Whatever you want from a French holiday, the two neighbouring departments of Charente and Charente-Maritime, les deux Charentes (formerly Poitou-Charentes), can almost certainly deliver, from quiet countryside and rolling vineyards to historic heritage towns, beautiful beaches, and wine tourism. Discover fabulous holiday rental, mini breaks and tours in Poitou-Charentes.
A choice of holiday experiences in the Charentes
Stay near the world-famous town of Cognac and you are well placed to explore this addictive area; stay with Cottages and Classics and you can do it in style. From their beautiful country home in the Charente Maritime, owners Lyn and Graham offer a choice of holiday experiences to help you make the most of your stay from luxury self-catering cottages, B&B minibreaks, to bespoke escorted tours for small groups of 4-12 guests. Their “Cottages and Classics Experience” also includes the use of an iconic 4-seater Morgan sports car during your stay.
Home for the couple is La Rose des Vents a 19th century manor house with two luxury 3-bed cottages. A former Cognac domaine, hidden from view on the edge of a sleepy hamlet, the properties stand in 2.5 acres of gated grounds just 5 minutes from the market town of Matha and 15 minutes from Cognac. Surrounded by rolling vineyards and fields of sunflowers, this perfect location is also in easy reach of Atlantic Coast attractions such as La Rochelle and Ile de Ré and the Bordeaux vineyards of the Medoc.
Luxury Holiday Cottages
Manor Cottage is, built in traditional Charentais style and former home of the estate manager. Rose Cottage is converted from the old stables and features a lofty ‘cathedral’ style ceiling in the living room. Each property sleeps six (plus a cot) and is classified 4-star by the French Tourist Office as well as featuring in Sawday’s Special Places to Stay guide.
Expect interior décor combining the best of English and French country style, with quality furnishings, en-suite bedrooms, and high-speed internet connection. In the kitchen everything is supplied from a tumble dryer to an oyster knife and if you want to cook up some fresh local produce, you can even listen to your favourite tunes on the music system whilst you work.
It is very tranquil with just the sound of birdsong and the occasional tractor. In summer, relax by the heated pool in the orchard, and enjoy al fresco BBQs and meals in your private gardens. In cooler months, cosy up indoors – electricity, gas and WiFi costs are all included in the rental price. Lyn and Graham have thought of everything to lift your stay out of the ordinary – Egyptian cotton bedlinen, pretty Provencal bathrooms, pool towels and cooler boxes if you fancy a picnic. A bottle of wine, home-made jam and fruit from the organic orchard are included in the welcome basket; and to get your self-catering holiday off to a relaxing start, on your first night you can reserve a candlelit dinner to be served in your cottage, or under the stars. Plus, all their guests are offered a complimentary tour through the vineyards in their 4-seater Morgan sports cars.
Fabulous B&B Mini Break
Only have time for a short break? Then opt for a B&B minibreak, either a long weekend or midweek stay for a minimum of three nights in May, June or September in one of the luxury cottages. Your holiday begins with afternoon tea and homemade cakes on arrival, followed by a 4-course dinner with wine, coffee and cognac served in the Manor House. Breakfast is delivered to your cottage each morning and you have a tour through the vineyards in 4-seater Morgan sports cars to visit one of the world-famous Cognac Houses, to look forward to.
Signature and Bespoke Tours
Lyn and Graham have owned classic sports cars for over 30 years – hence the ‘Classics’ element of their hospitality business – and they regularly welcome classic car owners for their Signature or Bespoke Tours. These small and friendly relaxed house party style affairs are organised on demand (the group choses the date) for a minimum of 4, to a maximum of 12 guests. For groups of 10-12 guests, additional accommodation is available in the Manor House.
Their 7-night “Taste of Cognac & Bordeaux Tour” started as a bespoke tour for a group of Aston Martin owners, and has become so popular that for 2024 Lyn & Graham have decided to offer it to small groups who may have no interest at all in classic cars, but would like to explore this beautiful region with the emphasis on gastronomy, sampling the best local specialities, cognacs, fine Bordeaux wines and gourmet restaurants.
On arrival relax with tea and cakes in the gardens, have a dip in the heated pool and settle in, before enjoying a welcome 4 course dinner with aperos, wine, coffee and cognac served in the Manor House. During your stay you will:
Take a scenic drive to the chic il de Re, driving over the famous toll bridge to take in the atmosphere of the heritage whitewashed villages, bustling harbours lined with art galleries and boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Explore the award winning “most beautiful market in the Charente Maritime” in La Flotte and enjoy a delicious seafood lunch in a gastronomic restaurant overlooking the harbour. There is also time to drive into nearby La Rochelle and discover the “Vieux Port” guarded by magnificent towers and wander through the ancient, arcaded streets.
Visit Cognac, the birthplace of Francois I, who declared it the most beautiful river in the kingdom. At the world famous Remy Martin Cognac House, your personal ambassador will take you on a 4 hour visit to discover the historic house, the skills of cognac production, enjoy a tasting of 2 cognacs accompanied by gourmet appetizers/ canapes, and a 3 course gourmet lunch served in a private dining room or at a local Michelin starred restaurant. An unforgettable experience.
In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walk through the ancient streets of the medieval old town of Cognac, with its mansions, museums and Romanesque architecture. Stop off for a coffee in one of the many cafes clustered around the fountain in the centre of town or browse the boutiques and shops.
The area is dotted with Romanesque architecture and this tour takes you to Les Bouchards one of the most beautiful and largest Gallo Roman sites in France. On top of a hill, the amphitheatre has an incomparable view over the countryside. Then on to Verteuil sur Charente, where the magnificent Chateau, with its’ breathtaking turrets, looms over the village where you will enjoy lunch in a delightful bistro overlooking the river.
You will also head west, through the Saintonge countryside and picturesque villages to visit Rochefort, a gem of a town tucked in a meander of the Charente. It was this strategic position out of sight of seafaring opportunists that led to the development of this once sleepy farming village into Louis XIV’s state-of-the-art arsenal in the 17th centre. Visit the Corderie Royale built in 1666 to make the rigging for the great warships, and tour the Hermione, the full-size replica of General Lafayette’s frigate that sailed the Atlantic in 1780 to help the Americans against the English. The ship has been built in the oldest masonry dry dock in the world, using traditional methods.
One of the highlights of this tour is the opportunity to spend a whole day exploring the Medoc, famous for it’s great Bordeaux wines. From Royan you will take a 30-minute journey by ferry to the Pointes de Graves in the Medoc to drive through the countryside famous for its’ great Bordeaux wines. Private guided tours and tastings at Chateau Lynch-Bages and either the fairy tale Chateau Pichon Longueville (both Grand Cru Clase) or the Chateau du Tertre (Grand Cru Classe Margaux) have been reserved and lunch in the gastronomic restaurant in St Julien will not disappoint. The return journey takes the ferry to Blaye, with it’s famous citadelle designed by Vauban in the 17th century.
A relaxing last day includes a drive following the river Charente, with sweeping vistas of vineyards and beautiful chateaux, stopping off to visit Jarnac home of Courvoisier and Chateau de Bouteville, a national monument where the Black Prince stayed during the 100 years war. Here you will learn from the producers about Baume de Bouteville, and enjoy a tasting of this balsamic condiment aged in Cognac barrels, which is a favourite of Michelin starred chefs and loved by gourmets. And in the evening a farewell dinner has been arranged at a stunning restaurant in a 5-star hotel in Cognac.
For full details of all tours and mini-breaks see www.cottagesandclassics.com
