5 bedroom Chateau in Cernay, New Aquitaine, France: ref 5049788

Bright, sophisticated, and elegant, this chateau in Charente

blends old-world charm with modern day comforts to provide a

welcoming and luxurious holiday retreat in a serene setting.

Vibrant décor and warm hardwoods energize the spacious and

well-appointed interior spaces. Unwind in the comfort of the open

plan living room beside the fireplace, or in the lounge by the bar.

The colourful kitchen is fully equipped, and the formal dining room

or terrace will gladly host family mealtime. Five bedrooms span

across two floors, each beautifully designed and with en suite

baths. Two of the bedrooms include anterooms with additional beds,

making them ideal for those travelling with kids. A stroll around

the expansive grounds will set anyone at ease. Set in the middle of

a 7.5-acre park, guests will enjoy private access to beautiful lake

with wooden bridges, ancient trees and wildflower meadows, and a

heated pool. There are a wealth of activities and must-see

destinations within an hour of the chateau: From authentic Italian

restaurants within walking distance and wine tasting in the Loire

Valley, to the numerous medieval towns and local markets in the

Vienne. Short break price may differ depending on capacity.

Please enquire. Chateau Paquerette is situated in the

north of the Vienne, between Poitiers and the Loire Valley, 3 hours

from Paris and 2 hours from the Atlantic Coast.

Places to see & chateaux to visitAn

hour’s drive from Chateau Paquerette takes you right to the

centre of the Loire Valley, with its many historical sites of

interest and, of course, its world-renowned chateaux. Just as

beautiful, the towns and villages of the Vienne boast many

fascinating medieval buildings and monuments, as well as local food

markets. There’s plenty to keep adults and children

amused!

The Loire ValleyChâteau de Villandry – an hour

and 20 minutes by carVillandry, right in the middle of the

Loire Valley, is a Renaissance chateau sitting at the centre of

three levels of terraced gardens. It was the last of the great

Renaissance chateaux to be built on the river Loire. It is

distinguished for the harmony of its architecture and, in

particular, its wonderful all-seasons gardens.

Château d’Azay le Rideau – an hour and 10 minutes by

carAzay-le-Rideau has to be one of the prettiest of the

Loire chateaux! Built on an island in the middle of the Indre river

by a rich banker during the reign of François the first, it

reflects the latest building techniques and innovation of the time.

With its feet in the waters of the Indre, its reflected facades

gives it an other-worldly quality that makes it unique amongst the

Loire chateau.

Château de Chenonceau – an hour and 20 minutes by

carA property of the Crown, then a royal residence,

Château de Chenonceau is renowned not just for its architectural

originality but for its inhabitants, namely, Diane de Poitiers and

Catherine de Médicis. Today, the chateau is, after Versailles, the

most visited in France.

Château Royal d’Amboise – an hour and 25 minutes by

carKing Charles VIII and François 1st (between the end of

the 15th and beginning of the 16th centuries) transformed the

medieval fortress of Amboise into a magnificent royal residence. It

became a kind of cultural mecca, with many of the most noted

European writers and artists of the day being invited to the Court

of Amboise. One of them, Leonardo de Vinci, spent the last part of

his life here in exile from Italy and is buried in the Chateau’s

chapel.

Chinon – an hour by carChinon is a picturesque town

with a medieval heart. You can spend time walking round and

admiring the old town and its quaint streets, its squares, gardens

and quayside, which straddle the length of the Vienne river. Its

medieval quarter and the fortress that dominates the hill above the

town are not to be missed.

Saumur – an hour and 15 minutes by carSaumur is

France’s equestrian capital and the Cadre Noir, France’s

national horse-riding school. It is one of the many places that you

might want to visit here. The town’s first buildings were

constructed during the 11th century and it is home to two chateaux:

Château de Saumur, a fortressed castle that was built during the

14th century for the Dukes of Anjou and has played the role of

manor house, Governor’s residence, prison and arms depot and the

elegant Château de Beaulieu, built in the 18th Century and

designed by architect Jean Drapeau. The town lies at a natural

crossing point between the rivers Loire and Thouet and is

surrounded by vineyards.

Tours – an hour and 10 minutes by carThe capital of the

Indre and Loire departments, Tours has a reputation for being

discreet and is therefore a town where people live, as opposed to

being a top tourist destination. That being said, Tours has some

very well-preserved historic quarters, a fine arts museum, a

magnificent cathedral and basilica, idyllic parks and some great

places to shop, including several lively food markets, including

the central marketplace (les