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Beautifully converted barn In peaceful and stunning location with private pool.

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Pool, deck and hangar.
Les Hirondelles from the fields surrounding it.
Pool with magnificent view
Pool and deck
Deck and pool.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 13150 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Pool
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Montmoreau, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
  • Aubeterre-sur-Dronne Tourism Office
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Monolithic Church of Saint-Jean
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Château de la Mercerie
    ‪23 min drive‬
  • Angouleme (ANG-Brie - Champniers)
    ‪44 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 13)

Bedroom 1

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed and 1 Crib

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 5

4 Single Beds

4 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Beautifully converted barn In peaceful and stunning location with private pool.

Chez Les Hirondelles is a large and beautifully renovated stone barn standing on a hillside with outstanding views. Our property includes all modern facilities, yet still retains the character features of huge oak beams and Charentais stone walls. There are breathtaking views from every room, and the well established, spacious garden leads in to the surrounding countryside. The fantastic open sided covered hanger offers another patio, meaning you can sit out in the fresh air having a BBQ, come rain or shine looking out far across the sunflower fields, woodlands and hills beyond. For those who enjoy star gazing, the night sky here is amazing with no light pollution at all. The 10 x 5 m pool is totally private to the property and surrounded by a decking patio with plenty of space for sun bathing and a choice of areas for alfresco dining. The pool has an alarm system and is fenced so very safe for children. The barn can sleep up to 12/13 people and is extremely spacious both inside and out and makes for an inexpensive option for a large family or group get together.
The stunning town of Aubeterre sur Dronne is only 15 minutes away with its unusual Romanesque monolithic underground church and voted one of the most beautiful villages in France. A wonderful beach and swimming area has been created at the river, which is great fun for all the family. There is also a lovely golf course near Aubeterre with a bar, terrace and restaurant.
Montmoreau St Cybard is a lively town with a train station (you can catch a train to nearby Angouleme or Bordeaux here), bars and restaurants, swimming pool and tennis courts, which are only a few minutes away.
This spacious property includes the following features;
A light and airy entrance hall leads to the large open plan kitchen, dining and lounge area with patio doors leading out on one side to the covered patio and garden and the other side to the pool.
There is a large lounge and dining area with comfortable seating, and with exposed Charente stone walls, huge oak beams and tiled floor. Double doors lead to the stunning pool area and there is a wood burner for cosy winter evenings. Satellite TV with all UK Freesat channels, plus DVD player and Wifi internet access.
Modern and well equipped dining kitchen (oven, dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, fridge freezer) with oak beamed ceiling and huge farmhouse dining table to seat 12 people..
Private, alarmed 10 m x 5 m pool surrounded by decking with views out over the countryside and plenty of space for sunbeds and tables.
There is a downstairs en-suite bedroom for anyone who may have trouble with the stairs as well as a separate toilet and hand basin.
Upstairs there are 4 very spacious and airy bedrooms leading off a landing featuring huge oak beams.
The master double bedroom has an en-suite bathroom, there is a 2nd large double bedroom with king sized bed and another double with a single bed.
A twin bedded room, and a children's room with a bunk bed and 2 singles.
There is a large oak beamed half tiled family bathroom with bath, toilet, separate shower with sliding glass doors.
A cot and high chair can be provided upon request.

Property manager

Lesley and Toby Dorman-Groves

Languages

English, French

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:30 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Safe garden and fenced pool area.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking allowed in outside areas only
Please contact us for cancellation policy. We do have one but non of the above. There is a minumum price of €950 for 1-3 nights but direct with us.
No more than 12/13 people plus a baby in the house under any circumstances and no functions.
Please note there will be a cleaning fee of €100 payable before departure.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed GBP 1000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Montmoreau-Saint-Cybard

Located in Montmoreau-Saint-Cybard, this holiday home is in a rural area. Monolithic Church of Saint-Jean and Château de la Mercerie are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Safari Parc of Haute-Saintonge and Nautilis. Travelling with kids? Consider Le Hall Black - Bowling d'Angoulême, or check out an event or a game at Circuit de Haute Saintonge. Swimming offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding, mountain biking and cycling nearby.
Map
Montmoreau, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

What's nearby

  • Aubeterre-sur-Dronne Tourism Office - 21 min drive - 19.2 km
  • Monolithic Church of Saint-Jean - 22 min drive - 20.7 km
  • Château de la Mercerie - 23 min drive - 21.0 km
  • Château d'Angoulême - 34 min drive - 33.5 km
  • Angouleme Cathedral - 34 min drive - 33.8 km

Getting around

  • Montmoreau Station - 4 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪L’Arthémy - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Chez Isa - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Le Bistrot des Halles - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Carré des Halles - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪L'Angoumois - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Beautifully converted barn In peaceful and stunning location with private pool. have a pool?

Yes, this property has a pool.

Is Beautifully converted barn In peaceful and stunning location with private pool. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Beautifully converted barn In peaceful and stunning location with private pool.?

Check-in begins at 4:30 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautifully converted barn In peaceful and stunning location with private pool.?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Beautifully converted barn In peaceful and stunning location with private pool. located?

Located in a rural location, this family-friendly holiday home is within 12 mi (20 km) of Jardins du Coq, La Lizonne and Trarieux Square. Saint-Jacques Church and Chalais Tourism Office are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 21 out of 21 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 21 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Beth G.

Great find

I was tasked with organising a family holiday for 10. I searched the internet for hours trying to find somewhere suitable and settled with Les Hirondelles. It turned out to be a fantastic choice! The gite is clean, comfortable and suitable for all ages. The kitchen is well equiped, the pool is a good size and gated/alarmed to ensure the kids were safe. The real highlight for us was the covered outside area. We barbequed most nights and ate outside taking in the stunning views while watching the sun go down. Lesley and Toby were so friendly, communicative and helpful. We were lucky to have some great weather too so had days out to Royan beach, La Jemaye lake and a few local towns. We really couldn't have asked for a better week and have made memories to last a lifetime. Stop searching, this is a real find!

10/10 Excellent

Richard & Avril W., Herefordshire

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

This is a beautiful place to spend your holidays

Lovely and clean great rooms and bathrooms lovely open space to spend time as a family meals inside and out . Good sofa for all to relax . Super pool very clean well kept . In a beautiful countryside Surrounding areas . Look at the window morning made your holiday. Would Highly recommend this property to anyone
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Clare L.

The perfect escape

What can I say, absolutely wonderful accommodation in a beautiful part of France! Our hosts were so accommodating; there if we needed them but not at all intrusive. Our breath was quite literally taken away by the stunning view across open fields when we arrived and we ended up spending many nights watching mesmerising sunsets accompanied by glasses of cheap but delicious wine. Although a little chilly in April, my Dad braved the pool and we all enjoyed playing darts and boules on the gravelled outside area. Inside, the main living area is open and spacious with plenty of seating. The kitchen is well equipped with every possible utensil and the ample table is more than big enough if the house is full. All of the bedrooms and bathrooms were immaculately clean and tidy with comfortable beds. The property is ideally situated close to both Angouleme (perfect for a wander and containing many high street stores) and Chalais (visit the market on a Monday). Aubeterre is also beautiful and perfect for a morning or afternoon out. Our favourite times though were spent sitting outside the property in the peace and quiet..it’s the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of every day life.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2019

10/10 Excellent

Nicola G.

Hanger and views are fantastic

We had a fantastic week at Les Hirondelles in August 2018. We are a group of 11 of us (3 families) who have been holidaying together for many years and so have experienced many villas in France. This is our favourite by far! The views are just incredible. There was lots of time spent around the pool, exploring in the fields and many an hour spent playing games in the hanger. We also enjoyed a great day at Aubeterre (just down the road) visiting the underground church and having fun at the river beach. Supermarket also very convenient. Lesley and Toby were fantastic hosts. They gave us our privacy whilst being on hand to change a bulb etc - they couldn't be more helpful. The most impressive being us messing in passing that a small bit of decking board was slightly loose. It was fixed the next morning!! We will definitely be returning. Thank you.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

brian g.

fantastic

Can't recommend this gites highly enough. Excellent facilities and location. Everything you could need provided or available locally. Peaceful, quiet , relaxing. Loads of room ,space etc. Local village for morning supplies , local attractions. Visit Aubeterre sur Dronne , Villebois lavalette. Great restaurants, La Lavatelle and Le Terrace. The bistro in Monmoreau. The Cognac /Pineau vineyard in Bors is a must. Great hosts. Definitely needs visiting again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Michelle B.

Fantastic holiday.

We had the most wonderful time here. The location is beautiful and accomodation was clean, spacious and very comfortable. We had everything we needed and Toby and Lesley were delightful and happy to help if we needed. The pool is great and the outdoor area is perfect for al fresco dinning or an evening drink as the sun goes down. I will definitely be returning.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

phil h.

Breathtaking view; total serenity;spotlessly clean

Tons of space; loads of detail. Beautifully decorated. Pool was stunning. Everything we needed had been carefully thought through and provided. Hosts were delightful. We will be back. No question.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Adrian & Gerry K.

Propriété de cinq étoiles!

Our first mistake was only staying a week at this fantastic location. The first thing we noticed was the panoramic view - not the sweeping Dordogne hills, but the actual size of the lounge area. The images on the website do not do it justice. We are a family of six adults and avoided tripping over one another in this ample sized property. The English owners who live in the adjoining property were on hand to answer our queries and share local tips on where to go and what to see. The house is nestled in an area peppered with pretty villages with cosy restaurants and quaint bars. Bordeaux is just over an hour away and the Cognac area is about 40 minutes to the north. We avoided the expensive and rather sterile tours offered by the famous cognac houses, opting instead to take Leslie’s advice (one of the owners) and visit a local independent Cognac producer. A memorable morning was spent sampling his Cognacs and excellent sparkling fizz, resulting in us purchasing several cases - very good value. Having spent a short time at the property I can highly recommend it along with the professionalism of its owners, Leslie and Toby.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

William S.

A beautiful place to chill in the sun

We have just returned to UK after a fortnight at Les Hirondelles near Montmoreau St. Cybard. We booked it because I had read great reviews about it and we were not disappointed. Our party of six (four adults and two little ones) fairly rattled around in this great big house that has been very creatively converted from a cow shed in a glorious rural setting. There's loads of room for two or three families, both inside and outside where the "hanger" (a giant carport type structure) allows room for boules, al fresco dining until whatever time you like, or just chilling with a glass of something red. What is special, apart from the quietness, is the lack of light pollution resulting in dark starry nights and a clear view of the Milky Way. The swimming pool is fenced off and alarmed to protect young adventurers from mishaps. Although it isn't heated, that didn't matter because daytime temperatures didn't drop below 25 degrees during the whole fortnight (most of the time it was in the 30's). Inside you can comfortably seat 12 people both in the lounge and around the big table in the dining area. The range sized cooker allowed us to make the best of local produce, which is a major part of our French hols. So, you've got all of this before I mention last but not least, our hosts, Lesley and Toby. They couldn't have been more welcoming or helpful throughout our stay and were always on hand if we needed anything, or just for a chat. They have put a lot of work into Les Hirondelles and clearly want others to enjoy it. If you like quietness and seclusion in a beautiful rural setting, you won't be disappointed!!
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Andy R.

Perfect Tranquility

This is a real find. A great converted farm building down a quiet farm track outside a lovely French market town. What could be better! We were a group of six, including three children, although the property can accommodate 12. We therefore had oodles of space, both inside and out. The property is just so lovely, very clean and with all modern conveniences. The views across unspoilt countryside were breath-taking, and we all spent long evenings just looking out. Our hosts, Lesley and Toby were on hand, when needed, to offer advice on the local area. They couldn't have been more helpful. The local town has all necessary shops, including a good supermarket; but do try the local bakeries - just great. The pool was also great, and the kids just loved it. All very safe and with great views. All in all a great stay and one which we are looking forward to returning to. Thanks Lesley and Toby for a very relaxing holiday.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Harj D.

Excellent Gite- Surprised at beauty of location and size of Property. Fantastic week enjoyed by all.

Excellent gite run Lesley and Toby. Family and Friends had an enjoyable week and the Property easily coped with 12 people. Stunning views and location ! Enough space for a pub size pool table next to the dart board - hint hint lol. Thanks Lesley and Toby for a fantastic week at your Property!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Louise H.

Superb location

A beautiful conversion with countryside views. Great outside area for warm evenings & the whole place is built to a high standard. Very relaxing & highly recomended
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Simon A.

Fantastic gite for a family holiday!

This was our first family holiday abroad and we couldn't have been happier with our choice - a beautiful gite full of character and charm in a lovely, peaceful location, yet only 5 mins from the local town with a big supermarket. The area is full of beautiful villages to explore, in particular Aubeterre which is only 10 mins away. We were lucky enough to get sunshine for the whole week and ate outside under the hanger every day. The decked area was a great place to relax, read a book and take in the views. We have 2 young kids and really appreciated the safety gate provided for the stairs and fenced off/alarmed swimming pool. Lesley and Toby were ideal hosts, friendly and helpful. We wouldn't hesitate to go back to this fantastic place!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Julie R.

Second visit, we're addicted!

We stayed here last August and couldn't wait to come back. May can have mixed weather and we did but the barn didn't let us down. On the colder evening we set a fire in the wood burner and enjoyed a great meal with friends at the oversized dining table, cosy warm and welcoming. The hot days were spent by the lovely big pool and under the hanger which is fabulous for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with candlelit barbecues and late night star gazing. Perfectly appointed with very comfy beds, we can't fault this place, a perfect peaceful getaway within in access of Limoges airport where we flew in from Stansted on Ryanair. Looking forward to our next visit already! Thank you Toby and Lesley, great hosts x
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sylvia W.

Fantastic!

This barn is superb! The covered hanger was a great place to chill out and BBQ whatever the weather and the views over the surrounding countryside stunning. The location is great to visit many places in the area, and was so peaceful at all times but very special in the evenings. There are some lovely walks from the doorstep around the valley.The property is very spacious, the pool area fantastic and we can highly recommend Les Hirondelles and we will certainly be back....again! Thanks Lesley and Toby for another great holiday!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne C.

Stunning!!

This place is stunning!! The views and peacefulness hit you when you step outside under the hanger. It's perfect for long summer evenings. The Gite is comfortable and plenty of space. The area has plenty of markets and trips to Saint Emilion and Aubeterre-sue-Dronne are a must! Will definitely be back next year.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Catriona W.

Brilliant gite for all the family

What a fantastic property! Spacious rooms and well furnished all with lovely views. Lovely pool area with stunning views over the countryside. Great space for the children to play and ideally located for all shops and day trips to Cognac, Riberac, Brantome, Aubeterre to name but a few. So much to see and do in a beautiful corner of France. Thanks Lesley & Toby for your help and all the information. We hope to return!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Amy S.

This is where you go to properly get away.

What a fantastic place!!! The pool is just wonderful and it is properly sized, not a little paddle thing like most gites. The owners obviously care about making sure the guests are comfortable as the furnishings are interesting and comfortable. You feel like you have been invited into someone's well-loved home. Lots of options for where to go when you want to do more than hit the pool. It is great to have the lovely town of Aubeterre close by and we loved the market at Villebois Lavalette on Saturday morning. If you are market mad, there is another bustling one in Riberac. So all in all, we want to come back next week. A+
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

carol g.

WOW! Amazing place with stunning views.

Two families shared this gite and the space was ideal. Everything was spotlessly clean when we arrived and there was plenty of space for everyone inside and out. Lesley and Toby have made a wonderful job of this renovation with interesting features (esp the banister on the stairs!!), comfortable furniture and the kitchen was really well appointed. The two en-suite bathrooms were great and the family bathroom was again on the large side. It has a fantastic pool area with what must be one of the most stunning views in the Charente, and the covered patio was a real bonus if it was too hot, which makes the al fresco dining a pure pleasure! There is a great field at the top of the property with again spectacular views, but great for the kids to play any ball sports in total safety and out of our way! Lesley and Toby were there if you needed them and informed us of great places to eat. We come to France most years and this really is a stunning area with plenty to see and do. We can't recommend this place more highly and hope to be back for more wine tasting, markets and general all round chilling out next year!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Julie R.

Beautiful tranquil escape

We stayed for a week at this beautiful converted barn property and would have happily stayed much longer! Such a peaceful and private space for a complete getaway from it all. The property is newly renovated and is amazing, creative use of space and perfect for a big family with plenty of flexible bedroom options with bunks for kids and great outdoor space. The pool and deck are perfect and there's also undercover outdoor space when it gets too hot. The owners are great, very knowledgable and able to suggest day trips, restaurants etc. Looking forward to our next visit already! Thanks Toby and Lesley for making us so welcome!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sylvia W.

Fantastic holiday in this amazing barn conversion

This barn met our every expectation. Beautifully renovated inside and out with plenty of space for a large group. The outside area was brilliant especially the covered hanger, and the pool area and its views over the countryside just glorious. The location was peaceful but the shops only 2 minutes away in the car. Toby and Lesley were on hand if we needed additiional information on the sites to see and places to visit. ,Will definitely be back next year with all the family. Thank you !

About the host

Hosted by Lesley and Toby Dorman-Groves

Host profile image
We both decided a change of lyfestyle was in order, and we left our careers in the UK in 2004 to come to the Charente for a more relaxed pace of life and an occupation that would give us time to travel. Toby was the general manager of an electrical engineering company and I was a project manager in reprographics and print. We renovated a farmhouse and converted two barns and then built a cattery, and after a lot of hard work we made a very successful gite complex. Two years ago we decided to sell the property in the Haute Charente, do some more travelling and then do the same again. More than one person questioned our sanity, as we sometimes do ourselves, but as always wished us the best of luck and many of our friends have since been out to help!
We did a recce in Langedoc/Roussion and in the Lot Valley before deciding one of the prettiest areas in France was only and hour or so south of where we had previously lived, in the South Charente on the Dordogne border. We found Fresignac with its incredible potential, stunning views and total peace and tranquility and promptly bought it and began our renovations much to the despair of our parents! We call it 'Little Tuscany' as that is what the countryside reminds us of. Two years later, here we are in a place which must be one of the prettiest and most peaceful places, but in an area with so much to see and do. Maybe now we will finally hang up our renovation boots and enjoy the delicious food, wine and lifestyle out area has to offer!

Why they chose this property

We looked at many properties once we had decided on an area and we had three main criteria in mind. One, that the properties should be away from any main roads so we can enjoy the many sounds of the countryside uninterrupted by the sounds of cars or trucks, especially at night. And two, that our properties should be detached, so people have nothing and no one else to worry about when enjoying their holiday to the max! Also that the properties had lots of potential and original features to renovate in a sympathetic style to reflect the area.We wanted to be close to a town or village with all the amenities for our guest and in an area that offered our guests plenty to see and do. One of our main aims was that if our guests, as so often is the case, need to escape to France after a hectic life in their own countries for a week or two of pure relaxation and a good wind down, then that is what our property would have to offer......and it does in spades! All these things we found in Fresignac and we didn't have to ponder too long before putting in an offer.

What makes this property unique

We are in a stunning rural area, yet only 2 km from all amenities. Les Hirondelles is a detached property with its own private grounds and private 10 x 5 m pool. It has 5 bedrooms one of which is on the ground floor for those who may struggle with stairs, but also has 3 bathrooms which is very important when 13 people are sharing. The night sky offers amazing star gazing with no light pollution, and for those craving total peace and tranquility, this is the place for you.

Languages:

English, French