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Direct booking, independent holiday breaks throughout France, in privately owned self catering country houses, cottages, gites and apartments, villas and traditional farmhouses, or in a choice of delightful Bed and Breakfast Chambres d'Hôtes. | |
Holiday Homes In France 1998-2008 |
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Bed and Breakfast in a Beautiful Historic Vicarage
Couhé, near Poitiers, in the Poitou Charentes of South West France
En-suite bedrooms and a family suite. Pool. Dinner available on request.
La Vieille Cure
We will be delighted to welcome you to La Vieille Cure, our beautiful 17th century vicarage just behind the pretty market town of Couhé, 20 minutes from Poitiers. The vicarage was once home to the parish priest of the day and has many interesting curiosities. It is listed as an ancient building on the historic walk through the town and is only two minutes from the market square, restaurants and shops.
The Presbytery has ivy, jasmine, honeysuckle, philadelphus and a grapevine cascading across the front of the house and in the courtyard garden. The walled garden, private woodland and orchard are abundant with fig, cherry, walnut, persimmon and more, a peaceful retreat waiting for you to come and explore or to just sit and relax in the sunshine along with our cats. Don't be surprised to discover a chicken or duck foraging under the trees! Previous guests have described La Vieille Cure as being like a Country House Hotel. All the rooms have a warm, welcoming ambience, beautiful old beams, honey coloured Charentais stone, fireplaces and large oak floors. There is ample parking within the secure grounds with additional garaging available on request. Amongst the orchard are benches. other seating areas and even a hammock to while away the day. There is also a games room with a snooker table (children’s size), full size table tennis table, table football and darts, and an area in the grounds for badminton and boules. The guest lounge has Sky TV, Home Cinema, DVD, board games, cards, books, chess and a stereo system. There is also a selection of leaflets outlining many attractions within the area. WIFI Internet is available to our guests and the house is fully centrally heated and there is a log burner and fireplace in both the guest lounge and dining areas. The spacious en-suite bedrooms all have an individual décor and character of their own and all home comforts like hydro jet massage showers, tea and coffee making facilities, television, a hairdryer and large king size, twin, or four poster beds. The rooms are centrally heated for the winter months and all have large, floor standing fans for hot, balmy summer nights. A four-poster bedroom is situated on the ground floor with direct access through the French windows into the courtyard garden, ideal for those with restricted mobility. Our family suite sleeps up to 6 people. The large principle bedroom has a king size bed and room for an additional cot or bed. Leading off the bedroom is a dressing room with the bathroom to the right, which has a hydro jet shower, toilet and two separate vanity units. The children’s room leads off the dressing room to the left and has two single beds, a cabin bed and room for another bed or cot if necessary.
The other large four-poster en-suite room is next door to a twin en-suite and ideal for family or friends travelling together. The corridor can be closed to allow privacy and freedom of movement between the two bedrooms. The 10 x 5 meter salt-water swimming pool is fenced with a self-locking gate, to ensure the safety of young children. The pool slopes gently into the deep end, which is 1.5 metres. Within the secure pool area is an ample terrace surrounding the pool with a graveled area to the right and a further patio/eating area, so you may decide for yourself where to place the sun beds and shades. There are further seating areas with tables and parasols to escape the heat of the sun and 'eat en plein air' if required and a soft, canopied swing seat in the shade, in which to curl up and enjoy your holiday read. We have earned an excellent reputation for our ambience and cuisine; your host is a fully qualified chef. We use local seasonal produce, fresh herbs, fruit and vegetables from our garden and specialties of the region where possible. The continental breakfast is complimented by fresh home baked bread, orange juice, cereals, yogurts, fruit, a pot of tea or a cafetière of fresh coffee, taken in the dining room or in the garden. Alternatively you may opt for a cooked breakfast or a continental breakfast with bucks fizz, served in your room. The lounge and dining areas are large and spacious and overlook the courtyard terrace garden. The dining room is lit by candlelight and in winter we have a roaring log fire. Angie is happy to prepare a choice of mouthwatering dishes on arrival, accommodating special requests, ranging from 4, 3, 2 and 1 courses, children's menus or light suppers, served with a glass of local pineau des Charentes. Alternatively paella, barbeque and seafood banquets can be served on request, in the large dining room or in the walled gardens or on the terrace, where you can watch the sun set, or spend the evening with a glass of chilled wine and enjoy dinner overlooking the illuminated swimming pool. Sample Evening Menu: Aperitif • Fanned avocado with prawns and smoked salmon dressed with a light vinaigrette and pepper sauce • Pan fried rondelles of lamb served on minted potato cakes with honey and mint mayonnaise, garnished with raspberry sauce and served with Mediterranean vegetables and a puree of celeriac and carrot • A selection of local cheeses • Dessert • Wine. Lunch: There is a summer kitchen located in the garden area for the use of all our guests with a fridge/freezer, microwave, kettle, sink with hot and cold running water, a preparation area, crockery and cutlery, to rustle up your own lunchtime snacks. Also a barbeque for those feeling more adventurous. There are six seating areas scattered within the gardens to relax and enjoy your lunch.
The Area
Poitou Charente has the reputation of being one of the sunniest spots in France, second only to the South of France. The countryside has undulating golden fields of sunflowers and maize, picturesque villages and wonderful walks and rivers. The area is well served with many sports facilities nearby, including golf, tennis and riding. For cyclists and ramblers, the countryside abounds with wildlife and there are wonderful vistas for a budding artist to capture. Couhé has a Halles de Marché, covered market, dating from the 12th century and the Abbey of Valence with its twin towered church, founded in 1230. It is famous for its hazelnut and walnut oil, a typical rural market town with a succession of fetes and festivals, bars, restaurants and conveniences such as supermarkets, a bank and Post Office, a Leisure Centre and a picnic area. As you leave via gates in the garden, you will find the river wending its way towards the abbey. Local food markets can be found in the area almost every day of the week and there are also many antiques fairs and flea markets. The Isles de Payre has boating, golf, fishing and hiking and Rom with its Romanesque remains are both 5 minutes away. Vivonne has canoeing and kayaking bases and the Vallée des Singes is a monkey park where the monkeys roam about freely, both 15 minutes from here. Poitiers (20 minutes) has lots to see in terms of art and architecture as well as the impressive cathedral of Notre-Dame. The busy centre is full of narrow, winding pedestrian streets, ideal for shopping and exploring. Futuroscope is the huge science and technology park just outside Poitiers for those looking for adventure. Lezay with its wonderful rural market, Melle, a silver mine and historic village with outside cafes, the Renaissance château at Jarvasay and Verteuil with its beautiful château overlooking the Charentes river, are all about 25 minutes from Couhé. The Marais Poitievin, near Niort, known as the Green Venice, is great for a day on the canals. Cognac and Jarnac with their famous cognac houses and vineyards, Angoulême standing astride an enormous hill with wonderful views and an array of pavement cafes, are less than an hour’s drive. La Rochelle Fort Bouyarde has a huge selection of seafood restaurants along the harbour front, sandy beaches, a fabulous aquarium and various off-shore islands to discover and Limoges, famous for its wonderful pottery and cobbled streets, are both 90 minutes. Travel Information
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Prices and booking information
Prices are per room per night inclusive of continental breakfast Cooked Breakfast - €7 per person 4 course dinner, including an aperitif and wine - €22 per person Light Supper including wine - €16 per person Children's menu 2- 10 years, main course, dessert and beverages - €12 per head Additional beds, cots, bed guards and high chairs are available on request Extra bed - €10
Telephone: 05 49 50 98 68 (International + 33 5 49 50 98 68) Please mention Vacation France when contacting the owner
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