Le Verger

The villa

In a picturesque setting with a garden of fruit trees leading down to a little stream, Le Verger is a wonderful holiday home in the Charente valley, close to idyllic rivers and historic market towns, around 40km from the beautiful city of Angoulême.

Le Verger’s welcoming yet discreet owners, who live in the 300 - acre estate’s château, have created such a delightful place to stay. Step into its travertine - floored hallway and stroll through to the living - dining room with a pleasant mix of antique and modern furnishings. A smart TV with Netflix as well as books and games await for evenings in by the wood - burner or open the pretty French windows to relax on the terrace overlooking the vast garden.

There are four comfortable bedrooms with heating and electric cooling fans, three of which feature super king - size doubles (which can be split into twins if needed) as well as two bathrooms, one of which is en suite. Another favourite spot in the house is the back terrace, reached via the fully - equipped kitchen and utility room, a lovely place for al - fresco meals shaded from the warm summer sun.

The countryside views are glorious looking out towards fields, woodland and hills growing vines and sometimes even sunflowers. Within the half - acre of gardens you will also find the walled swimming pool, accessed via a locked gate for youngsters’ safety, where there are poolside loungers and a covered seating area. There is also a diving board as well as inflatables for children to play with. The pool is exclusive to Oliver's Travels guests between 9.00 a.m. and 7.00 p.m., perfect for gorgeous sunny days (the owners may use the pool after 7.00 p.m., but as the pool is set away from the house it should not affect your privacy).

Despite this rural location, a local village with a well - stocked shop, pharmacy and restaurant featured in the Michelin Guide and Le Guide de Routard (book ahead) can be found within a 4km drive. By the banks of the Charente, the village is also home to a tranquil étang and a seasonal restaurant overlooking the lake serving delicious local food. A train station here whisks you away to the handsome city of Angoulême in just 15 minutes.

Visit nearby market towns such as Mansle and Aigre, enjoy peaceful riverside walks, look out for summer canoeing and kayaking opportunities and seek out treasures at annual brocantes. Potter around historic villages such as Tusson, Verteuil - sur - Charente and Nanteuil - en - Vallée or spend the day on a river cruise in Cognac, Jarnac, or even in the impressive city of Saintes, just over an hour away by car.

Not far from the banks of the river, Le Verger is in the Charente department of south - western France and enjoys a rural setting within the 300 - acre estate of a historic French chateau (where the owners live), reached via a 2km long chemin .

A small rural village is 2.5km away whilst another pretty village near the Charente River is just a little further, 4km by car, with a restaurant featured in the Michelin Guide (open Thursday to Sunday, reserve ahead) as well as useful amenities such as a well - stocked shop, petrol station, small railway station and pharmacy. There’s also a fishing lake and a lakeside restaurant (seasonal opening days) with live music in the summer.

The medieval village of Tusson (9km) is nearby with its picturesque cafes, restaurants (the owner particularly recommends Tussonaise Wood Fired Pizza Takeaway) and shops as well as an annual brocante . Aigre (8.5km) is an attractive small town by the Aume River with lovely riverside walks, whilst Mansle (10km) is another historic market town with a racetrack (late June to August), fishing by the Charente River as well as canoeing and kayaking opportunities in the height of the summer.

This region offers a wealth of glorious walking opportunities through the Charente valley, classified as one of the EU’s Natura 2000 nature protection areas. Other highlights of the area include villages such as Verteuil - sur - Charente (21km), home to a riverside restaurant with an ancient mill, and Nanteuil - en - Vallée (34km), with its impressive abbey ruins, classified as a ‘village of character’. The town of Ruffec (24km) by the banks of the Liens is also worthy of a visit, especially on market day.

Château de Bayers (17km) can be found in the charming French village of Bayers whilst castle enthusiasts should also visit the amazing Château de La Rochefoucauld (34km) and its wonderful gardens, just north - east of Angoulême.

Angoulême (40km) itself is a fantastic day out for everyone, reached by train from the local railway station in around 15 minutes. In a beautiful setting above the Charente River, there is a wealth of restaurants and cafes in its old town as well as the highly regarded National Comic Strip and Image Centre. The town is also well known for its international classic car race, Le Circuit des Remparts, that takes place in September.

Other great trips include Cognac (47km) and Jarnac (37km), both a must for brandy lovers and a pleasant place for river cruises. Alternatively, venture further west towards the coast whether visiting the oyster farms and waterways south of Marennes - Hiers - Brouage or the family - friendly seaside resort of Royan, both reached in less than a 2 - hour drive, perhaps stopping off in historic Saintes (69km) en route.