|
|
| | | | |
|
| 
Front façade | 
Enjoy dinner al fresco! |
| 
Double bedroom 2 | 
The living room |
| 
The herb garden | 
The Dining room |
| 
Double bedroom 1 | 
Twin bedroom |
| 
The private heated pool | 
The kitchen |
| 
The garden | 
the river dive |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
Property |
Location |
|
| |
Le Manoir des Couts |
Melle, Poitou-Charentes, France |
|
| |
| |
One-off feature |
|
| |
This charming 16th century French Manor House, lovingly restored and decorated with carved windows and interior stone seats, a gothic fireplace, a stone sink, impressive flagstones and beams was featured in French Property News. The property is set within a wild life protected zone, a few steps from the river Dive and 45mns from Poitiers airport. |
|
| |
| |
Property Info |
|
| |
Accommodation Type:
| House / Villa |
|
| |
Property Setting:
| Village / Rural |
|
| |
Holiday Type:
| Relaxing / Family / Sports & activity / Culture |
|
| |
Bedrooms:
| 3 |
|
| |
Guests:
| 6 |
|
| |
Catering:
| self-catering |
|
| |
| |
General Info |
|
| |
This fully detached, spacious house is set in a tiny hamlet with no direct views from other houses, no other guests and the owners live 2 miles away, ideal if you seek privacy. A legend involving the fairy of the nearby spring, a Carolingian knight and the presence of a nearby Celtic enclosure seem to confirm the house’s very ancient roots. The nearest town is Lezay which features the largest local market on Tuesdays as well as a large supermarket and other amenities. Our favourite restaurant, appreciated by all our visitors is only 10 minutes away from the house and you will find more restaurants in nearby Melle, as well as a Carolingian silver mine and UNESCO listed Romanesque churches. Poitiers is only 45 minutes away as well as the Venise Verte; La Rochelle/Ile de Ré, 110 minutes.
Special offers :
May, June : £50 off per week.
2nd/9th of Junly : £875 instead of £950 |
|
| |
| |
Details on the area surrounding the property/accommodation |
|
| |
The Poitou-Charentes region is said to be the second sunniest region after the Côte d'Azur. It also provides some outstanding heritage, from prehistoric tumuli in Bougon, Gallo Roman sites, Romanesque churches, medieval towns and villages. The Venise Verte is 45 minutes away, La Rochelle and the trendy Ile de Ré are 110 minutes away, the Monkey Valley, 25 minutes away. For those who want activity, you can play tennis and go fishing very close by (5 minutes away). If you’re after some horseriding, it’s just a 15 minute drive, and golf is a 45 minute drive. There’s a freshwater lake 25 minutes away where you can go canoeing and enjoy other watersports. |
|
| |
| |
Getting there & away/local amenities |
|
| |
Getting There:
| The house is situated approx. 50 minutes south of Poitiers airport, off the N10 at Couhé and on the D14, 4 kms before the market town of Lezay. You can also fly to Limoges or La Rochelle. If arriving from the UK at a ferry port: St Malo : 5 hours. Cherbourg : 6 hours. Caen : 5 hours. Boulogne/Calais via Rouen, Le Mans :just over 6 hours. |
|
| |
Nearest airports:
| Poitiers 45kms |
|
| |
Nearest train station:
| Poitiers 45kms |
|
| |
Car Hire:
| Optional |
|
| |
Nearest restaurant:
| 10 mins |
|
| |
Nearest beach:
| 110 mins |
|
| |
Nearest shop:
| 5 mins |
|
| |
Nearest market:
| 5 mins |
|
| |
| |
More Info |
Owner Info |
| |
| |
 |
Name |
Francine Dunkley |
| |
 |
Contact Phone No. |
0033 5 49 29 72 32 |
| |
 |
 |
| |
|
| |
Accommodation details |
| |
| |
Activities Nearby |
Birdwatching / Canoeing / Cycling / Fishing / Horse Riding / Walking / Watersports
|
|
| |
| |
Interior Facilities |
Cot / Highchair / Dishwasher / DVD player / Linen provided / Log Fire / Television / Washing Machine
|
|
| |
| |
Interior Details |
The house is fully detached. Ground floor accommodation is 112m2 - sleeps 6 and a baby (cot, high chair, baby bath provided), children are welcome. The living room has a gothic fireplace and stove, comfortable sofas and armchairs, a hand painted antique buffet, French and UK satellite TV, DVD player, a choice of books and many old fashioned wooden games and board games. There is an open plan kitchen/dining room which is newly equipped with a Smeg stainless steel gas cooker, microwave; fridge freezer, dishwasher, toaster, kettle etc. It has a stone arched sink and an antique buffet with its table and 6 chairs. A glazed door lead to the pretty, enclosed garden. There is a separate utility room with washing machine. Shower room has a shower with thermostatic tap, glass door, toilet, washbasin, cupboard. There are two double bedrooms (one with four poster bed) and one twin room.
|
|
| |
| |
Exterior Facilities |
BBQ / Garden / Parking / Swimming Pool
|
|
| |
| |
Exterior Details |
Relax in the very private and sheltered garden, a veritable heat trap; help yourself to the delicious Moroccan mint for hot or ice cold tea; pick herbs for your barbecue from the herb garden; dine under the wooden pergola covered by ancient vines; enjoy the scent of the old roses, lilac, lily of the valley, lavender, eucalyptus and Jasmine. A solar heated wooden pool is available for your exclusive use. Keep an eye (and an ear) open for the interesting local birds, some very rare - hoopoes, bustards, cuckoos, nightingales, barn owls, falcons, buzzards and herons.
|
|
| |
| |
Further Details |
Should you wish to seek inspiration from the beautiful local surroundings and improve your drawing and painting skills, Keith Dunkley, RA trained and former tutor will be pleased to offer help and advice. Our air conditioning is totally natural and ecological - very thick walls, double glazed windows, shutters and generous insulation provide a very pleasant temperature inside when it is baking outside! There is a woodstove if the evenings get chilly. The house and its pretty garden with private, heated pool are set within a wild life protected zone, a few steps from the river Dive and 45 minutes from Poitiers airport.
|
|
| |
| |
Conditions of
Rental |
All prices are per week and include gas, water, 12kw of electricity per day (heating will be charged according to meter reading). 25% deposit required on booking. Final payment due 8 weeks before arrival as well as a damage deposit cheque of £150 to be sent with the final payment, to be refunded within two weeks of your departure subject to satisfactory property inspection.
|
|
| |
| |
Other Information |
Child Friendly
|
|
| |
| |
What visitors have said about Le Manoir des Couts |
| |
| |
We have all had a wonderful time staying in this unique house. It is perfectly located to enable us to explore much of the region...Main achievement of the holiday was Rebecca swimming in the pool without her armbands. We also used the pool most days of our holiday, it was a great way to relax after a day of sightseeing. Thanks to keith & Francine for making us welcome and letting us stay in this lovely house. Love
Rick, Sam, Rebecca and Ben, Berkshire, Aug 2011 
|
We all had a brilliant time here, the house is lovely and so full of character and the garden is beautiful. As teenagers, we found this house a relaxing environment after our stressful exams. This area has a lot to offer for everyone as we all enjoyed day trips to different places : Mollie, 14 and Jess, 15 both enjoyed trips to the beach at La Rochelle, the Monkey Valley, rowing in Venise Verte and shopping around Poitiers. James, 16, particularly enjoyed the pool and chilling around the house and our parents enjoyed all medieval villages and roman ruins. Thank you to Keith & Francine for letting stay in your lovely house.
Mollie, Jess, James, Nick and Claire Cullen, Bristol.
|
We all had a brilliant time here, the house is lovely and so full of character and the garden is beautiful. As teenagers, we found this house a relaxing environment after our stressful exams. This area has a lot to offer for everyone as we all enjoyed day trips to different places : Mollie, 14 and Jess, 15 both enjoyed trips to the beach at La Rochelle, the Monkey Valley, rowing in Venise Verte and shopping around Poitiers. James, 16, particularly enjoyed the pool and chilling around the house and our parents enjoyed all medieval villages and roman ruins. Thank you to Keith & Francine for letting stay in your lovely house.
Mollie, Jess, James, Nick and Claire Cullen, Bristol., Jul 2011
|
It was our first time abroad for our children and rather than feel strange, they immediately settled into this beautiful and comfortable home. Francine & Keith were so kind and welcoming and their passion for this part of the country is really infectious…Thanks for everything, once again Francine and Keith! A bientôt
Jane, Richard, Chelsea, Kyle and Jay Jackson, Falkirk, Scotland, Jul 2011
|
What a perfect place to come to re-charge our batteries!.. We have had a most enjoyable, relaxing two weeks in the most wonderful house…We have eaten well, slept well and leave France four very relaxed people.
Thanks Keith and Francine for a lovely holiday in your home.
Louise, John, Liam & Aidan Urqhart, Stirling Scotland, Jun 2011
|
"We have had a wonderful time here these last 2 weeks and we go home rested and re-charged, sun-tanned and pleased to say our youngest child has learnt to swim in your pool!.. Thank you Keith & Francine for your hospitality and making us feel so welcome, you have been very attentive hosts. The house is beautiful and the garden an idyllic retreat, the children have spent hours enjoying the pool and we have enjoyed many hours sitting in the sunshine enjoying the peaceful surroundings."
the Lloyd-Adams family,, Bucks, England, Aug 2010
|
“We ’ve had a fantastic week here at Le Manoir, the weather has been very fortunate with 31 33°c every day and the occasional thunder storm in the evening. Our girls enjoyed the pool which provided an excellent way of keeping cool. If you are an early riser, take a cup of tea into the garden and sit and watch the wildlife : nightingales, swifts, swallows, humming bird hawk moth and an owl, all can be seen between 6 and 7 AM.. Thank you Keith & Francine, we have loved staying here. “
The Kemp family,, North Yorkshire, Jun 2010
|
We've had a thouroughly enjoyable frotnight here in the lovely Manoir des Couts. It is a very relaxing and welcoming house and we have particularly loved the garden. Our boys have spent every day pottering about the garden where they are completely safe and happy
Gillian, William, Sebastian & Giles Oliver, Kent., May 2008
|
Thank you for your friendship and opportunity to stay in your charming house. We leave with wonderful memoirs of French stone villages and green green fields!..
Mal and Jill Alston, Eurora, Australia, Apr 2007
|
What a fantastic week we've had here. We've had a very lazy time - helped by the great weather and the pool! The house is amazing and had everything we needed - even for an 8 months old baby. Tuesdays market at Lezay was a favourite, lots of lovely tasty local produce. Wish we were staying longer!
Susan Murphy, Tadcaster England, May 2010
|
A really peaceful and characterful property, just the place to unwind. Also great hospitality by Keith and Francine. Spent a lot of the week trying to visualise how the village would have looked in the 17th and 18th century. ..
Sharon Webb, Hereford England, Sep 2006
|
Wow ! What a lovely house, what a lovely time. We especially enjoyed the lovely herb garden! To anyone else visiting, Cognac is especially worth a visit, go the scenic route..
Michelle Clothier,, London, Sep 2005
|
Thank you for a lovely stay in your manoir, we have enjoyed ourselves hugely and there has been masses to do without going too far. Thank you particularly for our painting lessons which have inspired me to get started again and which the children enjoyed too. Two weeks goes too quickly! My mum missed the kayaking and canoeing at Lambon. Great fun! We also went go-karting at Poitiers, an amazing area with so much to do. Thanks a lot, Teddy, age 12.
Sally Kealey, Buckingham England, Apr 2005
|
We are delighted to be the first guests to write in your book! Our stay at the Manoir has been everything we wanted from our holiday and more. The beautiful house and garden is a testament to all your hard work and creativity. We hope that your future guests love it as much as we did, a week is too short a stay! We will certainly be recommending the Manoir to our friends and we hope to see you all again soon ourselves.
Thanks again to you all, particularly Francine- for all your efforts in making us feel at home. ! All the best for the future
Alun Roberts, Surrey, England, Jul 2005
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
