4 star Luxury Cottages near Cognac and Angouleme with heated pool. Sleeps 5

If you are looking for a totally relaxing break with your young family, you don't need to look any further......The Courtyard at Saint Catherine is perfect for you!

I stayed recently for 2 weeks in Chez Aristade with my husband, my 6 year old daughter and 4 year old boy/girl twins.

We had an amazing 2 weeks and I cannot speak highly enough of the wonderful hosts, Steph and her husband Charlie. They have thought of everything so your gite truly is a home from home! You really only need to bring your passports, credit card and clothes!

For the parents; they are basic provisions to get your holiday off to a good start without having to rush out to the supermarket the minute you arrive! A few dishwasher tablets, washing up liquid, dish cloths, bin bags, foil, cling film, kitchen roll, fly spray, kitchen cleaners, hand soap, charcoal and firelighters for your first BBQ.......and pantry items such as olive oil, salt, pepper, sugar, tea, coffee, milk. The gites have a Tassimo coffee machine with a few capsules to get you started.......you can buy these in the local Supermarket or just bring your favourites from home! To make travelling with young children they have everything covered; high chair, cots, sterilisers, stair gates, step stools, night lights, kids cutlery, plates and cups, plug socket covers and even a bath mat and bath toys!

For the kids; a great selection of toys, books, dolls, dressing up clothes, colouring pens, dvds, games waiting in your gite. There was even a massive blackboard in our give for the kids to get creative!

I had ordered the welcome dinner knowing that we would arrive around 6pm after a long drive and not feel like heading to the shops. So if you have a long drive on your day of arrival definitely book the welcome meal and get your holiday off to a great start!

The gite was extremely well equipped with more than enough crockery, cutlery, pans, utensils and glassware. The pool is heated, so perfect for little children, it is gated and safe. There are plenty of sun loungers and giant beanbags and umbrellas for all to use. It never felt over crowded.

The 'gite cluster' concept works brilliantly enabling parents to socialise and children to play together. The courtyard is gated so the children can play outside without the worry of them getting out onto a road. Steph's dinner evenings are an absolute delight and I would highly recommend opting in for dinner.

The Courtyard is an amazing place to stay. Steph and her family made us feel so welcome. This was the first time we had taken our 18-month-old abroad so it was a welcome relief to stay somewhere with all the equipment you could possibly need on a daily basis (cot, highchair, toys, books, stairgate.... I could go on). It made travelling a lot more enjoyable and meant room for our stuff too!!

The accommodation was spacious, clean and tastefully decorated to complement the old building. We had our own private garden with a BBQ and plenty of seating. The swimming pool was clean and a great place to spend hot sunny days. There is also a small play area with a sandpit, trampoline, swing ball, swings & slides.

The on-site dining which Steph personally cooks and serves to you outside in the courtyard is fantastic. The food is so flavoursome and Steph goes above and beyond to make sure everyone is catered for (even the fussy ones). We ended up taking full advantage of this service when we stayed as it was handy with our little one and tasted great too.

The Courtyard is in a peaceful location and is very convenient for visiting the surrounding areas; it seems you are not too far away from everywhere. The Supermarket in Roulliac is very accessible and has a great mix of products.

We are planning on going back again next year and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend staying at the Courtyard to anyone. Steph and her family have done an amazing job restoring the old Priory and giving it a new lease of life.

This place is a dream! Starting with the setting; it truly is idyllic, the image of beautiful France you conjure up when you dream of rolling hills, vineyards and poppies everywhere. The gites and grounds are like something out of an interior magazine; authentic, charming and luxuriously shabby chic. The pool is warm and the playground a huge hit with our 18 month old. Steph and her family are so lovely. They strike the right balance of leaving you to it, but being incredibly hospitable and helpful. Everything from pre arrival shopping, baby necessities and baby meals (3 x per week) are taken care of. And the cooking.. Wow Steph can cook! We ate top end restaurant standard meals with a sleeping toddler and the peace of mind of the monitor working to the courtyard.. Very relaxing. We don't normally go back to places twice, but we could be persuaded back here!

This was the first holiday I can recall that I was able to relax the moment my foot entered the courtyard. Steph the owner had everything under control and had the most divine arrival dinner ready for us. When you have been travelling so long it's just heaven to sit down to a hot meal and a nice glass or two of wine. We have stayed in many gites but this was on a different level. Nothing was too much trouble. The owners took the hard work out of holidays with kids by booking various trips and the cooking that is optional was very much what we wanted. Our kids were one of the older there - I'm just sorry we didn't find it when they were younger as it's perfect for small kids. Completely loved it.

Well where do we start. The Courtyard is simply perfect.

We stayed recently (2 adults with 2 young children) and were blessed with lovely weather. From the moment you arrive the relaxed vibe is contagious. The Gite (we stayed in Aristide) is very well appointed and provides everything you need as a family. We mentioned we were had a young mobile toddler with us and a new stairgate appeared without bother or hassle.

The Courtyard is perfect to explore the wider Charente region with plenty to do in the area.

Steph and Charlie, the lovely owners make sure nothing is too much trouble and are able to provide superb evening meals if required. They can also organise local activities - plate painting, horse riding, chocolate making amongst other things.

The kids (as are we) are sad to be home - they loved playing in the sandpit / on the swings and swimming in the lovely heated pool everyday.

The website for the courtyard gives you more information and is worth a check.

If you are considering staying here - don't give it any further thought and book it as long as you don't book our Gite when we want to go back !!