The Property - Overview  The property is called Les Vieux Chais (pronounced lay vee-yuh shay) and is set on the banks  of the Charente river in the village of Bourg-Charente, just 10kms from the town of Cognac, SW  France.  The name means ‘the old chais’ and a chai is an above ground storage area for Cognac or  eau-de-vie as opposed to a cave which is underground.  Built in the 1840s by Hennessey, makers of world famous Cognac, it  was used for over 150 years to store its produce.  Horse-drawn barges  would transport barrels to and from Les Vieux Chais and  thousands of these would have been stored here over the years with  those of exceptional quality remaining over 50 years whilst their  contents matured and developed further.  Stables were provided for  the horses and we understand their were chickens and pigs as well.    We purchased the property in 2006 and over time an incredible  amount of work has been done...the courtyard and private garden  were landscaped; rooms were transformed; new boilers and new  heating systems were installed; kitchens and bathrooms were  completely updated; a mooring was renovated; fruit trees, plants,  bulbs and shrubs were planted; walkways, terraces and a driveway  were laid; the courtyard and other exterior walls were painted and all  the while our focus was on quality and comfort.   The result is a beautiful property where you can relax and entertain; watch and be with nature; open  your doors and invite the world in or close them and keep it all to yourself.  If you are wondering what some of your options might be at Les Vieux Chais, the property offers a  multitude of exciting opportunities and subject to planning permission where necessary, here are  some suggestions: 1. If your dream is to move to a warmer climate, be mortgage free and live in a lovely location,  then Les Vieux Chais could be just the place for you, your immediate family and even your  extended family. 2. It was recently registered for self-catering holiday accommodation and B&B and though it is  not necessary for you to do this, if you did wish to generate income this way, registration is a  simple procedure and the local Tourist Office is very helpful.    3. The property has achieved as much as £3,000 per week through tourism.  4. If you would like to advance the property further, outline planning permission in the form of a  Certificate d'Urbanisme has been granted to develop part of the buildings into 3 more  dwellings - some 300m2 (3,200 sq. ft.).  When constructed this additional habitable space  could be offered as tourist accommodation, sold, or greatly increase what is already a  substantial family residence. 5. The residue of unmodernized chais, some 960m2 (10,300 sq. ft.), presents many further  possibilities, for example: vehicle and boat storage; kennels; workshops (there is also three  phase electric power); indoor swimming pool, tennis courts or other sporting activities - it is  even big enough for an indoor 5 a side football pitch; gymnasium; gallery; conventions; or  even more dwellings.    6. If it is not possible for you to live at Les Vieux Chais in the immediate future, there is a ready  market for longer term rentals in the region       At a glance...   2 houses 2 utility rooms 3 kitchens 3 moorings 3 acres 4 reception rooms, two circa  170m2 (1,800 sq. ft.) and  140m2 (1,500 sq. ft.)  6 double bedrooms 6 bathrooms/shower rooms (4 ensuite) + separate WC 90m2 (968 sq. ft.) storage room PLANNING PERMISSION  TO DEVELOP a further  300m2 (3,200 sq. ft.) into  three cottages/apartments  (Certificate d'Urbanisme)    Scope for further develop-  ment in the remaining  1,100m2 (11,800 sq. ft.) of  buildings  Champtionship Golf course 2kms Fishing 100m The village has a Michelin  Star Restaurant; school; a  12th century church; épicerie;  post office; corner shop with  fresh bread and croissants  each morning; and a camp  site. Les Vieux Chais has been  registered for self-catering  and B&B holiday accom-  modation.  Made with Xara © Hot Property France 2011 Disclaimer/Privacy Competition status:   OPEN Register for our Newsletter Help Promote the Competition Links