Hôtels de Charme and restaurants in Normandy
Normandy's Hôtels de Charme offer their guests a wide range of carefully vetted accommodation with that distinctive local feel.
Chateau de Montpezat | Midi Pyrenees | France | Oliver's Travels
Everything will be tailored to your needs at this impeccably designed chateau in Midi-Pyrénées. Perfect for weddings, seminars, or just an outrageously grand family holiday, this chateau and farmhouse down the lane will house 20 guests in the midst of 40 hectares of French forests. The staff here (security guard, concierge, and maid) will make your stay flawless; you’ll have pure peace of mind on your chateau holiday.
The owner, Jean Francois, began a decade-long renovation of this 1520’s castle in 1998, and the fruits of his labour are rich indeed. The opulent blend of old and new styles will please the most discerning guests - from the bathroom lounges, to the ultramodern suite beneath the eaves. Have a breathtaking reception on the terrace or the lawn (the turreted towers looking on), or a more casual fête by the private pool (you really can’t go wrong.)
The nearest groceries and restaurants are 8 km away in the riverside spa town of Salies du Salat. Toulouse is a 45 minute drive away, and is not to be missed. If you fly into the airport here, plan to also take in the arts and architecture of France's 4th largest city.
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Chateau de la Belle by Drone | Aquitaine | France | Oliver's Travels
Surrounded by a wooded park of 22 acres, Château de la Belle is a gorgeous holiday and wedding venue dating back to the 16th century and fully refurbished in 2016.
Conveniently located just a short drive from Poitiers and Limoges, it originally belonged to the Boiceau family. The Protestant lawyer, author of works of jurisprudence and writings in the Poitevin dialect, Jean Boiceau was born here in 1513. In the 19th century, the château was bought by the Du Verrier de Boulzat family, who built a modern castle near to the old building.
The main château occupies an area of 660m² nestled in the heart of a wooded park of 19 hectares and offers accommodation for up to 24 guests - with its additional annex building and three lodges, the whole estate provides accommodation for up to 80 guests.
The spacious ground floor comprises of 2 luxury lounges, 2 dining rooms and a large kitchen. There is also a magnificent banquet hall, with adjoining professional kitchen, which has a capacity of up to 120 seated guests and 240 standing guests. In addition, the Pool Hall provides seating for up to 60 guests and can welcome up to 120 standing guests. On this level there is also an en-suite bedroom.
The remaining bedrooms and bathrooms are spread over the first and second floors, each of which boast a lounge.
Each room has been decorated with great care and tastefully furnished with antiques. The decor remains faithful to the 19th century but with an elegant and modern touch.
There are 10 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms. Three bedrooms are perfect for families wishing to sleep in proximity of the children. Bathrooms are all equipped with hairdryer, soap, and towels.
In addition, the venue offers a large air-conditioned annex, which can accommodate up to 44 guests in 12 bedrooms sleeping 2 to 5 people each. There are also three pretty air-conditioned lodges, sleeping up to four guests each, bringing the total capacity of the estate to 80 guests.
The outdoor spaces are just as impressive: there is a brand new heated swimming pool and a stunning white stone terrace equipped with comfortable sunloungers and parasols. During your stay you can enjoy the quiet of this house, surrounded by a beautiful wooded park that will delight your guests. Bikes and outdoor games are also available and there is a Bootcamp exercise loop in the park. The Charentes River is easily reached from the property and the château can organise canoeing, kayaking, fishing and a lot more.
The caretakers live discreetly on site in a separate cottage and are always available to help you during your stay.
Destination: France
France Study Tour 2013
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Serbise Estate by Drone | Aquitaine | France | Oliver's Travels
This palatial estate in Charente consists of 19 bedrooms distributed across three 17th century chateaux. It’s an ideal venue for weddings or celebrations, with private accommodations conveniently located within close proximity of each other.
The stately Chateau Serbise sleeps 16 and is the largest of the three, with eight bedrooms, a snooker room, salon and ornate fireplaces. The reception hall is ideal for hosting large events, with an attached catering kitchen and direct patio access.
Domaine Serbise holds five bedrooms (sleeps 10), and has a welcoming open-plan floor space that’s great for socializing. Etables Serbise is cozy and charming, with overstuffed sofas, and an intimate yet open layout connecting the living, dining, and cooking areas. Six bedrooms sleep 12, including two rooms in a Rapunzel-like tower.
Each chateau includes modern conveniences and upgraded kitchens, as well as private terraces, swimming pools, decked BBQ patios, and individual parklands to explore. The full estate enjoys 12 acres of parkland and gardens.
The estate caters to large events both inside and out, and even has a 13th century Romanesque church on site for wedding ceremonies. Within 30 minutes of the estate are wine and cognac tastings, beaches, shopping, and medieval towns to explore.
Chateau Gaillac | Midi-Pyrenees | France | Oliver's Travels
Château Gaillac is a late Napoleonic, belle époque style extravaganza of opulence, situated in the valley of the Tarn River between the historic Cathedral cities of Albi and Toulouse, with easy access to the Autoroute.
The Vignerons of Gaillac have tended the fertile fields in the Tarn valley for the past millennium with loving care in a landscape of viridian, terracotta and ochre reminiscent of Tuscany. Once the centre of this vast wine making domain, Chateau Gaillac still produces its own label of award winning wine from neighbouring vineyards, of which guests receive a complimentary case upon arrival.
Resplendent in its park-land arboretum setting of lofty Cedars, the chateau sits just back from the banks of the river la Tarn, and also enjoys access to the adjoining rolling countryside. All the while, the facilities and popular attractions of the historic market town of Gaillac are just ten minutes away.
Bright, warm and charmingly decorated in traditional Lime-wash, Chateau Gaillac is an enchanting home away from home in one of France’s oldest wine growing regions.
Le Thor, Provencal farmhouse to rent For 12 people
On a 8500 m² property, surrounded by olive trees and Mediterranean vegetation, this farmhouse offers an ideal setting for a relaxing stay with family and friends : Various places to sit down and relax, swimming pool with shelter for those who prefer the shade, terrace with Wisteria covered pergola
Ref: PRO-319-5501
6-bed Bungalow for Sale in Nontron, Aquitaine, France on frenchlife.biz
More info on Bungalow for Sale in Nontron, Aquitaine, France with 6-bedroom: ►
An outstanding opportunity for the discerning property investor! Substantial price reduction.
It is very rare to find a spacious, modern property in rural France built to such exacting standards as this superb six bedroomed villa. Occupying a prominent position on the edge of a charming village set in the beautiful Perigord Vert, this single storey property was constructed by the current owner in 2006 and demonstrates their commitment to design excellence based on their international experience.
Just consider some of these outstanding design features:
- a 50,000€ under-floor climate control system covering every room in the house (including the garage!) which provides heating in the winter and cooling in the summer
- an integrated water softener
- two water heating systems
- a dedicated control room housing the heat-exchanger, ph regulator, pump and filter for the swimming pool along with a pool shower and toilet
- two fosse septiques
- electrically operated garage door
- four of the six bedrooms with French Windows opening out onto a deck
- two en-suite bathrooms and two further family bathrooms
- telephone and TV points in every bedroom
- built in wardrobes and storage cupboards throughout the house
- a well that captures drainage water from the land
Set in grounds of 8,000m², this property has been meticulously maintained and therefore requires no further immediate investment. Combined with extensive insulation and efficient heating systems, the property has attained a superb B rating when assessed for energy usage.
The total living space of 344m² is divided between two wings linked by a large open plan living area. The light and airy living area consists of a lounge-cum-dining room along with a well equipped kitchen, an area that is ideal for entertaining. The fitted kitchen has a good range of floor and wall mounted storage cupboards, a Bosch double oven/microwave, a 5-ring ceramic hob, a fridge-freezer, a dishwasher and a washing machine.
The east wing leads off from the main entrance hall. It houses two double bedrooms, both with French windows, a large bathroom, a separate W.C. and a laundry room to the rear of the integrated garage. Given the layout and the integrated services, this wing has the potential to be converted into a self-contained, two bedroomed annex.
The west wing has four bedrooms, two of which have en-suite bathrooms, and a large bathroom. All of the bathrooms are equipped with wash-hand basins, WC and shower cubicles. The two main bathrooms also have large bathtubs.
Entrance to the property is via large double gates from a quiet country lane. Half of the property's well-tended land lies behind it, comprising of meadow lined with various fruit trees along the border and a solidly constructed garden shed of 18m².
A 10m x 4m west facing swimming pool sits in a secluded spot to the rear of the house and is surrounded by decking. An automated maintenance system monitors and adjusts the chlorine and ph levels and can be used to heat the pool during cooler periods.
The extensive decking continues to the front of the property where the remaining land slopes gently downwards, offering beautiful views over the village below. A large covered terrace area is the ideal spot to enjoy breakfast in the morning sunshine or lunch in the shade
Whilst set in tranquil countryside, it is only 10 minutes drive to the bustling market town of Nontron and 15 minutes to the picturesque town of Brantome, known as the Venice of France. It is well located for transport links being less than an hour from the international airport in Limoges and the TGV rail link in Angouleme.
Whilst this property would provide a sumptuous permanent home, it could also be utilised as a holiday home with accommodation for a large or extended family. The vendor has previously let the property as a luxury holiday villa sleeping 12 at a high season rent of €1,850 per week.
Moulin du Pit Water Mill | France | Oliver's Travels
Le Moulin du Pit is an impressive restored 15th Century water mill near enough to the Dordogne for foie gras and great wines, whilst benefitting from the warmer and drier climate of the Lot.
Thick stone walls, wooden beams, pretty furnishings, geraniums and lush lawns...this is a real home full of charm and warmth. Spacious and comfortable with a superbly equipped kitchen befitting of the hostess who used to be a cookery teacher.
The beautiful gardens provide an attractive setting outside when enjoying the pool or one of the terraces, and can be seen from indoors through the windows like pretty, framed pictures. A stream runs through the vast grounds and under the ancient tower before passing through the surrounding fields of wild flowers (and the occasional deer!) to join the Lot River.
The helpful owners, who keep the place looking immaculate, love to share plenty of information about the area - local markets, great local restaurants and wineries, canoeing and boating on the lake nearby, as well as little gems like the private chef or food delivery service from the covered market in Cahors, which is only 15km away and steeped in history, beauty and world-renowned wines.
With the Dordogne and the Lot at your doorstep, there is plenty to explore, but staying in and enjoying this lovely home may be even more appealing. A ping-pong table and plenty of games keep the younger ones occupied and the adults can relax knowing that the pool area is completely enclosed.
Le Moulin du Pit is a classic home away from home in beautiful South West France where guests return time and time again.
18th century bourgeoise farm for sale
18th century bougeoise farm on 17ha.
Location: 3/4 hour from some of the best surfing beaches in the world, 1 hour from the Pyrenee ski slopes, 3/4 hour from lunch in Spain, 10mn from schools, shops, hospitals and the TGV to Paris. 40 mn from the international airports of Biarritz or Pau.
Descriptive: 350m2 entirely renovated, thermal insulation, double glazing, new plumbing, Fuel CH. 200m2 still to rehabilitate according to your needs. 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, living room 45m2, formal dining room 35m2 with floor to ceiling 18thC oak cupbords and traditional 3.5m fireplace, fully equipped modern kitchen, office (or 6th bedroom), bar, laundry. 70m2 garage with direct acces to the house.
Farm side: 2000m2 equestrian buildings; 18thC stone barns in good condition, stable block with horse shower, 5 stables 4x4m with automatic drinkers, covered arena, clubhouse, possibility to put 15 more stables under existing roofing, lunging ring 18m in diametre with triphasic electricity for future walker.
No neighbours, no noise, secure place to bring up children, low crime rate
Abundant wildlife, deer, foxes, rabbits, birdlife etc
Google maps link: