Chateau Rochette

As featured on Channel 4's ‘Escape To The Chateau'
Chateau Rochette stands majestically, looking down across a valley once lorded over by this 12th-century Baronnie. The chateau was both witness and party to the Hundred Years War, now a sleeping giant of peace and tranquility.

Chateau Rochette has been meticulously restored with an eye towards preserving its original features. Modern comforts and amenities have been subtly woven into the fabric allowing the original chateau to remain at center stage. It is the perfect place for couples, families, and friends to come, relax, adventure and just be.

Chateau Rochette is central to and minutes away from all the remarkable places and adventures in the Dordogne and the Perigord Noir. Exploring the magnificent landscape and medieval surroundings will transport you to another century. It is minutes away from such places as Castelnaud, Beynac – the one-time stronghold of Richard the Lion heart, the ancient town of Sarlat, Domme and a seemingly unending list of places and remarkable experiences.

Features

When you arrive at Chateau Rochette, you turn into the long grassy drive and traverse the hillside until you are facing the Chateau, its terrace, and french doors leading into the kitchen. A massive wisteria clings to the Chateau. Great fortune if you are there during its bloom!

Kitchen
Entered through the French doors. Overhead are huge hewn beams as in all the rooms. The kitchen is fully equipped including a dishwasher, a microwave, a refrigerator, an electric kettle and gas four burner stove.

Dining Room
From the kitchen pass to the dining room. A huge fireplace, high beamed ceiling and stone walls the color of champagne greet you. Light pours in from the facing view of the valley on to the warm chestnut floors.

Stair Hall
From the dining room pass to the stair hall. One of our favorite parts of Chateau Rochette, it ascends to the 2nd and 3rd floor.

Living Room
Pass now to the living room whose chestnut floors, huge fireplace and dimensions nearly duplicate those of the dining room. The furniture is decidedly comfortable as is the atmosphere. It is a place to relax with friends and family after a day of adventure or to just read a good book.

1st Floor Bedroom
Pass out of the living room and up five steps to the 1st floor bedroom. A double bedroom faces view of the valley.

A stone fireplace stands against the high peaked ceiling. This part of the chateau was built somewhat later and as a result captured the lower portion of one of the towers which interestingly now functions as this sleeping chamber.

1st Floor Crimson Bathroom
Pass through the 1st floor bedroom into the bathroom. Without any question, this ensuite bathroom is by far the most incongruous part of Chateau Rochette. Created lovingly for a teenage daughter during the 1960s - with a sunken tub! - The walls, the floor, and yes, the ceiling, are all very beautiful crimson red tiles. Dazzling! Photographs don't do it justice.

Duplex Room
Pass again through the 1st floor bedroom and through another door, and you will find a small room with a small table and chair, two tables for suitcases and then a spiral stairway leading up into the tower and the small tower double bedroom. Certainly a great place to be banished to and very romantic, it has a 1820's style double bed and the best view at Chateau Rochette over the pool and valley beyond. Through its own door, the tower room shares the crimson bathroom with the 1st floor bedroom.

Master Bedroom 1 - second floor
Opposite the bed and its hangings a massive fireplace is centered. The room is large and nearly duplicates the size of the dining room below. Adjoining it and also large is the master bathroom with tub, free standing shower, bidet, toilet and sink. A casement window looks out over the distant hills and valley.

Master Bedroom 2 - second floor
A beautifully carved stone fireplace stands adjacent to the bed with its warm red bed hangings. From there you can look out the tall windows across to the hills on the other side of the valley. The bathroom is located in the watch tower. The windows, once used by lookouts, were designed for these commanding views.

Included are a tub/shower, toilet, and sink.

3rd Floor
The 3rd floor is not occupied and not accessible to guests.
Swimming Pool
Please note the swimming pool measures approximately 8m x 4m. There is also a charcoal bbq for you to enjoy your summer.

Location

A wonderful area for exploring off the beaten path where others don't go.

• You can find the untouched and original French countryside, farms, and amazing diversity of architecture.
• A canoe or kayak voyage down the Dordogne with a sandwich at hand is a day to remember.
• Very early mornings watching the mist burn off the hills and valley with a cup of hot coffee.
• Speaking or struggling with your French at the local village markets and meeting the lovely people who live here.
• Get everywhere before the others.
• Take a simple walk in a forest that attracts you along the roadside for just fifteen minutes- you'll be surprised.
• Keep bathing suits and a towel in the car at all times.
• Find a secluded spot on the Dordogne and slip into the water for just 10 minutes, dry, dress and continue on.
  The Dordogne is one of the world centers of pre-history and holds Europe's earliest art treasures. At Les Ezyies, 10 minutes away, you will find the magnificent newly constructed National Museum of Pre-history, the cave paintings at Lascaux, and the site of the remains of the Cro-Magnon Man.

Directly below Chateau Rochette is a wonderful vegetable farm that sets up at all the weekly village markets. Walk down the driveway and buy your dinner fresh from these lovely people.