(!) The pool is only available from June till October.

Nestled in the heart of the beautiful Deux-Sèvres region of Western France, Le Prieuré sits in a pastoral landscape of gently rolling woodland, water meadows and close to the vineyards of the Loire Valley and the wine routes of the Haute-Poitou.

The soft honey coloured stone, the long sunny days of summer and the beautiful greco roman tiles on the traditional houses in the surrounding villages give a distinct southern feel to this verdant département of traditional, rural France. Indeed, the area boasts the second highest number of sunshine hours in France, second only to the Mediterranean coast.

The House

Le Prieuré is a beautiful fourteenth century priory within a large walled garden close to the Church of St. Thérèse in the tiny village of Pressigny, in an area bordered by La Rochelle, Tours, Poitiers and Nantes.

The house has six double bedrooms, four of which have their own bathrooms, with a further bathroom on the ground floor, which is ideal for bathing children after a day in the pool.

A magnificently baronial kitchen with a huge chimneypiece, high ceilings and stunning beams, a similarly beamed dining room seating twelve and an elegant salon and a large, but cosy study are found on the ground floor. The majority of the bedrooms are on the first floor, which is reached by a stunning mediaeval, stone spiral staircase. The top floor has a further two bedrooms, each with a bathroom. The large cinema/playroom, boasting an enveloping cosy sofa, a widescreen smart television, a turret with arrow slits for intrepid knights (though shooting the guests is strictly forbidden!), books, dressing up box, games and toys is also found on the top floor. A house for all seasons, whether you are looking for a languidly restful summer holiday or a cosy winter retreat, there is a wide variety of activities, both indoors and outdoors.

The Garden

The ancient stone walls of the garden are planted with beautifully scented old English roses.

The gently curving outer walls of the church form part of the garden boundary, which provides a unique backdrop for the collection of plants and shrubs adorning that part of the garden.

The pool, which is in front of the house, is completely private. Roman steps make ease of access for younger and older guests. The pots of beautiful flowers and the comfortable recliners will aid the relaxation process – and the sturdy parasols will provide haven in the heat of the day.

An enclosed, walled lawn provides space for outdoor games, al fresco eating by the pool or under the shade of a veranda in the heat of the day. Or, perhaps to simply find a quiet area to read a good holiday romance.

The garden table, originally from a religious establishment in England, seats twelve and is perfect for al fresco meals by the pool.

Getting there

By leaving the ferry in Cherbourg* after breakfast and motoring through the beautiful countryside of north western France, you can arrive for a delicious late lunch in one of the many delightful rural restaurants close to the house.

Alternatively, the TGV from Paris takes an hour and three quarters to Poitiers and a little longer from Charles de Gaulle. If you require transport to and from the station, the owners will be happy, with several days prior notice, to organise this. Although Le Prieuré is in a village, it is tiny. For those looking for true rest and relaxation, with beautiful walking and routes for cycling, it is perfect. However, motor transport is recommended for guests, except for those looking for a truly hermetic retreat.

Airports are found at Poitiers, La Rochelle, Nantes and Tours. Poitiers is the closest, being about twenty- five miles from Le Prieuré. The other airports are within a two hour drive. There is a local private airfield if you want to arrive by private plane… but it’s a grass runway, so you might want to stow your gin and tonic for the landing!

Whatever your mode of travel, you can be sure of arriving to a warm welcome. Once through the striking entrance to Le Prieuré, the gates can be closed and you can switch off from the stresses and strains of modern life.

*Cherbourg served by Portsmouth and Poole. Alternative ferry ports are St Malo (served by Portsmouth), Roscoff (served by Cork and Plymouth) and Caen (served by Portsmouth).

Weddings

The Priory at Pressigny, with its adjoining tower (available to book with Homeaway, La Tour, Pressigny) is the perfect venue for a romantic summer or winter wedding. In summer a marquee can be erected in the garden to provide shade from the heat of the midday sun. The proximity of the Church, which borders the garden, the parking, which allows for thirty cars, the beautiful garden and house, all make for an intimate and delightful wedding venue. The Tower, with its romantic entrance and decoration, is a perfect venue for the bride and groom to retire to after the festivities of the day.

Cypress trees form an elegant backdrop to the beautifully scented walled garden. Adjacent to a newly planted orchard, the garden is a tranquil haven from the stresses of modern life. A lovely fire pit, around which guests can sit and enjoy a glass of wine from a local vineyard on summers evenings was added to the garden last year. The aroma of outdoor cooking, perhaps of a delicious, traditional spiral of garlic flavoured sausage sprinkled with rosemary picked straight from the garden tempts the taste buds, whilst salad from the local market sits temptingly on the table.

Climbing roses meander up the walls of the tower, which is the perfect honeymoon destination, especially if the wedding has taken place in the house. Guests are able to stay in the main house prior to and after the wedding, but the honeymooning couple can walk a full two minutes to their own perfectly secluded, romantic tower for the night of the honeymoon and thereafter.