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