The Charente

Domaine de Villechaise is in the area of the Charente microclimate,
an area with as many hours of sunshine
as the Cote d'Azure - but none of the problems.
Mild, short winters with little wind and the sun far higher in
the sky than in the UK - you can feel it's warmth in January!
In summer the climate is on average 3-4C warmer than the best in UK,
with far less rain, the warmth starts early and lingers well into the evening.
It is not as intensely hot as further south nor does the land burn
off to barren desert. Even in 2003 our garden was green!

In unspoilt, uncrowded region, lazily criss-crossed by wide clear waters
of the Charente and Vienne, with rolling pastures and hillside
dotted with woodland. Unlike a lot of areas in France and
because of the gentle nature of the countryside, there are
hundreds of 'petite randonee' (rambles),
following history studded paths and deserted river banks.
The wildlife is abundant - nightingales sing with nightjars in the evenings -
red squirrels run across the lawns.
Buzzards fly overhead and you may even see a vulture!

Domaine de Villechaise is in the Hamlet named after it, Villechaise
- on the D59 just 3Km south of Confolens on the Limoges Road.
Convenient for the shops and restaurants of Confolens and with
easy access to Limoges, Poitiers and Angouleme.

For travel routes and flight links - CLICK HERE

To find Domaine de Villechiase is very easy!
From Confolens - follow the Limoges signs, cross over the small roundabout.
You will see an equestrian centre on the right and shortly afterwards the road
bends left. At the bend take the D59 to the right signposted to Manot, and the drive to
Domaine de Villechaise is 1,200m down this road on the left.
If you miss the drive you will find the Hamlet of Villechaise, at the crossroads
turn left and the entrance to the Chateau is 150m on the right.

From Limoges Airport - follow signs for Angouleme, keep going for about 38Km.
As you approach a small village called Etagnac you will see a TOTAL Petrol
station on the right. Shortly after this TURN RIGHT signposted Confolens.
The junction has a Relais Restuarant on the right and a
large truck park on the opposite corner. Carry on through the village of Etagnac
then up and down some hills until you reach the village of St Maurice des Lions.
Carry on for another 2.5Km, you will see a large RED sign on the right advertising the
Folk Festival. Immediately after the sign the road bends right.
At the bend take the D59 on the left signposted to Manot and the drive to
Domaine de Villechaise is 1,200m down this road on the left.
If you miss the drive you will find the Hamlet of Villechaise, at the crossroads
turn left and the entrance to the Chateau is 150m on the right.