The Vibe: Lakeside charmer with wonderful cuisine.

The Area: Located in Dirac and set on a pretty lake, just 10 minutes from Angoulême in the countryside of Charente is the charming Domaine du Châtelard. It is surrounded by a protected natural area of some 80 hectares of pastures and woodlands. Bordeaux is 120km, the nearest airport Angoulême-Cognac Airport at 20km.

The DNA: Originally a 19th century manor house, the hotel offers casual elegant rooms and a cosmopolitan restaurant serving cuisine with an Italian flair using fresh seasonal produce, in part from the property’s own biological certified garden. Ivan Gotfredsen is a highly acclaimed chef (Michelin, Gault Millau, Guide Routard, Feinschmecker) and worked across all over Europe in star rated establishments. With nice weather drinks and meals can be taken outside on the terrace with a view of the lake. Outside activities include swimming in the swimming pool or in the lake, playing tennis, pétanques, and canoeing and rowing on the private lake. The surrounding area invites to cycle (mountain bikes available), horse riding and superb nature walks.

Suite-Me-Up: Each room is individually and charmingly decorated. Half the rooms have stunning views over the lake, while the other rooms have views over the gardens and swimming pool. Every room has its own bathroom with shower or bath with shower, hair dryer and television.

Your hosts: Pascale Erni & Ivan Gotfredsen

✅ free Wi-Fi • size matters: 11 rooms (15-35m2) (161-377 sq ft) • hotel opened: June 2009 ✅ free on-site parking • pets allowed on request