"LA CACHETTE" (The Hiding Place) is a gorgeous cottage, (actually a ground floor apartment but it feels like a little cottage) offering luxurious comfort in the centre of the charming village of Port d'Envaux. One of the best kept secrets in the Charente Maritime, Port d'Envaux sits in an impressive position on the banks of the River Charente where in the summer there is a dedicated swimming area and ample kayaks, paddle-boards and boats to hire. The village also has three restaurants, a riverside café and boulangerie all within walking distance of about 1 to 2 minutes!
Having owned and run a 5 Star Premier Partner rated gîte in the Charente Maritime for seven years, La Cachette was our new dream which has taken us over a year to achieve, a magical place where we could offer even more to our guests.
We have converted the ground floor of the front part of our old barn using reclaimed and vintage materials to create the very definition of laid back rustic luxury whilst being as sustainable as possible. Facing south the full length terrace, shaded with vines, awaits you. Overlooking the in-ground pool and gardens beyond, it is totally private.
La Cachette is small and cosy, but ideal for two people but what it lacks in size it makes up for with attention to detail. We hope we have left no stone unturned. It is a mixture of vintage luxury, and modern conveniences, and at the heart of it is our dream that this is a place where you can escape to relax, to unwind, where you will feel nothing but peace and tranquility, where you can forget about the stresses of the world for a while and return home feeling rejuvenated and utterly refreshed.
We have used only the best furnishings, bedlinen and accessories with a top quality mattress and king sized bed. There are wooden floors throughout and little touches which we hope will make your stay extra special. We can also upon request change this for two single beds, side by side.
It is open plan with a door leading out onto the terrace which then leads to the swimming pool. The terrace is large and sheltered and shaded by vines and south facing.
The kitchen area is compact but perfectly-formed with an induction hob, electric oven, dishwasher, washing machine and fridge freezer. There is a dining table with comfortable chairs and the sitting area has a super cosy leather sofa and armchair for you to sink into. There is English television, and a bluetooth speaker so you can play your own choice of music, and a woodburning stove for those chillier spring and autumn evenings or for winter visits with of course an unlimited supply of logs. There is also a vinyl record player with a selection of old albums to add a touch of nostalgia!
The bedroom is snug but lovely with a luxurious king sized bed and views out over the garden and terrace.
The bathroom is ensuite and generously sized and boasts an oversized Italian shower just waiting for you to rejuvenate yourself at the end of the day.
The 8 metre x 4 metre in ground pool is protected by an Abri which also forms a green house effect heating the pool. There are also sun loungers and chairs with cushions around the pool. The pool is shared with ourselves (the owners).
All of this is nestled in private gardens. You are welcome to wander around, pick whatever fruit is in season from our cherry, apple, plum and fig trees and help yourself to organic vegetables from our potager.
We pride ourselves on being completely pesticide free and so please do accept that this is a natural garden with occasional weeds and we have purposefully kept some areas wild to encourage beneficial insects!
We are also able to offer a breakfast basket upon request with delicious home made jams, pastries, fresh fruits and a choice of made to order baked eggs or frittatas with a choice of fillings. Breakfast can be ordered the evening before.
In the evenings, you can dine indoors or al fresco on the terrace. There is a Webber barbecue with charcoal provided, or you can prepare a meal in the extremely well equipped kitchen. Alternatively you can wander just a couple of minutes down the road to a choice of three restaurants (two a la carte and one a more relaxed pizzeria). All offer indoor and outdoor dining or the chance to just enjoy a morning coffee watching the world go by in this slow but very special village. During the day time there is also a riverside café offering fresh seafood, salads, filled baguettes and of course ice creams and cold drinks!
It is just a short stroll down to the river where there is a dedicated swimming area, a sandy beach area for children and where you can also rent kayaks, paddle boards or electric boats or you can just sit by the water. There are also stunning walks along the river bank and good fishing available and a licence can be purchased in the boulangerie.
The village has a weekly produce market every Thursday morning and the small boulangerie also sells essential food items and of course wine! In fact you can happily stay a few days at La Cachette, toss your car keys to one side and not drive anywhere at all.
However, if you can tear yourself away from the village the surrounding area is just waiting to be explored. There are numerous chateaux to visit, two within walking distance (10 minutes and 20 minutes on foot), stunningly picturesque villages, vineyards and wine tasting. The ancient city of Saintes is just ten minutes by car. Here there is one of Europe's best preserved Roman Ampitheatre along with modern shops and quaint pedestrianised streets with small boutiques, restaurants and cafes.
You’re also within easy distance of the coast, just a 40 minute drive to the famous Atlantic beaches and the delightful islands of the Île de Ré, the Île d'Oléron and Île d'Aix. The preserved marshes known as the 'Marais' are within half an hour, perfect for bird watching, and stunning walks.
In the cottage you’ll find several types of tea, a Bosch Tassimo coffee machine (with coffee capsules) and a welcome basket with basic supplies. There's a juicing machine so you can have freshly squeezed juice every morning and a bar car with Pineau charente and wine all included. We include luxury toiletries and all bed linen and towels, in fact everything you need for a relaxing break so that all you need to bring with you are your own personal items and clothing.
Parking is in the village about a two minute walk away as the cottage CAN ONLY BE ACCESSED ON FOOT which adds to the charm and the luxury of this truly hidden gem. However, we have a wheeled pull along trolley to help you with your luggage and/or shopping and if you are unhappy using public parking in the village we can arrange for you to park at the end of the garden on our property. Bicycles can be kept safe and locked within the garden, as well as any kayaks, paddle boards etc you may bring with you. The village parking also has an electric charging point for cars.
And if you cannot completely get away from it all there is dedicated high speed internet throughout the cottage.
One final note, we pride ourselves on our stringent cleaning methods, making sure that everything is disinfected between guests and our family have all been vaccinated.
