La Chaumiere

Set in a little village just south of the Dordogne, this charming home with its own delightful swimming pool and lovely gardens is the perfect place for a relaxing stay in this wonderful part of southern France.

Situated next to a 14th century church, this former vicarage is in a tranquil setting in this sleepy village. There are lovely countryside views, creating a calm ambience in the glorious gardens which are filled with roses and terracotta pots of geraniums alongside the beautifully manicured lawns. Enjoy leisurely lunches or long summer evenings by the barbecue and pool house or laze by the dazzling heated swimming pool.

Wander up the stone steps to La Chaumiere's main entrance and you will find your comfortable surroundings in this beautifully restored 16th century home. The welcoming living room has been furnished in style with period pieces throughout and you can appreciate its history with wood-beamed ceilings, exposed stone walls and a warm open fireplace. A large dining table with medieval high-backed chairs offers the perfect place to enjoy a feast with loved ones or in the summer head out to the shady terrace looking out towards the gardens and swimming pool.

Despite the traditional atmosphere, all mod-cons are provided in the well-equipped yet beautifully rustic kitchen as well as across the home with Wi-Fi, music systems, TVs and a DVD player allowing guests to feel right at home. There are four pretty bedrooms, including three on the top floor with air-conditioning which are particularly impressive with their tall wood-beamed sloping ceilings, wooden floors and en-suite shower rooms.

A short drive will take you to nearby St. Julien de Lampon or Souillac for shops, restaurants and a weekly market. In this glorious area you can explore the lovely villages of Lot such as Gourdon with its honey coloured houses or the spectacular Rocamadour, built on the edge of a cliff.

Not forgetting the lovely Dordogne river where you can hire canoes or explore some of the region's most idyllic riverside villages such as Domme, La Roque Gageac and Castelnaud-la-Chapelle. Another must is the glorious medieval town of Sarlat to the north, with its vibrant Saturday morning market and amazing restaurants often specialising in Foie Gras or truffles.

The whole region is a true haven for nature and sport lovers alike from horse-back riding and tennis to mountain-biking and golf, not to mention the number of hiking and fishing opportunities in the area. La Chaumiere really does have a fantastic location with the delights of the Dordogne and Lot ready for you to explore.

Features

House Interior

Ground Floor (via steps from driveway and gardens)

• Living-dining room with stone fireplace and large dining table
• Kitchen, well-equipped including dishwasher, microwave, fridge/freezer
• Bedroom with double bed and TV. Ensuite bathroom

First Floor

• 2 x twin bedrooms with ensuite shower rooms
• Single bedroom with ensuite shower room

Outside Grounds

• Private heated swimming pool (5x10m)
• Pool house
• BBQ
• Al-fresco dining terrace
• Gardens

Facilities

• Air-conditioning (first-floor bedrooms only)
• Heating
• Wi-Fi
• TV and DVD player
• Music system
• Safe

Location

La Chaumiere is set in its own private grounds next to a 14th century church in a small village in the Lot department, close to the Dordogne river. Surrounded by vast woodland and with wonderful countryside views, there's a calm ambience here and it's a very relaxing place to stay. The village has a hotel-restaurant (usually only open in summer months).

You'll find a bakery, butchers, restaurants, cafes and a lovely weekly market in nearby St Julien de Lampon (10km) or head over the river to Souillac (10km) for a greater choice of large supermarkets. Be sure to visit the impressive Abbey Sainte-Marie in Souillac and even better combine with a trip to the atmospheric market on a Friday morning.

Head south to Gourdon (16km) with its honey stone coloured houses set beautifully on the hill and lovely warren of little streets. Beautifully preserved Rocamadour (32km) is another amazing place to visit, built on the edge of a cliff with the river at the bottom of the gorge.

The Dordogne department also hosts a wealth of beautiful villages and towns, many of them classed as France's Plus Beaux Villages such as pretty Saint-Amand-de-Coly (40km), with the famous Lascaux caves nearby or the 13th century bastide village of Monpazier (60km).

Sarlat (26km) is one of the area's most famous towns with its maze of medieval narrow streets, lovely squares and amazing restaurants plus a famous market on a Saturday morning.

Other magical day trips include idyllic Domme (25km) high above the Dordogne river with its amazing caves, La Roque Gageac (30km), a perfect picture postcard village backed by steep cliffs and Castelnaud-la-Chapelle (35km) just across the river.

Visit the topiary gardens at Eyrignac (24km) which opens up on Monday evenings in the summer for picnics and dance or Les Jardins de Marqueyssac (33km) set high above the river which also open on Thursday evenings in the summer when you can explore by candlelight.

The whole region is a true haven for nature and sport lovers alike offering a wide array of outdoor activities, from horse-back riding and tennis, mountain-biking, golfing and canoeing along the river, not to mention the number of hiking and fishing opportunities in the area. Children will love exploring prehistoric caves and parks and historic castles or even a magnificent hot air balloon ride across the stunning region. The more adventurous may enjoy tree-top activities in the forests near Sarlat.