Accommodations
We are staying in a 17th C chateau and its "dependences" with beautiful grounds and facilities.The origins of the estate can be traced back to the twelfth century and the remains of a Romanesque chapel still stand in the grounds. The construction of the present house was started in the early 1600's. Until the early 1950's the estate was one of the largest private Cognac producers in the region with large vineyards in the immediate surrounding area together with others around Cognac and Jarnac.
There are 8 bedrooms in the main chateau and an additional 11 in two charmingly converted domanial buildings. Some rooms are doubles and some are twin bedded rooms. Since there are three buildings we will also be able to group friends if requested.
Overlooking parkland to the front of the estate, Le Domaine once housed the press for producing wine and cognac. and this only ceased in the 1950's. It is however the tower which gives the house its name, being originally the apartment of the gamekeeper.
Surrounded by vineyards, the old stables and groom's tower have also been converted into a roomy and charming property.
The chateau living room, billiard room, and dining room open onto the south facing terrace which runs the whole length of the building and overlooks the large secluded garden and park, a perfect place for late afternoon cocktails...
The Charente is well known in France as a gastronomic region, famous for it's butter, cream and cheese, markets of fresh vegetables and wines of course...Bordeaux is 45mns away, we will row through the town of Cognac. We will breakfast each morning in the chateau, (Kathy and Karen special). We will lunch locally to refuel in a civilised way after our row in the towns we arrive in, or have a catered picnic by the river, weather permitting. In the evenings, after a long day of rowing and sightseeing, we will dine "at home", with our own chef preparing us dinners the way the french eat, complete of course with local wines. You can stroll back to your room on your own steam!