This fabulous Maison de Maitre dates back to 1825.
The accommodation is across two floors and amounts to 420 square metres or 4,520 square feet. It is huge!
The house was originally the residence of a Hugenot family called Robillard, (whose initials are over the main entrance gate) who were prominent characters in the local region. Now it is an elegant country house with lots of modern facilities but retaining the character consistent with its history.
The front faces the sunrise and the back the sunset so it is always light and airy.
It does get pretty warm here in the summer however with shutters on all the windows and doors and insulated walls over two feet thick it is easily regulated.
General description:
Petit Champagne is a domaine of just 4 houses in the Charente Maritime region of South Western France, the second sunniest after the Cote d’Azur and on the Lonely Planet top ten places to visit in 2012.
We are located 5 minutes from junction 34 of the A10 Paris to Bordeaux motorway, 45 minutes from La Rochelle (which is also the closest airport) and, 25 minutes from the nearest beach.
Connections to the UK are straightforward with flights all year round from Stansted and Birmingham East Midlands, and summer from Southampton and Bristol.
Road connections are also good with the nearest French port of St. Malo three and a half hours distant.
The buildings are nicely positioned in the centre of the property with gardens all round.
The house has gardens at the front and a grassed terrace shaded by Acacia trees at the back. Part of this grassed area has been paved to make a bbq area.
There are lovely walks through the woodland which is surrounded by sunflowers.
There is an abundance of interesting bird and wildlife.
The local river, 'The Boutonne', has excellent fishing and is less than a 15 minute walk from the property.
There are many cycle routes in the area, and we can arrange bike hire for you.
Kitchen and dining:
Facing the garden and with views across the valley there is a huge country kitchen with a handmade solid oak table which seats 16.
There is also an 8 foot breakfast bar with stools, which is great for feeding the children and for sitting at with a glass of Pineau (local fortified wine which is served chilled) while someone else makes the dinner.
There is also a wood burning stove fitted.
There is a flatscreen tv in the kitchen with a UK Freeview system and dvd player.
There is also a SONOS sound system with speakers on the floodlight terrace as well as throughout the chateau.
Living rooms:
Opposite there is a large lounge with ornate carved ceiling and views across the garden and pool.
In this lovely room are 3 sofas and a selection of armchairs arranged around the original fireplace.
Bedrooms:
The house also has 2 bedrooms on the ground floor. One has a king sized bed with an en suite bathroom, and the other a king sized bed with 2 additional singles, this is intended primarily to be a childrens room as it has a big tv, dvd player etc.
The shower room for this bedroom is also on the ground floor, the other side of the entrance hall.
Upstairs there are a further four bedrooms, all en suite.
The master suite, which faces the back garden, with a view across the valley, has a king sized bed and a huge bathroom with large corner bath, huge shower, bidet, toilet and double sink.
The other back bedroom (with same view) has a king sized bed with two additional singles, and an en suite bathroom with a large corner bath which has a shower attachment, bidet, sink and toilet.
The third bedroom facing the front, has two three foot singles which can be zipped together to make a queen sized bed, and an en suite bathroom with bath and shower over, plus a sink and toilet.
Bathrooms:
Five out of the 6 bedrooms are en suite all have baths as well as showers. The sixth bedroom has a shower room across the corridor.
Heating:
Full oil fired central heating and wood burning stove. The house is fully double glazed.
Entertainment:
Gamesroom with table tennis table. Huge Private 15m x 8m swimming pool with alarm and solar cover.
Garden and outside:
The first thing you see when you enter Petit Champagne through the wrought iron gates are the large front gardens with numerous trees and parking for many cars in the gravelled areas.
The house is set on gently sloping land facing west for lovely sunsets and panoramic views. Most is set to lawn with the pool centrally situated with large sunbathing area.
The pool is 15m x 8m. The maximum depth is 3.4m. It is surrounded by paving with roman steps at one end and then a large sun area with plenty of sunloungers. Part of the pool and terrace are shaded in the summer afternoons which can be important so the little ones can keep swimming while it is hot.
There is a trampoline with safety net on the large back lawn.
Parking and garages:
There is ample parking for up to 35 cars!
Visitor suitability
There are 2 downstairs bedrooms with no step from the front door which opens wide enough to allow a wheel chair through. There are 2 steps out onto the terrace however a wheelchair can go around the house.
