Jo and I have just returned from a wonderful stay at Rue Vincent, home to our good friends Pete and Jackie Berry and their two border collies, Indie and Jazz. Rue Vincent is located in the beautiful Charente-Maritime region of (Western) France and is surrounded by stunning countryside. The Atlantic coast is close by and I was particularly taken with the attractive little oyster jetties – a photographer’s dream, and a chance to play around with many different camera settings. The area is steeped in history, and we were fortunate enough to visit Chateau de la Roche Courbon, which was originally developed from a castle built around 1475. The site had been inhabited since prehistoric times and in the grounds are some stone age cave dwellings which are absolutely fascinating to explore – you really feel as if you’ve been transported back in time. No trip to the area is complete without a visit to Jean Balluet’s cognac distillery (situated near the town of Cognac). Huge boilers and rows of barrels create a heady atmosphere and Monsieur Balluet is a most entertaining host. He is extremely passionate about his profession and is delighted to show visitors around his premises and of course, sample his exquisite cognacs. To book Rue Vincent’s charming three bedroomed gite, please contact Jackie Berry at www.ruevincent.com. I can't recommend it highly enough.
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