Kitchen facilities
The fully equipped kitchen has a Smeg dishwasher, microwave oven, gas cooker and fridge, together with plenty of cooking utensils, serving dishes and cookware.

External facilities
These farmhouses are set in one acre of land with large 10 x 5 m solar heated swimming pool. Each house has its own exclusive outside dining area - table, chairs and essential barbeque - under its own covered pergola. Sit in the heat of the evening sun, looking at the River Vienne (at this point more than 80 metres wide), with a glass of pineau (a blend of cognac and wine) in your hand and watch the cows as they take their evening stroll across the fields.

Special features
Situated in the Charente-Limousine, ideally placed between the Atlantic coast and the forested mountains of the Limousin and within easy reach of Poitiers, Limoges and Angouleme, this area is perfect for those who have dreamed of finding a holiday which offers the freedom to live the French way of life in one of the most beautiful and sunniest regions of France.

Local activities
Manot station may not have seen a train for some years, but many people pass through it or board from it using the velo-rail. The best way to describe the velo-rail is to liken it to pedaloes that run on rail tracks - a great day out for the whole family. Manot also boasts a very small beach by the ruins of the old mill. Here, the beds of the local river contain minute deposits of gold and garnet for which you can prospect whilst paddling in the cool clear water. For the more ambitious it is one of the starting points for the canoe school, where you can paddle up river to Confolens. Confolens, with its bars and restaurants, stands at the confluence of the rivers Vienne and Goire, and is a delightful medieval town with a castle keep and natural spring. Every year the whole world meets in its streets to celebrate folklore and traditional music from all over the globe. Canoes and pedaloes are available to explore the river.

Nearest beach: 25

Nearest airport: 45

Nearest port: 274

Nearest supermarket: 8

Location
In the small hamlet of Chez Mesnier, just 10 minutes drive from the medieval town of Confolens, you will find Chez les Hirondelles, a loving restored 17th century farmhouse, surrounded by gentle rolling countryside. The area around Confolens contains many typical French villages with medieval quarters, local markets, chateaux, old churches and lakes with beaches - perfect for swimming or just for relaxing.

The farmhouse was built in 1603, and this was always the major consideration during the restoration. Reclaimed materials and traditional building methods were used to repair and reinstate many features. We have also selected traditional French furniture, especially in the bedrooms and the lounge and dining areas. Whilst the farmhouse was restored to reflect the period in which it was built it also has the added comfort of today's luxuries.

Downstairs there are enormous oak beams, a traditional Charentais open fireplace, exposed stone and tiled floors. Along with the Louis XV style lounge furniture, a beautiful oak cabinet houses the TV/DVD player and CD player. The dining area has a large Basque oak dining table, with six chairs.

Upstairs there are three bedrooms - two double and one twin. The two double bedrooms have traditional French bedroom furniture, with chevets and bedside lamps for that late night reading. The two front bedrooms have spectacular views of the River Vienne.