A selection of GUEST COMMENTS 2019
"We have had a wonderful family holiday" Alan B.(by text 27.7.19)
"We've arrived at the property. It's beautiful" Leanne M. (by text 21.5.19)
2018
“We have had a wonderful week staying in this stunning gite. The views are simply wonderful…… We would definitely return. You have a perfect holiday gite” Charlotte S. (Visitors’ book 9.7.18)
“We’ve had a great 2 weeks. What a well equipped home from home. Thank you for a lovely holiday“ Jeff C. (visitors’ book 11.8.18)
“We had a lovely week. We could have stayed for 3! Best dinner ever at La Taverne. Lovely house. Ideal for 8 of us” The Met……. family (visitors’ book 16.8.18)
“We have had a wonderful 2 weeks at your lovely gite. The setting is fantastic.” The Ab…. Family (Visitors book 31.8.18)
A selection of GUEST COMMENTS 2017
"We've arrived and it's heaven!" (from Kelli F. by email 22.7.17)
"what a wonderful holiday we had at Les Etangs. House and views were beautiful.............we would recommend to friends." (from Fern B. by email 18.7.17)
A selection of GUEST COMMENTS 2016
"We are loving our stay here, the most beautiful place. I think the sunflowers may come out while we are here." Stephen & Charlotte A.
(by email 11.7.16)
"Very spacious and well equipped for a very comfortable holiday. Lovely open views all round. The village had very good facilities and we were well positioned to explore the Charente & Dordogne regions. Margarete provided excellent service (and even opened up the pool in April for us). It would certainly be somewhere we would like to stay again." Diane A. 23.5.16
DESCRIPTION
A beautifully restored, peaceful, spacious, light & airy farmhouse with white walls, exposed beams, lots of character, with all mod cons including unlimited broadband internet use (Free WiFi).
GROUND FLOOR - open plan with cool terracotta floors, large living area with comfy sofas, coffee table, satellite TV & wood burner, dining area with table & chairs for 8, spacious modern kitchen with dishwasher, tall fridge (with freezer part), microwave, utility room with washing machine, shower room/WC. Private rear terrace with garden furniture & BBQ for alfresco dining & watching sunsets & truly amazing star gazing. It's awesome free entertainment just watching the heavens at night, or perhaps taking a midnight dip in the floodlit pool.
FIRST FLOOR - 4 attractively presented double bedrooms, one with en-suite shower room & WC, and a family bathroom & WC. All bedrooms have exposed beams, a chest of drawers with mirror, and either a wardrobe or hanging space. Bedroom 4 also doubles as the study with a desk if required. All bedrooms enjoy wonderful countryside views too. In fact you can watch the sunset from the double bed in the master bedroom.
OUTSIDE - there are panoramic countryside views all around the 0.5 acres of lawned flat gardens - ideal for a game of boules - plus private parking area, also shrubs & some trees for shade. The private pool measures 10m x 5m with a safety alarm & sun loungers. The house is half of the barn conversion. Each Gite has private pool and is not overlooked. There is lots and lots of space.
ACTIVITIES/SPORTS/SIGHTSEEING - there is so much to discover, something for everybody. People say a fortnight is not enough!
NEW! - BIKE HIRE now available, delivered to your gite door, no need to bring your own
NEW! - THEMED HOLIDAYS arranged for you. Walking, cycling, birdwatching, photography, painting, tennis, golf, riding, wine tasting, cooking, learning French, spa days, yoga. Others by arrangement. Please ask.
GOLF - from the terrace at Les Etangs you can see the red roofs of Le Manoir de Longeveau across the fields. It's about a 5 minute drive. This is an English run country club with a 9 hole Golf course with regular competitions, 3 hard TENNIS courts (coaching available), and a lively social calendar of barbecues, concerts & events throughout the year, open to non-members, at their delightful outdoor terrace & newly refurbished stylish bar/restaurant with panoramic views. Definitely worth a visit or two!
There are 18 hole golf courses at Angouleme (45kms) and Périgueux (50kms) and further afield at Cognac, Royan & Bordeaux.
For kiddies there is MINI GOLF at St. Severin, just 1km from the house.
Nearest TENNIS court is at St. Séverin (1km) & there are 3 tennis courts at Le Manoir de Longeveau (3kms) & more at Aubeterre (6kms) in a riverside setting.
There is a safe & sandy RIVER BEACH at Aubeterre with kids' PLAYGROUND. In summer there is JOUSTING on the river. Or you can take a lazy CANOE trip downriver, be collected & brought back to your car.
MOULIN DE POLTROT (3kms) nature reserve, with riverside activity areas, including rope bridges, TREETOP CLIMBING ADVENTURE (a real hit!), a maze, children's playground (fenced), snackbar in summer, picnic and bbq areas.
HORSE RIDING is available in Bors (6kms) & just outside Aubeterre & at Bonnes (about 8kms).
At Les Etangs, you're on the borders of the DORDOGNE department, so it's an easy drive to all the sites & attractions of this famous area of France - magnificent CHATEAUX, prehistoric caves, bastide towns & medieval villages in the area from Bergerac to Sarlat.
In the other direction are the great VINEYARDS of Bordeaux & Cognac, with ample opportunity for WINE & Pineau TASTINGS.
St. Emilion (a UNESCO world heritage site) is another must see - one of my favourite places. Love it!
Local FARMS are often also open to visitors with tastings of local produce, foie gras, walnut oils etc.
The sandy BEACHES of the Atlantic COAST (around Royan) are about 90 min. drive - another great day out.
Locally, there's AUBETERRE (6kms) a superb listed medieval hillside village, with a RIVER BEACH & kiddies playground. Plus FISHING (permits available). There are winding streets with small craft shops & galleries & a gorgeous shady square in which to idle over a few drinks or a lazy lunch or dinner, or browse at the Sunday market. It's one of my favourite places to linger........There is a great choice of restaurants too catering for all tastes. In summer, spot the many posters for MUSIC evenings, concerts & EVENTS in the square or down by the river, including river jousting! CANOEING is available on the river in Aubeterre & HORSE RIDING is about 1km outside Aubeterre. There are also many historic buildings including the 11th century monolithic church & Romanesque Eglise St. Jacques.
SPA days (or half days) & BEAUTY TREATMENTS are available at Hostellerie du Périgord in Aubeterre.
There's YOGA available too at Juignac (about 6kms).
Aubeterre has a wonderful character all of its own. It's a MUST SEE.
After all that activity - or instead of - just chill out by the pool with a smooth glass of wine & a great book.
And after sunset (if you're still there on the terrace) try a little STAR GAZING. Just watch the stars come out to create a jewelled canopy above you. Truly magnificent. There is little light pollution so it is all the more spectacular.
GUEST COMMENTS
2016
"We are loving our stay here, the most beautiful place. I think the sunflowers may come out while we are here." Stephen & Charlotte A.
(by email 11.7.16)
"Very spacious and well equipped for a very comfortable holiday. Lovely open views all round. The village had very good facilities and we were well positioned to explore the Charente & Dordogne regions. Margarete provided excellent service (and even opened up the pool in April for us). It would certainly be somewhere we would like to stay again." Diane A. 23.5.16
2015
“Love the house. It is fabulous and weather lovely” Dympna M. (by text 29.6.15)
“We have had a fantastic holiday, thanks” Dympna M. (by text 9.7.15)
“Everything is fab here. What a lovely place it is. Thank you for letting us stay here. We are all having a lovely time” Leanne B. (by email 25.5.15)
VISITORS' BOOK COMMENTS
"We especially loved the sunsets and stars" Rebecca T. (11-18.7.15)
"Beautiful house - like a home rather than a holiday house" Dympna M. (28.6 - 9.7.15)
More available on request!
