It’s always a joy to discover gems such as Château Chanteuse, a beautiful and historic home exuding French charm alongside a genuine sense of warmth. This is the perfect place to escape day-to-day life – unwind in the Limousin countryside whilst being within easy reach of Lac de Saint-Pardoux and the gorgeous city of Limoges.

Dating as far back as the 15th century, the surrounding scenery is glorious at Château Chanteuse and it is such a relaxing home to stay in. Downstairs you will find the pretty lounge, a traditional kitchen and a dining area with a cocktail bar (including a fridge and cocktail equipment!). Enjoy an evening apéritif on the terrace followed by an al-fresco feast on the lawn with loved ones. The French grounds feature shady trees as well as summer roses, foxgloves, irises, wildflowers and idyllic views.

The house sleeps up to 8 guests across its four first-floor double bedrooms. Guests can expect charming French furnishings and rich fabrics to remind you of a bygone era. Every bedroom features its own en suite shower room whilst two have their own little salons. The vistas through the characterful bedroom windows are wonderful – listen out for the gentle sound of owls or nightingales as you rest.

Set on a hillside, there are lovely walks straight from the château grounds. A village with a boulangerie is just 4km away or head to the small historic town of Bellac, around 15 minutes by car, with its delightful markets, historic lanes and peaceful riverside setting home to one of France’s oldest medieval stone bridges. Take time to visit the historic villages of Le Dorat and Mortemart (one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’) and appreciate the natural beauty of Lac de Saint-Pardoux, less than half an hour away. 

Visit Limoges early in your stay as you will yearn to return. Relatively off the tourist track yet famed for its fine Limoges porcelain, it is an amazing city with impressive architecture, vibrant food markets, inviting museums and galleries as well as the timeless narrow lanes of the captivating Quartier de la Boucherie. 

Château Chanteuse is in the Limousin countryside, part of the Haute-Vienne department and only half an hour from the pretty city of Limoges. Fly into Limoges Airport (22km) or arrive into Limoges’ elegant Art Nouveau train station with direct arrivals from Paris (Paris to Limoges takes 3 hours 30 minutes).

The house enjoys a rural setting yet with other buildings close by and just a 2-minute drive from the main road connecting Limoges and Bellac, meaning easy access to the many highlights of the region. The nearest village is 4km away, home to a bakery, whilst you will find a couple of restaurants and a small handful of other useful amenities (pharmacy, boulangerie-patisserie and small supermarket) in Nantiat (6km).

Bellac (14km) is a picturesque town with a rich heritage – it is a charming place to explore with its historic houses, pretty streets and trail leading down to the River Vincou. Walk over the stone bridge, said to be one of the oldest medieval bridges in France, and admire the peaceful setting – there is a characterful café-bar with a terrace overlooking the river. A market takes place on Saturday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings – pick up delicious local produce for a riverside picnic. Furthermore, if staying in early July look out for long-established Le Festival National de Bellac for theatre and music concerts.

Other gems of the area include historic Mortemart (16km), classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’, and Le Dorat (26km) an attractive village dating back to the 15th century, home to the much-admired Collegiale Saint-Pierre-de-Dorat.

It is less than half an hour to reach the shores of the magnificent Lac de Saint-Pardoux. There are various lakeside beaches and outdoor pursuits including cycling, mountain biking, nature walks, fitness trails, tennis and summer water-based activities such as boating, canoeing, kayaking, pedal boats, sailing and more.  There is also a public swimming pool with slides and a tree-top activity centre with trails and ziplines (including over the lake!).

Accommodation