Confolens holiday cottage rental, Manot with walking, beach/lake nearby, log fire, balcony/terrace, rural retreat, TV, DVD

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Chez les Hiboux (cottage)

Home description

Chez les Hiboux is a 17-th century farmhouse and is situated in a quiet hamlet surrounded by unspoilt countryside in one of the most stunning locations in the Charente.

The house benefits from a large solar-heated swimming pool and its own exclusive outside dining area under its own covered pergola.

Sit in the heat of the evening sun, looking at the River Vienne (at this point more than 80 metres wide) with a glass of wine in your hand and watch the cows as they take their evening stroll across the fields.

Domaine Rive Gauche	Swimming Pool
Panning for Gold	Canoeing on the River Vienne

To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/29058

The Poitou-Charentes / Vendee / Charente region

Confolens is an old town in the Charente area of France. The Charente has the reputation of being the second sunniest region in France.

The area around Confolens contains many typical French villages with medieval quarters, local markets, chateaux, old churches and lakes with beaches - perfect for swimming or just for relaxing.

Confolens / Manot area

Just a scratch on the map but Manot is situated between Confolens and Roumazières, a route indicated as one of outstanding beauty. A typical sleepy French village with the old bridge crossing the River Vienne, the beautiful church dominates the skyline on your approach. Manot station may not have seen a train for some years, but many people pass through it or board from it using the velo-rail. The best way to describe the velo-rail is to liken it to pedaloes that run on rail tracks - a great day out for the whole family. Manot also boasts a very small beach by the ruins of the old mill. Here, the beds of the local river contain minute deposits of gold and garnet for which you can prospect whilst paddling in the cool clear water. For the more ambitious it is one of the starting points for the canoe school, where you can paddle up river to Confolens. The village shop is a short stroll away from the farmhouses and is great for the odds and ends you may need. There is also a boulangerie where you can get your freshly baked bread and croissants each morning.

Confolens, with its bars and restaurants, stands at the confluence of the rivers Vienne and Goire, and is a delightful medieval town with a castle keep and natural spring. Every year the whole world meets in its streets to celebrate folklore and traditional music from all over the globe. Canoes and pedaloes are available to explore the river.

The ruins of the fortress of Saint-Germain-de-Confolens, built in the 12th and the 15th centuries, dominate the valleys of the Issoire and Vienne. Its inner courtyard is flanked by four towers. For several years a group of young volunteers has been working to preserve and restore the site and largely thanks to their efforts you can admire the arrow slits, loopholes and vaulted rooms of the basement. Saint-Germain is a pleasant village to explore with its weaver's house, medieval house and 12th century church.

Roumazières is the European capital of terracotta roof tiles. Whilst not as touristic a town as its neighbour Confolens, it conceals some excellent restaurants at the lowest prices. Roumazières also has a plan d'eau which is a cross between a man-made lake and a swimming pool. There is no entrance fee and is excellent for those with younger children.

Etagnac is a tiny village with so much to offer: the Château of Rochebrune with its mirror-like moat, its large swimming lake with sandy beach and bar/restaurant, areas for the keen fishermen, village bar/restaurant and hotel.

Split in two by the River Vienne, Chabanais has several bars and an excellent restaurant. At the grand village station you can board the train that runs between Limoges and Angouleme.

Less than 1 hour's drive is the martyr village of Oradour sur Glane. Early in the afternoon of 10 June 1944 the Waffen SS troops arrived at the entrance to the village and surrounded it. The troops assembled the inhabitants in the village square and separated men, women and children before executing them. Oradour sur Glane has been left untouched since that fateful day and has become a place of remembrance.

How to get there

The region is well served by budget airlines flying to Limoges and Poitiers

Activities near Confolens

Facilities

Further details indoors:
Named after the barn owl who used to live in the grenier (attic), but decided to move out after we moved in, this farmhouse was built in 1603, and this was always the major consideration during the restoration. Reclaimed materials and traditional building methods were used to repair and reinstate many features. We have also selected traditional French furniture, especially in the bedrooms and the lounge and dining areas. Whilst the farmhouse was restored to reflect the period in which it was built it also has the added comfort of today's luxuries. Inside you will find thick stone walls, mammoth oak beams and impressive fireplaces.

Downstairs there is a fully equipped kitchen with Smeg dishwasher, microwave, gas cooker and fridge. There are plenty of kitchen utensils and cookware, together with cutlery, crockery and glassware. The living room has a massive Charentais fireplace and a Louis XV style three piece suite - a perfect area to relax in the cool on those hot summer days or to toast near the log burner during the winter evenings. The dining room has a huge Basque style oak dining table, with six leather studded chairs, and matching 2½ metre long carved sideboard. The downstairs bathroom has shower, washhand basin and WC. There is a 200 litre hot water supply so there is always lashings of hot water available.

Upstairs there are three well-sized bedrooms - two double and one twin. The two double bedrooms have traditional French bedroom furniture, with chevets and bedside lamps for that late night reading. The two front bedrooms have spectacular views of the River Vienne. The bathroom has a baignoire (small French bath) with shower, washhand basin and WC.

Further details outdoors:
The solar-heated 10.5 x 5.5 m pool has a maximum depth of 1.2 m and is securely fenced. It is surrounded by a large wooden sun deck with comfortable sun loungers and parasols.

Apart from your outside dining area - with table, chairs and essential barbeque - there is plenty of other garden furniture around and several secluded areas within the grounds.

There is a full-sized badminton court for the more energetic.

Parking is on-site.

Further details

All bedding and bed linen is provided. Towells can be provided at an additional cost of £5 per bale (2 bath towells, 2 hand towells and 1 flannel).

Swimming pool open from end of May until end of September.

Owners are on hand should you require assistance.

Conditions

Refundable breakages deposit of £200 required with final payment eight weeks before arrival, to be refunded within two weeks of your departure (subject to satisfactory property inspection).

20% of rental fee to secure booking. Balance to be paid eight weeks before start of holiday.

Rental rates

Prices for group size 6
Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
Low season	5 Apr 08	26 Jul 08	500£  500	5050	5050	2 Nights
High season	26 Jul 08	30 Aug 08	830£  830	0-	0-	1 Week
Low season	30 Aug 08	20 Dec 08	500£  500	5050	5050	2 Nights
Christmas	20 Dec 08	3 Jan 09	600£  600	0-	0-	1 Week

Prices for group size 2
Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
Couple rates	5 Apr 08	25 Jul 08	330£  330	0-	0-	1 Week
Couple rates	30 Aug 08	20 Dec 08	330£  330	0-	0-	1 Week

The owner's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion.
Duo rate: £330 per week for 2 people sharing (includes pack of essential household items and towels)
Duo plus rate: £345 per week for 2 people + baby (under 4 years old).
Duo rates also offer changeover days of Saturday and Wednesday.

Weekend and short breaks: £50 per night based on 2 people sharing (£15 per night for each additional person).

Long term lets available for off season househunters from £170 per week (excluding electricity, gas and logs).

Payment can be made by cheque - GB Pounds or Euro. Payment can also be made by credit card via our website.

Guestbook

"Thank you so much for a really wonderful stay in Hiboux. We were made very welcome indeed and enjoyed your hospitality. It is a perfect location", Bob, Lynda & Jessica, Antwerp

"We've had a very relaxed holiday. What a lovely spot & lovely area. I liked the pool, nice and refreshing in the 35° heat!", Steve, Michelle, Emily & Andrew, Aberdeen

"Thank you so much for our nice holiday at your beautiful place here in Manot. We have really appreciated your friendliness and you are always so helpful", Eva, Nils, Sunniva & Thea, Norway

"Our first visit to the region, but most definitely not the last. Thanks for a wonderful week chez vous! ", Helen, Mick, Alex & Nicole, Nottinghamshire

"A great place for wildlife on the doorstep. We've had a really good time", Richenda, Jeremy, Lily & Henry, London SW18

"We've all had a great week here, really relaxing but with enough activities to keep the children happy. Thanks to Carol & Gary for their hospitality", Jim, Jane, Harry, Lewis & Madeleine, Hants

Availability notes

To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/29058

Contact owner

To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/29058

Contact details for home 29058 Please mention Holiday Lettings
Name:	Carol Seale
Tel:	+33 (0)5 45 30 23 13
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Contact Notes: Email
Advertiser joined: 29 May 2007 This property added: 3 Apr 2008

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