Maison Galerie

About this property

Just 10km from Cognac, Maison Galerie is more than just a holiday home. A mansion once belonging to a wealthy Cognac producer, the historical features of this grand house are impressive whilst its current owner is an antique dealer who is serious about style and design.

Step through the entrance hall to the two peaceful sitting rooms, full of character with panelling, ornate ceilings and marble fireplaces alongside bold works of art and sculptures – just admire the mantlepieces adorned with designer pieces and vintage objets d’art.

As to be expected in France, the kitchen is the heart of the home, also the largest room in the house with its limestone walls, double Smeg oven, fireplace and large cherrywood table. Enjoy your feasts in the architect-designed dining room with its high ceilings and modern light fittings or step outside for al-fresco dining beneath the shaded terrace.

Sweep up the incredible oak staircase with its iron balusters and crystal chandelier. On the first floor find three exquisitely decorated bedrooms with antiques and elegant furnishings whilst there are two large bedrooms on the second floor, including the master bedroom beneath the wood beams with a bath tub standing proudly in the room. A separate wing of the house features two further bedrooms, styled in a contemporary manner with the calming vibes of white décor accompanied by discreet touches of colour.

Outside in the courtyard garden you can pick fruit from the trees or help yourself to herbs and vegetables that may be growing, before gathering by the firepit-grill with a glass of Cognac whilst younger guests play ping-pong, table football and darts. The swimming pool is idyllic, set within high walls ensuring privacy and surrounded by a decked terrace for outdoor relaxation.

Open up the huge arched gates and you are in the middle of an old hamlet, once an ancient parish, around a 10-minute drive south-east of Cognac. The hamlet and small local village are surrounded by vineyards, farmland and forest whilst the Charente river flows from Jarnac to Cognac to the north. Discover a wealth of Cognac distilleries nearby including in Segonzac or head straight to the historic town of Cognac itself for tastings by the riverside.

Cognac’s old town is wonderfully charming with its narrow lanes, historic houses, pretty café terraces and daily covered market. The town has gained quite a reputation for its gastronomy with a variety of restaurants and there are numerous events and festivities taking place across the year.

Beyond Cognac, appreciate the historic sights of Saintes including the 12th century Basilique Saint Eutrope de Saintes, a UNESCO World Heritage site, visit the Musée de la Bande Dessinée in Angoulême, also famous for its annual vintage car race, and spend the day by the seaside in Royan, just over an hour away by car.

You could even drive to the vineyards of Saint-Émilion, explore the great city of Bordeaux or venture to Île d'Oléron, mainland France’s second largest island with its stunning natural landscapes, pine forests, cycling trails, oyster huts and glorious beaches.

Maison Galerie is set in a historic hamlet just 10km from Cognac in the Charente department of south-western France. The nearest airports are Bordeaux and La Rochelle (Poitiers-Biard and Bergerac may also be worth considering) whilst there is a TGV service from Paris Austerlitz to Angoulême, just over half an hour away by car.
Passing farmland so typical of this region, the hamlet is around a 2km drive from the small local village with a 12th century church, surrounded by Rémy-Martin producing vineyards. Another village is 4km away, home to a boulangerie, tabac, pharmacy, butchers, wood-fired pizza restaurant and a trout farm selling fresh fish and locally produced caviar.

Food-lovers note that the Michelin starred La Ribaudiére is just over 8km away in Bourg-Charente. Segonzac (7km), known for its Cognac production, is also home to a couple of well-regarded restaurants and a supermarket, whilst the larger Auchan Hypermarché (8km) is just south of Cognac, near its train station.

The riverside town of Cognac (10km) is a wonderful place to spend time, not just for its drink production and tastings. Explore its old town with cobbled lanes, pretty cafes, shops and a daily covered market, and take strolls by the Charente River where there are water-based activities in the summer months (paddle boats, canoeing, kayaking etc). The town has also gained a fine reputation for its gastronomy and even hosted the ‘Michelin Star awards’ for the first time outside of Paris – there are two Michelin starred restaurants in Cognac itself. If staying in July, look out for the Fête du Cognac and Cognac Blues Passion festival, as well as other festivities across the year.

Take a seasonal river cruise along the Charente towards Jarnac (or it’s a 13km drive from Maison Galerie), another picturesque town known for its brandy production. In the other direction is Saintes (38km) with its rich heritage and historic sites including Cathédrale Saint-Pierre de Saintes and the unesco World Heritage site, Basilique Saint Eutrope de Saintes.

Discover the idyllic landscapes of the Charente by enjoying long walks, cycle rides or horse-riding. Golf lovers note that Golf du Cognac is only 11km away whilst even closer there are pétanque courts, a tennis court and picnic spots by a pretty stream just a 5-minute drive away. Quad biking is another way to experience this fantastic countryside and excursions can be arranged nearby.

Spend the day in the handsome city of Angoulême (42km) with its annual vintage car race, Circuit des Remparts, and well-regarded comic book museum, Musée de la Bande Dessinée. A little further afield, wine-lovers will be keen to visit the unesco World Heritage vineyards of Saint-Émilion (98km) and the wineries of Bordeaux (110km) or you could spend the day by the sea with a choice of wonderful beaches near Royan (70km) or the incredible Île d'Oléron (94km), mainland France’s second largest island.

Accommodation

Maison Interiors

Main Floor

-    Large entrance hall
-    Two sitting rooms
-    Dining wing
-    Kitchen-diner, fully-equipped including table for 12 guests, fireplace, Smeg double oven, American fridge-freezer and dishwasher. Doors lead to al-fresco dining terrace
-    Pantry/laundry room 
-    Cloakroom/WC

First Floor (via grand staircase)

-    Large bedroom with queen-size double bed (160cm) and single bed (usually set up as a divan with cushions unless required)
-    Bedroom with double bed (140cm)
-    Bedroom with single bed
-    Bathroom with clawfoot tub, large walk-in shower and WC

Second Floor (via grand staircase)

-    Master bedroom with super king-size double bed (200cm), bath in the room and en suite shower room with WC
-    Bedroom with queen-size double bed (160cm)

Separate Wing (via a second staircase)

-    Bedroom with queen-size double bed (160cm)
-    Bedroom with twin beds
-    Bathroom with walk-in shower and WC

Outside Grounds

-    Swimming pool (7x4m, depth: up to 1.6m) withing walled courtyard with a gate. Open approximately May to end-September
-    Poolside terrace within walled garden
-    Shaded al-fresco dining terrace
-    Games and dining area with firepit (with grill), table tennis, table football and darts
-    Fountain with koi
-    Courtyard garden with fruit trees, vegetables and herbs

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi
-    Board games
-    Table tennis
-    Table football
-    Darts