Chez les Hirondelles

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Farmhouse |3 bedrooms |Sleeps 6

Manot in Confolens

£36–£99 / night
£250–£695 / week

2 nights minimum stay

Changeover flexible

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Key info  Swimming pool, beach or lakeside relaxation, balcony/terrace, car advised, private garden, no pets allowed

About the home

Chez les Hirondelles is one of three spacious 17-century farmhouses in the Confolens area of the Charente with stunning views of the River Vienne. Situated in a quiet hamlet surrounded by unspoilt countryside, most people agree that the farmhouses are amongst the best of the rental properties available and that they have one of the most stunning locations in the Charente.

The farmhouses are set in one acre of land with large 10 x 5 m swimming pool. Each house has its own exclusive outside dining area - table, chairs and essential barbecue - under its own covered pergola. The houses have been restored to reflect the period in which they were built, but with the added luxury of today's home comforts and are far removed from the idea of the typical French gite of yesteryear.

We offer you a self catering holiday where you have space and freedom. Once you've unpacked you're in charge: breakfast is ready when the croissants have been warmed in the oven: the bar is open when you pull the cork from the first bottle of wine of the day. 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 pineau (a blend of cognac and wine) in your hand and watch the cows as they take their evening stroll across the fields.

Facilities

Further details indoors:
Chez les Hirondelles 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.

Downstairs there are enormous oak beams, a traditional Charentais open fireplace, exposed stone and tiled floors. Along with the Louis XV style lounge furniture, a beautiful oak cabinet houses the TV/DVD player and CD player. The dining area has a large Basque oak dining table, with six chairs. The fully equipped kitchen has a Smeg dishwasher, microwave oven, gas cooker and fridge, together with plenty of cooking utensils, serving dishes and cookware. There is a downstairs showerroom complete with mosaic-tiled shower, a wash basin inserted into an oak surround and WC. There is a 200 litre hot water supply so there is always lashings of hot water available.

Upstairs there are three 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 large showerroom has a mosaic-tiled shower, washhand basin and WC.

There is a communal laundry area in an adjoining building with washing machine, iron and ironing board.

It is unlikely that this house has been occupied for at least the past 200 years, apart from the families of swallows (les Hirondelles) who visit each May. They have been banished from the inside and now make their nests in the nearby barns. However they still like to see where they used to live and during the months of July and August it is quite usual to have five or six of the small birds perched on the window shutters chattering to each other.

Further details outdoors:
These farmhouses are set in one acre of land with large 10 x 5 m swimming pool. Each house has its own exclusive outside dining area - table, chairs and essential barbecue - under its own covered pergola.

Further details

Towels can be provided if requested.

Conditions

Before booking you are encouraged to read carefully the Conditions of Rental. After confirming your dates with us, please print off and complete the Online Booking Form. Although we can accept provisional bookings via telephone or email, you then have one week to confirm your reservation by sending your signed and completed booking form plus a 20% non-refundable deposit. We can also take payment by credit card.

Refundable breakages deposit of £200 required on payment of final balance, to be refunded within two weeks after your departure (subject to satisfactory property inspection).

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Swimming Pool

 

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Chez les Hirondelles

 

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Dining Room

 

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Bedroom

The Poitou-Charentes / Vendee / Charente region

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, 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.

The 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.

How to get there

Chez les Hirondelles What's nearby: Attractions Restaurants Click map icons for more information

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

Activities near Confolens

Guestbook for Chez les Hirondelles

"A wonderful 2 weeks. Gary & Carol are great hosts. Very peaceful. didn't do half of what we planned - too much time relaxing" - Mr & Mrs H, Wiltshire

"Thanks for a wonderful holiday. Beautiful house and beautiful surroundings, never tired of the views from our bedroom window each morning, and the view of the stars at our 'fresco' meals" - Mr & Mrs H, Oxon

"Carol & Gary are fantastic - I could kidnap them! The locals are fantastically friendly and I shall miss you all. We will definitely be back!!!" - Mrs M, West Sussex

"A great, relaxing holiday in a wonderful region of France that we have really enjoyed exploring. The kids have had a ball roaming the countryside and we are sure to return" - Mr & Mrs H, Essex

"Thanks Gary & Carol for my best holiday yet in France. I really enjoyed the kayaking and gold panning. The house was lovely and the star watching was fun. I hope to come back one year" - Jack (13), Monmouthshire

Rental prices

Prices for group size 2
Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
	7 Jan 12	30 Jun 12	250£ 250	-	-	1 Week
	30 Jun 12	14 Jul 12	450£ 450	-	-	1 Week
	14 Jul 12	21 Jul 12	550£ 550	-	-	1 Week
	21 Jul 12	1 Sep 12	695£ 695	-	-	1 Week
	1 Sep 12	22 Dec 12	250£ 250	-	-	1 Week
	22 Dec 12	5 Jan 13	600£ 600	-	-	1 Week

Prices for group size 6
Period	From	To	Weekly	Nightly rate		Minimum  stay
				Weekday	Weekend
	7 Jan 12	30 Jun 12	350£ 350	50£ 50	50£ 50	2 Nights
	30 Jun 12	14 Jul 12	450£ 450	-	-	1 Week
	14 Jul 12	21 Jul 12	550£ 550	-	-	1 Week
	21 Jul 12	1 Sep 12	695£ 695	-	-	1 Week
	1 Sep 12	22 Dec 12	350£ 350	50£ 50	50£ 50	2 Nights
	22 Dec 12	5 Jan 13	600£ 600	-	-	1 Week

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

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.

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

Payment can be made by cheque or by credit card. We can also accept payment in Euro.

Long term lets available for off season househunters

Availability

See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here

Contact the owner

* Required fields Please check the following errors: First name * Last name * Email *   Did you mean ""? Yes / No Phone number Arrival date Departure date   Ignore calendar - enquire anyway No. of adults No. of children Message * Email me special offers and holiday ideas

1 years listed You are contacting Carol Seale Landline 33 0545 302313 Mobile n/a Web Visit site Payment accepted Credit cards accepted PayPal accepted Languages spoken The owner is based in France and has advertised with Holiday Lettings since 2011. This farmhouse has so far received no reviews.

This advert is created and maintained by the advertiser; we can only publish adverts in good faith as we don't own, manage or inspect any of the properties. We advise you to familiarise yourself with our terms of use and FAQs.

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