Welcome to Gîtes Ruraux CharenteTucked away in a peaceful hamlet in the heart of southwest France, Gîtes Ruraux Charente offers the ideal rural escape. Located just five minutes from the nearest village and 15 minutes from the market town of Ruffec and the N10 (the main Paris–Spain route), our properties combine idyllic seclusion with effortless accessibility.Once historic farm buildings dating back several hundred years, our two beautifully restored gîtes blend original rustic character with modern comfort. Offering an independent or combined capacity for up to 11 guests, our property serves as the perfect, tranquil base camp for walking groups, cycling clubs, and motorbike tourers looking to explore the stunning tracks, trails, and open roads of the Charente region.Our Accommodations

Les Écuries (Sleeps up to 5 + Cot)

• Historic Charm: A beautifully restored former stables featuring original exposed beams and authentic stonework.
• Spacious Living: Perfect for couples, families, or small groups looking for a quiet, authentic rural retreat.
• Private Sanctuary: Includes its own private, gated garden ideal for peaceful alfresco dining.

Grange aux chouettes (Sleeps up to 6 + Cot)

• Rustic Elegance: A spectacular, complete renovation of a historic Charente barn, offering a spacious and comfortable layout.
• A Nature Lover’s Dream: Named after the resident pair of breeding barn owls who nest in the adjacent, undisturbed barn—a truly magical, quiet wildlife experience.
• Private Sanctuary: Features its own private, gated garden for peaceful morning coffees and tranquil sunset dinners.

Built for Outdoor Adventurers & Tourers,We love welcoming outdoor enthusiasts and touring groups, providing the peace of mind and facilities you need to enjoy your trip seamlessly:

• Secure Motorbike Parking: Drive straight in and rest easy knowing your motorbikes are securely parked off-road behind our main property gates.
• Dedicated Cycle Storage: Coming for the cycling season? We are introducing dedicated, secure bicycle storage ready for Spring 2027.
• Easy Touring Access: Positioned just 15 minutes from the N10, making us an ideal, hassle-free stopover or a central hub for your regional tour.
• Endless Trails: Direct access to an abundance of scenic walking, hiking, and cycling routes right from our doorstep.

Shared Grounds & Amenities

After a long day on the trails or the open road, our shared facilities are designed for ultimate relaxation:

• Swimming Pool: Perfect for cooling off and soothing tired muscles after a long ride or hike.
• The Orchard: Unwind with a book in the hammock or enjoy the gentle rhythm of the chair swing.
• Family & Fun: Children’s swings, a slide, and a ping pong table tucked away in the grounds.
• Modern Connectivity: Free Wi-Fi across the property ensures you can download maps, plan routes, or stay connected.

Countryside & Exploration

Immerse yourself in the scenic countryside at your own pace. Discover charming nearby villages, shop at local French markets, or navigate the sweeping, traffic-free roads and trails that make the Charente a world-class destination for walkers, cyclists, and riders alike. 

At Gîtes Ruraux Charente, we pride ourselves on offering a peaceful, authentic rural retreat. To maintain the tranquil atmosphere of our hamlet and ensure a wonderful experience for all our guests and neighbors, we operate under the following booking policies:

1. Quiet, Activity-Focused Groups Welcomed, Our gîtes are a perfect base camp for walkers, cycling clubs, motorbike tourers, nature lovers, and families seeking a relaxing getaway.

• We warmly welcome groups booking both gîtes together (up to 11 guests total) for the purpose of exploring the region, cycling, or touring.
• Strict No-Party Policy: We do not accept bookings for stag/hen parties, large celebratory events, loud gatherings, or any groups looking to host events.

2. Quiet Hours & Consideration for NeighborsWe are located in a peaceful, traditional French hamlet.

• We ask all guests to respect our neighbors by keeping noise to a minimum outdoors, particularly around the shared swimming pool and garden areas.
• Strict quiet hours apply between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM.

3. Registered Guests Only

• Only the guests listed on the original booking confirmation are permitted on the property and to use the shared facilities (pool, orchard, games).
• External visitors or additional day guests are strictly prohibited unless express permission is granted by the owners prior to arrival.

4. Vehicle & Equipment Safety

• Motorbikes & Cars: All vehicles must be parked safely inside our main property gates.
• Bicycles: Bicycles must be stored in our dedicated secure cycle storage (available from Spring) and are not permitted inside the gîtes.

5. Wildlife & Surroundings

• We are privileged to host a breeding pair of barn owls in our adjacent barn. To ensure they are not disturbed, the owl barn area is strictly off-limits to all guests. We ask that everyone enjoys watching them from a respectful distance. 

 Explore the Charente:

Gîtes Ruraux Charente is perfectly positioned as a central hub for outdoor adventurers. Located just 15 minutes from the historic market town of Ruffec, our hamlet gives you immediate access to quiet country lanes, sweeping tarmac, and rugged off-road trails.Whether you are exploring on foot, on two wheels, or by motorbike, here are some of the best routes right on our doorstep:🚴 For Cyclists (Road & Gravel)

• Boucle Vélo n°32 (Villefagnan Circuit): Located directly outside our gates! This 32km signed loop takes you through a beautiful Natura 2000 protected bird protection zone, rolling past fields of sunflowers, historic towers, the Moulin des Pierres Blanches, and the striking Château de Saveilles. It is the ultimate effortless ride straight from your doorstep.
• The Charente Valley Cycle Route: A stunning road route that hugs the river, taking you through picture-postcard villages like Verteuil-sur-Charente (famed for its magnificent fairytale chateau and riverside cafes) and Nanteuil-en-Vallée.
• The Galope Chopine Greenway: Built on a former railway line, this completely traffic-free, flat path is ideal for a relaxed group ride, taking you deep into nature without the worry of cars. [1, 2, 3]

🥾 For Walkers & Hikers

• The Charente River Trail (Ruffec to Condac): A gentle, picturesque walk following the winding Charente River. Stop at the beautiful river park in Rejallant (just outside Ruffec) for a scenic lunch or a refreshing dip.
• The Valley of the Transquaking (Vallée de la Péruse): Explore dense woodlands, historic stone bridges, and hidden valleys. It’s perfect for spotting local birdlife, including our local birds of prey.
• The Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James): Sections of this legendary medieval pilgrimage route pass right through the region, offering clearly marked, historic walking paths through ancient hamlets.

🏍️ For Motorbike Tourers

• The Three Châteaux Circuit (Ruffec – Verteuil – Mansle): A beautiful afternoon ride featuring sweeping twists, excellent tarmac, and dramatic views of local châteaux rising over the riverbanks.
• The Vienne River Gorges: Head slightly east into the neighboring Vienne department for more technical, winding roads that carve through dramatic granite gorges and rocky landscapes.
• The Cognac & Vineyard Cruise: Head west on sweeping, open roads through rolling hills covered in world-famous vineyards, leading you into the historic towns of Jarnac and Cognac.

• Tourisme Nord CharenteBoucle vélo n°32 B - Villefagnan - Destination Nord CharenteUn circuit de 32km à travers la Plaine de Villefagnan, zone Natura 2000 "Directive oiseaux" et de charmants petits villages charen...
• www.infiniment-charentes.comLes grandes véloroutes des CharentesLa Vélidéale® sillonne la Charente sur 120 km de Confolens vers Ruffec en passant par les Petites Cités de Caractère® de Confolens...
• Sud Charente TourismeBalades à véloLa Galope chopine entre Barbezieux … près de 460 km de voies partagées ou en site propre permettent de faire le Tour de la Charent...