental period. Payments accepted electronically or by Sterling or Euro cheques.
Guest comments
Excellent accommodation, excellent hosts. Everything in place & a place for everything even down to the small details of the lavender bags in the drawers. Beautiful garden & lovely swimming pool. A treat to find the "welcome pack" in the fridge. Glenn & Jennifer, Wales 2011
Irene & Roy, We want you to know how much we have enjoyed staying at your gite at L'Ancienne Ferme, which we found very well equipped and comfortable. We have had a wonderful week exploring the lovely towns and countryside, enjoying the local food, wine and cognac! We really appreciated the "Starter pack" of goodies. Thank you for sharing your piece of "paradise" with us.
Louise & Earl, New Zealand
Cottage & location absolutely stunning. Facilities thoughtful & perfect. Hosts - 10/10 - lovely. Phil & I have had a great time. The area has been beautiful. The people welcoming.
Phil & Phillippa, Brighton,
Owner profile
About the owner
We bought our house in France in year 2000, and moved over 6 months later. We had a great deal of renovation to do, but having taken early retirement, this has given us much satisfaction. It also gave us the opportunity to get to know many local artisans and our neighbours, in this lovely rural community and to become integrated into the French way of life, which we love.We decided to restore the stone stable in the grounds, and create a comfortable cottage for two. Having completed this, we lived in it for eight months, whilst tackling a large project in the main house. This period was extremely beneficial, as it gave us the opportunity to check the cottage lived up to our expectations and to ensure it became more than just a basic holiday home.
Year purchased: 2000
Why the owner chose a home in this location
The department of Charente-Maritime is the 2nd sunniest in France, and when we first visited, we found the locals very friendly and most charming. As soon as we came across L'Ancienne Ferme in Coucoussac, we fell in love with it for it's tranquil location, and the wonderful views over beautiful countryside. We have not regretted our move for a single moment.The roads are extremely good, and quiet, even in summer, which makes motoring a pleasure again.The architecture with it's use of the local, mellow limestone, has a Romanesque influence remaining from the time when this region was occupied by the Romans.
Unique benefits of the property
We ran a Chambres d'Hôtes in part of the house for 9 years and it achieved the '3 Epis' standard awarded by Gîtes de France, during the whole of that period. This part of the house has now become L'Ancienne Ferme holiday home, and therefore benefits from this high standard.We renovated the old stone stable in a corner of the garden, which is now La Petite Ecurie (cottage for 2).The two properties benefit from the high walls which surround us, and the tranquil surroundings. As well as the auberge, a 3-minute away, we have the luxury of a good boulangerie only 1 km from the property, and at the same distance, a winery which produces wonderful wine, Cognac & Pineau.
For booking and further information
Property Ref FR1647
Contact Name:
Roy Goodwin
(FRANCE) +33 546338846
Owners Website: Click here
Send an email to owner
This form may only be used for genuine enquiries about renting this property.
Use of this form for other purposes including unsolicited commercial marketing is strictly prohibited.
Your message will be sent by email to the property owner.
Owners Direct also retains an archive copy for the property owner to refer to.
If you do not receive a reply to this email within 2 or 3 days, please try contacting the owner by telephone.
Your email address will be added to our mailing list, for receipt of occasional newsletters and holiday information.
If you do not wish to be added to this mailing list, please uncheck the box above.
Please refer to our privacy policy.
This advertiser joined Owners Direct in November 2006,
and has advertised this property with us since November 2006.
Property Ref FR1647
When contacting the owner please mention that you saw this property on Owners Direct Website.