Bagnizeau Gites – Le Cognac

Owners of Les Vieilles Ombres, Nikki and Richard, are experts in making guests feel welcome and at home, having spent most of their working lives managing quality hotels in England. Besides making this former Cognac estate their family home, they have created four boutique-style gites and a thoroughly relaxing setting, in the warm and sun-blessed Charente Maritime.

The gites are set in a 2-acre country estate, which is walled and gated to create a safe, private park for even small children to free range and play hide and seek amongst the trees and shrubs. Whilst exploring the grounds, children will also be delighted to discover more fun and games including, swing, slide, badminton net and boules pitch. In the heat of the day, a huge, open fronted games barn known as ‘the hangar’ is the cool place to head for a tournament of table football or table tennis or perhaps just a circuit or two in a Little Tikes car.

The heated salt water swimming pool is fenced and gated, with sunbeds, parasols and tables on a large patio at the side for grown ups to relax in a sheltered hotspot or take an afternoon nap with baby in the ‘the old shade’ of the trees. Sunbathing interruptions with babies and toddlers are inevitable but a poolside changing room, shower and toilet make things a little less hassle. During July and August, the owners offer Scuba Diving lessons in the pool with a qualified PADI instructor, and children from 8 years upwards can have a go with the ‘bubble maker’ kit to get them used to underwater swimming.

The owners have chosen a contemporary style for the gites and kept typical Charentaise features for added character, such as exposed beams, stone walls and the bright blue shutters, which look great and help pooped parents get a good night’s sleep. With all their hospitality expertise, their emphasis has been to provide every mod con and home comfort, from well equipped kitchens and essential home entertainment to powerful showers, comfy beds and a helpful range of baby gear. A welcome pack of locally sourced provisions is provided.

Accommodation overview
Le Cognac (sleeps 5) has been newly renovated into a spacious gite which opens onto a patio area with a table, chairs and a stone BBQ. The ground floor provides a relaxed, open plan living area, comprising a contemporary sofa and chairs, TV with English Channels and a DVD player, dining table and a black and white, fully fitted kitchen. The kitchen has a full sized cooker, fridge/freezer, microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, kettle, coffee machine, toaster and plastic children’s crockery and cutlery. The master bedroom is also on the ground floor, with a wrought iron king size bed and ensuite walk-in shower. The second bedroom, on the first floor, is ideal for children, with a single bed, a bunk bed and ensuite shower, washbasin and wc. A cot, high chair, steps, bed guard, and toddler toilet seat can all be provided.