Maison
Downstairs are two large rooms, one is the roomy kitchen/dining room with a shower/utility room & WC off. One end of this room has the kitchen units and worktops whilst the other serves as a dining area looking out onto the garden.
The kitchen is equiped with a fridge-freezer, 4 ring gas cooker, microwave and the usual small appliances such as toaster, coffee maker, iron etc. The shower room contains a newly installed corner shower unit and also houses the washing machine.
Next to the kitchen is a roomy lounge having a high ceiling with exposed beams,large stone fireplace, with wood burning stove, and original wooden staircase leading up to an upstairs landing.The lounge is simply furnished having two 2-seater sofas, cane armchairs, another dining table, bookcase, and a writing desk.
For entertainment there is a small tv with dvd and vhs player, a hi-fi, and a selection of VHS and DVD films. A Sony Game Boy player and games is also available. There is a large collection of paperback fiction in the house.
FIRST FLOOR
Upstairs off a landing that runs the length of the house, are 3 double bedrooms and a bathroom all having South facing views over the garden. Each bedroom has twin beds and either a built in or free standing wardrobe. The bedrooms have double glazing so that even the occasional tractor that passes the house in the mornings is difficult to hear. The sunny bathroom contains a handbasin unit, shower cubicle and WC.
OUTSIDE
Our Cognac country house has a small walled garden (162m2). It is partially gravelled to enable visitors cars to be parked off the road, access is through a pair of metal gates.
Facing the house, on the other side of the garden is a stone barn that doubles as a garage, boathouse and, from the Spring until Autumn, residence for a couple of families of swallows. The barn has a mezzanine floor which is used as a storage space.
Quartier
On the doorstep
Just across the road from our holiday rental you'll find the Boutinet cognac distillery. The owner, Bernard, and his family before him, have been producing cognac for generations and export to all corners of the world. Visitors are welcome into the tasting room where they can sample a variety of vintages. He also produces a delicious aperitive called 'pineau' which is made from blending cognac with grape juice.
Bernard's wife, 'Claire' is a painter who exhibits throughout Europe. She is always happy to show you around her studio.
Breville - our village
Just a short drive, 2.5km, will find our village, Breville. People have been living at this site on the edge of the tiny river Soloire since Roman times. The ancient village church is worth a visit and you'll also find a post office, bakery and a bar/restaurant.
Now Breville's main claim to fame is as a centre for wood carving and sculptures, see photos in our gallery. Supported by the local council there are at least three artist's studios in the village. In august a two week festival is held with dozens of artists demonstrating their skills.
Eating out
The first thing to bear in mind that in the Charente region lunch is taken quite early; quite common to see restaurants filling up at 12.30. Similairly in the evening people arrive for dinner around 8pm.
The nearest restaurant to our Charente holiday home is the 'Vieux Pressoir' in Breville village. Best value at lunchtime with a 'menu du jour' for 12.5 Euros. This is a 3-course meal with wine and coffee included. In the evening there is a limited a la carte menu.
Five minutes away, just off the road between Thors and Matha, is a restaurant at the leisure centre. Big portions of hearty food and pleasant to eat outside on the terrace overlooking the lake. During the summer season they often have live music at weekends.
At Orlut, on the road to Cognac there's a truckers ('routiers') place that serves great value lunches for around 11 Euros. No choice but always delicious, wine, coffee and cognac included in the price; get there early! Closed in the evenings.
In Cognac itself there are too many eating out places to list. Around the central Place Francois I are several brasseries; the best probabley 'Le Coq D'Or'. For a special evening try 'Les Pigeons Blanc'; first turning off the roundabout as you come into Cognac. Lovely retaurant but pricey!
Not too far away from our Cognac country house at Mesnac is Le Chateau de Mesnac. (www.dduveron.fr). Lovely setting but booking is essential.
Places
Our rental near Cognac is well placed for visiting a number if historic towns all having a different flavour.
First, and nearest being only a 15 minute drive, is Cognac itself. There is to much to see and do there at all seaons. Tours of the distilleries, all the major producerers are there, Martell, Henesseys, Otard, etc and all offer organised visits and all ending with a tasting! From the quayside a replica sailing barge will take you on a river trip up the Charente through locks along the beautiful river valley.
Just wandering around the narrow streets is fascinating in itself. For full details of what there is to do and see go to: www.cognacnet.com and www.ville-cognac.fr
St Jean D'Angely, 25 minutes away, is worth a visit. Characterised by its half timbered houses, unusual in the region, and small quiet squares, ideal for relaxing with a glass of local wine. The town's website is www.angely.net Next in distance, 40 minutes is Saintes. Founded by the Romans at a strategic point on the River Charente the town is a living museum of architecture through the ages. Not to be missed is the roman ampitheatre, one of the best preserved in Europe.
At an hours drive across country is Rochefort, the last town on the Charente before it flows into the Atlantic. The town was founded by Louis IV to provide shipbuilding and a safe base for his navy. There are several museums and a lively street market on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. Find out more at http://www.ville-rochefort.fr/decouvrir/
The coast
At just over an hour's drive is the large seaside resort of Royan. Though busy in the summer months its huge beaches are never too crowded. Plenty of activities there during the day and lively at nightime. Website: www.ot-royan.fr. If you prefer somewhere less busy just along the coast is a small family resort called St Palais set in a pretty bay.
Our favourite seaside destination, and the same driving time, is Fouras, which is on the way to La Rochelle. Set on a small peninsular this family resort has a pretty centre and three beaches. Check out www.fouras.net From Fouras its a short ferry ride to the tiny Ile D'Aix; Napoleon's last stop off before being sent into exile.
Swimming Pools
The nearest pool is at Matha, 9 rue, Basse de la Mairie. Tel: 05 46 58 50 41
At Cognac there is a summer pool, 13/6 to 2/9, in the central park, Parc Francois I
St Jean D'Angely has an aquatic centre, the Atlantys, that kids will love. Check it out at www.piscineatlantys.fr
À propos de nous
We, Camilla and Gareth Thomas, have been living in france for 15 years In the UK we were both involved in education and Gareth was a part time Jazz and Blues guitarist. In France Camilla continues to teach English and Gareth teaches guitar at a local music school whilst continuing to perform. Our sports are; cycling for Camilla and sailing and swimming for Gareth. Our 3, grown up, children live in Barcelona and Paris.
Destination
As the proprty is our 2nd home we can do a non-simultaneouos swap
