The Courtyard at Ste Catherine

Bignac

Award-winning gites and rooms in the heart of the Charente

Units 5
Sleeps 2 - 6
Bedrooms 1 - 3
Pets
Mobility

Ideal for

Babies
Toddlers
Older Kids
Teens

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Embrace the French sunshine at these gorgeous gites and bedrooms. Perfect for individual families or larger groups, the accommodation is set around pretty gardens, with a heated pool and play area. The three gites have been beautifully restored from buildings serving the former priory at the site. Chambre d'hote rooms are equally gorgeous, light and sunny. Spend lazy days on site, or head out into the stunning Charente exploring pretty villages, rivers and historic towns.

About this place

Best bits

With just 3 cottages and 2 rooms on site you might get the pool to yourselves for a day or two.
The pool is heated to min 27 degrees, great for very little ones, and is security gated. It's open from the last week in May to the first weekend September.
Lovingly restored gites and rooms combine rural chic with vintage and modern touches.

Top tips

Pack the kids' bikes if you can - lots of children have perfected the art of cycling during their stays.
Take a night off and enjoy pizza night on site once a week.
Stacks of baby and toddler equipment is available - great for those travelling with little ones.

Plan your stay

What are the facilities like? Where can you eat? What can you do?

Swimming pool

Wifi

Outdoor play equipment

Rooms

The 3 gîtes (sleeping 2-6) have thick limestone walls keeping you cool in summer, whilst wood-burning stoves make for cozy winter stays. All have open plan living with well equipped kitchens. Soak up the sunshine in your own private garden with seating, shades and BBQs.

Gîte kitchens have coffee machines, ovens, washing machines, dishwashers and fridge freezers, microwaves. There is a huge array of baby and toddler equipment to borrow including blenders, sterilisers, cots, highchairs, potties, stairgates and nightlights.

The 2 ensuite chambre d'hôte (B&B) rooms are light and airy, with beautiful antique furniture and wooden floors. Perfect for grandparents who prefer their own space.

Eat

For a break from cooking, or if you choose to stay in one of the rooms, there's the option of Table D'hote three times a week during July and August. A communal three course meal is served in the courtyard. One of those nights is pizza oven night - bound to be a huge hit with the little ones.

A free arrival shopping pick up service means that you can book and pay for the shopping online and it will be collected and put in your cottage for you on arrival day.

All of the cottages have a BBQ.

The pretty village of Rouillac is only 2 minutes away has everything you need for day-day provisions, and every month it hosts one of the oldest and largest farmer’s markets in France.

There are three restaurants within 5 minutes drive so eating out is an easy option.

Activities

The main attraction in the wonderful French summer is the swimming pool. The play area has swings, slide, climbing frame, swing ball, basketball hoop and trampoline. There’s also a football goal and space to run around. There is also a communal toy cupboard with toys, a massive Lego box and arty craft supplies to keep the kids happy indoors.

The pool is heated from the end of May through to September and is perfect for a “holiday dip”, playing with the children or having an actual swim. There are also lovely sun-shades with loungers around the pool so you can recline in comfort.

The owner's dogs, Lilah and Suzie, are “bomb-proof” and super friendly so are a big hit with guests young and old.

Offiste activites include pony-riding, chocolate making, canoeing and water ski-ing - these can be booked through the owner's if you choose.

Accessibility

Bedrooms in the gîtes and the chambre d'hôte are on the 1st floor.

Show on map

Location & local area

Where is it and how do you get there?

By Road

The Courtyard is just over 30 minutes drive from Angeloume, along the D939.

By Air

The nearest airport is Limoges, just over an hours drive from The Courtyard. Bordeaux, La Rochelle and Poitiers are all approximately 1.5 hrs away. Transfers available for additional fee.

By Rail

The nearest TGV station is Angeloume (30 minutes drive) with connections to Paris that take only 2.5 hrs (or 5 hours from London).

About the owners

Charlie & Stephanie

We moved here in 2010 to live a different life and create a beautiful place for people to come and relax in the Charente – our favourite region of France.

Owner recommendations

The River Charente is a wonderful natural playground with places to picnic, canoe, fish and swim.
Learn the secrets of sailing on a gabare boat trip along the river Cognac.
Just 12 minutes away is Planet Ski with water skiing and wake boarding on offer in a pleasant, safe environment.
If you need a bit of culture, nightlife or shopping then head to Angouleme, the region’s capital, or Cognac.
Rochefort is a pretty French town with an ancient ship building dock and unique outdoor climbing.