Maison Poutrelles

Watch morning sunrises and evening sunsets from Maison Poutrelles’ glorious garden surrounded by vineyards. This Maison de Maître is set in the sunny Charente-Maritime of south-western France offering seclusion, authenticity and beautiful surroundings, close to the historic market town of Jonzac.

The setting is indeed idyllic – listen to birdsong as you sip your morning coffee on the terrace and hear the sound of owls as you rest at night. Maison Poutrelles sleeps up to 10 guests across the house and garden annexe. Guests can expect high standards alongside traditional features here – relax in the elegant living room overlooking the garden, chill out in the TV lounge with its Smart TV and cook up a wealth of regional delights in the wonderful kitchen, brilliantly equipped including Smeg appliances.

On the first floor there are three pretty bedrooms including the master double with a king-size bed, air-conditioning and en suite bathroom alongside two further double bedrooms. The attic bedroom also features air-conditioning and there is a delightful garden annexe with a king-size bed, en suite, sofa and kitchenette for peaceful breakfasts overlooking the grounds. Back to the main house, the family bathroom features a roll-top bath and there is a family shower room upstairs.

With 3.5 acres of gardens and grounds, spend long summer days outside playing boules, football, badminton and other relaxing games followed by delicious lunches next to the summer kitchen with its open fire. Admire apple and fruit trees across the lawns, play table tennis in the open barn, watch kids have fun and make the most of the fantastic indoor swimming pool, reached via sliding doors from the gardens, front and back. As the end of a busy day approaches, walk up to the bench perfectly positioned to enjoy the romantic sunset, perhaps accompanied by a glass of Pineau des Charentes.

Jonzac is just a 10-minute drive away with its restaurants, shops, historic castle and, on the edge of the town, thermal baths and summer Base de Loisirs. A bustling market takes place three mornings a week, there’s a twice-yearly brocante, jazz concerts in July and August and an atmospheric night market on Wednesday evenings when you can enjoy good local food, wine and live music.

Come across local wineries producing wine, Cognac and Pineau des Charentes, cycle or hike past vineyards, farmland and wooded trails and admire the beauty of Lac Bleu de Guizengeard. 40km away is the handsome town of Cognac, loved not just for its distilleries but also its historic centre and riverside setting with boat trips and canoeing along the Charente.

Wine and history lovers alike will also appreciate some of France’s most famous wine destinations within an hour including Margaux, Saint-Émilion and Bordeaux. You may prefer instead to spend the day by the coast in charming Royan or venture a little further to Île d'Oléron or Île de Ré, two of France’s magnificent Atlantic islands for more incredible landscapes and sweeping sandy beaches.