Manoir Colombard

This historic manoir was built for the owner of one of the Cognac producing estates in the 19th century. It’s now an impressive holiday home with elegant interiors, 3.5 hectares of parkland, a private swimming pool and glorious views over the garden towards Cognac.

As you walk through the grand entrance hall you will note the sense of space across this 600m2 home with high ceilings in many of the rooms. Over the past year Manoir Colombard has undergone an extensive renovation to bring the house back to its former glory whilst adding contemporary features for modern day living. The grand salon is especially impressive with beautiful windows overlooking the ancient trees and parkland with plenty of morning light, the dining room exudes an air of simple elegance whilst the petit salon facing the courtyard is another relaxing spot.

Across the two main floors, each of the six pretty bedrooms has its own bath or shower room and they all feature double beds, four of which are king-size and one super king-size. With courtyard or garden views, bedrooms are kept cool in the summer thanks to double glazing and traditional shutters. Meanwhile, electric blinds shade the ground floor yet still allow you to appreciate the picturesque views.

Families will love the table football, pool table, boules and ping pong and the vast garden with century-old trees is magnificent. In the summer months spend hours by the salt-water swimming pool with its summer kitchen and bathroom and pick figs from the poolside trees. Elsewhere, admire the grape vines, many roses and corridor of pine trees as you explore the parkland which is enclosed by a 2m high wall – there is also a kilometre long trail ideal for jogging by the boundary.

All this space, backed by rural landscapes and vineyards, yet you are right on the edge of Cognac! The heart of the historic town can be reached in 4.5km for a range of excellent restaurants (two with Michelin stars), the daily covered market, a warren of charming lanes and of course tastings and guided tours of the famous distilleries. In the summer enjoy cruises along the Charente River to Jarnac and look out for water-based activities including canoeing and kayaking. Even closer to Manoir Colombard is a large supermarket and a recommended boulangerie in the outskirts of the town.

Other places to visit include the historic town of Saintes with the incredible Basilique Saint Eutrope, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the handsome city of Angoulême, known for its famous vintage car race and the comic art museum, La Musée de la Bande Dessinée. Spend the day by the seaside in Royan, around an hour away, or you could even venture to the vineyards of Bordeaux for yet more gastronomic and wine-tasting experiences.

Features:

Manoir Interiors (600m2)

Ground Floor

- Entrance hall
- Grand salon with doors leading to garden terrace
- Petit salon
- Dining room
- Kitchen, well-equipped and utility room
- Study
- Cloakroom and WC
- Bedroom with double bed, separate bathroom with shower and WC

Upstairs

- Master bedroom with double bed and en suite bathroom with bath, shower and separate WC
- Bedroom with double bed and en suite shower room
- Bedroom with double bed and en suite bathroom with bath, shower and WC
- Bedroom with double bed and en suite shower room
- Attic bedroom (via spiral staircase) with en suite shower room and separate WC
- Drying room with washing machine
- WC

Lower Floor (accessed from outside)

- Games cellar with table football and pool table

Bed sizes are super-king (x1), king (x4) and small double (x1).

Outside Grounds

- Salt-water swimming pool (16x6m, depth: 1-1.5m) with electric safety cover. Open approximately end-May to end-September
- Outside shower
- Poolside area with kitchen, barbecue and WC
- Patio with table and chairs for al-fresco dining
- Barn with table tennis and boules
- Various other barns/outbuildings (with some original equipment, some used for storage)
- Pond (near entrance gate)
- Garden with roses, vines, fig trees and mature trees
- Vast grounds (3.5 hectares) surrounded by 2m wall
- Electric entrance gate

Facilities

- Wi-Fi
- Smart TV with Netflix
- Table tennis
- Pool table
- Ping pong
- Boules

Location:

Historically the home for an owner of a Cognac-producing estate, Manoir Colombard is set in 3.5 hectares of glorious grounds with views over the garden and beyond towards Cognac in the Charente department of south-western France.

Despite the rural setting of vines and farmland behind the Manoir, you are on the edge of Cognac and the heart of this historic town can be reached in around 4.5km. Even closer there is a large supermarket just 2km away and a well-regarded boulangerie within a 5-minute drive in the outskirts of the town. Restaurants can be found in and around Cognac – it has gained a fine reputation for its gastronomy in recent years, so much so that the town hosted the Michelin Star Awards ceremony in 2022, the first time outside of Paris.

As well as many excellent restaurants (two with Michelin stars), Cognac is of course known for its distilleries - guided tours and tastings can be arranged. The historic quarter itself is beautiful with its narrow lanes, 16th and 17th century houses, atmospheric café terraces, pretty shops and daily covered market. Throughout the year look out for events and festivities taking place in the town including the Cognac Blues Passion festival and the Fête du Cognac, both in July.

Take picturesque stroll along the Charente River where boat trips sail to nearby Jarnac (known for its brandy production) and discover seasonal canoeing and kayaking opportunities. In the summer you will also find paddle-boarding and electric boats along the river whilst outdoor adventurists will appreciate horse-riding within a short drive, not to mention the wonderful walks and cycling across the Charente landscapes and beyond. For golf-lovers, Golf du Cognac is 12km by car.

You have easy access to other fantastic places to visit across this region – the main ‘N’ road that connects Cognac to Saintes can be reached within a 850m drive (being on the edge of Cognac, you may occasionally hear traffic from this road when the wind is blowing in a certain direction). Saintes (25km) is one of the region’s most important towns with a rich heritage dating back to Roman times and incredible architecture. It’s old quarter is a joy to explore – come across old white stone houses, the historic amphitheatre and the beautiful Cathedral of Saint-Pierre. Furthermore, the 12th century Basilique Saint Eutrope de Saintes is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The vineyards of Bordeaux (121km) or Saint-Émilion (139km) can be reached in just over an hour and a half, both stunning days out, whilst the handsome city of Angoulême (48km) is even closer, known for its vintage car race in September and a must for comic art enthusiasts who can visit the Musée de la Bande Dessinée.

If you feel like a day by the sea then Royan (66km) is a good choice, reached in around an hour. As well as its long sandy beach and summer watersports, stroll along the beachside promenade, visit the architect-designed covered market and dine out in one of Royan’s bustling cafes and restaurants.

You could even venture to the gorgeous island, Île de Ré (113km), reached via a 2km long bridge from La Rochelle, or spend the time visiting the salt marshes and oyster farms of the Seudre River en route to Île d'Oléron (90km) for yet more beaches and nature reserves.

Terms & Conditions:

Security deposit?
£1000 paid via bank transfer to the owner one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.

Arrival time?
5.30 p.m.

Departure time?
10.00 a.m.

Energy costs included?
Yes.

Heating costs included?
Yes.

Linen & towels included?
Yes, changed once for stays over 7 nights.

Pool towels included?
Yes.

End of stay cleaning included?
Yes and mid-stay cleaning for stays of more than 7 nights also included. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit.

Tax?
French Visitors Tax is included.

Pool opening dates?
The pool is open approximately end-May to end-September. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.

Minimum stay?
7 nights. All other durations on request.

Changeover day?
Saturday. All other changeover days on request.

Pets welcome?
Not allowed.

Smoking Allowed?
No.

Other Ts and Cs?
Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are not allowed.