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Charente Holiday Cottages
The companies featured below provide a wide selection of villas, gites and cottages in Charente. Many of the holiday properties offered include swimming pools, both shared and private. Visit the sites for more information about availability and booking rates.
Cottages 4 You - About
90 Charente holiday cottages including renovated farmhouses, detached cottages, 18th century townhouses and villas. They vary in size with some able to accommodate up to 8 people. Private swimming pools are available with selected properties.
Chez Nous - Another
90 Charente cottages and holiday homes from Chez Nous. Their range consist mostly of traditional French properties such as gites and character cottages. Prices are between £150 and £700 for off-peak weekly stays.
Holiday Lettings - Over 80 Charente cottage properties and other forms of self catering accommodation. Their collection ranges from modern holiday homes to renovated farmhouse buildings. Rates are as low as £175 for week long breaks in some cases.
Hoseasons - 40 Charente self catering properties including cottages and holiday villas. The majority feature private and shared swimming pools and start at about £225 p/w. All are well-appointed with some able to sleep up to 10 people.
Charente
Charente holiday cottages are located in one of the most picturesque regions of France. The Charente landscape consists of plush green fields and rolling hills. Upper Charente also boasts some fine lakes and waterways set amongst tall trees and large hedgerows - this is France at its finest.
One of the most notable towns worth visiting is
Cognac, birth place of the world famous brandy. Apart from its renowned export it is also the birthplace of François 1st and there are constant reminders of its rich past in the form of gothic and Romanesque architecture.
Charente is also known for its fine gardens and these can be found in towns like the medieval Tusson and the
Romanesque Dignac. All kinds of plants and herbs grow amid carefully landscaped gardens and create an idyllic, peaceful setting. Like many parts of France, small, beautiful villages can be found dotted around; Small towns such as Aubeterre and Brigueuil seem to epitomise the charm of rural France.
There are also plenty of museums to capture the interest of the visitor. The Musée des arts du Cognac provides a wealth of information on the history of the town while The
Museum of Fine Arts in Angoulême celebrates the work of 9th century artists. See the guide that follows for more details of Charente visitor attractions and activities.
Charente visitor attractions
This region of France has a great deal to offer cottages tourists, who enjoy sight seeing and plenty of outdoor action. There are miles of beautiful, sandy beaches, acres of vineyards, picturesque towns and villages. As well as the area’s ancient chateaux and abbeys, there are also some fantastic theme parks and last, but by no means least, the Charente, one of the loveliest rivers in France.
Outdoor activities
The area is blessed with a micro-climate, which ensures hot and sunny weather during the summer months. There are four golf courses near Cognac set in the vines in the valleys of Charente. The river, lakes and streams provide numerous opportunities for fishing, canoeing and rafting while the
Valley of Eaux is the place for climbers, walkers, cyclists and ramblers
Popular family attractions are
The Aquarium at La Rochelle and Futuroscope situated between Poitiers and Chatellerault – especially suitable for kids and reasonably priced compared with
Eurodisney. At the
Chateau des Enigmes near Pons there is an outdoor treasure hunt with a new theme each year. Great fun, especially for kids. South East of Bordeaux is the Tepacap Activity centre, a large theme park in a forest setting.
Food and drink
Charente is best known for its Cognac which takes its name from the town which has been producing it from its vineyards since the 18th century. Fro April to November it is possible to visit the producers in the area for tasting. As the Charentes is a maritime region, there are plenty of
excellent seafood restaurants but non-fish lovers can also sample lamb, eels, frog legs and escargots (snails).
At L’Essile in Bassac, you can enjoy traditional French food and relax in their pretty garden. In the village of Les metairies, 4km north of Jamac, is the
Maison Karina, which is run by British owners with an excellent local reputation for their cuisine. Children are welcome. The
Auberge Pontoise is a hotel/ restaurant offering a warm welcome to families and serving moderately priced meals. And in La Rochelle, Cote de Chez Fred serves a wide choice of seafood – oysters a speciality.
History and Culture
The turbulent history of the Charente has left a rich legacy which includes some fine medieval architecture, featuring Romanesque churches and beautiful chateaux. Perched on a rock overlooking the Tardoire, is the
Chateau de Rochefoucauld, a magnificent Renaissance building known to the
Charentais as ‘the pearl of the Angoumois’. It is situated in the north east of Angouleme and is open to the public for guided tours by arrangement only.
At La Rochelle, visit the 15th century
Tour de la Lanterne for fantastic views over the town. Open mid-September to mid-May, Tuesday to Sunday and mid-May to mid-September daily. A visit to Chateau de Cognac, the 16th century birthplace of Francois 1st includes a cognac tasting.
