3 Bedroom Family Friendly Gite in a Former Priory near Jarnac, Charente, France
- Cottages
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- Garden
- Swimming Pool
- Baby Equipment
- Internet Access
- Courses Available
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Walking
- Watersports
- Child Friendly
- Cook available
- Other rental properties on site
Chez Aristide is one of three beautiful gites in the the heart of the Charente in France. Set in a former Priory, the award winning Courtyard is wonderfully family friendly, has a swimming pool, is surrounded by sunflowers and vineyards, and has home cooked meals available on site.
The owners bought The Courtyard in 2004 and the buildings were virtual ruins. Originally, the Courtyard was the former pilgrims lodgings of the Priory of Ste Catherine de La Champion on the pilgrims route of Santo de Campostela. It is set in a nature reserve with many rare species of birds of prey. The Priory provided the kitchens, refectory and dormitories for the monks and also offered refuge to pilgrims on their long journey south to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Despite the rural location there is everything that you could need on a daily basis just two minutes away in Rouillac – a pretty village which dates from before Roman times and is still host to one of the oldest and largest farmers markets in France on the 27th of each month. The Courtyard is surrounded by sunflowers and vineyards with most of the grapes being sold directly to the Courvoisier Cognac house in Jarnac. There are wonderful views to the south – ideal inspiration for photographers and artists.
If you can drag yourself away from the glorious setting of the Courtyard, then you’re in the perfect place to discover the region and the wonderful historic towns of Jarnac, Cognac and Angouleme. Jarnac has the Charente River as a playground - fantastic for outdoor living and watersports. Angouleme and Cognac can offer you culture, nightlife and shopping, as well as museums, galleries and fabulous places to eat and drink.
Getting There:
The Courtyard is close to several transport routes through France and near plenty of airports, as well as the TGV (high speed train link) in Angouleme. You can pick up a hire car at any of the airports, or we can organise a transfer for a small fee. The Courtyard is 2.5 hours from Paris by direct train - London - Paris - Angouleme is only a 5 hour journey! Nearest airports are Limoges (1hr 15), Bordeaux, La Rochelle and Poitiers (1hr 30), Bergerac (2 hrs 30). Nearest ferries are St Malo and Caen (5 hours), Roscof (6 hours) and Calais (7 hours).
Nearest Airport:
Limoges
Nearest Train Station:
Angouleme
Nearest Ferry:
St Malo / Caen
Car Hire:
Advised
Interior Details
There are three accommodation options on site - Chez Aristide is the largest of the three at 105m2 and is in the former pilgrim’s lodgings. There are three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The master bedroom is king size and has a juliet balcony with south facing views. The second bedroom can be either a king or a twin and overlooks the courtyard. The children’s room has a seaside theme with bunks and a cot. There is a family bathroom upstairs and a shower room downstairs.There’s a well equipped open plan kitchen, an antique refectory table with bench seating, two large sofas, flat screen HD TV with DVD and iPod docking, freesat TV and Wifi. There are two other houses on site. La Maison Cachee is a traditional cottage, formerly the kitchen of the priory refectory with a massive stone fireplace dating to 1786 and is tucked away next to the main house. This cottage can accommodate two adults and two children in a family suite, (formerly the grain store). Chez Coco is a stylish and quirky house on the south side of the Courtyard in the pilgrims lodgings, which sleeps up to four and a baby in two ensuite bedrooms, this cottage has a massive 3 metre high window. In the summer the thick limestone walls keep the buildings’ interiors cool, whilst in winter they retain the heat from the wood-burning stoves to keep you cosy.
Exterior Details
Outside there is a private garden with covered pergola dining table and chairs. There is a gorgeous gated heated pool on site.There is a childrens play area with climbing frame, sand pit, géodésique dome, trampoline. There is an indoor space with an arty crafty table, lego, playmobil. There is a hangar with ping pong, table football and darts.
Further Details
Aside from the accommodation itself, there is free arrival shopping pick and drinks. The hosts can book in advance for you; pony riding, chocolate making, cognac tasting, canoeing, bike hire. In high season we light the wood burning pizza oven on Friday nights.
Conditions of Rental
In high season (June, July and August) bookings are a minimum of a week and changeover day is Saturday. Changeover day is flexible during other times of year and there is a three night minimum stay. Prices include all linens, bath towels, WiFi, private parking and concierge service. End of stay cleaning is payable separately to the cleaner. Couples rates are available for under occupancy outside June, July and August.
