No matter you need from a French vacation, the 2 neighbouring departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime, les deux Charentes (previously Poitou-Charentes), can virtually actually ship, from quiet countryside and rolling vineyards to historic heritage cities, lovely seashores, and wine tourism. Uncover fabulous vacation rental, mini breaks and excursions in Poitou-Charentes.
A alternative of vacation experiences within the Charentes
Keep close to the world-famous city of Cognac and you might be properly positioned to discover this addictive space; stick with Cottages and Classics and you are able to do it in model. From their lovely nation house within the Charente Maritime, homeowners Lyn and Graham provide a alternative of vacation experiences that will help you profit from your keep from luxurious self-catering cottages, B&B minibreaks, to bespoke escorted excursions for small teams of 4-12 company. Their “Cottages and Classics Expertise” additionally contains using an iconic 4-seater Morgan sports activities automotive throughout your keep.
House for the couple is La Rose des Vents a 19th century manor home with two luxurious 3-bed cottages. A former Cognac domaine, hidden from view on the sting of a sleepy hamlet, the properties stand in 2.5 acres of gated grounds simply 5 minutes from the market city of Matha and quarter-hour from Cognac. Surrounded by rolling vineyards and fields of sunflowers, this good location can be in straightforward attain of Atlantic Coast points of interest corresponding to La Rochelle and Ile de Ré and the Bordeaux vineyards of the Medoc.
Luxurious Vacation Cottages
Manor Cottage is, in-built conventional Charentais model and former house of the property supervisor. Rose Cottage is transformed from the previous stables and incorporates a lofty ‘cathedral’ model ceiling in the lounge. Every property sleeps six (plus a cot) and is classed 4-star by the French Vacationer Workplace in addition to that includes in Sawday’s Particular Locations to Keep information.
Count on inside décor combining the most effective of English and French nation model, with high quality furnishings, en-suite bedrooms, and high-speed web connection. Within the kitchen every part is provided from a tumble dryer to an oyster knife and if you wish to prepare dinner up some recent native produce, you possibly can even take heed to your favorite tunes on the music system while you’re employed.
It is vitally tranquil with simply the sound of birdsong and the occasional tractor. In summer season, calm down by the heated pool within the orchard, and revel in al fresco BBQs and meals in your personal gardens. In cooler months, cosy up indoors – electrical energy, fuel and WiFi prices are all included within the rental value. Lyn and Graham have considered every part to raise your keep out of the abnormal – Egyptian cotton bedlinen, fairly Provencal loos, pool towels and cooler containers in case you fancy a picnic. A bottle of wine, home-made jam and fruit from the natural orchard are included within the welcome basket; and to get your self-catering vacation off to a calming begin, in your first evening you possibly can reserve a candlelit dinner to be served in your cottage, or below the celebs. Plus, all their company are supplied a complimentary tour by means of the vineyards of their 4-seater Morgan sports activities automobiles.
Fabulous B&B Mini Break
Solely have time for a brief break? Then go for a B&B minibreak, both an extended weekend or midweek keep for at least three nights in Could, June or September in one of many luxurious cottages. Your vacation begins with afternoon tea and do-it-yourself truffles on arrival, adopted by a 4-course dinner with wine, espresso and cognac served within the Manor Home. Breakfast is delivered to your cottage every morning and also you have a tour by means of the vineyards in 4-seater Morgan sports activities automobiles to go to one of many world-famous Cognac Homes, to stay up for.
Signature and Bespoke Excursions
Lyn and Graham have owned traditional sports activities automobiles for over 30 years – therefore the ‘Classics’ ingredient of their hospitality enterprise – and so they commonly welcome traditional automotive homeowners for his or her Signature or Bespoke Excursions. These small and pleasant relaxed home get together model affairs are organised on demand (the group choses the date) for at least 4, to a most of 12 company. For teams of 10-12 company, extra lodging is out there within the Manor Home.
Their 7-night “Style of Cognac & Bordeaux Tour” began as a bespoke tour for a gaggle of Aston Martin homeowners, and has turn out to be so in style that for 2024 Lyn & Graham have determined to supply it to small teams who could don’t have any curiosity in any respect in traditional automobiles, however want to discover this lovely area with the emphasis on gastronomy, sampling the most effective native specialities, cognacs, positive Bordeaux wines and gourmand eating places.
On arrival calm down with tea and truffles within the gardens, have a dip within the heated pool and settle in, earlier than having fun with a welcome 4 course dinner with aperos, wine, espresso and cognac served within the Manor Home. Throughout your keep you’ll:
Take a scenic drive to the stylish il de Re, driving over the well-known toll bridge to soak up the ambiance of the heritage whitewashed villages, bustling harbours lined with artwork galleries and boutiques, cafes and eating places. Discover the award successful “most lovely market within the Charente Maritime” in La Flotte and revel in a scrumptious seafood lunch in a gastronomic restaurant overlooking the harbour. There’s additionally time to drive into close by La Rochelle and uncover the “Vieux Port” guarded by magnificent towers and wander by means of the traditional, arcaded streets.
Go to Cognac, the birthplace of Francois I, who declared it essentially the most lovely river within the kingdom. On the world well-known Remy Martin Cognac Home, your private ambassador will take you on a 4 hour go to to find the historic home, the talents of cognac manufacturing, take pleasure in a tasting of two cognacs accompanied by gourmand appetizers/ canapes, and a 3 course gourmand lunch served in a personal eating room or at an area Michelin starred restaurant. An unforgettable expertise.
Within the afternoon, take pleasure in a guided stroll by means of the traditional streets of the medieval previous city of Cognac, with its mansions, museums and Romanesque structure. Cease off for a espresso in one of many many cafes clustered across the fountain within the centre of city or browse the boutiques and retailers.
The realm is dotted with Romanesque structure and this tour takes you to Les Bouchards probably the most lovely and largest Gallo Roman websites in France. On high of a hill, the amphitheatre has an incomparable view over the countryside. Then on to Verteuil sur Charente, the place the magnificent Chateau, with its’ breathtaking turrets, looms over the village the place you’ll take pleasure in lunch in a pleasant bistro overlooking the river.
Additionally, you will head west, by means of the Saintonge countryside and picturesque villages to go to Rochefort, a gem of a city tucked in a meander of the Charente. It was this strategic place out of sight of seafaring opportunists that led to the event of this as soon as sleepy farming village into Louis XIV’s state-of-the-art arsenal within the seventeenth centre. Go to the Corderie Royale in-built 1666 to make the rigging for the good warships, and tour the Hermione, the full-size reproduction of Common Lafayette’s frigate that sailed the Atlantic in 1780 to assist the Individuals in opposition to the English. The ship has been constructed within the oldest masonry dry dock on the planet, utilizing conventional strategies.
One of many highlights of this tour is the chance to spend a complete day exploring the Medoc, well-known for it’s nice Bordeaux wines. From Royan you’ll take a 30-minute journey by ferry to the Pointes de Graves within the Medoc to drive by means of the countryside well-known for its’ nice Bordeaux wines. Personal guided excursions and tastings at Chateau Lynch-Bages and both the fairy story Chateau Pichon Longueville (each Grand Cru Clase) or the Chateau du Tertre (Grand Cru Classe Margaux) have been reserved and lunch within the gastronomic restaurant in St Julien won’t disappoint. The return journey takes the ferry to Blaye, with it’s well-known citadelle designed by Vauban within the 17th century.
A calming final day features a drive following the river Charente, with sweeping vistas of vineyards and exquisite chateaux, stopping off to go to Jarnac house of Courvoisier and Chateau de Bouteville, a nationwide monument the place the Black Prince stayed in the course of the 100 years conflict. Right here you’ll study from the producers about Baume de Bouteville, and revel in a tasting of this balsamic condiment aged in Cognac barrels, which is a favorite of Michelin starred cooks and cherished by gourmets. And within the night a farewell dinner has been organized at a surprising restaurant in a 5-star resort in Cognac.
For full particulars of all excursions and mini-breaks see www.cottagesandclassics.com
