• 16
  • 7
  • 7
  • Grand country home
  • Tranquil and secluded
  • Ideal for young families
  • Walking distance to village
  • For dedicated Francophiles
  • Delightful countryside views
  • Simpson family extras available
2025 Early Bird Prices...
The majority of our 2025 holidays are now online, with early bird prices and lower deposits guaranteed until 30 November 2024. Book now, or use Advance Registration where prices are awaiting confirmation; with the planning done, the joy of anticipation can begin.

Distinctly grander than the typical holiday villa, this imposing maison de maître feels archetypally French, and offers peaceful seclusion amongst the vineyards and open fields of the unspoilt Charente countryside. The house nestles on the edge of Saint-Même-les-Carrières, where it used to serve as the village school. Where once there were desks and blackboards, today’s guests enjoy tasteful and very spacious interiors, with en-suite bath or shower rooms for each of the seven bedrooms and a playroom for younger guests. We rate Le Grand Logis particularly highly for younger children, with plenty of room for two or three families to spread out and enjoy the fenced, heated swimming pool, the landscaped gardens and the delightful countryside views.

The house was recently refurbished by its English owners, yet retains a very authentically French feel, from the white painted shutters to the smattering of local antique furnishings that add so much character and style. The overall effect is both elegant and homely, adding up to a sense of being thoroughly spoilt and completely relaxed, tucked away in one of the most timeless and beautiful corners of the country.

Smaller group? Reduced rates are available for this villa. Please contact us for more details and prices.

The local area

The location of Le Grand Logis is ideal, peacefully yet conveniently positioned at the northern edge of Saint- Même-les-Carrières, which has an excellent bakery for your fresh bread and croissants. There are several restaurant choices within a short drive, most notably a Michelin-starred establishment (La Ribaudière) just 15 minutes away at Bourg Charente. Little ones as young as three can have a go at the nearby water skiing and wakeboard centre on the Grand Mas des Sables lake, just a 15-minute walk from Le Grand Logis, and if you like your swimming ‘wild’, there are lots of spots on the Charente where you can bathe in the warm summer months. Nearby Jarnac (six kilometres) is one of the many pleasant river towns in the area, with a range of local shops, restaurants and bars. There's a weekly Friday market and a quirky museum displaying some of the ceremonial gifts given to former president François Mitterand, who was born in the town; it all adds up to the low-key but classically French atmosphere that makes this area such a joy to visit.

Days out

Cognac is a must-see, and not just for the many brandy tasting opportunities. The new part of town is given over to wide boulevards with shops and cafés, while the old town invites exploration of its cobbled streets, historic monuments and the Cognac distilleries that line the riverbank. When it’s hot or you’ve just had enough of walking, switch to paddle power and take a canoe or boat trip on the Charente. Cognac’s market days are Tuesday and Friday, which is a great time to pick up the wherewithal for a river picnic, and for golfers, the Golf du Cognac course is just a 15-minute drive.

Slightly further away is Angoulême, a pretty market town with fine views along the river from its elevated position on a promontory above the Charente. The town of Saintes (45 minutes) is listed as 'Ville d'Art et d'Histoire' thanks to its Roman, medieval and classical heritage. Here you’ll find elegant buildings in the traditional white stone of the area as well as major Roman and medieval monuments.

For younger visitors, Angloulême’s comic museum is worth a visit, or you could spend a few hours at Paléosite at St Césaire for some prehistoric fun and games including spear-throwing! If time is on your side, take the train from Angoulême to the newly-revitalised city of Bordeaux, brimming with museums, culture and superb shops.

Whilst this is not the spot for a traditional beach holiday, you could easily opt for a day on the fabulous Charente Maritime coastline. Royan is the nearest resort, slightly faded from its heyday grandeur, and characterised by a broad sweep of sand. For a more secluded choice head a little further up the coast to La Côte Sauvage where forest trails and sand dunes create a stunning landscape; La Palmyre beaches are a highlight. The island of Oléron is less well-known than Île de Ré, but its oyster-fishing villages lend real authentic charm, with beaches to relax on and pine forests to explore.


An in-villa chef and meal delivery service is available by arrangement


Accommodation

Layout

  • 7 bedroom villa (sleeps 2-16)

Ground floor

  • Entrance hall with cloakroom 
  • Living area with feature fireplace and large screen TV (French channels and Netflix)
  • Well-equipped kitchen with oven, hob, microwave, raclette and fondue set, fridge-freezer, dishwasher
  • Separate pantry and laundry room with washing machine and tumble dryer
  • Dining room
  • Playroom
  • Double bedroom (180 x 200cm bed, can be converted into a twin on request) with en-suite shower room with WC

First floor

  • Master bedroom (180 x 200cm bed) with dressing area and en-suite bathroom with bath, shower and WC
  • 2 double bedrooms (180 x 200cm beds, can be converted into twins on request) with en-suite shower room
  • 2 double bedrooms (140 x 190cm beds) with en-suite shower room
  • Children’s bedroom with twin beds, bunk beds and en-suite bathroom with bath, shower and WC

Pets

  • The owner of this villa will consider requests to bring a pet dog (no other pets). Please advise us of the age and breed of your dog, and we will contact the owner on your behalf. The owner reserves the right to refuse the request.

General

  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Simpson Travel telephone representative
  • Iron, ironing board and hairdryer provided
  • Table tennis
  • Electric plancha grill
  • Patio terrace and outdoor dining facilities 
  • Solar-heated outdoor shower
  • 8 sunbeds and artificial grass poolside
  • Private heated swimming pool 8m x 4m, fenced
  • Complimentary cot and highchair available (2 sets)
  • Gated driveway with multiple parking spaces
  • Smoking is not permitted in the house
  • Pet dogs welcome on request (additional security deposit applies)
  • Activities nearby include water skiing, wake-boarding, river kayaking, golf, cycling, horse riding, birdwatching, cognac-tasting and boat trips along the river
  • For further information on Terms and Conditions specific to this French property please click  here

Simpson family extras

  • Family favourite range of toys and games, suitable for ages 5-11

WiFi

  • All properties with WiFi are able to support basic functionality such as web browsing and checking emails*

* We aim to offer an uninterrupted service but sometimes due to factors beyond our control reliability can be affected.

Getting there

  • Airports
    Bordeaux 121km
    Bergerac 130km
    Limoges 130km

Location

  • Village (St-Même-les-Carrières) 4min walk (400m)
  • Winery 4min walk (400m)
  • Bakery (St-Même-les-Carrières) 4min walk (400m)
  • Restaurants (Jarnac) 10min drive (6km)
  • Michelin Star Restaurant (La Ribaudière) 10min drive (8km)
  • Cognac 15min drive (15km)
  • Beach (Royan) 1hr 15min drive (83km)

Flights

For information on travel routes, please visit our France flights and ferries page.

Our second stay at Le Grand Logis and definitely not our last. The property meets all our needs very well and is very well located in a part of France that we seemingly struggle to get bored with. The house was immaculate when we arrived and Fiona the owner’s agent is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable.

Mr Neil Lewis, August 2024

For the mix of ages there (10 adults and 6 children aged 8 to 3) it was a perfect house and location for a family gathering. We had a fabulous time and made lots of memories. Highly recommended.

Mr Peter William John Barter, July 2024

Thank you so much for your organisation of our holiday to “Le Grand Logis” , Dordogne. The house was great, with the 7 bedrooms, we fitted all the families in, the pool was amazing - of course, all the cousins played together. We were able to use the local town of Jarnac, for supermarket, restaurants, kayaking, etc, and the parents researched via the internet and found wonderful activities within a 30 minute drive. David and I did 2 tours of Cognac producers, Courvoisier and Martell, which answered many of our questions about the many vineyards of the area. On our last day, a river cruise on the Charente, was totally fitting. Wonderful place, good weather, I would totally recommend it,

James Marsh, August 2023

Very well equipped for children aged 10 months to 8 years old. Great family property, lots of space and excellent child friendly pool.

Dinah Hurwood, July 2023

Excellent service from start to finish. From the moment we booked the holiday everyone we dealt with was professional and helpful. We were contacted by Jonathan prior to our holiday who helped us with numerous queries, from booking vet appointments to recommending places to eat and even suggesting alternative routes when major roads were closed due to the forest fires. Both houses were of an excellent standard and the local reps were both very knowledgeable and available to answer any queries. The Simpson App is also a really useful feature, especially if you are travelling as a large group. The attention to detail provides a truly personal service. We had an amazing holiday and will definitely be booking through Simpson Travel again in the future.

Joanna Burford, August 2022

We had a fantastic week, the house is well equipped for families, especially those with young children. Ours made good use of the pool and the playroom was a lovely touch.

Mrs Parmenter, July 2019

Our choice of French properties is diverse, ranging from simple charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal.

To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.

Grading

Property Grading Key:

  • 5/5

    Excellent

  • 4/5

    Very good

  • 3/5

    Good

Close
  • Location

    4/5

    Position, view, serenity, privacy

  • Comfort

    4/5

    Space, style, overall furnishings

  • Facilities*

    4/5

    Property enhancements

  • Amenities*

    3/5

    Proximity to beaches, restaurants and shops

* For further clarification on Facilities and Amenities, please view the 'Details' tab for each property or speak to one of our experienced sales consultants.

From the Dordogne’s forest-covered hillsides to the undulating countryside of Lot-et-Garonne, these fertile landscapes have long played their part in human history – the famous Lascaux cave paintings testify to that. For a taste of spectacular coastline on your holiday, head to Charente-Maritime or find a lakeside beach that’s perfect for a picnic – this region is known for its abundant food and excellent wines. Choose a restaurant in an ancient village square and enjoy the sense of history repeated.

And for a place to stay in Dordogne and the South West, explore our collection of luxury villas.

Read more on our The Dordogne & South West region page


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