Nestling beside our private lake is this charming country cottage, located in a small hamlet at the Southern tip of the Charente. The cottage has three bedrooms, two on the first floor and one ground floor bedroom with French windows opening onto a small terrace. There is a cloakroom, spacious living room, a dining hall and a well equipped kitchen/breakfast room. The cottage is located less than ten minutes drive from the market town of Chalais, dominated by the Chateau des Tallyrand ,with its drawbridge leading to the Restaurant Relais du Chateau . In Chalais there are bars, restaurants ,supermarkets, banks,and for leisure ,an open-air swimming pool, and tennis courts.The cottage is also within ten minutes of Brossac where there is a swimming lake, water-sports,mini golf, volley ball, restaurant and bar. Only a little further is the village of Aubeterre which is officially listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Famous for its monolithic underground church and Aubeterre also boasts a lively square full of artisan boutiques , a pottery, antique shops, cafes and restaurants. Further afield but still within easy driving distance are Bordeaux, St. Emilion, Cognac and the seaside towns of La Rochelle, Royan Arcachon and Cap Ferret.
Property manager
malcolm donaldson
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill
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The use of the boat is ‘at guests own risk’. Maximum 2 persons. Children must be accompanied by adult.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
We should mention
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed GBP 1000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Bardenac
Located in Bardenac, this cottage is in a rural area and on a lake. Monolithic Church of Saint-Jean and Barbezieux Castle are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Safari Parc of Haute-Saintonge and Jardins du Coq.
bardenac, charente
What's nearby
Circuit de Haute Saintonge - 18 min drive - 17.1 km
Aubeterre-sur-Dronne Tourism Office - 21 min drive - 18.9 km
Safari Parc of Haute-Saintonge - 21 min drive - 18.6 km
Monolithic Church of Saint-Jean - 22 min drive - 20.0 km
Les Antilles de Jonzac - 47 min drive - 43.0 km
Getting around
Chalais Station - 9 min drive
Restaurants
Le Flore - 9 min drive
Chez Isa - 14 min drive
Le Bistrot des Halles - 10 min drive
L'atelier de l'abat-jour - 9 min drive
L'un des Sens - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is 6 person lakeside cottage Near Chalais/Aubeterre pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at 6 person lakeside cottage Near Chalais/Aubeterre?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at 6 person lakeside cottage Near Chalais/Aubeterre?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is 6 person lakeside cottage Near Chalais/Aubeterre located?
Situated on a lake, this cottage is 4.3 mi (7 km) from Chalais Tourism Office and within 12 miles (20 km) of Circuit de Haute Saintonge and Safari Parc of Haute-Saintonge. Trarieux Square and Aubeterre-sur-Dronne Tourism Office are also within 12 miles (20 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Zeer rustige ligging, hartelijke ontvangst, mooie tuin die volledig kan/mag benut worden, alles om tot rust te komen en voluit van een deugddoende vakantie te genieten...
We have had an amazing holiday in this beautifully house, situated in an idyllic location. The tranquil setting, contrasting with the many local amenities, activities and places of interest, provided a lovely holiday for our family of four.
Nous avons passé un très bon séjour dans cette charmante maison au style anglais. Nos hôtes sont très accueillants et nous ont fait profiter du superbe parc avec l étang où nous avons mangé et promené ainsi que pour les promenades conseillé dans les villages qu’il fallait visiter.
Merci encore à Kay et Rod pour nous avoir permis de passer d excellentes vacances en Charente
Annaik et Thierry
thierry l.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2019
10/10 Excellent
Peter E.
25 Sept, 2018
You could not wish for better.
From start to finish, we had a lovely time at Masperier. Rod and Kay, the owners of this delightful cottage, made us more than welcome. It is extremely comfortable, and we lacked for nothing. It is furnished and fitted out with great care and attention to detail, and this certainly shows! The setting by the Lake is delightful and just as the pictures show! Everything about Masperier rates 10/10. We shall definitelyreturn, and would thoroughly recommend.
Peter E.
10/10 Excellent
paula b.
27 Aug, 2018
A little piece of heaven
We arrived after a long drive to be greeted by Rod and Kay who took the time to show us their lovely cottage, and tell us about the forthcoming events locally. Rod and Kay have spent many years creating this home from home. Every little detail has been thought of to make your stay as comfortable from the time you arrive. A welcome hamper in the kitchen, cupboard with all the essentials for cooking, sun loungers, table and chairs for outside eating, bbq and all of the necessary coals and fire lighters, buckets and spades for the near by lakes with beaches, garden games, indoor games and DVD's. All bathrooms had toiletry s and fresh towels. There really was not anything that had been overlooked for your stay. The garden was just a little piece of heaven, with large lawns fanning the lake, a small rowing boat and many fish jumping in the water. There are walnut trees, blackberry bushes and a whole host of wild life. Just outside the front door there are many walks and cycle paths,and fields full of sunflowers. The cottage is well placed for a short drive away there are swimming lakes, supermarkets, local markets, restaurants and beautiful villages. We had the most wonderful week and we will be returning.
paula b.
10/10 Excellent
Derek A., York
13 Aug, 2018
Generous hosts and beautiful property
We had a highly enjoyable family holiday at Masperier: the cottage and its extensive grounds are beautiful, and the area is full of pleasures, including lovely landscapes, lively markets, excellent restaurants, and fascinating tours of wineries and distilleries. One of the things that made it stand out was the exceptional warmth and generosity of our hosts, Rod and Kay Donaldson, who respected our privacy but were ready to help at a moment's notice. Even our dog was made to feel welcome! We would especially recommend the cottage for up to four people, as the downstairs bedroom is the main route to the garden and the lake, and was sometimes a bit musty during our stay.
Derek A.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2018
10/10 Excellent
peter h.
6 Jul, 2018
Tranquil Beauty and a Garden of Paradise
Quiet, Relaxing, Private and Very Beautiful. The French Countryside, at it's very best. This is a lovely cottage with exposed beams of old oak and a renovated interior. The encompassing garden is world class and highly maintained by an expert, while at the same time offering the natural feel of the best of French Botanicals. A lake teaming with large, pet carp, with a quiet water fall sound - and surrounded by a perfect garden. The local French markets nearby with all you need and fun to wander through: Cheese, Veg, Sausage, Bread, tourist items. Lots of beauty in the near by towns and villages to visit. Cognac and Wine all over. Fantastic local restaurants. Host were Perfect: English/French Speaking. Very Friendly, Generous & Offering all the help we could ever want.
A straight: 10/10.
peter h.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
paul a.
16 Aug, 2016
Lovely cottage for those seeking respite
We had a lovely time at the cottage and really enjoyed our stay. Rod and Kay were great hosts and did their best to make sure we had a delightful stay. The cottage is a lot bigger than the images portray and we made great use of the inside and outside spaces. A great space, good people and a welcoming environment.
paul a.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Emma P.
30 Jan, 2016
Fabulous First Family Holiday
We had a fabulous first family holiday with our 8 week old baby boy. The pictures do not lie, it is an idyllic cottage with enormous grounds which we were free to roam. We created some very special memories of long balmy summer days and nights spent by the lake. Kay and Rod were wonderful hosts giving us the right level of privacy as well as being incredibly helpful. Being vegetarians in France isn't easy, however, Kay was extremely helpful and managed to sort out some great restaurants for us. Would totally recommend this cottage.
Emma P.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
15 Nov, 2014
FAB U LOUS!
Had a fantastic week at this beautiful cottage in the heart of the Charente countryside but just 10 mins from the little town of Chalais with its weekly market, individual shops, and supermarkets. Rod and Kay are the best hosts you could wish for with their extensive knowledge of the best places to visit and to eat and drink. The cottage is so lovely, with absolutely everything you could possibly need for a self catering holiday. Having said that, eating out is so reasonable it can be cheaper to do that rather than cook for yourself but everything is there if you wanted to. The garden is beautiful and you can relax and unwind there in the peace and quiet. We are regular visitors and can't wait to go back - wouldn't stay anywhere else.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
10 Sept, 2014
Fantastic Easter Break
After a gloomy Winter in the UK, it was such a treat to have a weeks holiday in France in April for Easter and we were not disappointed.....totally spoilt with the weather for the whole week and also the magical setting of Masperier. A picturesque French house with blue shutters and flowers outside, being welcomed by Rod and Kay and the most generous welcome basket with the essentials and a bottle of Wine - perfect after the drive (which actually is not bad at all from UK to France). The house is perfect, great bathrooms, crisp bedlinen and spacious but if it could not get any better it did and the children loved it - wow the garden, the lake, walks through the fields and of course Chalais food market on a Monday and Fernando's happy hour and steak or Moules Frittes nights. It is also so close to Cognac, Aubeterre - the most beautiful French village with fantastic bars and restaurants in the square (go into No.8 Shop - great scarves and accessories) and so many other places. Thank you for the best holiday, see you next year and will tick off more of your great suggestions.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
31 Aug, 2014
Magical retreat!
What a wonderful location for a relaxing holiday. For a real taste of rural France with nothing to hear but the birds and frogs around the lake, look no further! The local villages and towns are only a stones throw away for delicious French restaurants and shops. We found there was ample space at Masperier for us with our daughter and we could have even brought friends too, there were bedrooms to spare! The attention to detail really makes visiting Masperier a real treat - from the white company bed linen and dressing gowns to the molton brown toiletries, everything has been thought of to make your stay a comfortable and enjoyable one. The welcome basket certainly pleased my husband - meaning after the drive from the ferry we didn't have to set off for supplies as we had enough food and wine for a peaceful first night enjoying our new surroundings. Of course the weather in the south of France is fabulous so that certainly made our trip extra wonderful too! We loved visiting the local markets in riberac and Chalais and Rod and Kay's hospitality was fantastic - like having your own concierge service! We will definitely be back, except next time we will take friends to this magical place!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
14 Aug, 2014
Top Quality Everything
What a fantastic location - we are repeat guests here and will continue to be so for as long as we can secure our bookings.
So much space for the family or a group of friends, with a fantastic kitchen (very important to me), generous welcome package and grounds to die for. The living area is immaculate and there are bathrooms for every bedroom full of fluffy towels. The bed linen is pristine.
Rod and Kay are perfect hosts and have so much knowledge of the area that you'll never be stuck for suggestions on what to do and see.
The surrounding area is easily accessible from the property and the house is such a wonderful place to return to for tranquil sundowners by the lake. Walks through Sunflower fields and along country lanes will help one work off those extra few kilo's collected long the way. One can even walk through the fields and up a hill to find a bar!
I cannot recommend this property enough, it is the perfect base to explore a beautiful part of France from, and there is so much to see and do in the area.
We are already making our booking for next year.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
13 Sept, 2013
Stunning cottage & location
This was a most beautiful cottage, extremely well equipped and clean and a delight to spend a week in. We loved the quiet location and beautiful grounds. The local towns and villages were wonderful to explore and further afield, the beaches are fantastic. Definitely something for everyone and a great base for exploring this beautiful part of France. The owners were so accommodating and welcoming, we would not hesitate in recommending this property for your next stay.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
1 Sept, 2013
Only Five Stars!
But it deserves 7!! Home from home - it was better than home! We had a lovely relaxing stay at this gorgeous cottage. It is beautifully maintained and finished to an exceptionally high standard by the lovely owners, Rod and Kay. There is nothing further you could possibly want from a holiday cottage. Rod and Kay were full of ideas of where to go and what to see during our stay and we explored some wonderful countryside and lovely old French towns. Although the cottage itself is in a rural location you are only 5 mins away from the town of Chalais where you have a choice of where to buy your groceries with a great market every Monday. The bar called Fernandos in the square is not to be missed - great food at a great price. Would thoroughly recommend the cottage to anyone wanting to get away from it all in the peace and quiet of this lovely part of France.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
28 Aug, 2013
Wonderful stay
We had, the most fantastic, relaxing time very peaceful and the most wonderful lake. Spotless cottage and all done to a very high standard. Kay and her husband were very welcoming, and could not do enough for you, if you needed any information or help.
A true gem of a find, can not recommend it enough
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Jacqueline H., UK
23 Aug, 2013
Lovely stay a a lovely house!
We have just spent a fantastic week in this lovely cottage. The owners Rod and Kay were so very welcoming and full of helpful advise on the best places to go. The cottage is large and beautifully maintained. It even has its own lake with a boat which our teenage kids loved. It's located in a beautiful part of France, that as loads of great places to visit. I would highly recommend a stay here to anybody. You will not be disappointed .