News from the Lake in 2025 Carl Wood & Wife Lyn Return to Chanteboeuf 2nd August 2025 Back to Lake Chanteboeuf again after our last trip in 2022. I’ve been waiting a while to get back on this incredible lake and it certainly did not disappoint. The weather was hot but this didn’t seem to put the fish off. I didn’t get the rods out on the Saturday evening, I waited until Sunday morning and concentrated on watching the water with a cold beer for any signs of fish. It wasn’t long before a few fish gave the game away and told me where they wanted to be. So I cast a light lead out to where the fish were showing, put the line in the line clip, wrapped them......
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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.
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Archive Blogs
15th October 2025 Andy Watts is a Chanteboeuf regular and returned in mid October ….. I love Autumn fishing in France . In my opinion it’s the best time of the year to fish and hopefully a chance to get amongst the big girls , so i was really looking forward to Chanteboeuf and it didnt dissapoint … It was perfect weather for carping , so i decided to focus on a boilie only approach , fishing a hard hooker on the hair, hoping the fish were on the munch before winter Ive fished Chante a few times now and know a few productive spots but with the water level lower than usual due to a very hot summer out in France , my margin spots were a bit too......
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Guest feedback Thanks for a wonderful holiday (10 – 24 August). It was a pleasure to meet you and your family. The setting was beautifully tranquil with an abundance of kingfisher, deer and other wildlife. The property was fantastic, the swimming pool very welcome on the hot days and the lake stunning. The whole holiday worked perfectly for us. It was our family holiday (which just happened to be on the bank of a carp lake!) and we treated it as such. Whilst I did fish a few hours each day, we spent time off site at Lac St. Pardoux enjoying the water slides, lake beach and pedalos, we visited Oradour-Sur-Glane and took in the stark reality of the horrific events that took place there in June 1944, we......
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Shane Beckensall & family Regular guest Shane Beckensall has just had his family summer trip to the lake, hiring the house & lodge to accommodate his extended family. Fishing with his dad Phil whilst his wife Jo , daughter Phoebe and his in laws enjoyed the grounds, house, lodge and pool, Shane and dad bagged a fabulous tally of big fish in extremely hot conditions. And Phoebe also caught a fair few on the stock pond. Shane reported that due to the weather the fish really weren’t interested in feeding at the beginning of the trip and even the usual spots were only giving up the odd fish. On his previous visit in 2018 Shane took fifty Carp and so was looking to beat that total however with conditions more......
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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 and nothing under 35lb 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.
The House
The accommodation, which is nicely furnished, consists of 2 bedrooms. The main bedroom has an oak double bed, 2 bedside cabinets, chest of draws, and a large oak wardrobe with hanging space and shelves. With french doors opening onto the lake just feet from your room. Also supplied, free of charge, are fresh cotton bed linen, hairdryer, duvets and towels. There is heating for those colder nights with its own radiator.
The twin bedroom has two single beds, a bedside table and a large fitted wardrobe. It also has heating for the colder nights with its own radiator.
The fully fitted kitchen is open plan and has a great view of the lake through double doors and offers everything you could possibly need for your stay, with fridge freezer, oven, washing machine, dish washer, coffee maker, microwave, toaster and air fryer. We also supply tea towels free of charge for your use.
The adjoining sitting room with double glass doors also opens out onto the lake and is again fitted with a six person sofa, WiFi, a wide screen TV with Sky, Netflix and Freeview. It also has a A DVD player and an extensive stack of DVD’s, a sideboard and well stocked bookshelf with board games. A dining table that seats four people, with another fold out oak table for extra guests. A perfect place to relax and eat with wonderful lake views.
The veranda facing the lake runs across the back of the house and has two high quality bench tables which will seat up to eight people. There’s also a wooden bench seat and a gas BBQ for those lovely warm evenings. it also has two bait prep/rig tables, a small chest freezer to store your bait in. There are two wooden loungers on the grass for you to relax on in the sunshine.
The Lodge
The Lodge can be hired separately if you have a bigger group accompanying you.
The wooden lodge compromises of one double bedroom with kingsize bed and bedside cabinet. The open plan living area has a double sofa bed, a TV, DVD and Freeview. The fully fitted kitchen area has a gas cooker, fridge with freezer compartment, microwave, toaster & coffee maker.
The toilet and shower room in the lodge is fitted to a high stardard. Cotton bed linen, duvets, towels and tea towels are also supplied free of charge. The lodge has its own private entrance with outside decking and a wooden picnic table which seats 4 and looks out over the stock pond and is only 20 metres from the main lake.
Ther are various shady copses, and various grassy spaces around the lake or by the stock pond. Guests can fish the stock pond for a mix of coarse species and a head of carp between 3-10lbs – ideal for a bit of fun fishing with the kids, a bit of easy floater fishing and a lovely spot for a family picnic.
Rob Hughes at Lake Chanteboeuf
Testimonials
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
We have a fully equipped tackle hire service for all of your tackle needs for a comfortable week or two’s fishing and you can fly into Limoges airport which is just 25 minutes away. But we do recommend that you hire a small car for travelling, shopping and sightseeing.
Bait
We require all anglers to purchase the fresh bait sold on site. Our boilies are made locally for use on our three lakes and for use in our angling TV shows. They are of high nutritional value and the fish absolutely love them. We’ve done this not from a profit point of view but from a fish welfare aspect. We make very little profit on our bait but this ensures that our fish are always getting top quality food. So no other bait is allowed on site. This also allows us to monitor the amount of bait that goes into the lake on a weekly basis which is impotant for the health of the fish and lake going forward.
BAIT COSTS
Our bait is competively priced and is of top quality. We will supply you with an up to date price list before your trip.
THE BOILIES
Our bait is made locally for us and we offer two different flavoured boilies. A nut milk protein 18mm boilie which is light in colour and a darker fishmeal boilie also in 18mm.
We also offer matching popups and hard hookers to match our boilies.
Also 25kg sacks of top quality “Aller Aqua” best pellets which our fish are fed on all year round.
MAIZE
We sell 5kg tubs of freshly prepared maize. This needs to be ordered a week before your trip.
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 Day Chairs at £15 each for the week. 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
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 than 2pm on Saturday and vacate by 8.30am 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 Carl 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.