Pretty Charentaise villa with enclosed garden, private heated pool, sleeps 8 + 2

Chez Sibert has been professionally modernised to provide a comfortable, all year round holiday home. The traditional 150 year old house is designed to be cool in summer and warm in the winter, and well equipped for you to enjoy your stay. There is so much to do and see whatever the season.

The Charente-Maritime is renowned for its micro-climate. This provides long periods of sunshine, second only to the French Riviera. This usually lasts from March to October, with warm days at both ends of that season, and even the winters can be quite mild.
Situated on a small hill above the Charente valley in the ancient province of Saintonge, the property is surrounded by vineyards planted to get the maximum sun possible – these produce the grapes for the famous cognac and delicious local fortified wine pineau. The vines are edged by small woods which attract a variety of wildlife. For example from the garden you can see deer walking through vines in the morning, watch buzzards wheeling above, listen to the crickets, or a nightingale in the evening and hear the extraordinary call of a golden oriole. The garden catches the sun all day long, with huge expanses of sky to really appreciate the weather, bird life, or perhaps gaze at the stars at night. Close by, running through the wood, is evidence of the Via Agrippa roman road which ran between Saintes and Lyons.
This is a spacious property offering plenty of flexible accommodation and modern facilities for up to eight people - with space for two extra children - but it also works well for smaller parties wanting more room or a couple for a romantic getaway. Downstairs the spacious open plan living room easily accommodates everyone, with a large fire for cooler seasons, as well as a piano. Next to the living room is a separate snug with further seating. A large modern kitchen diner – the garden room – has patio doors leading out to one of the terraces and an outdoor eating area with barbecue. There is also a double downstairs en-suite bedroom as well as a cloakroom with another shower. Upstairs there are three good sized bedrooms, one is en-suite and depending on the size of the party, a second room can become en-suite. The pretty bedrooms have comfortable quality mattresses which can be configured as singles or superking doubles.
The attractive fenced garden is flat, offering views across the vines and plenty of different areas to relax in, whether you want sun, or shade. The secure pool area is a delightful private sun trap; the heated pool is 8m x 4m and a uniform depth of 1.5m. The pool is available for use from 1st May to 30th September. The flat lawns allow people to make use of the outdoor games and activities provided. Guests are welcome to help themselves to cherries, peaches and greengages from the fruit trees. The drive, within the garden, allows parking for at least three cars, and includes a shaded car port.
Even though the house is a traditional design, the property has been equipped for modern living including four fully modernised bathrooms, heating and double glazing. There is WiFi, Sky television, French television, charging sockets for mobile devices and a fully equipped kitchen with electric oven, induction hob and wine cooler.
The peaceful location is at the end of a no through road but is only 15 minutes from Cognac and 20 minutes from Saintes. Smaller towns offering bakeries and small supermarkets are even closer. All the towns have regular traditional French markets; Saintes has a market every day. Both Saintes and Cognac have local train stations; Angouleme is the nearest TGV station (now on the Tours to Bordeaux TGV expansion). There are also TGV stations at La Rochelle and Niort. The nearest airports are at Bordeaux and La Rochelle.
The local region provides something for all interests for example; kayaking on the river, or climbing through the trees at Fontdouce; cycling through local lanes; walks along two of the national long distance footpaths - GR4 and GR360;the history and cultural development of the Saintes area from well before roman times; the famous cognac business and tasting tours; a lively music scene including the annual Cognac jazz festival; the world championship motocross at St Jean d’Angely; Haras National de Saintes (national breeding stables) and the unique Poitou Charente donkey; not forgetting the fine restaurants throughout the area. The nearest coast is only 40kms, providing magnificent sandy beaches. The thriving historic port of La Rochelle, regional capital of Charente-Maritime, and bustling city of Angouleme, the regional centre of Charente, are both about an hour away.