Chateau De La Vie France

In the sunny Charente Maritime region, just a short stroll from a charming market town, Château de la Vie offers elegance and sophistication in this beautiful part of western France.
This grand house was built in the late 19th century in the style of a classic château with an added Eau-de-Vie distillery by a gentleman who had made his money through the ‘water of life’. It was later used as a summer residence and then even a girls’ school and has been part of local life for a long time. In more recent times, the current talented owners have brought the house back to its former glory and have created an exquisite place to stay.
Step through the beautiful entrance into the intricately tiled hallway and a grand piano greets you. Through the double doors, you’ll find the sumptuous living room with its deep blue sofas contrasting the bright décor, as light floods through the château windows. The snooker table in the games room will appeal to young and old whilst the perfectly equipped kitchen looks out to the swimming pool terrace.
The dual aspect staircase leads you to four stunning ensuite bedrooms on the first floor, each individually styled with an air of romance and only the finest quality linen and furnishings. On the top floor there are three more lovely bedrooms, two family bathrooms including a luxurious free-standing bath and a dorm-style bedroom with four single beds, ideal for younger guests. An additional lounge with smart TV and a playstation adds to the various 21st-century amenities in this otherwise classically beautiful home.
In the sous-sol of the château, with their own entrance, you’ll find a spacious 2-bedroom apartment and a small studio bedroom, both ideal for a small family or guests who may find the rather grand staircases in the upper part of the château a little too much. Both apartments are included in the 21-person rates.
Outside everyone can gather together to splash or swim in the pool, laze in the jacuzzi corner, sip cocktails by the bar or lounge in the relaxing surroundings of the vast terrace. There’s a barbecue for cooking up an al-fresco feast and a brilliant pool house with a gym, shower and plenty of space for a party by the pool.  
Only a short walk from a small charming town, you can stroll to one of the boulangeries in the morning to pick up pastries for all the family and or visit the market on a Sunday and Thursday morning. Stroll by the river in nearby Saint-Jean-d’Angély or head further afield to Cognac, a delightful old town with excellent restaurants and of course the famous Cognac houses with fabulous tastings.
The west coast is around an hour away – the perfect place to enjoy a special meal of moules frites and chilled white wine overlooking the sea. La Rochelle is a wonderful day trip, as is the stunning island of Île de Ré.
A little closer to home, take the château’s bikes out to explore the many trails across the region, enjoy hikes along well-signposted footpaths or ride horses at nearby stables. Golf-lovers have a great choice of courses to enjoy whilst keen fishers can relax by the banks of the Charente or Boutonne rivers that flow through this enchanting region. In the Charente Maritime, only 45-minutes from Cognac and an hour from the coast, Château de la Vie enjoys an enviable location just south of a charming small town with restaurants, shops and the town’s twice-weekly market within walking distance.
There is a choice of bakeries in the local town so you can wander down to get freshly baked morning pastries and bread as well as a pretty square with cafes perfect for a morning coffee or early evening aperitif. Just outside the village there is a UNESCO World Heritage listed church which is on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. The vibrant market takes place on a Thursday and Sunday morning and there are also essential amenities such as a pharmacy, a convenience store, post office and a play area for younger guests. On Thursday evenings look out for the fish and chip van that passes through the town!
There are various horse-riding stables across the region, including stables within a ten-minute drive and within half an hour you can reach Golf Louis Royer Guillet near Saintes with some amazing views, as well as a choice of others within an hour or so. Fishing (with a permit which you can usually pick up from a tabac or tourist office) and there are plenty of opportunities along the river in Saint-Jean-d’Angély or along the Charente river. Finally, there are many signposted footpaths and trails across the area for keen walkers and cyclists and the chateau has bikes for guests to use.
The nearby town of Saint-Jean-d’Angély (20km) is a lovely place to take stroll by the river and has a great park for kids. There are also châteaux in the region to explore, such as the fairy-tale castle Chateau de la Roche Courbon with its prehistoric caves, 45 minutes away.
A little further away, Saintes (40km) is worthy of a visit along the Charentes river as is Cognac (45km) with its delightful old town and wonderful places to dine, especially by the river. Visit the big Cognac houses both in the city and in Jarnac (50km) where you can enjoy fabulous brandy tastings and more excellent cuisine.
Angoulême (66km) is also a great day out, located above the Charente river with wonderful valley views. It’s a city full of art and history and also popular due to its National Comic Strip and Image Centre, a fantastic museum.
If you fancy a trip to the coast, you’ll find beaches in about an hour in such as Fouras (65km) or a little further there’s Plage des Minimes (84km), near La Rochelle, which can be combined with a trip to the charming island of Île de Ré. The west coast is renowned for the abundance oysters and seafood and you will have a wonderful meal looking out to the sea with a lovely crisp glass of wine and Moules Frites! Martime lovers shouldn’t miss the town of Rochefort (55km) with its fascinating naval history. At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning – Private chef/cook/catering- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Local day-trips or tours- Airport pick-up/drop-off- Babysitting / childcare services
Extras available at this property (payable locally):
– Catering- Cleaning- Fridge stocking and shopping service- Transfers- Baby-sitting
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!