Less than 2 hrs from Paris - Sleeps 26

Chateau de la Couronne sits on the edge of Marthon, a lovely village on the border between the Dordogne and the Charente.

It manages the balancing act of being beautifully designed and luxuriously appointed, yet immensely family friendly and fabulous for children. Featured in design magazines and travel media around the world, the Guardian Newspaper called it 'one of the top 5 houses to rent in France', and Grazia Magazine called it 'Kick your shoes off comfy'.

Outside in the 5 acres of private grounds is a 14.5m x 6m heated swimming pool - walled and security gated for safety - surrounded by a paved terrace with plenty of sun loungers. And there is plenty of lawn too, as well as two terraces with ample tables and parasols to have a cool drink, play boules or ping pong, dine al fresco or even have a barbecue.

Inside four huge salons, all with French Windows, open onto the terrace and provide airy and light spaces, with log burners for those autumn evenings.

Further distractions include the Private Cinema with 9 foot screen and surround sound, and a Billiard Room with full size American Pool Table.

The bedrooms are all huge, with very decadent bathrooms - some with two tubs - and all rooms have flat screen TV and DVD player, exclusive robes, fluffy towels and bathing products.

Catering is totally flexible - anything from a one-off celebration dinner to three meals a day every day. You can even agree the menus before you arrive.

For those wanting to self-cater, there is an amazing kitchen at your disposal, with stove, two ovens, dishwasher, fridges, and sufficient crockery, cutlery and utensils to produce mammoth meals for all your guests and for you to channel the Jamie Oliver in you.

Right next to the Kitchen is an immense Dining Hall with warm exposed stone walls and enough table space for all 26 to eat at the same time.

And when all that eating and sunbathing and relaxing gets too much, there's plenty to do in the surrounding area too. There are tennis courts in the village just 500m away. Two Golf Courses are within a few minutes drive, as are an Adventure Park with tree walks, bungee jump and zip wires, a championship level Karting Track where you can perfect those racing lines, and some great Kayaking. Or you can take a drive and go Cognac or Wine Tasting, visit some Chateaux, or hire some bikes (contact details via the Chateau) and take advantage of the many pretty and safe cycle paths around the village.

Access to the Chateau is excellent, with Limoges, Bordeaux, Bergerac and Poitiers airports all within two hours. At Angouleme (20 minutes from the Chateau) is a TGV Rail Station, with high speed trains to Paris in 2hrs 15 mins.