CHENEVAUX
Welcome to our French country home
Chenevaux is a 300-year-old former hamlet set amongst three hectares of grounds in the Vienne department, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. For the past five years, we have been fortunate to call Chenevaux home. Today, we welcome guests here in two different ways: through our Hosted Stays and our self-catering Cottage Stays.
Some places make an impression from the moment you arrive, while others reveal themselves slowly, one ordinary moment at a time. When we first arrived, we noticed the charm of the buildings and the peaceful setting. However, it was only with time that we began to appreciate the quieter things. The changing light throughout the day. The freshness of the air after rain. The way the sky seems to stretch a little further than expected. Even the silence carries its own sense of peace.
None of these things are remarkable on their own, but together they create something that's much harder to describe. It's what gives Chenevaux its character, and what we've come to treasure most about living here.
Chenevaux at a Glance
The Hamlet
Three hectares of grounds to enjoy, with garden golf, charcoal barbecue, croquet lawn, petanque, table tennis.
Location
Saint-Pierre-de-Maillé, Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France.
Cottage Stays
Independent use of our restored
2-bedroom cottage (sleeps up to 5)
with full self-catering freedom.
Hosted Stays
A relaxed, small-group week for up to four guests, sharing our local way of life, meals, and favourite spots.
The Pool
Heated swimming pool,
open from May to September.
Creating Chenevaux
We arrived at Chenevaux in 2021 after spending several years exploring France in our motorhome, discovering different regions and wondering where we might eventually settle. We weren't searching for a house like this. We were simply looking for a place that felt right.
The moment we arrived, surrounded by charming old stone buildings, beautiful gardens and open countryside, we knew we'd found it.
Since then, Chenevaux has become our home and our way of life. We've gently restored the cottage, cared for the gardens and gradually shaped it into the kind of place we would love to stay at ourselves. Comfortable without excess, peaceful without feeling isolated, and welcoming from the moment you arrive.
The gardens change with the seasons, there is always another project underway, and the surrounding villages have become woven into the fabric of our weekly routine. It's a simpler way of life that we continue to appreciate every day, and it's something we love sharing with the people who stay here.
Stay at Chenevaux
There are two ways to experience a stay at Chenevaux, depending on how you like to travel. You can choose the complete independence of a Cottage Stay, or join us for a hosted, small-group week. They are different paths through the same countryside, but both offer thoughtful attention to detail, quiet comfort and a warm welcome.
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Hosted Stays
For those who want a guided slice of local life.
Join us for a relaxed, small-group week for up to four guests, where we share some of our favourite places with you. Leisurely breakfasts, village markets, local cafés, bike rides, brocantes and evening apéritifs are some of the things we enjoy and how we spend our time. You're welcome to do as much or as little as you like, and there's plenty of time to simply enjoy the gentle rhythm of life at Chenevaux.
Cottage Stays
For those who want to set their own pace.
