Petite Maison

Description

Set in the idyllic landscapes of the Perigord Vert in northern Dordogne, Petite Maison is a delightful home with glorious gardens and a private swimming pool, just a short stroll from a pretty village and lake.

Built with local Perigordian stone, keeping the rustic interiors cool in the height of the summer, this charming house has been beautifully renovated by its caring owners who have created a wonderful retreat for relaxing and unwinding. The open-plan living and kitchen space downstairs features exposed stone walls, characterful wood beams and an eclectic mix of vintage and modern furnishings whilst on the first floor there are two pretty double bedrooms with high-end king-size beds and Egyptian cotton bedlinen.

Step outside to the glorious gardens full of trees and flowers where you can help yourself to fruit and herbs in the summer or head down to the magnificent swimming pool and relax by the terrace. In the evenings you can sit by candlelight outside, drinking local wine whilst listening to the gentle sound of owls under the clear starry sky or during cooler months head inside to watch DVDs, listen to music or play board games that the owners have thoughtfully provided.

You can wander down to the sweet local village where you'll find a few shops and the local bistro or walk down to the nearby lake with a picnic to follow the 9km circular route discovering the wonderful flora and fauna around you. The lovely owners, who live on site, can give you a wealth of information about the local area including suggested itineraries in order to make the most of this captivating part of northern Dordogne.

In the Perigord Vert region you can explore the green cacophony of meadows, forests, rolling hills and rivers. Archetypal villages and towns are yours to discover such as beautiful Brantome on the River Drone, Saint-Jean-de-Cole, one of France's Plus Beaux Villages and Thiviers, where you can sample some Foie Gras at the Saturday morning market. Indeed, this region has an excellent reputation for its fine cuisine including walnuts, cheeses and some of the best black truffles in the world.

Take the train from the local town to the historic cities of Limoges and Perigueux or hire bikes to discover the nearby trails, including the enchanting Velorail, a 22km route along old railroad track through tunnels and over viaducts. If you are dreaming of a balloon ride across the Dordogne then this is certainly possible with a great place near Hautefort, just under an hour.

#### Features
Maison Interior

Ground Floor

- Open-plan lounge with Smart TV and DVD player
- Open-plan kitchen-diner, well-equipped including dishwasher, microwave, kettle, toaster, electric hob and oven, fridge-freezer and coffee maker
- Shower room with double sink, WC and walk-in shower plus laundry facilities

First Floor

- Two double bedrooms with king-size beds
Outside Grounds
- Salt-water swimming pool (12mx6m) with roman steps. Open 1st June to 30th Sept, weather permitting. 2 x pool safety alarms
- Outside shower
- Gas BBQ
- Al-fresco dining terrace
- Garden furnishings and sunbeds
- Gardens

Facilities

- Electric heating
- Wi-Fi
- Smart TV with British channels and recording facilities
- DVD player
- Music system
- Headphones
- Board games
- Books and magazines
- Hairdryer
- Bathrobes
- Cool box/picnic hamper
- Golf sets
- Washing machine
- Iron and ironing board

#### Location
Petite Maison is located in the Perigord Vert region of northern Dordogne, named because of the green cacophony of meadows, forests, rolling hills and rivers.

The house is situated a short stroll from a traditional village with a delightful square. At night in your garden you can hear the sounds of owls and see the stars in the clear skies.

In the local village (500m) you will be find a butchers (that also sells bread), a grocery store, a newsagents, a bar that is sometimes open, a post office, a brasserie and bistro, plus a lovely church. If you would like the owners to book you a table at the local bistro for the evening of arrival, just let us know.

There is also a manmade lake within walking distance with a lovely 9km circular trail where you can spot birds and discover the local flora and fauna. The owners can provide a picnic hamper/cool box for you to fill and take with you.

The owners have created a special file with a wealth of information about the local area and suggested itineraries. They will also provide you with leaflets about local events from the local tourist office and any relevant money off vouchers for nearby places to visit.

The nearest town is La Coquille (7km) where you will find further facilities such as a cash point, service station and a larger supermarket. From here you can take the train to the beautiful and historical cities of Limoges (54km) or Perigueux (55km), both about 40 minutes away by train.

This region is wonderful for food lovers with Foie Gras and some of the world's best black truffles a local speciality as well as strawberries and some amazing Dordogne cheeses. Market days are a great way to discover some of the local foods and the owners will be able to advise you on the best ones to visit each day. In the winter you will also find some lovely Christmas fairs taking place in local towns whilst in the summer night markets are especially atmospheric where you can choose your meal at one of the stalls and dine al-fresco. The summer night markets usually take place in July and August in Champagnac de Belair (27km), Perigueux (55km), Nontron (23km) and Brantome (35km).

Other beautiful local places to discover include Saint-Jean-de-Cole (22km) one of France's Plus Beaux Villages on the banks of the River Cole and Brantome (35km) on the River Drone where you can hire canoes, go on a boat ride or take leisurely riverside strolls after exploring the lovely town.
Head to Thiviers (17km) to try some of their Foie Gras, walnuts and truffles (especially at the Saturday market) or head a little further south to Corgnac-sur-l'Isle to canoe in beautiful surroundings.
Castle lovers don't miss the beautiful Chateau de Jumilhac (19km) just a short drive away or Chateau de Hautefort (55km) a little further south.

This region is wonderful for hikers and cyclists (the owners have some bikes they can hire out) with many routes or marked trails to follow. Cyclists may especially like the Velorail, a 22 km rail-bike along old railroad track over bridges, viaducts, through tunnels and former train stations.

There are also horse-riding opportunities nearby in Dournazac (10km), many places to fish with a licence (which can be bought locally) and some wonderful spots to hire canoes. Golf-lovers have a great choice of 9 courses to choose from within an hour and the owners have two sets of golf clubs they can hire out.

If you are dreaming of a balloon ride across the Dordogne then this is certainly possible with a great base near Hautefort (54km) in under an hour.