Chez Le Charpentier

Description

Chez le Charpentier is situated in a side wing of the converted farm buildings at Le Clos du Verger, with the owner's house next door. It is much loved by our regular guests and they often remark how 'at home' they feel there. We have created a comfortable and user-friendly space for you, for we try to pay attention to the small details that make for an effortless stay - such as a clean and attractive décor, comfortable beds, a good supply of towels, constant hot water, a welcome basket of local goodies, a well equipped kitchen, an attractive enclosed garden that creates an outside living space, and a good internet connection.

COVID 19: Quelques changements/ a few changes:
Nous serons tellement contents de recommencer à accueillir les vacanciers chez nous cet été.
Avec les deux gîtes et notre habitation, on s'arrange pour que tout le monde puisse se reposer sans problème.

Pour mieux opérer pendant cette année de virus,
1. Nous préférons garder2 jours entre réservations afin de réduire au minimum les risques d'infection,
2. Nous nettoyons les couvertures de lit et les oreillers entre locataires.
3. Nous offrons chaque gîte seulement aux adultes - max 2 adultes par réservation.
4. Si vous avez de la famille ou des amis autour d'ici, veuillez les rencontrer ailleurs car nous sommes obligés d'interdire les visiteurs imprévus ou ceux qui ne font pas parties du contrat de location.


We also ask those with reduced mobility to check with us before booking because the cottage stairs may be an obstacle. The wooden stairs are a standard French format but some might find them steep. If you think this may be a problem, we can offer a single storey holiday home here (the Chai 8134146) , subject to availability, where you may be more comfortable. We are always very happy to discuss any special needs so that you are sure our properties will be suitable for you.

Le Clos du Verger is in a rural location known as Les Sarrazies (at the edge of the commune of Maurens), and only 5 minutes drive from the northern side of Bergerac. It is set in a gentle valley, with woods and meadows around us, and vineyards on the hill tops nearby. We are on the edge of the interesting collection of many small family vineyards that extend around Bergerac and which offer a variety of very palatable unique wines.

Our location just outside Bergerac and midway between Bordeaux and Sarlat makes us an ideal base for a wider exploration of the exceptional historical sites of the Dordogne as the landscapes change in each direction. Whether you potter round the local lanes to explore the unexpected delights of the small villages, or head off for the famous sites of the Dordogne such as the Lascaux cave paintings or the stunning medieval towns and castles, you will be charmed by the beauty around us. Our own local guide in the cottage suggests some "non tourist" outings that are not in the guide books, but that we hope will surprise and delight you.

For the more active: the rivers are great for summer canoe trips, there are well marked village walks, and within 5 minutes there is good horse riding, and even a treetop adventure park. If you enjoy swimming there is a lovely swimming lake in a country park just over the hill on the alternative route to Bergerac ( a bit too far to walk for most people so a car advised), and later in 2019 there will be a superb new swimming complex opening just 15 minute's drive away.

As for food, the area is proud of its specialities, the markets are very well stocked with the abundant local produce, and the restaurants range from the good value and delicious workers' lunches to exquisite Michelin starred establishments. There is even a caviar producer that offers guided tours and tastings.

The property is set up for self catering, so the kitchen is equipped for cooks. There is a microwave, and electric cooker with multifunction oven and 4 hot plates. There is a 'fridge and a separate freezer, kettle, toaster, and a coffee filter machine. If you don't fancy cooking, there is a wide choice of restaurants within a ten minute drive and one or two takeaway outlets. Or we'll tell you where to find those delightful small shops with beautifully prepared artisan food for you to heat up or eat cold.

The kitchen is at the far end of the main room. The rest of of the room has a dining table, and sofa and chairs round the wood burning stove and the TV corner. The TV is on a satellite connection which is normally set for a predominently English speaking clientele.

French windows open onto the patio and the cottage's garden. Here there is comfortable garden furniture, a barbeque, a dining pergola and at the far corner a wooden park bench under the large old fig tree. Beyond the garden we invite you to follow the marked paths through the hectare of our land to further seating and outdoor games down by the brook. On the way you'll pass our little herd of goats and a few hens in the lower orchard.

The stairs are wooden stairs of cottage proportions. They are a standard off-the-peg size in France but some will find them steep, depending what you are used to.

Upstairs there are two bedrooms , a roomy landing, and a large shower room, as well as plenty of clothes storage. In the main bedroom there is a comfortable 160 cm width double bed and in the other bedroom there is a 90 cm wide single bed. Beds are made up for your arrival. We provide winter or summer weight duvets and a couple of pillows per person, but ask if you prefer a different arrangement.
The shower room has a walk in shower (at a slightly higher level than the floor), WC, and washbasin, as well as a shaver point for an electric shaver, shaving mirror and toothbrush holder. We also provide a small hairdryer, all house towels and some toiletries.

Housekeeping Extras:
Just ask if you would also like dressing gowns if you are travelling light.
Please don't use the house towels out of the property - bring your own swimming towels or hire them from us.

During your stay you are responsible for the well being of the property and its contents, so that you hand it back to us in a good state. We may charge a damage and cleaning deposit of 100 euros, which we would expect to return in its entirety for almost all our guests. Of course we are at hand if you encounter any problems. We ask you to tidy round and clean up in specific areas before your departure, but if you have neither the time nor the inclination to do this just tell us in advance and we'll do your end of stay cleaning for you (35 euros charge for this service).

Heating and hot water: There is constant hot water from our ground source collector, and the same installation provides a steady heat to all the properties throughout the colder months with underfloor heating downstairs and radiators upstairs. In addition there is an efficient woodburning stove in the living room hearth. There is no extra charge for heating and we provide a large box of wood for the woodburner. On the very odd occasion when systems fail we'll do our very best to get everything up and running as soon as possible.

Please note the following:
1. These are no smoking properties. If you wish to vape or smoke please only do this outside.
2. Bad experiences with customers' pets means that we are sorry, but we can no longer accept your pets here.
3. You will have a dedicated car parking space for one car - please let us know on booking if you need a second space.
4. If you wish to bring bikes with you please let us know in advance as we provide under cover storage for a limited number. Vehicles are parked in our car park to one side of our site so that we can keep the rest car free, and that also means that bikes are kept solely in the storage area we offer you, and are not taken into the rest of the site.
5. There is a small guest laundry with washing machine. We provide washing powder but please don't arrive with the previous week's washing!

6. . The contract starts on your arrival day at 15H30 in the afternoon and ends by 10h30 on the morning of your departure day. Please do not exceed the number of people that you state on the original booking as this is part of your contract, unless you have written confirmation from us that we will accept the extra members of your party.