LES MIRANDES

Montmoreau is a charming French village in the southern Charente, right at the border with the Dordogne and not far from the Gironde. It is situated in the middle of a triangle formed by Cognac, Bordeaux and Périgeux and therefore makes an excellent haven for wine and food lovers. Our beautiful manoir "Les Mirandes" sits about 500 meter outside Montmoreau, a village that boasts a XIIth century Roman church and an old castle as well as all modern facilities. "Les Mirandes" borders an ancient pilgrims route to Santiago de Compostela and used to be a place where pilgrims could spend the night and use a meal. The big wooden cross on our land - symbolizing ultimate hospitality - is a relic of that period.

"Les Mirandes" lives up to its name. It means 'place from which one can freely observe the surroundings'. The manoir offers a breathtaking view over the valley and the village of Montmoreau. Space, hospitality, peace and relaxation are guaranteed at "Les Mirandes"; whether you want to suntan next to the pool, play a game of 'jeu de boules' in the orchard or stroll through the winery or the authentic parc.

Food- and culture lovers will certainly appreciate the vast offer of culture, history and culinary indulgence in the surrounding villages. Athletes can choose from a large variety of sports, ranging from walking, biking, canoeing, golfing to fishing.

The Poitou-Charentes, along the French West coast counts numerous blessings, of which the weather is one. The four 'départements' (Charente, Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sèvres, Vienne) are the most sunny of the entire Atlantic coast. The number of hours of sunshine is the highest in France, equivalent to that in the Mediteranean.

The département Charente was named for the Charente river, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean once it reaches Rochefort (Charente-Maritime). The area boasts countless small meandering rivers and large lakes with sandy beaches. Hiking and bike trails lead you through a varied landscape of forests, farm lands and vineyards. The picturesque villages in this 'département' mostly date back to the Roman era.

Aubeterre-sur-Dronne for example, close to Montmoreau, is one of 'les plus beaux Villages de France'. It is a historic and artistic village, world-famous for its 6th century church which has been sculpted from a rock.

Angoulême is not only the capital of the Charente 'département', it is also the 'capital of the comic strips'. Every year, the prestigious comic strip festival ('Festival international de la bande dessinée d'Angoulême') attracts more than 200.000 visitors. Situated on a rocky plateau and surrouned by an imposing city wall, Angoulême offers a beautiful variety of historic buildings, cozy shops and picturesque restaurants.

Food lovers will adore the Charente. Foie gras, truffel, magret de canard, oysters and an impressive selection of cheeses are just a few examples of what you will find here. The area is also reknown for its many good wines, as well as its legendary Cognac and Pineau des Charentes. The 'départements' of the Dordogne and the Gironde are very close. Merely one hour from our manoir, you will find the world's most famous wine villages like Médoc, Graves, Pessac-Léognan, Pomerol and St.-Emilion.

Whether you come for the vineyards of the Charente, the exclusive gastronomy, the charming villages and their markets, the antique and brocante shops, the nice 'terraces' in the sun, the rich culture and historic buildings or just for the peace and quiet, nature and the nice weather, the Poitou-Charentes is an exceptional area to spend your vacation...