Petit Champagné is a domaine of just four houses in the Charente Maritime region of south western France, the second sunniest after the Cote d’Azur and on the Lonely Planet top ten places to visit in 2012.
With accommodation for 26 total, 16 in the Chateau and 10 in the Gite (together called the Domaine) we can easily handle larger families, weddings, events etc.
We are located five minutes from junction 34 of the A10 Paris to Bordeaux motorway, 45 minutes from La Rochelle (which is also the closest airport) and 25 minutes from the nearest beach. Connections to the UK are straightforward with flights all year round from Stansted and Birmingham East Midlands, and in the summer months from Southampton as well as Bristol. Road connections are also good with the nearest French port of St. Malo three and a half hours distant.
Two of the houses at Petit Champagné make up a small farm dedicated to growing sunflowers, wheat, maize and peas, they belong to Joel the farmer a well-known local character, the other two are ours.
Our property is set on 5 acres of gently sloping land with great views all round, it has a lake with waterfall great for fishing for carp and other species in it. There are several outbuildings where we keep our small collection of classic cars, the table tennis room , then the main chateau and the gite.
The buildings are nicely positioned in the centre of the property with gardens all round. The gite has a large private grassed area great for ball games. The chateau has gardens at the front and a grassed terrace shaded by acacia trees at the back. Part of this grassed area has been paved to make a BBQ area.
The first thing you see when you enter Petit Champagné through the wrought iron gates are the large front gardens with numerous trees and parking for many cars in the gravelled areas.
We either let the Chateau on its own or the Chateau and Gite together which we call the Domaine. In the unlikely event we let the gite on its own then it does not have use of the pool, games room etc. Nothing is shared between the Gite and the Chateau
Both the chateau and the gite have their own private grassed and terraced areas.
The pool is 15 metres by 8 metres with a diving board. The maximum depth is 3.4 metres. It is surrounded by paving with roman steps at one end and then a large sun area with plenty of sun loungers. Part of the pool and terrace are shaded in the summer afternoons which can be important so the little ones can keep swimming while it is hot.
There is a trampoline with safety net on the large back lawn. Below the pool there is another grassed area with shade for hot days. Here you will find a walnut tree, various apple trees, fig bushes and a plum tree.
Below this is the lake which marks the boundary of the property. As well as access for fishing it has a lovely shaded seating area right by the water.
There are lovely walks through the woodland which is surrounded by sunflowers. There is an abundance of interesting bird and wildlife. The local river, 'The Boutonne', has excellent fishing and is less than a 15 minute walk from the property. There are many cycle routes in the area, and we can arrange bike hire for you. The property is geared up for Winter breaks also. Open fires, cosy lounge and dining areas, ensure that we provide a great Winter escape.
For details on where we are and how to get here please click here: Getting to Petit Champagné
For things to do and see while you are at Petit Champagné please click here Things to do and see
To see some photos of what is around and about please open the slide show at the top of the page and click on the i button to see where it is.