Welcome to Lake Chanteboeuf…

Welcome to Chanteboeuf, the best small carp fishery and most unique, intimate carp lake anywhere in France where the average carp caught is now mid 50s, topped out by our biggest mirror coming out at just over 91 lbs! This amazing 3 acre lake carries a massive head of big carp, with impressive 60’s, 70’s and 80’s being caught. And in addition to this incredible stock of carp, Chanteboeuf is blessed with having a beautiful house right by the lakeside.

Set in the Limousin region, the lake is surrounded by beautiful countryside. Set in its own private grounds and flanked by its own forest, a neighbouring farm and our new venue Lake Mongenet, which is half a mile further down our private drive. The venue consists of the specimen Carp lake, the lakeside house, lovely purpose built lodge, and the tree fringed stock pond.

Landscaped lawns, shaded copses and seated areas all in your own secret angling paradise. A perfect holiday venue for the angler with a partner or a family who can enjoy the house and facilities while you catch these incredible hard fighting carp.

For more information, please email us or call/text or WhatsApp us on 07802438509

Please note that your booking will only be accepted once a deposit has been paid. All balances must then be paid 8 weeks before your holiday. Failure to do so will result in the week being released to our waiting list.

Latest Images…

Stock Pond, Lake and House

We now allow guests to fish the stock pond so that anglers can have a few off the top or those with children who might want to wile away a couple of hours with them with a float rod. The pond is stocked with small carp from 3lbs up to 10lb to keep you on your toes. If fishing for them isn’t on the agenda, it’s great fun feeding them with bits of bread or just a lovely place to sit with a glass of wine and take it all in.

Chanteboeuf is well maintained, clean, quiet and relaxing. Ideal for couples, or anglers wanting to share their pastime with the family or experienced anglers who have done the fishing circuit and now require comfort in a secure, peaceful and stunning environment, fishing for massive carp.

This private and secluded lake offers a superb head of big fish in pristine condition with a great mix of commons and mirrors starting from mid/high thirties, mostly averaging high 50’s with more and more 60’s coming out each year. There are several known 60’s, four different 70’s and two 80’s going up to a new official lake record of just over 91lb (note this big girl usually comes out in the 80’s but when she’s in the mood she eats for France and can go very very big) this beautiful fish has made several anglers dreams come true and she gets caught several times each year.

Exclusively Yours…

Chantebeouf is an exclusive venue that can be booked by only one party at any time. Your booking will consist of exclusive fishing on the main lake and use of the two bedroom house and all of the facilities you will find described on this site including the gorgeous grounds. Larger non fishing groups are welcome to accompany your party on site and we have a one bedroom purpose built lodge with open plan living area and fitted kitchen, fitted bathroom and satellite TV. The Lodge can be hired separately but only by guests already booked into the main house. Please call us to discuss any specific needs, requirements or questions.

We will have said elsewhere on this site that Chantebeouf is a ‘fisherman’s’ water. If you are into chucking big leads out to the horizon or need to have 4 rods pointing out of your pitch, then Chantebeouf isn’t for you.  On this intimate lake you are never far away from the fish, it has marginal features and an interesting lakebed with plenty of areas to find feeding fish. They also show themselves regularly and a bait to a showing fish will often pay off.

We can provide a full hire of tackle or you can, of course, bring your own. Note though, that through action rods, light clutches and balanced tackle will result in more takes, enjoyment and very few hook pulls. If you fish it right, the rewards are incredible and your arms will truly ache.

Lastly, Chanteboeuf is not set up for groups of lads. It suits one or two anglers with guests. Or not. If you are looking for a venue for three or at a push 4 people fishing, then please have look at Etang Meunier, our sister venue, only 40 minutes away. At 6.5 acres and tree lined, it’s more akin to a mature English Estate Lake. It has a 2 bedroom house overlooking the lake, and is surrounded by trees and woods and it’s history pre dates back to Napoleonic times. It’s a fantastic water featured in several TV films and in its depths there are some huge carp up to nearly 70lb’s, with plenty of back up 50lb+ fish. Etang Meunier has been fished by some of the best anglers in the business.

The Lake & The Fishing

The lake is incredibly well stocked with a big head of very big hard fighting Carp. If you get chance to see Alan Blair’s film on Nash TV / Youtube, the Discovery Episode of Pursuit or Rob Hughes on BT Sport you will see just how hard the Chanteboeuf fish fight. There are a very few 30 pound fish in the lake with the majority of the stock being very big. For such an intimate water of this size, the stock and size of the carp is incredible, and they continue to grow and thrive and are in great condition. It has been put down to the quality of the water and the natural food sources that means it can support such a big healthy stock. We also manage a year round baiting campaign that keeps them putting on weight healthily and in top condition.

Fishing is with 2 rods per person and for only two people fishing on the lake at any one time. You really don’t need more than 2 rods per person as the fish are never that far away from you and you can easily cover all the water. We have found that the less lines in the lake result in more action and you will find that once you are into one of these fish, the less lines and gear in the way, the better.

The fish can at times respond well to a big bed of our locally sourced HNV boilies  They are high in nutrition and it’s what we feed the fish on during the close season, so it’s a bait they know as a beneficial food source and respond very well to. Other times they require a more subtle approach with smaller pockets of feed and it’s always worth casting to a showing fish and working the margins. In the lead up to your trip Carl will keep you updated on how the lake is fishing and what the carp are responding to.

Chanteboeuf is the best place for the angler that wants to enjoy their fishing with family and friends in beautiful private surroundings. It is the perfect family or small group fishing venue as it offers fishing in a luxury setting for very big Carp but has so much for the family and non angling guests too. The high head of big Carp means that each time you hook into a fish it’s going to be big.  The Chantebeouf fish fight really hard and don’t give up easily. Also on certain days you will have several takes and so it can be really fast and furious – and really exciting.

Many of our guests and we include ourselves, fish for a few hours in the morning and again in the afternoon and into the evening as it’s not a water that needs the session approach to catch and enjoy the fishing. Of course, you are welcome to put in the serious rod hours in your swim but you may find yourself tempted to just relax by the lakeside or on the veranda with a glass of something.

Our Other Lakes

Accommodation

The house at Chanteboeuf overlooks, and is just a few feet from, the main lake and the wooden lodge with its own terrace has a view of the stock pond, a shaded copse and forest. In addition there are fisherman’s huts, places to walk, sit or have a picnic, and once through the gates – it’s your own exclusive haven.

Rob Hughes at Lake Chanteboeuf

For the non-Anglers…

We had been looking for a venue that carp anglers could bring their partners, family or non angling friends to, without compromising the quality of fishing or the holiday experience for all. We think we found that in Chantebeouf. Whether enjoying a glass or two on the veranda overlooking the lake. Or sitting in one of the copse areas, enjoying the view, walking around the lake, in the woods or down the farm track. Feeding the fish and ducks on the stock pond – you will soon relax into the tranquil surroundings of Chantebeouf and the Limousin.

There are a lot of safe places to roam, play and explore, a chicken coup and lots of wildlife to see. You will often see deer walking around and we have our own resident owl, kingfishers and woodpeckers.

If you can pull yourselves away from the lovely Chanteboeuf, there are some really fabulous historic towns, chateau’s, parks, forests and meandering rivers to explore. There are lots of places to eat and drink in the nearby historic towns of St Junien and Rochechouart. St Junien sits on the river Vienne and is notable for being on the famous crusading route of Richard the Lionheart. Rochechouart is a beautiful town with a stunning chateau, lovely walks and great restaurants

The whole area is a designated place of outstanding beauty and nature reserves. But if you fancied a day at the coast the nearest to us is La Rochelle with its limestone cliffs, cobblestone streets, great sea food restaurants and beautiful coastals walks and beaches.

Oradour sur Glane is something not to be missed and I haven’t met anyone who hasn’t been incredibly moved by the experience of walking around this tragic village monument left as it was on 10th June 1944 when most of its inhabitants were massacred by the Nazis. A powerful atmospheric glimpse of a historic WW2 outrage.

There are two fabulous artificial lakes a short drive away that offer wonderful facilities such as beaches, swimming, water sports, tree top adventures, picnics and camping. Lac de Vassiviere is one of Frances largest lakes and famous in France for its watersports. Dominated by its own Chateau that is situated on an island in the centre of the lake, and offers loads to do for the family.

Lac de Saint Pardoux at 300 hectares is one of the most visited tourist destinations in the region offering; abseiling, watersports, mountain biking, acrobatic tree and adventure parks, parcours, tennis and numerous beaches. Both Pardoux and Vassiviere are stunning locations with loads to do if you want to try and drag the angler in your group away from the rods for a few hours.

Things to do nearby

Set in the national park region, the town of St. Junien is just 8 minutes drive away. It is the second largest town in the Haute Vienne. It is also the capital of luxury leather glove manufacturing. There is a nearby golf resort which incorporates a gourmet restaurant.

There is also great hiking and mountain bike trails in the area and a train station with a direct link to Paris. Limoges is the nearest city where the famous Limoges porcelain comes from. It is about 30km away and has many places of history, art and museums to visit. Limoges also has its own airport with daily flights throughout most of the year to England. Rochechouart is Limousin’s picture-perfect town to visit with a large chateau, shops and resturants, 15 mins drive away.

Tackle Hire

The tackle we hire is the same as we use in our angling TV programmes. We provide the whole set up to include your rods, reels, pods, buzzers, bedchairs and chairs.   Our tackle can be hired for £150 per person and consists of 2 carp rods, 2 Shimano bait runner reels loaded with 15lb main line.  A Nash or Solar rod pod. 2 Delkim TXI bite alarms with nite light bobbins.  This tackle package has to be hired in advance to be available for your trip. Bedchairs are hired at £25 each and Chairs at £10 each. Weigh Slings, nets, and unhooking mats are supplied free of charge. Please do not bring your own on site as this can lead to the spread of disease.

You can also bring your own tackle if driving but again please note our rules and guidelines. As anglers ourselves and having fished for many years around France and the rest of the World we totally understand your desire to do things your own way and so as long as you stick within the rules and guidelines we are happy for you to bring and use your own tackle.

Fly In and Pick Up

If you should wish to fly into Limoges airport we can arrange for you to be collected upon your arrival and be catching big fish within a couple of hours after leaving home.  But, we do advise that you to hire a small car rather than an a airport pick up as this will give you a lot more freedom to get supplies from the supermarket as there isn’t one within walking distance and for days out sightseeing or going for a meal at local restaurants.

Bookings & Regulations

Please enter your details and click the SEND button. We will respond to you as soon as possible. We have limited dates available as we only allow a few weeks a year to be booked out.

Bookings & Rules (please see rules and fish handling guidelines at the top of the homepage). This is not a commercial water, and to ensure there is no pressure on our fish, the lake is only available for a limited number of weeks a year, so bookings are of a premium.

We do this to keep the stock in prime condition with less stress. The lake is spring-fed, tree lined and has a clay bed. The carp are productive all year round and this is predominantly a daytime fishery. Chanteboeuf caters for two anglers with exclusive use of the lake, house and grounds.  All this is set in a tranquil and exclusive venue designed for the experienced angler who is looking for a relaxing holiday with exceptional fishing.

Anglers are asked to arrive no earlier 2pm on Saturday and vacate by 9am the following Saturday to give our house keeper the time to clean and have the property ready for the next guests. There is a no smoking rule in the house or lodge and we expect you to leave the accomodation in the condition you find it.

Your booking does not include travel insurance or personal insurance. We cannot be held responsible for any disruption to your journey and we advise you to have travel/breakdown and also health and medical insurance before departing. If for some unforseen reason that we have to close the lake at short notice you will be notified immediately and all monies paid to us will be refunded to you.  Please make sure you have adequate travel insurance to cover all possible situations.

Please respect our rules (see separately at the top of this website) We hope you enjoy your holiday and the facilities at Chanteboeuf meet your requirements. Hopefully you will achieve a new personal best – many do. Have a great week fishing!

For more information, please email us Or WhatsApp/text us on 07802438509

A non-refundable deposit of £500 will be required to secure your booking. Please phone or email to check your chosen dates are available or for any further information. The outstanding balance for your trip must be paid eight weeks in advance of your booking.