The Cottage Gîte

08/01/2024

https://www.facebook.com/pierrelecatcognac

Le champ du Frêne est une exploitation viticole située dans le cru Fins Bois de l'AOC Cognac

08/01/2024

In our village we have the best cognac distillery. It is amazing: the cognac; the pineau and their wine are all gorgeous. They have a new website where you can book trips and tastings. If you are staying with us over the summer, we really recommend booking a tasting at Pierre Lecat Cognac.

L’art du temps & de la passion Nos Cognacs Pierre Lecat  sont issus d’un domaine familial de la commune de St Fraigne, du cru des Fins Bois. Créées et vieillies depuis trois générations, nos eaux de vie  sont les reflets des personnalités ayant contribué à leur élaboration au fil des a...

06/01/2024

The gite is now booked for most of July and August. There is some availability at the start of July and going into September

02/12/2023

Today I have mostly been making sausages

01/12/2023

So a new thing for me is pork pies. Here in France hot water pastry is not a common thing. I went on a pork pie course and I've been experimenting ever since. I fancy trying other meats like duck.

29/11/2023

We had a bumper crop of blackberries growing behind the pool area. I made jam, clafoutis and tarts. Then all I could think was: gin. So for the last 5 months I have been soaking blackberries in gin. It's now been bottled and, if I say so myself, it tastes very nice. Just the thing for Christmas

29/11/2023

Since the end of the summer season we have been very busy still. The Supper Clubs have taken off and we have hosted a number of themed dining events in The Barn: Middle Eastern and Classic French. An Indian themed menu is coming in the New Year. In addition I have been running sourdough courses teaching people the basics of sourdough bread making. We have more cooking courses coming in the New Year.

27/10/2023

Summer is over. Time to relax in front of the fire

04/10/2023

The peace, quiet and beauty of the Charente in October

09/09/2023

We are already taking bookings for next summer. 3 weeks in August have been booked by guests looking for a holiday in South West France. If you have stayed with us before and are thinking of returning next summer please don't wait too long to book.

05/09/2023

The kamado BBQ has been a lot of fun. I was lucky enough to have people here to help me assemble it and lift it in place when it arrived. I am still learning how to use it properly but so far I'm very pleased. The 'juicy lucy' stuffed burgers went down very well and last night's pulled pork was delicious. Still a lot to learn but I'm getting there

03/08/2023

Today's bread. Two plain sourdough, one with grains and one sun-dried tomato, rosemary and smoked paprika

31/07/2023

Recent pizzas made for guests: patna ham, sun-dried tomato, artichoke hearts and chorizo.

23/07/2023

This is a recent comment that was written into our guest book.

22/07/2023

Piece of cake. Dee, our guest at The Cottage Gîte had her birthday today so I made a very gooey chocolate cake for her.

22/07/2023

22/07/2023

22/07/2023

We are very lucky to live in such a beautiful place