Welcome to our home in SW France, an historic 18th century Maison de Maitre, built towards the end of the French revolution in 1798. Reputed to be part of a convent school, it was the home and office of the Chabanais Notaire for several decades before becoming a gite. Although it suffered damage in WW2, it was beautifully restored with solid wood floors in most rooms, and it can provide you with a classical and historical home from which to base your holiday. Why not have a look at our photo gallery to see more delights of this lovely house? Le Vieux Notaire is located literally a stones throw from the River Vienne, in the centre of Chabanais, a small and quiet town set in the rolling countryside of the Charente area, surrounded by a wide variety of leisure activities to explore during your stay. Head east 18km to Rochechouart (set in the crater of a huge meteorite impact approximately 200m years ago and largely built from the Impactite rock that resulted) stopping first to visit the largest and best preserved Gallo-Roman baths in France at Cassinomagus and then the 13C Chateau Rochechouart, before taking a country walk in the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park. Or head south to the Lakes of the Haute-Charente where there are beaches, adventure playgrounds, horse riding, fishing, sailing etc. Alternatively go 30km west to Parzac to hire a SwinCar (an electric, all terrain quadbike) or to Confolens / Roumazieres / Manot to use a Vélorail to pedal a wagon along the disused railway line. And of course there are a multitude of typical French chateaux to visit (like Château de La Rochefoucauld about half way to Angouleme) or country villages (like Saint-Jean-de-Côle on the other side of the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park). The house sleeps 8 in 4 bedrooms, and the courtyard bedroom is suitable for anyone who might find the stairs difficult to navigate. There are three bathrooms / shower-rooms and 4 toilets, a lounge with Satellite TV, a cinema room with DVD player / projector / surround sound and somewhere to use laptops and charge your mobile phones, and either a formal dining room, an informal breakfast room or an al-fresco courtyard dining area in which to eat. The kitchen should have all the equipment you might need to prepare your own meals, or you can eat out an one of several local cafés / restaurants. There are three boulangeries within 100m walking for your morning croissants / baguettes as well as two butchers and a green grocer’s, and a Super-U (french Co-Op) supermarket only a short 2km drive on the main road out of Chabanais. Our local manager will greet you on arrival and is available if any problems arise during your stay. PLEASE NOTE: THIS PROPERTY IS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN OR INFANTS UNDER THE AGE OF 16.