Charente Retreat

This beautifully renovated traditional Charentaise farmhouse is filled with both original charm and contemporary style. It boasts a large a private heated pool, set in its own walled garden area, extensive gardens and an idyllic location, surrounded by fields of sunflowers, but just a few minutes from the picturesque market town of Surgeres with its wide choice of shops, bars and restaurants offering everything from good local food to gourmet dining.

The glorious sandy beaches of the Atlantic Coast are only a short drive away as are the famously beautiful Ile de Re and Ile d'Oleron. The totally unspoilt town of La Rochelle with its medieval streets, harbour side restaurants and bars, marina and aquarium is less than 30 minutes away.

The Charente Maritime boasts the second longest hours of sunshine in France after the Cote D'Azur and summers tend to stretch from April to October. The local seafood (oysters, mussels, crab and fish) is always fresh and plentiful and there are many good local wines, pineau and cognac to accompany meals.

Accommodation Overview:
Charente Retreat has been sympathetically renovated combining original features and stonework, with contemporary furnishings and amenities, including central heating, which can be useful in the cooler months. The large lounge with leather sofas and chairs arranged around an original working fireplace (logs provided in winter). This room has a quality CD Stereo system and numerous board games. Next door, the separate TV room has a DVD player and Playstation 2 (with a good choice of DVDs and games). English TV and radio are available through the Sky Satellite system. The kitchen/breakfast room incorporates a fully fitted fridge and separate freezer, a glass induction hob, sizeable oven and dishwasher. The kitchen can seat up to seven people if desired. The separate dining room contains a bespoke table which seats ten, there is also an additional sofa here overlooking the garden.

Upstairs (please note stairs are open on one side and therefore little ones will require supervision) La Retraite has four large bedrooms, two of which contain king size beds. There is a twin bedded room and a room containing a set of bunks and two single beds. All the bedrooms have shutters and blinds and due to the thick walls are cool even in the height of summer. There is a large bathroom with a freestanding bath and separate walk in shower. Two sinks are set into the tiled unit opposite. There are two further shower rooms/WCs, one upstairs and another situated downstairs next to the laundry room which contains a washing machine, tumble dryer and ironing board/iron.

Outside, both the front and rear gardens are laid to lawn and fully enclosed making them wonderfully safe for young children. There are outdoor dining sets in both gardens and a large BBQ available. The lovely 10m x 5m private swimming pool is heated and set in its own walled garden area with lockable gated access to prevent worries for parents. The pool has a large terrace with sun loungers and a decked area with pergola for shade. Behind the gates is secure parking for two or three cars. In the barn there is both a large barbeque and a number of bicycles for guests use.