The Bothy at Esprit Charentais

The Bothy is the self-catering gîte at Esprit Charentais, a lovingly renovated stone property in the village of Londigny, deep in the Charente countryside. Rated four stars, it sleeps from two to five guests in two bedrooms. A sofa bed and travel cot make it a flexible choice for couples, families and friends travelling together. The property looks onto the Château de Londigny, one of two châteaux in the village, and your hosts Pam and Tom – who carried out much of the renovation themselves – are happy to help you discover the region.

Inside the gîte

The open-plan living area has a large sofa that converts into a comfortable double bed, a TV and an exposed stone feature wall, with a separate WC downstairs. The fully fitted kitchen has a fridge, freezer, oven and hob, and a dishwasher, so it is easy to prepare meals with local produce at your own pace. Fibre wifi keeps you connected, and heating keeps the gîte cosy in the cooler months.

The indoor amenities also include a microwave, coffee machine, smart speaker and travel cot. Children are welcome; pets are not allowed. Pam and Tom speak English and conversational French.

There is ample parking. There is no washing machine in the gîte, but Pam and Tom offer a laundry service for guests’ clothes.

Bedrooms and bathroom

The main bedroom has a queen-size bed, and the second bedroom has a set of bunk beds and a double bed, sleeping up to three. Both bedrooms have air conditioning and heating, for a good night's sleep through the long summer and a warm welcome out of season. The bathroom has a bath, a shower and a WC.

Pool and terrace

Outside, a swimming pool with sun loungers sits beside the decking, and a decked terrace with a dining area is the place for long lunches and evening meals in the sunshine. The guest area also has a garden and a washing line.

Also at Esprit Charentais: The Byre

If you need room for one or two more, Esprit Charentais also offers The Byre, a chambre d'hôte with one double bedroom. It is self-contained, with private external access and a terraced dining area. It has a bathroom with bath, shower and WC, tea and coffee making facilities and fibre wifi. There is no kitchen, but a continental breakfast with fresh local produce is provided. Please ask the hosts about availability for The Byre alongside your stay in The Bothy.

The area

Londigny is a peaceful village surrounded by rolling countryside. Neighbouring Montjean, with a boulangerie and two restaurants, is a gentle 20-minute walk or 10-minute bike ride away, while the market town of Ruffec, approximately 8 km away, has three supermarkets, pharmacies, a market, car hire and a choice of places to eat. Angoulême is around 30 miles away, Poitiers 46 miles and Cognac 55 miles, and the silver mines at Melle and the Vallée des Singes monkey park are both under 20 miles away.

A petrol station with electric-vehicle charging is within a ten-minute drive.

Angoulême and Poitiers have direct TGV services from Paris, with onward SNCF trains to Ruffec; a car is recommended for exploring. Poitiers-Biard is the nearest airport. Other options include Limoges (approximately 1 hour 25 minutes / 107 km), La Rochelle (1 hour 35 minutes / 128 km) and Bordeaux (1 hour 55 minutes / 178 km). These driving times are approximate and depend on traffic.

The standard rate is €140 per night or €880 per week, with a minimum stay of three nights. Winter rates apply from 1 November to 31 March: 10% off, at €126 per night or €792 per week, with the same three-night minimum.