This beautiful 19th century chateau dominates the small village square of Saint-Fort-sur-Gironde in the sunny Charente Maritime, south-west France.
Your group can enjoy the quintessential chateau experience here - wonderful original features, period furnishings, high ceilings, four poster beds, a lovely south-facing, walled garden, a heated swimming pool, a hot tub, and a roof terrace with panoramic views of rolling hills and vineyards.
Simply relax in these stunning surroundings, using the chateau for your holiday, party or wedding, or take advantage of a full range of activities on the doorstep.
On the ground floor there is a large marble entrance hall, two sitting rooms each with original parquet flooring, carved wooden panels and marble fireplaces, and a fully stocked library, also with marble fireplace, study and cloakroom. There is a huge dining room with original beams and a roaring open fire. The kitchen has an American fridge-freezer, dishwasher, oven, hob and microwave. There is a laundry room in the cellar with washing machine, tumble dryer and drying area. There is also an additional fridge/freezer if needed.
The first floor can be accessed by either the impressive main staircase, with its ornate stained glass arch, or the 'servants' staircase' in the rear lobby. On this floor there are five bedrooms (three double, two twin), three bathrooms (one with an enormous jacuzzi bath, the other two with showers), plus a dressing room and separate toilet.
On the second floor there are five bedrooms (two double, two twin, one very large quadruple for kids), plus two bathrooms (one with shower, one with bath and shower over) and a separate toilet. Both the first and second floor rooms have wonderful views of the surrounding countryside and from the second floor there is access to a small roof terrace with particularly stunning views over the village, its church and the beautiful countryside beyond. A great place to enjoy a glass of wine whilst watching the sunset.
Facilities include:
1.10m x 5m heated swimming pool – alarmed and fenced
2.Jacuzzi hot tub
3.Barbecue on large patio, with plenty of patio furniture and sunloungers
4.Large, south-facing walled garden
5.Boules pitch
6.Table tennis, table football, bar billiards
7.Satellite TV
8.WiFi
9.iPod dock
10.DVD/CD player with films (+ videos)
11.Play Station room
12.Two hard tennis courts and football pitch within two minute walk
13.Local chef available for evenings in
14.Cots/high chairs
15.Sandy beaches 20/25 minutes away
In the centre of the village of Saint Fort, two minutes' walk from the local bakery and a supermarket.
Nearest airport: Bordeaux (1 hour)
Nearest station: Pons (30 mins)
This part of France benefits from a wonderful warm climate - extending from March right through to October - owing to the effect of the Gulf Stream. In fact, it is the second sunniest area in France after the Riviera.
The beautiful blue flag sandy beaches and coves of Meschers, Saint-Georges-de-Didonne and Royan are 25-30 minutes' drive away. The historic towns of Saintes and Pons are less than half an hour. Within an hour you can be in the beautiful ancient port of La Rochelle, cross over to the Ile de Re, in the vineyards of Bordeaux or the lovely mediaeval town of Saint Emilion.
Saint Fort is a delightful village, 3 kms inland (and a lovely cycle ride) from the tiny estuary fishing village of Port Maubert, which has a very good, rustic restaurant. Saint Fort has all the local amenities you'll need – including a bakery, bank, post office, chemist, tourist office and bar – plus a famous 12th century church. It is surrounded by vineyards that produce the local Pineau des Charentes as well as Cognac.
This is great countryside for walking, cycling and birdwatching. Tennis, fishing, horseriding and canoeing are also available locally. There are 15 Michelin-featured restaurants within a 15 mile drive, with seafood, salt-marsh lamb, foie gras and duck the specialities of the area. And, if you want to eat in, there are many local markets, including those at Cozes, Mirambeau and Gemozac (not to mention the twice weekly one outside the front door in Saint Fort), where you will find fresh fruit and vegetables, cheeses, meat and plenty of the local seafood.
£2,250 per week low season
£4,600 per week high season
Christmas/New Year: £3,000 per week
Weekly bookings only
£2500 to £4750 per week for 2012