Our Home in Pointou-Charentes, the ideal place for exploring South-West France.

LOCATION

Le Chêne de Courgé is situated in the Pays Mellois, Poitou-Charentes, the region with the second highest sunshine hours per year in France.

Located between the Loire Valley with its magnificent chateaux, the Dordogne valley, with its vineyards, wine tasting at St. Emilion and crusader history; and the historic La Rochelle on the Atlantic Coast, making it an excellent base to explore these areas full of Roman history.

To the west is Niort (formerly a Roman port), the capital of our Department of Deux-Sèvres (named after the two Sèvres rivers), and the charming Marais (marsh) Poitevin with its scenic Venise Vert (green Venice) drainage canals constructed by retreating monks in the early centuries.

The town of Lezay, with its weekly outdoor market, supermarket, bakeries, pharmacies and  banks is only minutes away.  Melle, with its historic Roman churches silver mines and culture is a leisurely 15-minute drive from Courgé.

A little further afield and closer to Nantes is the Puy de Fou, with its recreated French Medieval village and incredible night show of Sound and Light during the month of August.

Several other recreational facilities and attractions such as the Lambon reservoir with its boating facilities, the Valley of the Monkeys, and the Mouton (sheep) Village are all within an hour’s drive.

THE PROPERTY

Le Chêne (the oak, at least 400 years old) has been our renovated home for 16 years since arriving from America; but now having moved to our newly restored cottage, the house can be your vacation dwelling while you explore the richness of South West France.  

THE GROUNDS

These are extensive, consisting of four acres of lawn, fields, an orchard, pretty gardens, a mar (small lake), and circular driveway with its central fish pond.  The house is approached via our own private driveway, so that the house cannot be seen from the road or by the neighbors, ensuring complete privacy.

The recreation area has a 40-foot x 16.5 heated swimming pool, pool house with a full bathroom, a games room for table tennis, darts, and other table games.  Also, a BBQ is available pool-side, and the octagonal gazebo is delightful for sheltering from the sun or the occasional shower.  The upper pool lawn has ample space for outdoor games such as badminton, horse shoes and croquet – all provided – or football on the oval.

For outdoor meals and relaxation, tables and chairs are available on the house patio, in the Gazebo, or on the extensive pool terrace under the shady tilleul (lime tree, over 200 years old). Sun loungers and additional tables and chairs are on the pool lawn.

While secluded, we are in the middle of a clean and quiet hamlet, ideal for a stress-free vacation.

THE HOUSE

Our 4-bedroom 3-bath house that can accommodate 6, has been lovingly restored to retain its traditional style of the area, with stone walls and exposed original beams, at the same time providing all the necessary modern conveniences for comfortable living.

Ground Floor

On one side of the spacious entrance is the living room with double doors to the patio, and adjoining newly fitted kitchen with its breakfast corner.  On the other side is the long dining room, a TV corner with DVD and VCR players, and the single, downstairs bedroom, Emilie.  There is also a full bathroom with a large tub, separate shower stall, toilet and basin.

There is a second DVD/VCR player in the living room. 

The kitchen is fully equipped with a large two-door frig/freezer, a 4-burner gas cook top, new electric oven and microwave, dishwasher, coffee maker, toaster, mixer and an electric kettle.  Ample cutlery, crockery and glassware is supplied.  The arrière cuisine, (second kitchen) has a 4-burner gas stove with oven.  Washer and dryer, plus iron and ironing board, are available upstairs.

 Upper Floor

The original oak staircase leads to the upper floor sitting room overlooking the fishpond, and library.  To one side is the master Suite Yasmin - furnished with a queen-size bed, and leaded glass lighted insert.  The en-suite tiled bathroom has a corner tub with shower, basin and toilet, and heated towel rail.

On the other side of the sitting room are guest bedrooms, Hélène with two  twin beds, and Charlotte, with a double bed.

The guest rooms share a bathroom which is equipped with shower, basin, toilet, and heated towel rail.

All rooms are tastefully decorated and furnished, with plenty of cupboard space.