The 5 BEST Bed and Breakfasts in Charente, France [year]

Wondering which are the best bed and breakfasts in the Charente? Let’s find out.

If you’re looking for a rural French experience then the Charente in South West France is the perfect spot. With countless hours of sunshine and rich history, it is very much part of the rural French countryside.

But where should you stay?

Do you choose a bed and breakfast in the Charente, or do you opt for self-catering accommodation?

Living as I do in the North of the Charente, I know many of the best B&Bs, gites and Table d’Hotes in the area. And hear about some of the new ones springing up as well.

In this article, I’ll share some of my favourite bed and breakfasts to help you have the perfect rural French adventure.

The Differences Between a Gite, Chambre d’Hotes, and Table d’Hotes

If you’re in the market for a French getaway, you’ll see some words floating around, and if you’re not fluent in the language, this can make things rather tricky.

I’m here to help you figure out your Gite from your Table d’Hotes so you book the type of stay you’re looking for.

A French Gite

First up is a Gite. It’s a short-term self-catering accommodation property – usually a house or flat. Think about the type of place you’d rent if you were looking on Airbnb.

Although most gites are self-catering, with facilities to make your own meals, there might be extra services provided by the property owner, such as clearing or booking activities.

However, this will very much be dependent on individual properties and is something you should look into if you require it.

The self-catering aspect means that you might save some money upfront, and can cook meals to accommodate all the family – which will be cheaper than eating every meal out.

Plus, you’ll usually have the whole space to yourself, so it’s like a home away from home.

However, if you’re looking to step away from the hustle and bustle of life and have someone take over cooking for some meals, it might not be the best option.

You’ll also have to look into local supermarkets or grocery stores and might need a car to cart the shopping back for cooking.

Although, for me, part of the pleasure of coming to France is exploring their local markets and supermarkets and making some traditional French dishes such as beef bourguignon, mussels in white wine sauce, and tarte tatin.

However, I totally understand that if you’re visiting for a holiday, you’ll want to put your apron down and avoid the kitchen!

Chambre d’Hotes

Next up is a Chambre d’Hotes, which is the French equivalent of a bed and breakfast or a guest house.

It’s usually run by the owners of the home that you stay in and will include an overnight stay and breakfast in the morning. A chambre d’hotes can hold up to 15 guests over 5 bedrooms, so you’ll likely be sharing the space with other families (unless you need all the rooms).

Many people love staying in a guest house as you get an authentic experience, usually run by locals. This means you get insider knowledge into the area, and you don’t need to worry about making your own breakfast.

However, as you’ll be sharing the space with other families, there is less privacy, and the lack of usable kitchen facilities makes the stay a little flexible.

You’ll probably have to eat most of your lunch and dinners out, which will have to be budgeted into your stay.

Table d’Hotes

And finally, you’ve got the option of staying in a Table d’Hotes, but with the addition of dinner. However, there are some restrictions, as the meal must be served at the family dinner table with a restricted menu (i.e. there is no choice).

Again, if you’re looking for an authentic experience, and want to avoid thinking about what to cook for every meal, then this might be an excellent option for you.

But, it offers very little flexibility, and you’ll be sharing the space with other guests and the owners – so if you want a private get-together, it might not be right for you.

FAQs About Where to Stay in the Charente