Manoir De La Ferme

About this property

Set in glorious vineyards in the south-west of France, Manoir de la Ferme is a unique place to gather friends and family and host a spectacular event where you will know your guests will be looked after from the moment they arrive.

This 17th-century farm distillery has been totally transformed; the original farmhouse is now an attractive and welcoming boutique Manor House hotel with four en-suite bedrooms, the original distillery a cosy bistro area for guests, and the original animal barn now houses five contemporary apartments. The courtyard was once the parading ground for horses which the farm used to buy and sell.

This lovely and very unique estate is now available to hire exclusively for a large family gathering or unforgettable event.

The main Manor House offers warmth and comfort in its elegant yet easy-going Cognac lounge where the roaring fire can be lit on cooler evenings as you relax with fine wine and company. The four en-suite bedrooms each offer simple yet chic décor and their own individual features such as exposed beams, a roll-top bath or wonderful vineyard views. 

There are five self-catering apartments in the former barn, each have three bedrooms, two bathrooms and views over the valleys from their little terraces. 

The set-up allows guests to retain their independence yet there’s always the opportunity to gather by the outdoor swimming pool or meet and wander through the wonderful grounds as well as enjoy the relaxing spa with a sauna and heated indoor swimming pool, where treatments can also be booked in advance.

It’s all about a discreet but attentive level of service here; breakfast is included and served every day and guests can dine together by arrangement with the staff whenever they wish. They can arrange for an exquisite evening meal to be served in the bistro or prepare a beautifully laid table out on the terrace for you all to enjoy a local feast. They also offer a concierge service for restaurant bookings and tailor-made tours of the local area, baby-sitting and will always try and help you with anything you may need.

Families are made to feel so welcome with a lovely children’s den with toys and crafts whilst the apartments can include high-chairs, stair-gates and even children’s cutlery.   

It goes without saying that this is the perfect destination for a wedding or special celebration. With extensive experience in event planning, including time at Soho House and other prestigious venues, the manager is an accomplished wedding and party planner who offers a bespoke service to create a relaxed, romantic and unforgettable event in magical surroundings. 

So many highlights of south-west France are within a short drive, such as Angoulême, a city full of art and history with fascinating architecture, a wonderful weekly market and a great National Comic Strip museum.  Cognac is also within half an hour, a stunning town with excellent places to dine by the river and Jarnac, where you can enjoy fabulous brandy tastings and more tasty cuisine.  Not forgetting mighty Bordeaux, a brilliant day trip for shopping and drinking.

There’s a wealth of activities nearby for all ages from amazing parks and farms for children to private tours of local producers of amazing artisan products such as Cognac, gin and even vodka!

At the end of the day you’ll return to your abode where you can dine with your family and friends and watch the sun set over the Cognac countryside, creating lasting memories in this idyllic part of south-west France.

Manoir de la Ferme is located just 5km from Chateauneuf-sur-Charente, which has a train station with connections to Angoulême (which has TGV trains to Paris and Bordeaux). Here you will find a village café, a grocery store with a bar, restaurants and a supermarket if guests in the apartments wish to pick up a few things.

Angoulême is only half an hour away by car, a wonderful city full of art and history, located just above the Charente river and you can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding valley. Comic lovers, don’t miss the excellent National Comic Strip and Image Centre, a fantastic museum. Alongside this, the city itself has fascinating architecture, traditional farmers markets, beautiful gardens, pavement cafes and a variety of restaurants.

Cognac (32km) is also within easy reach; explore its gorgeous old town with some excellent places to dine, especially by the river. Visit the big Cognac houses both in the city and in Jarnac (20km) where you can enjoy fabulous brandy tastings and more excellent cuisine.

In fact, there is a great wealth of local artisan products on the doorstep. There’s an excellent organic Cognac distillery just five minutes away which offers private tours and tastings of their cognac, sparkling rose and pineau. Just ten minutes away is an amazing place that produces balsamic vinegar, Greygoose vodka is also produced locally, as is caviar! Food lovers should also head for the west coast to try some of the amazing shellfish, especially oysters. Finally, gin aficionados note that a local gin is distilled in this area, infused with the flowers from the local vines.

The vibrant city of Bordeaux (100km) is another fantastic place to see in a day, visit the riverside Cité-du-Vin, enjoy the amazing shops, eat well and sample some amazing wines if you’re not driving home (or even better take the train via Angoulême)!

Those who love activities can play golf or tennis near Angoulême or go horse-riding within a short drive. There is also a wealth of things to do for children, starting with a sweet little park in the local village to a trampoline park for older kids near Angoulême. There’s even a soft play centre and a separate indoor water park just north of Angoulême for rainy days and a glorious outdoor park about half an hour away on the edge of the Charente with eight hectares of parkland including a playground, skate park, courts for ball games and a 18 hole golf course. Animal lovers can head about 25 minutes by car to a local farm (don’t miss it during lambing season) or a little further to Palmyra Zoo (100km) just beyond Royan towards the Atlantic coast.

No matter what you decide to do, the owner will be there to make recommendations, help book restaurant tables and arrange tailor-made tours of local wineries. 

Accommodation

Manor House + 5 Apartments (max 38 guests)
Interiors
Manor House (8 guests/4 bedrooms)
- Cognac Lounge with fireplace and double doors leading to courtyard
- 4 double bedrooms with en-suite bath or shower rooms

5 x Apartments (6 guests/3 bedroooms each)
(next to each other, located in the former barn)
Ground Floor
- Open-plan living-dining room with well-equipped kitchen area including kettle, toaster, oven, fridge and cafetière plus dining table for 6 guests. Doors lead to small terrace
- 1 twin bedroom
- 1 shower room with WC

First Floor
- 1 twin bedroom
- 1 double bedroom
- 1 bathroom with bath, shower and WC

Please note one of the apartments has disabled access

Old Distillery
- Le Bistro (meals prepared and served on request by arrangement)
Spa
- Sauna
- Steam room
- Treatment room (please book treatments at least ten days in advance)
- Heated indoor swimming pool (12mx5m), open all year from 9am to 9pm.

Outside Grounds
- Private swimming pool (10mx5m), open late May till end of October subject to weather, from 9am to 9pm
- Play area with swing
- Children’s play area with toys and crafts (in the courtyard)
- Vast gardens including surrounding vineyards

Facilities
- Wi-Fi (Manor House lounge and bedrooms only)
- Heating
- Hairdryers
- Freeview/Sky TV and DVD player (apartments only)
- Children’s toys and crafts
- Spa with sauna