The beautiful hamlet of La Roumade

The Poitou-Charentes / Vendee / Charente region

The Charente region has a micro-climate that makes it the second sunniest region in France. The countryside is beautiful: gentle rolling hills, vineyards and sunflower fields. The riverside town of Cognac is only a 15 minutes' drive while historic Saintes with its stunning Roman ampitheatre, is a further 30 minutes away. The walled capital of the Charente, the city of Angouleme, with the commanding Cathedral de St-Pierre, is a 30 minute drive. Futuroscope theme park is about an hour and a half away should you want a special day out for the family. The beautiful sandy beaches at Royan are only an hour's drive as is the old town of La Rochelle with its historic harbour and wonderful seafood restaurants.

Cognac / Segonzac area

Nearby Cognac is a charming town with lovely shops,bars and restaurants and a pretty central square with fountains. The river tour of the brandy distilleries is well worth trying. Segonzac, just 10 minutes' drive away, has an imposing church at its centre with restaurants and shops, a bank, post office, chemist and the all important supermarket for all your holiday supplies. There are tennis courts here and, a few miles away, at Jarnac, golf, bike and boat hire and many water sports including white water rafting. Chateauneuf-sur-Charente is about half an hour away and has a local market, including fresh fish, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Only ten minutes' walk from the house is the small village of Ambleville with a shop/ boulangerie while in La Roumade itself is a cognac house, selling brandy with the La Roumade label!