Traditional Charentaise Farmhouse with Pool

La Grille details

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Dining "al fresco"

The entrance to La Grille

Front view of house, overlooking the gravel sweep

The pool

The charming cottage overlooks the heated pool

Home description

Built in 1817, La Grille is set in the charming village of Fresneau in the beautiful south-west region of France. Surrounded by vineyards and fields of sunflowers, this picturesque Charente village is only 4km from the market town of Matha and a mere 20 minute drive from Cognac. Second only to the Côte d'Azure, the Charente region enjoys a very sunny climate. Ideal for those who enjoy warm, balmy summers and dining "al fresco". It is the perfect tonic for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and instead relax in this beautiful house in rural France.

Facilities

The house and cottage are totally enclosed with beautifully secluded gardens both to the front and rear.

The heated pool measures 8 x 4m, is 1.2 m deep at the shallow end, dropping to a depth of 1.8m. Surrounded by paving, beautiful plants and with plenty of sunloungers, it is the ideal spot for sunbathing. For safety reasons it is securely enclosed by a fence.

There are two patio areas for outdoor dining, garden furniture, a barbecue and a ping-pong table in the very large barn adjacent to the house. There are plenty of games, packs of cards and jigsaw puzzles. Children's equipment can be provided on request.

External features on site

• Barbecue
• Garden
• Scenic views
• Swimming pool
• Tennis Court
• Swimming pool (exclusive use)

Accommodation detail

The very large double bedroom

The very spacious dining room

The delightful cottage bedroom

One of the twin bedrooms

The well-equipped kitchen

The elegant sitting room

Inside the cottage

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Main House - sleeps 6

This large farmhouse has been tastefully decorated and provides spacious, comfortable accommodation for up to 8 people. It has tiled and wooden flooring throughout keeping it cool in the hotter summer months.

Downstairs

• Very large dining room with a wood burning stove.
• Spacious sitting room with a beautiful open fireplace. There is a television with many satellite stations, DVD player, video recorder, CD player, hi-fi and a piano.
• Kitchen is well-equipped with new units, washing machine, dishwasher, microwave, fridge, freezer, electric oven and gas hob.
• Large family bathroom with powerful overhead shower, basin and WC.
• Further separate WC.

Upstairs

• Very large double bedroom with super king-size bed, en-suite shower, basin and WC.
• Two twin bedrooms.
• Further shower room with basin and WC.

The Cottage - sleeps 2 (included in overall price)

This former bakehouse is the ideal retreat for anyone wanting a bit of peace, away from the main house. Set at the end of the garden, the cottage has a comfortable seating area downstairs and twin beds upstairs. It has its own shower room with basin and WC.

About the location

In addition to the local boulangerie in the village, the nearby town of Matha is well serviced by supermarkets, butchers, patissiers, banks, a post office and thriving weekly market.

There are several good restaurants nearby and plenty of local vineyards where you can sample and buy excellent wines for next to nothing. And of course, you could try the local aperitif - Pineau des Charentes, or visit the famous brandy houses in Cognac.

If you fancy exploring further afield, there are some very pretty towns and villages well worth a visit - Saint Jean d'Angély, Saintes, La Rochelle on the coast or the island of Île de Ré to name but a few.

And so, whether you want an active holiday or simply to relax soaking up the summer sun, in this idyllic spot, there is something for everyone at La Grille!

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and facilities.

Activities near by

Bird Watching, Cycling, Golf, Sightseeing, Swimming, Table tennis, Tennis, Theme parks, Walking, Wine tasting

See Activities and attractions for more information on nearby activities and places of interest.

How to get here

The Charente regions benefits from good transport connections which make travel to La Grille easy.

Angoulême airport is only 45 minutes from the house while La Rochelle, Poitiers and Limoges are all within 90 minutes.  Bordeaux airport is less than two hours away.

There is a wide range of flights from airports around the UK to choose from, including direct flights to La Rochelle from Scotland, and arranging car hire for your onward journey is straightforward. 

If you prefer to travel by train, take Eurostar to Paris or Lille and connect with a high speed TGV to Angoulême.

Yet another option is to take your own car.  La Grille is only a seven hour drive from Calais on uncongested roads.  Alternatively, by taking the ferry to Le Havre or Caen, you can complete your journey in a leisurely five hours.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and airports.