Podien Cottage is part of a working Côtes de Blaye vineyard. Once the workers' home, the cottage has been charmingly restored and filled with modern touches to help create an effortless stay. An open-plan kitchen, dining and lounge area is on the upper floor with a panoramic window making the most of wonderful views over the estate. The kitchen has all the appliances you need for your stay. A circular dining table sits in the centre of the room surrounded by four wooden chairs. The lounge is on the opposite side of the kitchen and has a large sofa with cushions for you to relax into. Next to the lounge is a tall stone wall with a traditional stove and fireplace to keep you warm on winter nights.
Both bedrooms are located on the lower floor. They are spacious with homely details such as a patterned headboard, long mirrors and paintings hung on the walls. Each has an ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower. One ensuite has a washing machine on hand if needed and there is stand-alone bath in one of the bedrooms. The bedrooms both have double beds, however one can be converted into two singles.
Doors from the upper level lead out to a newly built patio terrace with a long heated swimming pool to one side against the terrace wall, providing privacy from the tennis courts and village on the other side. There are sun loungers near the pool for you to relax on warm summer days. The terrace also features an outdoor seating and barbecue, set up for long evenings cooking delicious meals together. Toast marshmallows on the fire pit, ideal for gathering beneath the stars. The organic Côtes de Blaye vineyard is in the Bordeaux region and provides the perfect backdrop to your holiday. Podien Cottage is on the village side of the working vineyard, with views of the grounds, vines and estuary in the backdrop. Wine tours and tastings can of course be arranged. The cottage is also next to the village tennis courts, which you are invited to use. The heart of the local village is a short walk away and has all your essentials including a small grocery shop (with fresh bread), a butchers and a pharmacy. On some Sunday mornings the village hosts oyster stalls on the main street.
Part of a certified organic vineyard in the Bordeaux region of south-west France, Podien Cottage is one of two charming homes set within the estate (see also Foy Cottage). This working vineyard, producing a range of Blaye-Côtes de Bordeaux wines, is a unique location for your holiday – the estate’s château dates back to the 18th century. The wine produced is mainly Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and the vines are grown in clay and limestone, typical of the conditions on the right-bank of the estuary. There are opportunities to tour the estate and sample the wines. Podien Cottage is on the village side of the domaine, next to the village tennis courts which guests can use (just ask for the key). It's a very short walk to the heart of the village with its grocery store (selling fresh bread), butchers and cafe-bar-tabac. On a Sunday morning you can pick up rotisserie chickens at the village butchers and there is occasionally a stall selling oysters.
Blaye (8km) is your local town, home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Citadelle de Blaye. Designed by the celebrated French military engineer Vauban, Citadelle de Blaye is a fortress offering panoramas over the Gironde estuary. Built in the 17th century, the citadel of Blaye had 1.5km of ramparts, over 30 hectares of fortifications and 1,500 soldiers occupying the fort.
Spend time strolling through the citadel's narrow streets and meet the craftsmen, restaurateurs and shopkeepers who dwell in the once-fortified fortress. Tours are available for those who want to delve deeper into history and enter the underground passages below the surface. The town of Blaye also offers café, restaurants and shops for you to refresh yourself with.
Travelling slightly further away, take a day to visit the picturesque St. Emilion (47km), a medieval village located in the famous Bordeaux wine region. Surrounded by vineyards, St. Emilion has two thousand years of history found in beautiful architecture and monuments. Golden bricks shine in the sunlight as you wind through the village, exploring historic vineyards, cafes and shops.
Spend an afternoon feeling refreshed and head to the coast. The southwest of France is home to the Aquitaine coastline, the longest sandy coastline in Europe, stretching 230 kilometres. The surfing beaches around Lacanau (60km) are around an hour away (via the car ferry) or drive north to experience the seaside charm of Royan (85km), less than 1 hour 30 minutes by car.
House Interiors
Upper Floor
- Open-plan lounge and dining area with Smart TV, fireplace with stove and doors leading to terrace and pool
- Open-plan kitchen, well-equipped including dishwasher, microwave, fridge, toaster, oven, kettle Lower Floor
- One bedroom with double bed, bath in the bedroom, doors leading to garden and en suite bathroom with shower
- One bedroom with double bed (can be split into twin beds), door leading to garden and open en suite bathroom with shower Outside Grounds
- Heated salt-water swimming pool (8x3m depth: 1.8m) with safety cover. Open approximately May to end-September
- Poolside terrace with sun loungers (x2) and outdoor dining area
- Barbecue
- Firepit
- Lower garden/grounds
