Le Bourg

What Penny thinks...

This traditional Charentaise farmhouse provides a real getaway from it all holiday; it is a perfect destination for those seeking a simple holiday in comfortable surroundings. With beautiful lake beaches only 10 minutes away and some charming villages to visit there is plenty to do and see for all ages. This is one of those places that will give you area taste of rural France in an age gone by.

Having driven into the rear garden of the property you can enter the house via some tiled steps to an entrance hall.

The large kitchen dining room is a well equipped, typical wood fitted kitchen in keeping with the farmhouse> There is a large, traditional fireplace (not used) and a farmhouse table with seating for 8. This is the perfect place to prepare all those wonderful ingredients found in the local farmers markets, fresh cheeses, cured meats and wonderful fruits and vegetable. The local tipple of Pineau des Charentes is also thoroughly recommended as an aperitif with your freshly prepared meals.

Opposite the kitchen, across the hallway, is the large sitting room with new sofas and plenty of space for the 8 guests to sit together to relax and watch TV. Here there is also another large Charentaise fireplace, this time with a log burner, lending itself to those low season breaks when the evenings in the Charente can be a little chilly.

Upstairs in Le Bourg you will find 4 bedrooms. 2 are double bedrooms, one with ensuite bathroom and both with large double beds and a glimpse back in time with the exposed beams. The 2 twin rooms which are simply decorated provide a lovely calm environment to enjoy sleep induced by the peaceful surroundings. All bedrooms are large enough for cots to be added. There is also a large upstairs family shower room.

Parent Points:

• The stairs here have open treads and although gated top and bottom to prevent access, are not suitable for children to use unsupervised
• There are a couple of small internal steps in the house and parents should be aware of the trip hazard
• Owing to the age of the house, the windows upstairs are low level and parents should use the child safety catches at all times. Shutters can also be closed to add additional security.

The farmhouse rests in the centre of the property and as such has an enclosed garden both to the front and back and is bordered by barns and other village houses.

The gardens are not overlooked and provide a tranquil space to relax and sunbathe. To the front of the house is a very pretty enclosed garden which has plenty of space for both sunbathing and sitting in the shade of the trees. The patio area with its al fresco eating facilities is a great place to sit and sip something cold whilst the children play in the safe environment or splash about in the paddling pool.

Bikes are available here at Le Bourg and with some fantastic cycling straight from the property, there is a whole world to explore. There is also a baby seat available.

This property does not have a swimming pool but is only 10 mins from a beautiful lake beach and the local village of Montemboeuf has an open air pool.

Parent Points:

• The barns at the rear of the house are not suitable for small children so they must remain locked at all times
• There are steps and a gate to an upper level in the rear garden and parents should not allow their children to play on the steps or to access the upper garden
• There are tiled steps up to the back door and parents need to supervise children at all times when using this entrance.

• Enclosed grounds
• Shady garden
• Garden play equipment
• Stairgates
• Bed guard
• Cots and cot linen
• Baby monitor with `walkabout` handset
• Microwave
• Steriliser
• High chair
• Booster seat
• Hand blender
• Plastic plates, cups and cutlery
• Potty
• Step
• Changing mat
• Bath toys

Just 10 minutes away from Le Bourg you will find the pretty beaches of the Lakes de Haute Charente, these are huge lakes that not only have the beaches for swimming but a whole manner of water sports, sailing, wind surfing, canoeing and fishing. Miles of beautiful woodland surround these lakes, providing cycle trails that the whole family can enjoy.

A great attraction for the whole family is Vallee des Singes (Monkey World), a fantastic park with over 300 monkeys living in the trees above you as you walk around. There is a petting zoo, an adventure play area and even a place to stop and have a meal or just a coffee whilst the children play.

La Rochefoucauld is a charming old town with some great shops and restaurants, one of which is at the foot of the gorgeous chateau overlooking the river. The chateau itself is a great day out for all the family with some fascinating history, entertaining exhibits and a whole room full of dressing up for everyone!

Angouleme is just 20 minutes away and is a beautiful university city. Set at the top of a hill and surrounded by ancient ramparts, the city offers great shopping and has some of the best restaurants in the Charente, not to mention the numerous cafes which allow you time to just sit and watch the world go by. Angouleme is also host to an exciting weekend in September with a Vintage Street Rally around the ramparts.

The Nautilis centre just outside Angouleme is a perfect sports and leisure complex for all the family. This is a mixed sports and leisure centre offering a variety of water sports. There are two pools available to all, indoor leisure pools (toboggan, jets, spas) and rooms for natural water and cardiac therapy, open year-round. Outdoors, the visitor can benefit from the River Charente, wave pool, pentagliss as well as an inflatable structure of 17m during the summer holiday season.

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