3 Bedroom Gite in Montguyon

4 STARS (Tourist Board France) since 1999, this country cottage is ideal for summer holiday and all year rental. Situated near a small village, unspoilt by tourism, surrounded by fields and forests, in the Cognac region and close to the famous Bordeaux vineyards of St Emilion and Pomerol, easy driving distance to the coast with many lake or riverside beaches close by. The cottage is a converted wine chais of this former farm, and is comfortable, clean, bright and very well equipped. The private, enclosed grassy garden is well-exposed to the sun, and you can relax and enjoy the delights of country life. The outdoor dining terrace and barbecue area provides welcome shade from the summer sunshine. In the winter months the cottage is heated by a cosy wood-burning stove. English satellite TV, DVD, CD player, Wi-Fi broadband internet access. You can walk to the baker to buy fresh bread and groceries, and to the post office. Local wine, cognac and excellent restaurants are nearby. 
 
Situated in a charmingly unspoilt area where there are hundreds of kilometres of waymarked country walks which you may have all to yourselves to discover the local countryside. Visit colourful markets, one each day of the week, to buy local produce or sit and watch the world go by. Visit the cities of Bordeaux, Angouleme and Perigueux, the excellent Zoo at Royan, fun parks at Aquacity, The Antilles or the Futuroscope and many more attractions. Wine lovers will love St Emilion, Pomerol, the Médoc and Cognac. Bathe at local beaches near rivers and lakes with bars and restaurants for lazy, summer days. Dordogne is near by with all its chateaux and historical sites. You may canoe on the Dronne or the Dordogne or cruise along the Gironde estuary. Royan is the nearest seaside resort but Arcachon, Lacanau and other costal resorts are within driving distance. But you may just stretch out in the garden watching the countryside or with a good book, a bottle of wine and relax. A holiday to enjoy. 
 
This holiday cottage was awarded four stars by the French Tourist Board in 1999 and renewed in 2006, part of the former farm of the resident British owners, in an area of vineyards and gently rolling, wooded farmland, screened from a minor country road, within easy reach of Bordeaux, the coast, and famous wine and cognac vineyards. This 120-year old house (the gite having been the chais where the wine was made) has a country feel with typical brick and stone façade outside and exposed beams inside, farmhouse doors, pine furniture and farmhouse-style kitchen. The liight and airy interior is made appealing by cheerful fabrics and paintings, and practical furnishings that complete this welcoming and impeccably-kept property. The house is comfortable at all times of the year, partly shaded from the hot sun of summer and a log-burning stove for winter. There is comfortable seating to watch TV or a film on DVD, work via Internet or just relax and read.  
 
The partly roofed, paved dining terrace is an ideal space for outdoor living. It looks onto a private, grassy garden well-exposed to the sun and enclosed and screened from the access road by hedges. Early risers can drink their (very) early morning coffee watching the sun rise on the smaller terrace outside the French windows. Enjoy meals al fresco on the dining terrace or perhaps under the oak tree that provides shade on a hot day. The cottage is perfect for a holiday relaxing in the peace and tranquillity of this beautiful area but there is lots to do in the area. Full information is in the house. Children will love the presence of farm animals (usually chickens, sheep and pet goat) in the adjoining field and we provide some toys and outdoor games, a paddling pool and sand pit for use in the summer.  
 

Kitchen (3m30 x 3m80) with gas cooker (4 rings and oven), microwave, single sink + drainer (water heated by electricity), fridge + freezer compartment, fitted units, dishwasher, washing machine (in utility area), mobile barbecue; beamed ceiling; tiled floor; opening to living / dining room; door to utility area, with doors to downstairs bathroom. Living / dining room (5m10 x 4m30) with table, chairs, chest of drawers, settee, 2 easy chairs, cane armchair, coffee table, television, DVD, stereo (CD/cassette/radio), bookshelves, lamp, lamp stand, wood-burning stove. Beamed ceiling. Tiled floor with rug. Stairs to first floor. French windows to small terrace and garden. Outside: main dining terrace (8m x 3m), partly roofed, with table, chairs and barbecue plus small terrace with reclining chairs; swings, sand pit, paddling pool in the summer; some toys and games; good sized grassed garden (20m x 40m); sun beds; plants in containers.

TO WALK TO: Adventure playground/exercise track in the woods; Visit vineyard and cognac distillery; Boules/petanque, sports pitch; marked walks;  
WITHIN 15 KM: Outdoor pools, tennis, fishing, riding, karting; Forest lakes and rivers with swimming and other activities; Colourful markets, fairs, festivals.  
NOT TO BE MISSED: St Emilion, Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, Cognac, Bordeaux, Blaye, Saintes,Perigueux, Libourne.  
Local restaurants; Markets to choose every day of the week; Son et Lumière at Castillon-la-Bataille; All year swim/spa/work out at Les Antilles inJonzac.  
A DAY OUT: The Atlantic coast - Lacanau, Arcachon, Royan; The vineyards of the Médoc, Sauternes, St Emilion, Pomerol and other Bordeaux regions; Cave paintings in Dordogne, especially at Lascaux;  
FOR CHILDREN: enclosed garden with play things; beaches nearby; excellent zoo at La Palmyre; seaside resorts; tropical pool complex at Jonzac 

• Nearest Airport : Bordeaux and Bergerac at 70 kilometers distance;
• Nearest Train Station : Libourne, Angoulême, Bordeaux at 40 kilometers distance
• Nearest Town : Coutras, Montguyon, St Aigulin at 12 kilometers distance
• Travel Info: Well served by two airports, Bordeaux and Bergerac, with TGV high speed trains stopping at Libourne, Angoulême and Bordeaux this quiet rural location is easy to reach. A car is essential. In order to take advantage of lower costs of mid-week travel you can start your holiday the day you wish (except July and August when rentals start on Saturday).

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St Martin de Coux is a village with a population of 400 situated within the area called Forêt de Double Saintongeais. The greatest attraction is access to the beautiful countryside all around, walking, cycling or horse-riding through forest and vines. Cycles can be hired in the village and there are also riding stables. The church is 12th century romanesque and is a classified monument. The village has retained its bakery and post office and even has its own tiny market on Friday morning. The most important economic activities of the village are the growing of grapes, mostly distillled for cognac, and forestry.

Of the two nearest small towns, Montguyon sits at the foot of the remains of a medieval chateau and hosts two important cultural events each year - the international Mondiofolk and the Medieval Festival, both with evening 'son et lumière' spectacles - and St Aigulin sits on the River Dronne, a launching point for canoes has recently been made and fishing (with a permit) is possible. During the summer very pleasant night markets are held alongside the river, an excellent place to go and eat and pass the evening.

Two recent projects in the area have seen the opening of an aquatic centre 'Les Antilles de Jonzac' with facilities for all types of water activity, and a speed track 'Circuit du Haut Saintonge' for motor vehicles together with a very serious karting circuit. For enthusiasts, both are within easy access of the cottage. The more intrepid may like to organise a trip in a hot air balloon with Montgolfière de Gironde based in a neighbouring village.

This sleepy little village is full of surprises as you can see and we are always available to help you make the most of exploring our corner of the south-west of France.