Robert and Diane extend a warm welcome to all who stay at Fombel. This spacious house, set in a superb and tranquille setting, suits the larger family party, sleeping 12/13 (plus 3 cots). Situated midway between Civray and Charroux in the centre of the Poitou Charente region of France, it is finished to a standard that the discerning holidaymaker will really appreciate, with four bedrooms having private en-suite facilities.

Civray is a lively town with a market twice a week and Charroux boasts a very impressive historic covered market and ancient ruined abbey. The river Charente flows like a giant horseshoe round the area and there are many places to picnic, fish or canoe, or just amble along the banks.

The climate in this part of France offers long hot summers and even if the day starts out cloudy, it will often be blue sky by late morning. With its own micro-climate, there are on average, said to be 1000 more hours of sunshine per year than Paris and indeed the Poitou-Charent region has the reputation as the second sunniest part of France after the Cote d’Azure.

At Fombel you will also find peace and tranquility. Set in 85 acres of wood and parkland and surrounded by farmland it is the ideal place to unwind.

Take a stroll through woods, have a siesta in the shade, or swim in your own private pool. Alternatively take a trip to one of the many attractions in Poitou-Charentes (see 'About the Area' for some suggestions) or visit a local restaurant for a relaxing four hour lunch.

Should you be contemplating a family re-union, then this is the ideal location. We can provide both the accomodation and the space for that large family gathering.

The house is set in its own grounds just 2kms out of the tiny village of Genouille (pronounced – ‘jeun wee ay’) - (Bar, boulangerie and hairdresser) at the end of its own long private drive, flanked on either side by fields and woodland. Despite its peaceful rural setting, it is less than 10 minutes by car to both Civray and Charroux, where there are excellent shops and restaurants, weekly markets and at least five supermarkets. This is rural France at its best.

The name Fombel (also spelt Fontbelle) which translated means beautiful fountain, stems from the natural water spring, which until 2004 was the sole source of water to the property, when the mains supply was finally laid on.

There is also a lake within the grounds where you can take out the rowing boat and while away an hour or two doing nothing in particular, or get out a fishing rod and see if any fish are biting. If you are a painter or photographer, then you will find a variety of scenes to attract your eye. We get some wonderful sunrises and sunsets.

If you are looking for a holiday away from the hustle and bustle of everyday living, where you can totally relax around the pool or in the grounds, then this is the destination for you.

For children, there is the pool, a well equipped indoor games room/TV etc, and plenty of space outdoors to play games, fly kites or sail a model boat in the lake.

And finally, for naturalists, there are many species of plants, insects, birds and animals to spot. Many of which are now a rare sight in the UK, including red squirrels, buzzards, hen harriers and the brightly coloured hoopie bird to mention just a few.

View Fombel from the air -

Click on this link to: Geoportail.fr

Type in Genouille after 'Aller a' and click on 'J'y vrais'.

From the options presented, select: 'Genouille, 86, Vienne', This brings up the village.

Down in the bottom left under 'Selections disponibles' change the option from 'Decouverte' to 'Exploration' . This superimposes the map & the names of individual properties.

Now, selecting the hand tool, move the map to the left until you reach Fombel.

Now re-select 'Decouverte' to obtain a clear image.

The holiday home is the building towards the top of the picture and our house is towards the bottom.

There are paths through the woods and you can walk to the village in about 25 minutes.