Aquitaine Farmhouse

A Historic Caretakers Cottage

This lovely stone cottage in the French countryside is draped in ivy and surrounded in lavender, making it a great setting for a relaxing getaway. We love its high ceilings with exposed wooden beams, original fireplaces, French windows - and huge outdoor pool.

Located at the end of a long driveway, this 18th-century stone cottage once housed the caretakers of the nearby Château Le Mas de Montet. The house retains its original character and layout, but during the renovation, a wonderful 5m-high ceiling and ancient oak beams were revealed - giving the property a great sense of space.

Features we like include the original fireplace in the living room, the chequerboard tiling in the kitchen, and the eclectic objects that decorate the house - from baskets to modern paintings. The house has a lovely lived-in feel, without compromising its sense of style.

The ground floor has a large living room and huge kitchen, as well as two bedrooms and two bathrooms. A staircase leads upstairs to two further bedrooms and one more bathroom. In total, there's plenty of room for nine guests (and a baby) to sleep comfortably. 

The property is surrounded by three large terraces and has a 13m-long pool with an outside shower, a cool little pool house and large wooden sun decks.

A NOTED REGION IN DORDOGNE

The property is situated in the Dordogne of southwest France. There is a cool market on Fridays at Riberac. Popular destinations nearby include the historic towns of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne (13km) and Villebois-Lavalette (18km). The property is 36km from Perigueux, the regional capital which is well worth visiting for its Roman remains including the Vesone Tower and an amphitheater, the Chateau Barrière which dates back to the early Middle Ages, and the 16th-century Saint-Etienne church. 

Périgord is noted for its cuisine, especially its duck and goose, in the form of confit de canard and foie gras, and truffles. The Dordogne is also famous for having some of France’s finest prehistoric cave art, in the Vézère Valley.

LOCATION

Lusignac, France. Nearest airport: Bordeaux (1.30 hours by car).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: From Easter to the end of October

 

Photographs by Sven Raben