Elegant villa with heated pool in 5 acres of park.

Relax in comfort in a fine period house set in five acres of private grounds. Set in its five-acre park and woods, with a heated pool, in a peaceful village, Maison Michèle is an elegant holiday retreat – especially for art and literature lovers. The former village schoolroom makes a spacious welcoming living-room with three double French windows opening to the patio and pool area and a log burner, antique lamps, candles and fire to provide warmth in the evening. Fine art adorns the walls and the house is festooned with shelves providing reading material for all tastes. Location: This historic area of Charente is bathed with light and offers beautiful rivers, outdoor activities, villages, churches, museums, markets, brocantes and plenty of festivals all summer. Angoulême, Cognac and Poitiers (with Futuroscope for children) are all within 60 kilometres and the coast and La Rochelle are easily reached. There are fine restaurants nearby and two supermarkets within ten minutes’ drive. Bakeries are to be found in nearby villages. Accommodation: The maison-de-maitre house is reached from a small lane bordering the medieval Logis (the village’s refuge in time of war). Past the elegant front gates and the pool garden, any of three French windows leads to the magnificent former schoolroom. Measuring 60 square metres and with the original flagstones carpeted in Persian rugs, this is a beautiful family room in which to eat, relax and enjoy music and entertainment, with its thick stone walls rendering it cool in summer while retaining heat in cooler months. Next to the living-room is the kitchen/diner, 25 square metres, fully equipped with five gas hobs, electric ovens, dishwasher, microwave and large fridge/freezer – a lovely breakfast area. Doors lead to a downstairs shower room/toilet and a ground-floor cellar with washing machine, tumble drier and further fridges and freezers. A curved staircase leads to the first floor with three comfortable double bedrooms (one ensuite) furnished with antiques, and a delightful children’s room sleeping three. Off the landing is a family bathroom in the period style with walk-in shower. Stairs lead to the 60-square-metre upper floor with two double and two single beds and sitting area with elegant furniture and Persian rugs – a lovely play-space or quiet reading area. Surroundings: Past the mediaeval logis now used for festivals, ornamental gates lead to the front drive. A separate driveway leads to the house through its large park-like grounds and beyond there is a shady wood belonging to the estate. The whole makes a spacious and charming family retreat in which to enjoy walks or games in spacious surroundings or simply chill out by the warm pool.