Les Chauvins - 2 historic gîtes with flexible arrival and departure days

Open all year round, set on an acre of mature grounds in a peaceful location on the Charente – Dordogne border, Les Chauvins lies northeast of Bordeaux, between Bergerac and Angoulême. Surrounded by farmland, woodlands, picturesque river valleys and quaint villages, it offers both a peaceful retreat as well as a great base for outdoor sports enthusiasts.

With two fully independent cottages, Les Chauvins is ideal for larger groups travelling together. Both cottages offer far-reaching views of the countryside as well as their own private outdoor terraces.

Maison d’Amis has three bedrooms all on its first floor. There are two doubles, one with an ensuite shower room, and a twin bedroom. There is an additional bathroom with a bathtub and shower overhead.

Also on this upper floor is the lounge that features a Charentaise fireplace with a wood burning stove surrounded by comfortable seating. A flat screen Smart TV is available with English & French channels, via satellite and streaming. There is also a DVD player, an assortment of DVDs, books and board games.

The kitchen and dining area are on the ground floor, with a dining table for 6. The kitchen is well equipped with a fridge/freezer, a dishwasher, microwave, hob and oven, plus small appliances such as a filter coffee pot and a Dolce Gusto coffee maker. You’ll find plenty of crockery and cooking essentials for your stay.

La Chaumière is a two bedroom cottage, also with fully-equipped kitchen and lounge room. The lounge features a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams and doors out to a private enclosed courtyard, and also a sunny balcony. There is a wood-burning stove and a flat screen Smart TV with English & French channels via satellite and streaming. The kitchen has a small table seating 4, a hob, oven, fridge/freezer, a microwave and small appliances.

Although both bedrooms are situated on the ground floor at La Chaumière, there are a few steps in and around the property, so may not be suitable for guests with mobility challenges.

There is a double and a twin bedroom that share a large bathroom with a rainforest shower overhead. Both bedrooms have exposed natural stone walls and ample storage space.

For both cottages, bed linen, bath and pool towels are supplied, as well as toiletries and hair dryers. Cots with bedding, high chairs, baby baths and other baby and toddler essentials are also available, please enquire.

The outdoor space is centred around a large 9×8 metre swimming pool, enclosed by a stone wall built from the remains of an old barn. It has a shallow end, and slopes to a depth of 2 metres — ideal for all ages. Just beside the pool is a covered picnic area and there are bamboo sun loungers and parasols for the poolside. The pool is open from 10am to 10pm.

The games room features a pool table, table tennis, foosball, darts, and board games. The adjoining fitness area includes a treadmill, resistance machine, free weights, and an exercise trampoline.

Maison d’Amis offers two private outdoor spaces: a sunny east-facing courtyard with an original stone bread oven and outdoor dining for 6, with charcoal barbecue, and a shaded courtyard just off the kitchen, which leads to the pool area.

La Chaumière offers two private outdoor spaces: its own enclosed terrace with table for 6 and a charcoal barbecue, as well as a fire pit for cozy evenings. There is also a south-facing wooden deck perfect for sunbathing, directly accessed from its lounge room.

The one-acre grounds feature a flat lawn area great for sports. There is badminton, a football net, and a pétanque court. There’s also a playhouse and a swing set in the upper garden.

Or just relax in the hammock, or in the lovely hanging seats provided at both cottages!