This elegant and sophisticated chateau is just a few minutes from the local market town.
A classic 19th century chateau, this grand house has been recently renovated to bring it back to its former glory.
The intricately tiled hallway can be accessed through a beautiful entrance, where you will find a grand piano.
Blue sofas in the living room complement the bright décor, with the windows allowing light to flood in.
children will love spending time in the games room with its snooker table.
Four stunning bedrooms can be accessed from the dual aspect staircase, each of which has its own ensuite.
Three more bedrooms can be found on the top floor, with one of them a dorm style room making it ideal for families.
Outside, days can be spent relaxing in the pool, or lazing in the jacuzzi.
In the evenings, this area is ideal for sipping cocktails and cooking up a feast on the barbecue.
The local town is just a short walk away, where you can pick up some pastries from the local boulangerie, of visit the Sunday or Thursday morning market.
Just an hour away you will find the west coast, where you can experience meals overlooking the glorious sea views.
Main Château Interior
Ground Floor (via staircase outside)
First Floor
Second Floor
Apartment Interior
Studio Interior
Outside Grounds
Facilities
In the Charente Maritime, only 45-minutes from Cognac and an hour from the coast, Château de la Vie enjoys an enviable location just south of a charming small town with restaurants, shops and the town’s twice-weekly market within walking distance.
There is a choice of bakeries in the local town so you can wander down to get freshly baked morning pastries and bread as well as a pretty square with cafes perfect for a morning coffee or early evening aperitif. Just outside the village there is a UNESCO World Heritage listed church which is on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. The vibrant market takes place on a Thursday and Sunday morning and there are also essential amenities such as a pharmacy, a convenience store, post office and a play area for younger guests. On Thursday evenings look out for the fish and chip van that passes through the town!
There are various horse-riding stables across the region, including stables within a ten-minute drive and within half an hour you can reach Golf Louis Royer Guillet near Saintes with some amazing views, as well as a choice of others within an hour or so. Fishing (with a permit which you can usually pick up from a tabac or tourist office) and there are plenty of opportunities along the river in Saint-Jean-d'Angély or along the Charente river. Finally, there are many signposted footpaths and trails across the area for keen walkers and cyclists and the chateau has bikes for guests to use.
The nearby town of Saint-Jean-d'Angély (20km) is a lovely place to take stroll by the river and has a great park for kids. There are also châteaux in the region to explore, such as the fairy-tale castle Chateau de la Roche Courbon with its prehistoric caves, 45 minutes away.
A little further away, Saintes (40km) is worthy of a visit along the Charentes river as is Cognac (45km) with its delightful old town and wonderful places to dine, especially by the river. Visit the big Cognac houses both in the city and in Jarnac (50km) where you can enjoy fabulous brandy tastings and more excellent cuisine.
Angoulême (66km) is also a great day out, located above the Charente river with wonderful valley views. It’s a city full of art and history and also popular due to its National Comic Strip and Image Centre, a fantastic museum.
If you fancy a trip to the coast, you’ll find beaches in about an hour in such as Fouras (65km) or a little further there’s Plage des Minimes (84km), near La Rochelle, which can be combined with a trip to the charming island of Île de Ré. The west coast is renowned for the abundance oysters and seafood and you will have a wonderful meal looking out to the sea with a lovely crisp glass of wine and Moules Frites! Martime lovers shouldn’t miss the town of Rochefort (55km) with its fascinating naval history.