Chateau Des Crystals

The small, charming, gated Chateau des Crystals is located on the edge of the picturesque village of Charzais, sitting within surrounding grounds of approximately 4,500 square metres laced with fruit trees, grape vines and a substantial outdoor heated swimming pool.

The charming Chateau des Crystals can accommodate up to 19 guests and makes an ideal family holiday destination. The rooms have been decorated sympathetically by the owners in keeping with the style and time of the Chateau to offer guests a unique contemporary feel to a traditional chateau holiday. All rooms come complete with comfortable beds, high quality bed linen and a fabulous selection of throws and plush blankets.

Chateau des Crystals comes with a television, CD and DVD player and comprehensive library of books, board games and films. There is also a table tennis table, numerous sun loungers and a BBQ. Internet facilities are available on request.

The accommodation comprises 8 spacious bedrooms, 3 reception rooms, a kitchen, shower room, shower and bathroom and 3 WCs. The chateau is very accommodating and could comfortably sleep up to 14 adults and 4 children.

On the ground floor is the entrance hall, the dining room and two further reception rooms adorned with original impressionist paintings and an extensive library and DVD collection. The kitchen area is equipped with a gas hob, electric oven, fridge/freezer, dishwasher and assorted kitchen utensils. There is also a laundry room with WC. The residence comes with a television, CD and DVD player, Playstation 2 and comprehensive library of books, board games and films. Internet facilities are also available on request.

On the first floor there are 4 double bedrooms and a shower room. On the second floor there are two further doubles and a 2 bedroom suite. The suite has 2 interconnecting bedrooms, one with a double bed and the other with a set of bunk beds and a single fold down bed. The bathroom has a large roll top claw foot bath, shower, WC and hand basin.

The adjoining grounds are for the exclusive use of guests of the chateau.  These tranquil grounds are completely enclosed and surrounded by high stone walls and iron gates, offering guests a secluded stay and excellent security for children and pets. There is also a table tennis table, numerous sun loungers and a BBQ. The summer kitchen has an extra cooker – a 6 ring burner with oven, drinks fridge and associated tables and chairs.

The 9x4m heated swimming pool features a shallow and deep end and is cleaned using the eurosel method rather than chlorine, a practice that is proven to be less irritable to the skin and eyes of bathers. The pool is not open during the winter season and is heated during the spring and autumn months, offering superb swimming conditions. The pool also comes with a security cover which is very easy to operate. A sandpit for small children is also available on request.

*Please note, locations shown on the maps are approximations only

The nearest airport to the chateau is La Rochelle 50km away and the nearest town is Fontenay le-Comte 3km away. The local village of Charzais is located 33 miles North East of the coastal port town of La Rochelle and on the edge of the beautiful Mervent Forest National Park. The village of Charzais is tiny and has no amenities as such, except for a church. However there is a collection of shops five minutes walk away, including a Bar/Tabac, a pharmacy, a butcher, a post office and a grocery store which has fresh bread daily, vegetables, milk, general foodstuffs and wine. Two minutes drive away is the town of Fontenay, which has several supermarkets, a Saturday Farmer's market, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, cinema, hospital etc. In less than an hour by car from the Chateau are the golden sandy beaches of the Charente and Vendée Maritime, including La Rochelle, Les Sables d'Olonne, La Tranche sur Mer and the favoured celebrity holiday destination Ile de Ré.

Just 20 minutes travelling time away from the chateau is the tranquil and idyllic surroundings of the Marais Poitevin, a locale offering lake swimming and canoeing facilities for the more adventurous. A themed historical adventure attraction is a short drive away at Puy du Fou, while an hour away in Poitiers is the exciting Futuroscope theme park – a great attraction for adults and children alike. For adult guests the local vineyards offer regular tastings, while the celebrated Cognac houses of the region are within easy reach for tours and tastings. For wine enthusiasts the vineyards of neighbouring regions Bordeaux and Saint Emilion are less than two hours drive away.

A haven for nature lovers, the area is the gateway to numerous unique and wonderful local attractions. In the Poitevin marshes, commonly referred to as the ‘Green Venice of the West’, you can hire a punt for use along the canals to view and enjoy the spectacular flora and fauna of this enchanting environment. For those in search of a different experience, walk, horse ride or cycle in the beautiful nearby Mervent forest. A great family day out just a few minutes by car away at Xanton-Chassenon is a long fresh water lake, providing sailing, swimming, water-sports (pedal boats, canoes etc are all available for hire) and a flume ride for children.

Catering is available by prior arrangement - please contact us before arrival should you have any requirements. 20 euros/head for 4 courses. 25 euros/head for 4 courses including wine.

Housekeeping and cleaning available by prior arrangement - please contact us before arrival to discuss any requirements you may have.

- Capacity: The property comfortably sleeps 14 adults and 4 children or teenagers.
- Security deposit: A £750 damage deposit is payable by bank transfer at least 3 weeks prior to the holiday. If the property is not left in a reasonable state of cleanliness we reserve the right to withhold a commensurate amount of this damage deposit.
- Linen & towels: All linen and bath towels are included.
- Energy costs: Included in the rental price.
- End of stay cleaning: €100 end of stay cleaning is compulsory and payable in cash to the cleaners.
- Arrival time: 4pm onwards.
- Departure time: 10am.
- Pets: Pets by negotiation.
- Smoking: No smoking in the property.
- Swimming pool: The pool will be cleaned prior to your arrival. The heater for the pool is on and the pump is on a timer.  It is the law in France that swimming pools must be secure when not in use and as such it is essential that you wind the cover back on, secure the clips and take the wheel inside if you are heading out for the day and also at any time at all that the pool is unsupervised by an adult. It is essential that the cover is on overnight for safety and also to keep the temperature constant. The pool is 1.90m deep in the deep end. The shallow end is by the steps. For safety reasons please ensure no diving or jumping in the pool.  Children should be supervised at all times by an adult when using the pool.  And while the security cover is designed to take the weight, please do not let children run around on top of it when it is closed as it could damage the liner. Avoiding using glasses by the pool; for such purposes plastic drink ware is supplied. PLEASE BE AWARE:
1) YOU ARE REQUIRED BY FRENCH LAW TO ENSURE THAT THE COVER IS ON THE POOL AT ALL TIMES DURING THE ABSENCE OF ADULT SUPERVISION.  
2) THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY ARE NOT LIABLE FOR ACCIDENT OR INJURY. BY USING THE POOL YOU ARE AGREEING TO THESE TERMS.
- It is recommended that all guests take out insurance to cover against potential cancellation and any accidental damage caused during your stay at the property.

"We had a wonderful time staying at Crystals. The decor was warm and welcoming and so appropriate for the style of the Chateau. We thought the property was well maintained and the gardens were rather lovely. The completely walled property gave us complete privacy and tranquility. We had a enjoyable time exploring many of the local villages and had a day trip to La Rochelle( a comfortable hour away) which is a great place to explore and has lots to see and do. The forest walks in the hills outside Fontenay are beautiful and we would recommend Crystals and Fontenay Le Compte as a place to visit with good friends and family."

Madison Thomas

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"We stayed at Crystals last Christmas and I must say it was our best family Christmas in memory! The lovely rooms, open fires, markets at nearby villages, the abbey at Mallizais illuminations and choral recitals, our Christmas lunch sitting around the big dining table .. it was all absolutely wonderful. The owners even went to the trouble of getting a real Christmas tree in for us and decorating it beautifully. I would love to return in the summer as well as it looks like a lovely place to stay in all seasons. Many thanks."

June

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"Being a hopeless romantic, I had high expectations of a French chateau. Happily, I wasn't disappointed. The chateau is beautiful, imposing and cosy at the same time. The kind of place that you feel at home in very quickly. Walking into the bedrooms is like walking back in time, and the deep claw foot bath is heaven after a day spent wandering around the countryside. The kitchen is quaint, being more swiss chalet than French chateau, but that only adds to the charm. The dining room was the setting for many leisurely atmospheric candle lit dinners. Perfect!! The grounds are like the Chateau, a little bit country, a little bit rock 'n' roll as they say. Not so groomed you can't kick a ball around with reckless and gay abandon, and not so wild you need a compass to find your way back to the house. It was perfect for the children who were delighted with the squirrel family living in the largest oak tree not to mention the pool which was toasty warm, even when the temperature outside was dropping. Amanda was kind enough to leave us some of her yummy preserves, courtesy of the orchard in the backyard. There is a supermarket a 4 minute drive away, but we preferred the easy walk through the surrounding fields to the shops. I definitely can't wait to return ,and see how this grand old lady looks as she is restored to all her former glory. Thank you so much for sharing her with us!!"

Lisalou

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"We had a great time! Amanda was a great help and was really welcoming! Thanks so much. Rebecca"

Rebecca Hanley

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We stayed at Crystals last Xmas and I must say it was our best family Xmas in memory! The lovely rooms, open fires, xmas markets at nearby villages, the abbey at Mallizais illuminations and choral recitals, our Xmas lunch sitting around the big dining table .. it was all absolutely wonderful. The owners even went to the trouble of getting a real xmas tree in for us and decorating it beautifully. I would love to return in the summer as well as it looks like a lovely place to stay in all seasons. many thanks

June

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All in all we had a brilliant time, just what we needed to recharge the batteries. Thanks again for the chance to stay in your home, the pictures are great of the kids enjoying the pool should you wish them for a brochure. Would also love updates on the chateau as it looks like a labour of love and I can't wait to get back to work to tell everyone about it as they were quite envious when I told them of our plans.

Erica and Mark

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It's a beautiful property, sensitively decorated and with plenty of character combined with comfort (great beds!). The grounds are beautiful. Plenty of great things for the kids to do and see - as well as a beautiful place to relax for the rest of us!

Samantha

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Every other year our family go away together for Christmas, each time we try to find a property that is a bit different and in an interesting area. This year we chose the chateau and we weren't disappointed, we all had a fabulous Christmas. As soon as we walked in even though it is a large house it felt really welcoming, lovely, warm and Christmassy. It is a fascinating home and it is like stepping back in time but with all the necessary mod cons. You could imagine all the people over the years that had also enjoyed a Christmas here, it was like having your own National Trust house for a week! The bedrooms were very spacious and there was plenty of room for all thirteen of us. We loved sitting down for our meals in the dining room, it felt like a real old fashioned family Christmas with the tree in the corner and all of us sat round the table with plenty of good food and drink! Many evenings were spent in the Salon Rouge where there were plenty of comfy chairs (something which is often lacking in rental properties) playing games and chatting. There are so many interesting places to visit in the area, La Rochelle was wonderful and well worth the drive and Fontenay Le Compte just down the road is a lovely old town to wander around. Amanda and David were so helpful and gave us loads of information before we arrived and it was nice to know that if we had any problems that we could easily contact them. The chateau must be wonderful in the summer too when the swimming pool is in action and the garden is huge - great for family barbeques and get togethers - a lovely house for enjoying time with family and friends.

Helen and Paul, 2008

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We booked the chateau to celebrate my 40th birthday with 6 friends. We loved that it was in a small village away from tourists. It was a easy 5 hour drive from Paris and close to La Rochelle airport for our friends in the UK. The chateau was beautifully presented and better than we expected from the photos on the website. Between the spacious chateau and the grounds there was plenty of room for all of us. Dining alfresco under the wisteria or in the grand formal dining room was a great way to spend an evening. There was no shortage of things to do with beautiful villages, forests and rivers within easy cycling distance. It was a perfect place to spend a week in France with friends.

Jim and Frankie Newton

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