Logis de la Prise

Deep in the glorious countryside of the Charente-Maritime lie seven woody acres steeped in history and beauty. Owners Seb and Lucy swapped city life for this much-loved domaine with its 18th-century château, and have masterminded an immaculate restoration of Le Logis (originally built as the gardien’s lodge) and the slightly larger La Maison with its own pool. Le Logis is an uplifting fusion of old and new with chunky beams, stone fireplaces, an open-plan kitchen and sitting room walled with original Charentais stone, tall ceilings and six elegant windows that fill the space with natural light. Upstairs find two double bedrooms (one en suite) and chic bathrooms too. Dine outside on one of your two terraces; relax in your share of the formal gardens – stroll among the topiary! Reach the dreamy canals of the Marais Poitevin in 40 minutes or La Rochelle and the sandy beaches of the Atlantic in under an hour. The thrice-weekly market of Surgères is a 15-minute drive.