 |
Direct booking, independent holiday breaks throughout France, in privately owned self catering country houses, cottages, gites and apartments, villas and traditional farmhouses, or in a choice of delightful Bed and Breakfast Chambres d'Hôtes. | |
Holiday Homes In France 1998-2008 |
|
Peaceful Watermill and Cottage in the Dordogne
Plazac, between Périgueux and Sarlat, in Southwest France
House: 5 bedrooms, sleeps 10 people. La Bergerie: 3 bedrooms, sleeps 6 people.
Le Moulin
Bordered by a stream and set next to a private château, these two charming detached properties offer the privacy you need to relax and pamper yourself. Renovated to a high standard while retaining their original features, you can savour the special ambience of the real Dordogne. The local village, which has all essential amenities is within walking distance. Also close by are the historic towns of Sarlat and Les Eyzies. Indeed all the attractions of the Dordogne and Vezere valleys are within easy reach, so there is plenty to see and do even if the sun's not shining. Otherwise go mountain biking in the hills (direct from the properties), canoeing, horse riding, fishing, river swimming, golfing or just laze by the pool enjoying a book and a glass of vin blanc in the beautiful surroundings.
Le Moulin comprises two properties, Le Moulin and La Bergerie. The former, pictured above left, a sympathetically converted watermill, was used to grind locally grown walnuts for their oil. There is an attractive mill pond at the front of Le Moulin which is now the home of a large number of fish and this is surrounded by a large private garden bordered by a small stream. The garden features many different types of trees, evergreen and deciduous with shrubs and plants and has a very large grassed area. Le Moulin sleeps eight in comfort but two more children can be accommodated in the single bedrooms. The house and garden offer a special ambience which is difficult to describe and, these days, very hard to find.
Le Moulin has three double and two single bedrooms, a bathroom, a shower room and three toilets. The kitchen is fully fitted and equipped with a dishwasher and washing machine, a freezer, fridge and cooker. Adjoining is a very large breakfast/dining room with a wood burning stove and a door leading to a raised outdoor balcony/entertaining area overlooking the garden. There is a very big lounge with an inglenook fireplace and Jotul wood burning stove, satellite TV/video and Bose CD hi-fi. The garden is secluded, private and runs to about an acre. The house is centrally heating making it suitable for year round letting. La Bergerie is a detached "Maison d'Amis" adjacent to Le Moulin and quite separate and private. It was completely renovated last season and features a new, fully fitted kitchen with all mod cons that include a fridge, freezer, a cooker, washing machine and dishwasher. There is a large lounge/dining room with huge inglenook fireplace and antique Jotul wood burning stove with a Technics CD hi-hi. There are three double bedrooms that sleep six adults comfortably and a bathroom with shower and toilet. A further two children can be taken with the addition of single beds in the double bedrooms. The large, private walled terrace garden opposite the pool has a half acre children's play area. The swimming pool, normally in use between May and October, measures 12m x 6m and has Roman steps at one end. Guests from both properties have exclusive use of the pool. The property is adjacent to a footpath/bridle way so there is direct access to miles of country tracks which reach into the surrounding hill country. It is ideal for walking and mountain biking. You can also hire horses from the local equestrian centres. There are tennis courts in the village and also a large fishing/swimming lake. The Vezere river is a 5 minute drive away and is very popular for canoeing as well as fishing and swimming. Otherwise the Dordogne river and valley is a half hour drive away. The weather here is mild and warm from mid April. Spring is a particularly pleasant time with abundant flora and temperatures in the low '70's. Summers are long and hot, usually in the '80's sometimes the '90's. However, winter rainfall and the occasional spectacular summer thunderstorm means the countryside remains very green and picturesque. Autumn is often a special time to visit. It's still warm and the foliage display is beautiful – reminiscent of the Fall in New England but much quieter with fewer tourists. The generally mild climate from April to October makes eating outdoors a pleasure and barbecues are supplied with both houses.
The Area
The Black Perigord was named after its famous black truffles, the gastronomes delight, which were reputed for their suffocating smell in the early part of the century. However, 'black' is also the colour of the abundant 'live' oak trees, under which the truffles are found, and which only drop their leaves in spring. In winter their 'black' leaves and dark shape dominate the skyline and are typical of the scenery in this part of the Dordogne. The local area is world renowned for its prehistoric painted and sculpted caves such as Lascaux (15 minutes from the property) and the wealth of prehistoric remains in the Vezere Valley. Medieval chateaux and towns abound, such as Domme and Sarlat, which are about a half hour drive away. For lovers of wine, St Emilion and Pomerol are about an hour to the west as are the many vineyards of Bergerac. A Fantastic Gastronomic Experience Awaits You! This is the Kingdom of the Foie Gras, of duck 'steaks' (magrets), of preserved goose and duck - and of the mighty truffle. The whole Southwest region is also the domain of noble wines and spirits, not only the great vintages of the Gironde, Medoc, Graves, Pomerol and St Emilion but also the eaux de vie of Cognac and Armagnac. Of all the regions of SW France, the Dordogne is undoubtedly the one which has the best preserved traditions. The older people here still wear berets and walk with canes; they sit in their armchairs beside the fire and shell chestnuts and walnuts – a very prestigious and valuable crop in these parts. Traditional ingredients abound and end up in dishes that bring the aroma of the whole country to the taste buds. Stuffed goose neck, preserved goose and duck confits, foie gras and truffles. Potatoes cooked in the Sarlat style, with garlic, are the standard accompaniment. Pate de foie gras is only one of the many forms of the local pates which might equally be based on partridge or chicken livers. The truffle is also used in many of the various shaped terrines. ThThis 'black diamond' belongs to a rare variety of fungi and is said to be an aphrodisiac. Its perfume is one of the most intoxicating imaginable. This perfume enhances many dishes in the form of truffle juice, thin shavings, or more substantial portions. In scrambled eggs, an omelet or simple salad the truffle can work wonders. All of this can be enjoyed in the many restaurants in the area. From the inexpensive 'Fermes Auberges' offering simple local country cooking, to haute cuisine in Michelin starred restaurants. But if the kids are missing their Big Macs and fries – that's here too! Travel Information
Availability Check
Prices and booking information
All prices are per week Saturday to Saturday arriving at 5pm departing at 9am Bed linen and towels are included in the price Pool towels can be hired if needed, otherwise please bring your own We provide a free welcome pack including beer, wine, tea, milk, coffee, so that you can relax when you arrive. The resident owners will allow use of their phone for emergency/urgent needs and will also be happy to advise or help with any other specific requirements. Guests are advised that as various water features (mill pond, stream, ornamental pond, pool) exist at the properties, so special care should be taken with young children Pool Towels - €4 per week Arrival evening meals - adult €18 Arrival evening meals - child €10 Child Minding (by arrangement) - €10 per hour Mountain bike hire - €12 per day Cot / High Chair - free A deposit of 25% is requested on booking with the remainder paid 8 weeks before arrival, together with a returnable damage deposit of £150 per week booked
Telephone: 05 53 50 30 06 (International + 33 5 53 50 30 06) Please mention Vacation France when contacting the owner
|
| Site Endorsements | About Us | Travel Directory | Terms and Conditions | |
| 1998-2008 Copyright Vacation France Limited | |
