Gorgeous historic house, heated pool, private cafe

Please Note.. We are taking care to ensure guests' safety: all laundry is at a high temperature setting, all surfaces are wiped down with anti-bacterial spray between bookings. We can also arrange to have shopping delivered at the start of your stay. Thouvenin and L'Ecurie are situated in the peaceful, ancient village of Migron, the heart of the Cognac/Pineau producing area, surrounded by acres of vineyards and sunflowers. Excellently furnished and equipped throughout, with large, airy living rooms which stay cool even on hottest of days. The pool was totally refurbished for 2019. It is completely fenced and has a plentiful supply of sun beds and its paved area is surrounded by flowers and herbs. The gardens of both properties are well tended and a mass of colour in summer. L'Ecurie also has its own private orchard and guests are encouraged to harvest the cherries and pears. Thouvenin has a stylish formal dining room, comfortably seating ten and a spacious living room with a traditional Charentaise fireplace. The house is centrally heated. Upstairs there are four bedrooms shower room and a family bathroom with an additional toilet on the ground floor. The house gets its name from when it was Hotel Thouvenin, the station hotel. Before that, it was a typical Charentaise farmhouse dating back to the 18th century. The railway has long since gone and quiet has returned to the village. The mezannine area, fully undercover and accessible from the ground and first floors, has been converted into a private café/bar, capturing the feel of a stylish, but lost era. Its louvred wall provides dappled shade even at the height of summer. The village Pretre’s cassock hangs on the hatstand alongside the Gendarme’s cap, beside thirsty travellers’ luggage awaiting their departure. It is furnished with tables and sofas and the hand crafted zinc bar has both a fridge and a freezer hidden within it. It’s a fabulous spot for breakfast, or leisurely enjoying a good book out of the sun and the perfect place for a late night drink at the end of a relaxing day. We can even arrange to stock the bar before you arrive! Thouvenin has a covered dining terrace which also includes a full-sized table tennis table, overlooking the pool. Adjacent is the brick-built barbecue and the boule area, hedged by lavender bushes and ornamental grasses. The heated pool is 9x4m and recently refurbished. Its open from April to October. The pool is fully fenced and has a good supply of loungers with a large paved area surrounded by flower beds and a rosemary hedge. It has two childproof safety gates. L'Ecurie is a charming, beautifully refurbished two/three bedroom gite situated in the old stables of the house with a separate entrance. Recently renovated with great care, L'Ecurie enjoys a beautiful, planted terrace leading directly onto the pool - perfect for breakfast in the sunshine - as well as an orchard for guests' exclusive use. Its two bedrooms - one twin, one double - are in what would once have been the attic. Adjacent and enclosed on three sides is a mezzanine providing an additional shady lounge area with TV. It includes a daybed that can be used by additional guests. The village of Migron is truly historic and has at it heart the Romanesque church and a natural spring and a communal washing station. It has its own baker within five minutes walk from the property, butcher, even closer, post office and hairdresser. Pizza and fresh fish vans make scheduled visits and there are weekly food stalls. The village is surrounded by vineyards and sunflower field and all roads lead to further sleepy villages, vineyards, abbeys and historic sites. The properties are within 20 minutes of the beautiful historic towns of Cognac, Saintes and St Jean D'Angely. Each is worth several days of your time with elegant squares, parks, good shopping, great food, lovely bars... and the largest supermarkets. Even closer are the villages of Burie (5 minutes) and Matha (10 minutes) with supermarkets, cafes and a range of shops. The properties are just 40 from from the beautiful sandy beaches of Royan and an hour to Bordeaux, La Rochelle and the fantastic islands of Ile de Re and Ile D'Oleron. Near the coast are massive areas of sea marshes, nature reserves with egrets, storks and coypu, a true wildlife haven. Near the coast too are the huge oyster and mussel beds that serve the restaurants of France. Every village and town has a local market, inevitably with fresh seafood - and vegetables and cheeses - piled high. Each village too will have a summer festival weekend and Cognac has an international music festival which attracts the biggest names, but also has music in every cafe and the pedestrianised streets. Migron and the surrounding area is excellent for cycling - miles and miles of level countryside with virtually traffic-free routes through vineyards, fields, woodland and villages. Other activities include river trips, antiques markets (large brocantes held in surrounding villages regularly throughout the summer), visits to chateaux, churches and museums, walking, cycling and birdwatching. Sport and leisure in the area include golf (18-hole courses in both Cognac and Saintes which are 20 minutes away), horseriding, all types of fishing, tennis (including a court in the village), canoe-kayaking (boats to hire at various places along the Charente in Cognac and Saintes), and plenty of space in and around the village to kick a football. We will supply details of all the local attractions, markets and beaches. Our caretaker will research your special interests, book tickets and restaurant tables if you so require.... an optional, but entirely free service.