Bed & Breakfast in Beautiful 17th Century French Presbytery with Pool

4 Poster 1st Floor Bedroom details

Home description

La Vieille Cure is a beautiful 17th century Bed & Breakfast nestled to the rear of the pretty market town of Couhe, 35 kms south of Poitiers and within easy reach of all departments in the Charentes.

Previous guests have described La Vieille Cure as a Country House Hotel.  As proprietors we live in a separate area, allowing you privacy, with the added benefit of a daily maid service, breakfast and prepared evening meals at hand.

Light, airy en-suite bedrooms, 4 posters, king, twin, triple and family suites. World one call accreditation 5 globes highly commended.

We pride ourselves on our repeat bookings and referrals, guest comments and excellent food. Our home is yours with the added bonus of food and drink at hand!!

In addition we offer excellent evening meals, exclusive guest lounge, a 10 X 5 meter swimming pool, summer kitchen, summer games room and laundry facilities and wifi access.

Bedrooms

Spacious and light en-suite bedrooms all with an individual décor of their own, all the home comforts of hydro jet massage showers, tea and coffee making facilities TV's and large King, 4 poster or twin beds,

The rooms are centrally heated for the winter months, and all have large floor standing fans for the hot balmy summer nights.

One bedroom ( 4 poster) is situated on the ground floor, with direct access through the French windows, onto the courtyard garden, ideal for those with restricted mobility.

Our family suite sleeps up to 6 persons very comfortably, the large principle bedroom has a king size bed and room for an additional cot or bed, leading off this is the dressing room, to the right of the dressing room is the bathroom(allowing complete privacy for all) with hydro jet shower, toilet and two separate vanity units. The children's room leads from the dressing room to the left with two single beds, a cabin bed and room for another bed or cot if necessary.

The other large 4 poster room is next door to a twin room, which is ideal for families wishing privacy, as the corridor can be closed allowing you privacy and freedom of movement across the two bedrooms.

Additional beds, cots, bed guards and high chairs are available.
Three rooms have four poster beds.

La Vieille Cure offers flexible accommodation for groups travelling together.  There are 5 rooms including a family suite available. All have en-suite facilities and one of the king size rooms can be converted into single bed accommodation.  Please contact the owners to discuss your requirements.

Breakfast

Your continental breakfast is complimented by fresh home baked bread, croissant,orange juice, cereals, yoghurts, fruit, a pot of tea, or a fresh cafetier of coffee. Served in the Dining room, or courtyard or gardens.

Lunch Time

There is a summer kitchen located in the garden area for the use of all our guests with fridge/freezer, microwave, kettle, sink with hot and cold running water, preparation area, crockery and cutlery to rustle up your own lunchtime snacks, with a barbecue on site for those feeling more adventurous. There are 6 seating areas scattered within the gardens to relax and enjoy your lunch.

Dining

The lounge and dining areas are large and spacious, overlooking the courtyard terrace garden. Your host, a qualified chef is happy to present mouthwatering meals including local specialties, served along with a glass of the local Pineau des Charentes on arrival.

Through experience, we have found that different guests enjoy certain types of food, therefore we offer a variety for diverse tastes.

Unlike a typical Tables d'hotes we are registered as Restaurant status and as such can offer a  cooked breakfast,children's menu, variety of 1,2 3 and 4 courses , vegetarian options and for those who like something a little smaller a light supper menu.

Alternatively paella, barbecue and seafood banquets, can be served in the large Dining room or in the walled gardens or terrace, where you can watch the sun set, or why not spend the evening with a glass of chilled wine and enjoy a beautiful meal overlooking the illuminated swimming pool.

The Presbytery has ivy, jasmine honeysuckle, Philadelphia and grapevine cascading across the front of the house by the terrace where the perfume of acacia blossom fills the air.

The tranquil 1 acre walled garden with private woodland and orchard, abundant with fig, cherry walnut ,persimmon and more, is an ideal retreat, just waiting for you to explore or sit and enjoy the sunshine.

Evening meal

There is a comprehensive 4 course evening menu which you will find beautifully cooked and presented.

Typical 4 Course Menu:

• Fanned Avocado with prawns and smoked salmon dressed with a light vinaigrette and pepper sauce
• Pan fried rondelles of lamb served on minted potato cakes with honey and mint mayonnaise, garnished with raspberry sauce and served with Mediterranean vegetables and a puree of celeriac and carrot
• A selection of local cheeses
• A light chocolate mousse garnished with crème anglaise and caramel sauce
• Aperitif and Wine

For Your Enjoyment

• The new 10 metre X 5 metre salt water swimming pool is fenced, as required by French Legislation, with a self locking gate - to ensure the safety of children. The pool slopes gently into the deep end which is 1.5. metres. The pool is complimented by a large area of paved terrace with further gravelled area and covered pergola area , so you may decide where to place the ample number of sun beds. There are seating areas with tables and parasols, to escape the heat of the sun if required and a soft swing seat and canopy to curl up in the shade and enjoy your holiday read.
• Amongst the orchard are benches and seating areas even a hammock to while away the day.
• There is a games room with table tennis, table football,snooker  table,(childrens size) and darts. An area in the grounds for badminton and boules.
• The guest lounge has Sky T.V., home cinema, DVD, videos, board games, books chess and stereo,with a selection of leaflets outlining the many attractions within the area.
• There is also wifi access within the house and gardens.
• The house is fully centrally heated in addition there are log burners in both the Dining and Lounge areas.
• There is ample parking within the secure grounds, with additional garaging available if requested.

Househunters

As an English couple now living and running a business in France, we would be delighted to pass on our knowledge and answer many questions of the, sometimes complicated, process of buying and renovating a property.

Extracts from our Visitor Book

Quote from the kids 'This is the best holiday ever'!!? What more can we ask for? perfect setting, perfect hosts,perfect food !!!
Martin Suzanne, Dominic, Tom and Rachael, Twyning Gloustershire

The garden, orchard, pool area and games room are great places to just hang out. We must mention the food which has been nothing short of spectacular every day- a taste sensation- we feel very privileged to have sampled it! see you soon we hope.!
Yvonne and Paul Bromley Kent

There are few places where everything creates an atmosphere you really don't want to miss. This is one of these very rare places.
Uta & Manfred, Much, Germany

A truly magnificent place-the location food!!! wine, company, garden all speak for themselves.
Robin and Lesley Cheltenham Gloucestershire

Fantastic Fantastic Fantastic!! You have made us feel like friends rather than guests.
Marcus, Sarah, Suzzanne, Emily and Caleb, Herstmonceaux, East Sussex

Know that you have made our stay in Europe exactly what we hoped it would be.
Jason and Julie, San Diago, USA

Having travelled the length and breadth of France and stayed in many locations- this rates as one of the very best. The accommodation was only surpassed by the quality of food served. Francis and Stewart Leslie Scotland

The best Bed and Breakfast in France! food was superb, atmosphere so relaxing with understated elegance.
Roger and Gini St Paul Minnesota USA

We had a fabulous stay and excellent food- can a B & B be Michelin Star !?? Thank you
Elaine and Nick Burman Ipswich Suffolk

Fantastic place! Very comfortable and food is great will definitely recommend- Five Star!
Graham and Bridget, Taunton, Somerset

External features on site

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

Accommodation detail

Three spacious en-suite double bedrooms centrally heated two with comfortable queen size bed, floor standing fans, T.V., tea and coffee making facilities.

Each room can sleep upto 3 persons.  One of the queen bedrooms can be converted into single bed accommodation.

About the location

The owners will be happy to welcome you to the second sunniest spot in France, with undulating golden fields of sunflowers and maize, picturesque villages, wonderful walks and rivers. The Market town of Couhe has a 12 century halles de Marche, The Abbey of Valence (1230), and its twin towered church. Couhe' is famous for its Hazelnut and Walnut Oil, a typical French rural town with fetes and festivals but also offering bars, restaurants and modern conveniences of supermarkets, Bank, Post Office, Leisure Centre, and picnic area. Leaving the grounds by one of the gates, you will find the river wending its way towards the abbey.

• Vallee des Singes beautiful monkey park where the monkeys roam free 15 mins
• Lezay with its wonderful rural market 20 mins
• Melle silver mine and historic village with outside cafes 25 mins
• Chef- Boutonne Renaissance chateau at Jarvasay 25 mins
• Verteuil – with its wonderful chateau overlooking the Charentes river and watermill -25 mins
• Poitiers offers lots to see in terms of art and architecture as well as the impressive Notre-Dame. The busy centre is full of narrow, winding pedestrian streets ideal for shopping and exploring. Futuroscope for those looking for adventure 20 mins
• Marais Poitievin (Green Venice) near Niort for a day on the canals.
• Cognac/Jarnac with its famous cognac houses and vineyards. 55 mins
• Angouleme standing astride an enormous hill with wonderful views, and its wonderful array of pavement cafes 40 mins
• La Rochelle Fort Bouyarde and a huge selection of seafood restaurants along the harbour front, its sandy beach and fabulous Aquarium with various Islands to discover. 1 and a half hours
• Limoges famous for its wonderful pottery with cobbled streets 1 and a half hours.
• Isles de payre' with boating, golf, fishing, hiking 5 mins
• Rom - with its Romanesque remains – 5 mins
• Vivonne with Canoeing and Kayaking 15 mins

Local food markets can be found almost every day of the week, there are also many antiques fairs and flea markets.

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

Activities near by

Adventure park, Bird Watching, Boating, Boules, Canoeing, Canyoning, Cycling, Drawing and painting, Fishing, Flying, Go karting, Golf, Gourmet dining, Hiking, Horse riding, Kayaking, Mountain biking, Paragliding, Photography, Rambling, Riverside activities, Shopping, Sightseeing, Swimming, Table tennis, Tennis, Theme parks, Walking, Water sports, Wine tasting, Wine touring

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

How to get here

It is ideally placed for stopovers en route to the south of France, 20 mins from Biard (Poitiers) Airport with direct flights from Stansted and Birmingham,15 mins from the TGV, halfway between the channel ports and the south, 3 minutes from RN10, 3 hours from Paris and 2 hours from Bordeaux. 90 mins from La Rochelle and Limoges Airports and 40 mins from Angouleme Airport. All direct routes to Stansted.

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