Secluded haven, pool, hot-tub, sauna, amidst vines

Le Chais is our lovingly restored distillery, an independent house for guests in the grounds of our property. We have brought what was an unused wreck up to its current state, offering really spacious, elegant accommodation in a truly idyllic setting. Surrounded by vines, in the heart of the Grand Champagne region of Cognac, we can guarantee you a quiet, restful escape. We are permanently resident in the main house so are able to give you as much or little interaction as you wish. The space The enormous main room offers kitchen, dining and relaxation areas. Externally, a large sun-trap terrace, leading onto a sunken fully shaded dining area with outdoor kitchen, offering a small refrigerator, pumped water, storage, gas barbecue, charcoal pizza oven and fire pit. The electric sauna is also in this area, very accessible from the Chais. The terrace has gated access to the 6m x 12m swimming pool, available from May to October. We have installed a passive solar heating supply for the pool and an insulated cover for night use. The garden in front of the terrace is solely for your use ; you are also welcome to make use of our boule terrain. There is covered, shaded parking for two cars adjacent to the Chais, next to the covered games area with table tennis, table football, pool/billiards, basketball. A further range of activities available for children and adults include some pool toys, swingball, croquet, board games, jigsaws and puzzles. We have a profound commitment to sustainability, water and food security and this is reflected throughout the Chais; all furniture is recycled and refurbished, in some cases antique pieces, each with their own bit of history. All the soft furnishings are handmade by Marian, wherever possible from recovered fabric. Carpets are not new, again, each has history. Linen is sourced from a local social industry which recycles hotel bedding, so it is of the highest quality but experiencing a second life. The hot tub is wood fired and the water used by guests goes to our fig tree to keep it fruiting. All our fruit and vegetables are dependent on recovered rainwater and the pool draws on our own well. We invested in solar panels to produce electricity a few years ago. We do genuinely view our life at Les Allards as holding the place in trust for those to come, we aim to leave it as rich in natural resource as we found it and hopefully better in some ways. Please help us to do this by using the recycling resources provided, air-drying clothes and limiting use of electricity to a reasonable level. Guest access Guests have access to all parts of the Chais, the attached terraces and the garden in front of the terrace. Access to the swimming pool and the boule terrain is shared with the owners. However, we ensure that we only use the pool when guests are out of the property, or very early morning, so in actuality, it is exclusive to guests. The herbs growing around the chais are for the use of guests - help yourself. Other things to note The vines that surround the property are the livelihood of our long-standing friends, so you will often see them working amongst the rows. Several of the local producers will welcome you for a visit and allow you to buy cognac and pineau direct from the source (much cheaper than the boutique shops of Cognac!). We have four cats who are perpetually inquisitive; they are not allowed in the Chais and we do ask that you keep interactions with them outside, to allow our guests with allergies some assurance against their presence!