Château de Gurat

Gurat, Charente
Self-catering
+33 (0)5 16 09 82 95
Visit owner's website

Per night
£170 - £400
Per week
£1180 - £2830
Place

6 places

Sleeps

Sleeping from 4 – 7

Children welcome
Babies welcome

Gite retreats in château grounds - welcoming and wonderful for young families. Build castles in the sandpit, make friends around the pool

Per night
£170 - £400
Per week
£1180 - £2830

Visit the owner's site and book direct with them. No fees or fuss from us.

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£170 - £400 per night

£1180 - £2830 per week

The Experience

This 15th-century château sits at the heart of a small Charentais village; you can see its turret as you emerge from the woods. Six gites await in the outbuildings, spacious, simple and comfortable, with scatter rugs on shiny floors and welcome hampers to get you going.

But the grounds are the thing: acres of rolling gardens complete with sheep, goats, guinea pigs and chickens, laid to lawn, scented with roses, and heaped with treats for children. There are swings, slides, trampoline, boules, two pools (lightly chlorinated, heated by solar-panels, one for tinies), and a play barn stocked with everything. Pop out for croissants; take breakfast to your patio.

Nearby is Villebois-Lavelette, perched on its hill, with a characterful 17th-century market abuzz every Saturday; look out for confit and truffles. Don’t miss the lovely beach-lake at St Aulaye, a half hour drive, or the Venice of the Périgord, beautiful Brantôme.

Château de Gurat - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • The pool, the animals and the long shaded terrace looking down to the valley
  • The safe, relaxing, friendly-family vibe
  • Immersing yourself in a pastoral setting where children can safely roam
Château de Gurat - Gallery

You should know

  • In summer: lots of kids and people! But there's also privacy and space
  • Not fancily decorated but amazingly well equipped
  • A car is a must

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Self check-in
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Barbecue
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Electricity included
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Accommodation

Pricing

Nightly price
from £170
Weekly price
from £1180
Damage deposit
£300
1 House for 6
From £2104 beds3 bedrooms
1 Cottage for 4
From £1704 beds2 bedrooms
1 House for 7
From £2406 beds4 bedrooms
1 Cottage for 4
From £1703 beds2 bedrooms
1 Cottage for 6
From £2104 beds3 bedrooms
1 Cottage for 6
From £2304 beds3 bedrooms

Information

Booking information

Check in
From 4pm Saturday
Check out
By 10am Saturday
Other details
Minimum stay: 7 nights.
Closed
Christmas, New Year, Easter, 25 September - 13 May.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.

Reviews

Children will love this place, as will their parents. There's something for everyone, a short stroll to the pool in flip flops, a bbq, toys, wine tasting or a sociable pizza night. So much space, but safely enclosed with nature on the doorstep and a wonderful amount of freedom even for little guests. I have a feeling many memories are made here in the dreamy green fields!
Inspected Katie Sawday's Inspector

Luise, Paris

Wonderful holidays which we can only recommend ! We had a great time with our three children - even our very little one (3 months). Everything is safe, there are a lot of activities for them and baby equipment to use (stroller, bed,...). The house is of very good quality (comfortable beds !), lovely decorated and with everything you need (towels, bed linen,...). The hosts were very reactive and always available, but discreet at the same time. Hope we can make it again and come back.


Sven, London

Spent a wonderful week at Chateau de Gurat! Swantje and Edward were very welcoming and helpful. Perfect for a holiday with our children. The sand pit and trampoline were a big hit, as were the excursions to see the animals – not to mention pool time. The grounds are stunning, with pretty views of the Chateau and rolling hills. Our gite was lovely and clean, and we enjoyed sitting on our terrace having some rose and a BBQ. We also ventured out and saw the picture-perfect castle in Villebois-Lavalette, lake Jemaye, Villars caves and the beautiful villages of Brantôme and Aubeterre.


Location

The neighbourhood

Bordering the Périgord Vert, the landscape is one of rolling fields, woods and wildflowers. Walks start from the door. Discover the pet sheep and goats in the grounds, or hike along a streamside path (one of many) to an ancient underground church. The nearest small town is medieval Villebois-Lavelette, with shops, restaurants, a historic market, and a castle - a wonder for the views alone.

Local points of interest from the Owners

  • We'll help arrange visits to river and lake beaches, farm visits for little ones, market days – Villebois-Lavelette's Saturday buzz, Brantôme's Friday feast. Visit local vineyards, tour cognac houses (Hennessy, Martell, 45 mins away), fish the Charente
  • Canoe down slow, winding rivers – it's great fun for all the family; children adore it. Cool off afterwards at sandy river beaches; St Aulaye (30 mins) is lovely, safe and shallow. Hire canoes locally, pack a picnic, make it a day to remember.
  • Switch off completely with a massage in your own gîte. We work with a wonderful local masseuse who'll come to the château; she's highly experienced and offers everything from deep tissue to aromatherapy. Book ahead – it's utterly blissful.
  • Away from our wine tastings, discover cognac country – just 45 mins to Hennessy, Martell, Courvoisier, Rémy Martin. Book tours in advance for summer; explore historic cellars, learn the craft, taste the finest spirits. A proper French experience.
  • This region has more châteaux per head than anywhere in France – visit nearby gems like La Rochefoucauld (25 mins) and Bourdeilles (30 mins). Don't miss our village's monolithic church, one of only three in France. History all around you.
  • Brantôme (40 mins) is unmissable – the 'Venice of the Périgord', medieval and magical, cradled by the River Dronne. Visit Friday's vibrant market for confit, truffles, local cheese. Or try Villebois-Lavelette's Saturday market, closer at 15 mins.

Introducing

the Owners

In 2019, the owners swapped London - and jobs in finance - for the simple life in rural France. With two small children of their own, they offer everything you need for a great family holiday, from bikes and dressing-up boxes to wine tasting evenings and English-speaking babysitters should you fancy a night out. Parents and children will feel welcomed, relaxed and restored.