Beautiful gite in charming location with private pool near historic market towns

Behind private gates, overlooking a mature lawn and trees, our beautiful stone cottage awaits you. Floor to ceiling windows light up a stunning open plan living space with generous sofas, log-burner and smart tv with super-fast broadband. Behind you a fully-fitted kitchen gives you all you need for family meals around a beautiful oak table - unless you prefer the veranda with its pretty vines and shady space. Walk out of the other living room door and you find yourself by a stunning courtyard pool, with comfortable loungers and poolside shower. The pool gets the sun all day, and as the sun moves around, also ensures there are shady spaces for those who prefer to keep cool. Upstairs, a master bedroom with double bed and ample storage ensures comfortable nights and next door a second bedroom with sleeping arrangements for four will fit more friends and family. A modern bathroom and shower with sink, good mirror and lighting completes the upstairs area.

The house works equally well for couples seeking a romantic break and families with children of all ages. (We have a cot and high chair as you need and the courtyard pool can be closed off with the living room door.)

Ébéon is a peaceful hamlet perfect for anyone who is looking to switch off and unwind. Surrounded by fields of sunflowers and pineau vines growing the area's famous aperitif Pineau des Charentes and Cognac digestif, we are also only 40 minutes from the Atlantic beaches - the 'wild coast', where surfers mix with sunbathers. The area - Charente-Maritime - is a French department of Nouvelle Aquitaine region positioned on the west coast of France and is named after the Charente River, where you can rent canoes and visit historic towns like Saintes and pretty villages like Saint Savinien, where artists and artisans show their work. The region has the highest number of annual sunshine hours in France apart from the Côte d’Azure - but it’s a lot closer! - and enjoys mild winters, lots of early spring sunshine and many hot sunny days that last in the autumn.

Our local town of Saint Jean d'Angely has a fab selection of places to eat, from family friendly pizzerias to excellent bistros and restaurants. It also has a wonderful, bustling Saturday market in the covered market hall in the centre of town that has stood for hundreds of years. The world famous town of Cognac - home to the celebrated brandy - is 25 minutes away. And 50 minutes away is La Rochelle - ancient port and maritime city with beautiful architecture, cobbled streets, parks and museums and aquarium. Just a bit further - an hour or so from our house - is the tiny island of Île de Ré with its miles of glorious, pine-tree fringed sandy beaches, green-shuttered pretty villages, whitewashed houses, artisan shops and seafood restaurants. But you can find an array of lovely Atlantic beaches much closer and enjoy exploring the seaside spa towns that line the nearby coast.

We live in a house in the grounds during the summer months, and are on hand to help with anything you need - but we also keep ourselves to ourselves to ensure that you have the peace and privacy that you need.