We spent 2 weeks at this beautiful property and would recommend it wholeheartedly! It was spotless on arrival, very spacious (much more than perhaps the pictures suggest) and was extremely well equipped with everything we could need, down to little touches like moulds to make ice lollies which the children loved! The property was beautifully refurbished with masses of character and charm, with a perfect balance of old and new.
The swimming pool and its surrounds were definitely the best we have been to in our several visits to France. The pool was large with easy steps in, absolutely spotless each day, everything was very new with comfortable loungers and parasols as well as a super shower room and toilet adjoining it. The pool is unheated but when the weather is hot and sunny, it is perfectly refreshing!, and the children were in and out of it constantly, rain or shine!
We loved exploring the grounds of the chateau which were rich with wildlife. We enjoyed each evening sitting out to a clear sky, stargazing, listening to the crickets and the local toad population, watching bats circling around and waiting for the owl to go out on its nightly hunt. Wonderful!
Susan and Alan were fantastic hosts, and Susan was so helpful in offering guidance on the surrounding areas, where to go, what to do and a fountain of knowledge! We were lucky enough to be able to sample her delicious homemade jams and fresh produce from the garden, and fell in love with her pottery!
The area is typical rural France, lots of sunflowers and sweetcorn, quiet villages and hamlets, lovely churches etc but plenty of places to visit of interest. We most enjoyed the wonderful sculpture garden at Bioussac, Nanteuil en Vallee, Verteuil sur Charente and a fantastic arbor adventure at the Haute lakes. Our son also loved cycling up to the nearby football pitch and practising his rainbow flicks! We took our bikes, and the area was great for cycling with plenty of fairly flat, quiet country lanes, perfect for a young family. Pleuville is a very quiet village but at its heart, has a lovely bar and tabac run by Bridget, who was so helpful and ordered us in croissants and baguettes each day as required. We also enjoyed an early evening drink there.
Overall,we could not recommend this property more highly, as long as peace, quiet and tranquility is what you are after! We loved it and hope to return again in the future. Thank you so much for a most enjoyable stay!