“A return visit for us, so we knew we were coming to a spotless Gite with all the facilities we could need.

A perfect place to relax, do nothing and re-charge the batteries.  Thank you for creating this retreat.

We hope to return again.”

Alison & John – August 2023

“Just wanted to say thank you so much for our lovely stay.

We had a great holiday.”

Lucie & family – July 22nd – August 5th 2023

Diane & Ian

“Thank you both for making our holiday at Le Raby so enjoyable.  The Gite was wonderful; we had everything we needed.  You have really thought of everything to make it perfect!

The pool and outside areas are amazing and we enjoyed eating our BBQ’s & lunch in the outside eating areas & playing chess & boules.  The bikes were great too; we enjoyed cycling around the vineyards and up to the boulangerie in St. Meme.

You are both amazing hosts and we loved our last evening having drinks with you.

We have honestly had a wonderful holiday in a beautiful and peaceful location and we will be coming back soon!

Lots of love and thank you for a great holiday!”

Tasha, Louis, Issy & Harry – 21st July 2023

Diane & Ian

“Many thanks for a peaceful, relaxing and very enjoyable two weeks in Le Chai.  One of the nicest Gites we have stayed in – very comfortable and well equipped.  The outside space is lovely – beautifully kept, with many different areas offering sun and shade at all times of the day.  The pool was a godsend on some very hot days!

We’ve enjoyed the beautiful views over the vineyards and the sunflowers, and also the wildlife- hares, deer, bats and the Kestrels and Little Owls and their young.

Last but not least many thanks again to Ian & Diane for their hospitality; helpful suggestions and information.

Would highly recommend.”

Lindsay, Bernard, John & Many – West Sussex/Herefordshire – June 13th -27th 2023

Diane & Ian

“What a blissful haven you have created at Le Raby and we have appreciated the last ten days relaxing and enjoying the comfort it affords.

Thank you for your kind hospitality and for sharing the Kestrel family with us and the Little Owls.  We wonder if they will raise a family too in the safety and comfort of your grounds.

Especially we would like to thank you both for your kind hospitality and warmth.”

Sheila & Martin – East Anglia – June 2023

Diane & Ian

“Thank you so much for a fab holiday!  We’ve enjoyed everything about our stay at Le Raby.  An amazing welcome, a really comfy Gite, great attraction to detail with everything.  We loved the pétanque and pool and loved the surroundings.  Amazing to spend time in such a beautiful peaceful place.

We’ll be back.  Thank you again.”

Fiona, Brian, Helen, Martin – Kent – 2nd June 2023

Diane & Ian

“Thank you for a lovely stay – your place is lovely.  France is very chilling & that’s what we needed.  Hope to see you soon.”

Mick & Jo – Middlesbrough – May 2023

“Dear Diane & Ian

Thank you both so much for your wonderful and kind hospitality during our stay at Le Raby.  The quality and standards at Le Raby are exceptional.  You have both created a mini “paradise” here are we have enjoyed all the wonderful facilities you have generously provided.  Thank you both, so much, for going to purchase medication for Sorcha when she was unwell.  Your kindness and thoughtfulness made our stay here extra special. 

Le Raby is quite honestly the loveliest Gite we have ever stayed at.

We very much hope to return next year.”

Sara, Joel, Molly and Sorcha. 26th August 2022

“Staying at Le Raby is akin to residing in a 5 star hotel without any disturbance from anyone else and with the most wonderful hosts.  We have loved the peace and tranquility, the pool, the stars, the walks, the beds and all those little extras you don’t find elsewhere!  A relaxed week paddle boarding, cycling, exploring what the area has to offer in the most incredible heat!

Thank you so much Diane & Ian.”

The Mitchells – 12th August 2022

After our return trip in 2021 was cancelled, Le Raby became a bit of a dream …… finally arriving was, literally, a dream come true, and everything we hoped for!

This is a truly special place.  Thank you so much – we’ll see you again.

Helen & Daren – 6th August 2022

“Diane & Ian

What a wonderful base for our final big family holiday.  You have simply thought of everything to equip the Gites with; and as for the beds – more comfortable than ours at home!  We have used every area of the courtyard and the pétanque court! 

Lots of laughs, giggles and memories made. Your hospitality is second to none, with advice on where to go for a day out or just a simple picnic spot.  The cognac tasting evening was amazing too!

Be proud of what you have created.”

Liza, Simon, Caitlin & Adam.  July 2022

Diane & Ian. 

We could not have wished to meet a more hospitable couple.  We have no more superlatives than have been detailed by previous guests to describe the Gites and surrounding complex.  The thought and care taken with the accommodation means if the Gites don’t provide it …. you don’t need it!

We walked, cycled, read, swam, played chess, visited nearby towns and ate our own body weight in cheese and wine,  What more would we need from a holiday!

Thank you both for the invitation to the nearby hunt lunch.  An extremely enjoyable & boisterous afternoon.  It was a highlight.

Be confident that you have created a special place at Le Raby, you should both be very proud.

Would love to return.

Thank you both

Sian & Malcolm – Le Pressoir – June 2022 

Diane & Ian.  Le Raby Gites are absolutely wonderful.  We adore the location and the gites provide everything you could possible need …. and more! We love coming here and your hospitality makes it an unbelievable experience.  Each time we come we find new and different adventures to add to our memories.

A very special place filled with happiness.

Thank you both

Janet & Tim – May 2022

Thank you so much Diane & Ian.  We have had a wonderful stay.  Your both fabulous hosts and the gites are amazing.  This will always be a special place for us.

Love Trevor & Janet x – May 2022

Well, what can we say that has not been said already?!  Everything was perfect because Diane & Ian work very hard to make it so.  Absolutely 1st class facilities worthy of a luxury villa.  We’ve had the most relaxing month here after the last rotten year we’ve all suffered – and the time has just flown by and we’ve forgotten all our cares and woes!  With generous hospitality on top, this was a holiday we shall treasure and hope to return…..?!

A Bientot

Diane & Jonathon – September – October 2021

Dear Diane & Ian

Thank you for a wonderful stay at Le Raby.  We’ve thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  You’ve a great set up here and the extra efforts you go to both ahead of time and while we’ve been here has much been appreciated.

Excellent recommendations of things to do and places to eat and we really enjoyed the Cognac tasting evening.

All the best

Laura & Joe – August 2021

Thank you both so much for sharing this beautiful place with us.  We’ve enjoyed so much just being able to switch off and relax.  I don’t think we’ve ever stayed anywhere so neat and with such an incredible array of advice and recommendations to help us make the most of our stay.  I’ve loved being able to be up & out early running around the village, watching the farmers tending their vines in the cool.

This is definitely somewhere we’d recommend.

Thank you so much

Cath & Nick – August 2021

What you have here at Le Raby is nothing short of spectacular!  And what you both offer in terms of accommodation and hospitality is nothing short of perfection!  We have enjoyed every moment: relaxing, exploring, eating, drinking, cycling (Daren only), playing chess, petanque and more.  Thank you so much for bringing much needed brightness to 2020 – we will see you again!

Helen & Daren – Manchester – August 2020

Dear Diane & Ian – thank you for letting us stay in your amazing gite.  They have been renovated to an exceptional standard with every need catered for.  It has been great to explore a side of the Charente we have not been to before and your ‘tips’ of where to go have been useful.  We must thank you for such a memorable evening of a fascinating and detailed insight into Cognac production and allowing us to put a dent in your impressive cognac collection.  A wonderful week – we hope to meet you again.

Jan, Chris, Maya & Kaylan – Surrey – August 2020

Just returned from a fabulous and totally relaxing week at Le Raby – what an amazing place! Totally quiet and peaceful but many places of interest to visit just a few kilometers away. The gites have been lovingly restored to a very high spec and are fully equipped with every comfort. Diane and Ian are such welcoming and accommodating hosts who clearly love their home and the gorgeous accommodation they have created. For anyone who longs for rest and relaxation this is heaven!

Sandra – June 2019

Just spent an amazing week in these beautiful Gites. They have been recently renovated to an outstanding standard in a wonderful rural location amid the vineyards. We have really enjoyed the French culture of eating meals at lunchtimes and exploiting the amazing value and quality of the menus of the day at local restaurants followed by local wine and cheese back at our Gite. Everything in the Gite is of a really high standard and they have thought of everything including organic shampoo and shower gel, luxurious towels, bedding and pool towels, all kitchen equipment and crockery in excellent condition. Diane and Ian are wonderful hosts, with loads of ideas and local knowledge. We have been floating down the river, cycling on the Ile de Re, cognac tasting, walking alongside the eating and drinking. You do need a car due to the rural location. Can’t think of anything that could improve this holiday.

Janet P – May 2019

Le Raby Gites
After a wonderful stay at Le Raby Gites, just a few words about this tranquil holiday destination. Le Raby nestled in what appears to be fields of grapevines, although secluded having a bonus of being child and pet free, however on the other hand there is plenty to do in easy access from the Gites. Ian and Diane were excellent hosts only helping if it was required. The quality of the Gites were character filled with a modern twist. Overall an excellent holiday destination. 10/10 for friendliness, scenery and the quality of the individual Gites.

John and Karen Barnard Castle

A fantastic place for a relaxing digital detox.
The whole experience in 5 star in the truest sense. The surrounding are amazing and the attention to detail in the gites is second to none.
Diane and Ian are the perfect hosts.

Corinne W – September 2018

My family and I stayed in “Le Chai” at Le Raby for a week during August. Everyone loved the gite and the location. The gite was beautiful, stylish, immaculate and most suitable for all our needs. There is a huge amount of space in the court yard with the most perfect spots to sit in the sun or shade, swim in the swimming pool or play games. Although the gites are “away from it all”, just a short drive away you’ll find many places to visit and activities to do. Diane & Ian – the owners of the gite were very helpful with loads of advise but not intrusive and made us feel most welcome. Altogether a very restful holiday in a beautiful part of France. We cannot recommend Le Raby highly enough. It’s a real gem!

Pauline Gilchrist – August 2018

What a place. Never been so relaxed in all my life. Excellent facility’s we had everything and more. Beautiful views and local towns to explore. Diane and Ian where so helpful and welcoming. I will be back.

Lucy Urquhart – August 2018 

Fabulous quiet location but within easy reach of shopping, restaurants and places of interest. Also amazing local wildlife. Top quality accommodation inside and out. A very comfortable bed and a very well equipped gite. Special welcome pack with quality products. Fabulous pool area cleaned and maintained daily. Owners are available and very helpful without being intrusive. We will happily stay again.

Jocelyn Craven-Wilkinson July 2018 

Le Raby was the perfect place for a long weekend of relaxation, rosé and sunshine. The gite was beautiful, immaculate and comfortable – Diane and Ian could not have been more welcoming, hospitable and a pleasure to deal with. I can’t wait to come back!

Kate G.

What a blissful place, away from it all! Beautifully restored gites with an amazing attention to detail. Immaculate, stylish and comfortable. And Diane and Ian were the perfect hosts – friendly, accommodating and discrete. Thank you so much.

Catherine W.

We have just spent a blissful few days at Le Raby and cannot recommend enough! Diane & Ian are such welcoming hosts and have thought of everything to make your stay easy! Feeling very relaxed and recharged after an idyllic weekend! We’ll definitely be back!

Christina L.

I have been fortunate to be a guest in one of the wonderful gites at ‘Le Raby’. Situated in the rolling hills near the beautiful town of Cognac in the Charente area of France, Le Raby is a beautiful property surrounded by vineyards on three sides and a wonderful ancient forest on the other. The property has a heated swimming pool situated in a beautiful courtyard at the rear which encompasses the 4 gites. The historic buildings are constructed of honey-coloured stone with all the wonderful traditional touches that makes them uniquely French.

On the inside of my apartment there was comfort and luxury. It was beautifully designed with a balcony bedroom overlooking the lounge with its large traditional Charentaise fireplace all  built in the beautiful honey-coloured stone. It was equipped with a fully stocked kitchen. The bathroom was sumptuous with the best shower I have ever encountered anywhere in France. While there I went to nearby Angoulême for the fabulous Circuit des Remparts classic car motor races and I enjoyed the  local restaurants and bars. The property is beautiful, tranquil and the owners friendly and accommodating.

Jim – UK

We stayed for a week at le Raby and found it totally relaxing with excellent self-catering facilities. We enjoyed some cycling and visited a number of picturesque local villages plus first class restaurants. Le Raby is only a few kilometres from Cognac and this is reflected in a number of vineyards some of which you can buy locally produced wine from. In addition to this we thoroughly enjoyed a visit to one of the many famous Cognac distilleries. The hosts, Diane and Ian, are very helpful but not intrusive and we found their local knowledge to be excellent whether it was for food shopping or for recreational purposes.

Janet and Jonathan – UK

Thank you to our excellent hosts, Diane and Ian, who made our stay a truly relaxing and enjoyable experience. We were made to feel most welcome and they did everything possible to make us comfortable. The accommodation was excellent and with some really helpful tips and advice from Diane and Ian, we experienced some of the best local restaurants and of course wines. Lovely accommodation, with great hosts set in a beautiful area, we could not have wished for anything better. We are now looking forward to returning for more exploring and wine tasting! Thank you for making our stay so perfect.

Trev and Janet – UK