Property Details

Welcome to Cognac Country This region is famous for sunshine, slippers and cognac - the ideal ingredients for a relaxing holiday.

Summers are long and hot, springtime is mild and autumn s are warm and golden.

Touring is a pleasure on quiet country roads edged with wild flowers, winding through sleepy villages, vineyards and filelds of sunflowers.

You can browse in the elegant shops of Cognac, Saintes or La Rochelle or choose from mile after mile of sandy beaches and long, lazy rivers.

All year round there are fairs and festivals celebrating anything from South American music to wine and even the navel! The biggest outdoor bric-a-brac fair in France is held in Marsac every September and there are numerous smaller fairs all ove r the area.

Both children and adults will enjoy a trip to the amazing Futuroscope or the aquarium at La Rochelle where the sharks swim over your head. Hundreds of cognac distilleries welcome visitors to see how this precious liquid is made - and to sample the finished product. If you have a sweet tooth we recommend a visit to the chocolate factory near Angouleme. There are also plenty of chateaux to visit including Sleeping Beauty's castle "La Roche Courbon" and hundreds of romanesque churches. Lastly, you mustn't miss the dreadlock donkeys at Dampierre.

Cycles are for hire locally - ideal for a ride in the cool of Aulnay forest. There are the Charente and Boutonne rivers and many lakes for fishing. The Marais Poitevin offers boat trips down the quiet, green waterways which criss-cross this marshland nature reserve.

If your favourite sport or interest is not mentioned here, we can provide information and make arrangements (if possible) before your arrival.


Our Village Fontaine Chalendray is a small, peaceful hilltop village with many interesting old houses and a twelfth century church. Napoleon is said to have slept here but, as for Josephine, history does not relate!

Our cottages are on the southern edge of Fontaine, two minutes walk from Mimi's award winning grocery store and we also have several mobile shops selling fresh bread and croissants, oysters from the nearby Atlantic coast and delicious patés and sausages



Shopping We have some of the best markets in France, such as St Jean d'Angély, Cognac and Rouillac - the largest monthly market in the region.

Supermarket shopping is available in Matha or Aulnay (both a 15 minute drive away) and hypermarket shopping in the larger towns such as Cognac.

Restaurants The closest restaurants are under ten minutes away by car. The choice is wide : from excellent family-run ferme-auberges to those with Michelin stars. You can even enjoy a leisurely lunch as you cruise down the Charente on a riverboat.

Local specialities include excellent seafood, Charentais melon with Pineau, walnut oil, angelica liqueur, tourteau cheesecake, honey and goat cheese.

The Cottages Both cottages have been carefully restored and retain original features such as oak beams, wall cupboards and fireplaces. They are attractively decorated, comfortably furnished and very well equipped.

JASMIN open-plan ground floor, exposed stone walls, dining table and chairs, sofa and armchairs. Gas cooker (oven and four rings), microwave/grill, fridge, dishwasher, picnic equipment, plenty of china, glasses and cookware and double sink. Open-tread staircase to first floor where there are two bedrooms - one double and one with twin beds ( both with adequate storage space) and a modern bathroom with WC. Wood-burning stove and electric heaters for spring and autumn visits.

FLEUR DE LYS is very similar to Jasmin, but has a larger cooker (oven, five rings and grill), microwave, ceramic sink and dishwasher. There is also optional satellite TV which receives channels in English. The walls are insulated so, with the wood-burning stove and electric heaters it is suitable for use all year round.

THE GARDEN We are very proud of our large enclosed garden which is full of flowers and herbs, fruit and palm trees. There is plenty of garden furniture, sun loungers and barbecues. Long sun terrace with views across surrounding countryside, children's swings and see-saw, as well as shady corners for reading...and snoozing.

THE POOL Installed in 2000, it is in its own enclosed garden. It is oval shaped, 30 metres square (or should that be oval!) and one metre deep throughout, with surrounding terrace for basking in the sun.





Other Information BABIES We have cots, high chairs and a baby swing for younger visitors and babysitting can usually be arranged.

LAUNDRY There's a washing-machine in an outbuilding and both houses have irons and ironing boards.

GAMES We provide indoor and outdoor games such as boules, mini croquet and goal posts, Scrabble and Monopoly.

TOURIST INFORMATION everything you need to know about places to visit, country walks and market days.

Getting Here We are about two hours from Bordeaux airport and around an hour and a half drom Poitiers and La Rochelle airports for fly drivers.

St Malo is about five hours and Caen about six if you're coming by ferry.

What our prices include Gas, water, electricity and heating.

Bed linen and tea towels.

Telephone booking for restaurants, distillery tours etc.

Towels for those who arrive by train or air.

Our Aim To provide a holiday that you will remember with pleasure for years to come.

Our Guarantee You won't want to go home!!!

Property Features

* Has a Pool
* Close to a golf course
* Children are allowed

Contact Information

Name:	wendy wise
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