The Manoir at Rigal
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About the home
FULLY BOOKED FOR 2013 now taking bookings for 2014
Come and stay at the manoir at Rigal , a fabulous, special, 18th century Manor house and farm with medieval tower. Featured as lead article in 'Country Homes and Interiors'magazine Feb2011 and 'Living France' magazine March 2011.Homes and gardens magazine Jan 2013. There is also a beautiful farmhouse gite available please click on our website for details at the bottom of the advert.
Farmer Chris, Jacky ( pharmacist , farmer's wife, brownie leader, first aider, Mum) , Alice (11) , Eliza (9), Misty ( our gorgeous border collie sheepdog) and all the various animals at RIGAL MANOIR france warmly welcome you to share and experience our 100 acres of Dordogne paradise. Our girls have listed a few things that they love about living in here on the farm in France and we hope that you and your children will enjoy them just as much as we do!
Seeing and stroking the animals, playing, collecting fresh eggs, farm trails, laughter, swimming, being creative, building dens, teddy bears picnics, happy children, happy babies, having fun, making friends, good walks, visiting castles and paddling in rivers, pretending to be a princess ( or a knight!), ice-creams, relaxing, seeing wildlife , butterflies and wildflowers, picnics and not having a care in the world!
We think that sums it up from a child's perspective, but there is also so much to see and do and RIGAL Manoir is perfectly situated to visit the best sights in the Dordogne. Choosing what not to do is the tricky bit! Whether you want to find a peaceful spot to read a book amongst the orchids or go jogging in the woods each morning before anybody else is up, visit the best markets in the area or sample some great wines, fancy canoeing down the Dordogne past beautiful chateaux or finding that perfect restaurant we are on hand to advise, recommend, book for you and baby-sit, in short we will do everything we can to make your holiday a lifetime memory and we look forward to meeting you and sharing our passion for the area with you.
Perfect for all year round, Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter, fabulous for Christmas and New Year, central heating, woodburner, low cost flights to Bergerac airport 20 mins away, authentic and atmospheric, resturants closeby for meals and celebrations.
Featured in 'Country Homes and Interiors magazine 2011' described as a 'stunning Manoir' .
* Luxury 18th century Manor House - superbly appointed and fully equipped
* Four spacious bedrooms - 1 King size four-poster en-suite, 2 twins (one can be made into another King if required) and downstairs the new 'West wing suite' a double room with dressing room/en-suite + shower room. Linen and towels provided. 4toliets, 3 showers, 1 bath, 7 sinks!
* Large heated swimming pool with verandah (alarmed and fenced)
* Located in our own 100 organic acre farm - three private terraces
* Golf course 5 minutes drive
* Free Wi-Fi - DVD player, Sky TV - Grand piano
* Two great play areas for children in safe and peaceful surroundings
* Table tennis - woodland walks from front door - ponies -chickens - rabbits
* Extensive bird life, wild flowers and wildlife to be spotted according to the season
If you want to experience living in a chic, authentic French manor house overlooking it's own rolling farmland, woodland, cattle and wild flower meadows ( wild orchids a in abundance in May) then Rigal Manoir is the special place for your holiday. The walking in this area is wonderful, with trails literally straight from the front door along wooded lanes and tracks. The wildlife and birdlife is prolific with cuckoos in April and May and over 30 different species to be spotted or heard without even trying, including little owls, tawny owls, buzzards and kites. The first cuckoo can be heard late March, throughout April and most of May. Wildlife conservation is encouraged with nesting boxes for robins, tits , little owls and woodpeckers. There are hares and deer to be seen at dusk nibbling the green shoots in the fields and it is the perfect place to relax in a safe, peaceful haven.
Recycling doesn't get better than this , in 2007 Rigal was a delipaidated estate and has been painstakingly and lovingly restored to its former glory. Parts of the Manoir have stood since medieval times although it was mostly rebuilt and remodelled in the 18th century. We have scoured reclaimation yards for authentic fireplaces, revealed old sinks and beams that were long since hidden, recycled parquet flooring and used traditional techniques such as lime plastering to be as sympathetic to the structure as possible. Eco paints have been used throughout and organic linen curtians hang from the windows. We have water recuperation tanks sunk into the garden and the whole of Rigal can be heated using an eco friendly woodburning boiler system that uses coppiced wood from our own estate...zero fuel miles and carbon neutral. When it is not cold enough to use the boiler there is a woodburning stove in the entree that has a hot air recuperation system to heat the master bedroom upstairs. The cattle are reared for organic beef and we have an organic potager supplying tasty veg in the summer, we rear rare breed pigs, and hens.Children ( and adults) are welcome to help feed the animals and collect the eggs. Our guests are encouraged to recycle their left over food , either for the hens, rabbits or pigs or compost heap. Recycling of packaging is also encouraged with recycling bins for paper, cartons,glass and so on.The pool is heated via solar panels and a heat exchange system connected to the woodburning boiler making Rigal a great experience for you and a low impact on the environment.
| Size: | Sleeps up to 8, 4 bedrooms |
|---|---|
| Nearest beach: | Archachon |
| Will consider: | Corporate lets House swaps Short breaks |
| Access: | Car advised Wheelchair access Nearest amenities: 5km |
| Family friendly? | Suitable for children of all ages Suitable for people with restricted mobility |
| Notes: | No pets allowed No smoking at this property |
Facilities
| Luxuries: | Log fire, Internet access, DVD player |
|---|---|
| Pool: | Shared outdoor pool (heated) |
| General: | Central heating, TV, CD player, Table tennis, Safe, Satellite TV, Wi-fi available |
| Standard: | Kettle, Toaster, Iron, Hair dryer |
| Utilities: | Clothes dryer, Dishwasher, Cooker, Microwave, Fridge, Freezer, Washing machine |
| Rooms: | 4 Bedrooms, 4 bathrooms of which 1 family bathroom, 2 en suites and 1 shower room |
| Furniture: | Single beds (4), Double beds (2), Cots (2), Dining seating for 8, Lounge seating for 6 |
| Other: | Linen and towels provided Highchair available |
| Outdoors: | Shared outdoor pool (heated), Balcony / Terrace, Shared garden, Private garden, BBQ, Bicycles available, Climbing frame, Swing set, Trampoline |
| Access: | Wheelchair friendly, Secure parking |
Further details indoors:
The Manor house at Rigal is a beautifully restored historic French ‘ Manoir’ . Dating from the 18th Century and with a wealth of period features it is one of the most imposing houses in Cause-de-Clerans.It is marked on the map as a property of distinction.
The ‘Manoir’ is nestled in a beautiful courtyard amongst 116 acres of organic pasture and woodland.
The house has been extensively restored combining contemporary and luxurious furnishings with ancient
exposed beams, fireplaces and ‘lavebos’ ( stone sinks in the walls). There is even an arrow slot in the kitchen
with far reaching views to spot enemy attack! The rooms are on a grand scale. There are four large bedrooms (three upstairs and one downstairs with huge en-suite /shower room, ideal for reduced mobility guests)
Downstairs there is a salon with 18th century fireplace, chandelier and comfy sofas. Two sets of French windows look out onto rolling pasture where by day you can spot the cows, calves and birds of prey and at dusk you may see deer if you are lucky. There is a 32inch LCD television, CD player/radio and DVD player.
The main entrance of the house is via a double fronted door leading to a substantial hallway with cloakroom
(toilet and basin) and stone staircase leading up to the first floor.
The kitchen is fully equipped with a range style cooker with fabulous exposed beams, a magnificent hand crafted oak table capable of seating 8, antique butchers block and traditional freestanding kitchen cupboards standing side by side with the latest contemporary polished work surfaces, Philippe Stark light fittings and a modern dual fuel double range style cooker. Leading from the kitchen to the front of the house is the ‘entrée’ with comfy leather club chairs and huge glazed panel overlooking the courtyard from where there is access out to the front of the house. The entrée is a perfect place to sit and chill out whilst enjoying a glass of wine . Leading from the entree is the new west wing suite. A beautiful downstairs double bedroom with French windows leading to the courtyard. It has it's own dressing room, en-suite toilet, basin and shower room.
There are various patios/ terraces adjacent to the house where you can sit outside to eat, BBQ ( weber, provided), drink or relax and of course the 116 acres are at your disposal. To the left of the hallway is the music room housing a one
hundred year old ebonised grand piano, originally supplied by Harrods, London. There is another stunning fireplace dating from the 19th century. The master bedroom, with en-suite shower room and toilet, is over 3m high and with other antique furniture you immediately feel as though you have been transported into another world.It boasts, of course, its own en-suite and is the height of decadence.
There are two other large bedrooms upstairs, one with a twin which can be made into a double if required and the other with 2 single beds, a cot is available if required. These two rooms lead out onto a huge landing with a French window ‘Juliet’ balcony overlooking the courtyard. The bathroom is luxurious with a contemporary free standing bath, twin sinks, shower and toilet. Here you will find one of the ancient stone sinks in the wall. It is a wonderful place to stay to enjoy the stunning Dordgone area and all that the region has to offer.
Further details outdoors:
At the far end of the courtyard you will find the swimming pool, an 11 x 5.5m salt water pool. The pool is secure and tastefully fenced and has two alarms to comply with current regulations. There is a verandah and roman steps lead down into the pool which has a depth of 2m at the deep end. The wifi extends to the pool area if you wish to surf whilst relaxing under the shade of the verandah.There is a large trampoline with safety net, swings and slide for smaller children and a sandpit and baby swing for little tots. Rigal is a working farm and there are always cattle and calves to be seen. The pastures are cut for hay during June or July and we have a small flock of rare breed hens who provide us with eggs. There is a small shop selling eggs when there are surplus . Other animals include ponies, rabbits, guinea pigs, cats and our sheepdog Misty. Exciting and fun timber play equipment for children.
Designed by British company 'Treetops' the new play
area for older children will provide hours of enjoyment
and creative play. Naturally, it is made with wood from
sustainable managed forests ( bearing CE mark and
strictly tested to European safety standards).
Further details
Change over in high season is Friday but at other times please contact us
Conditions
Changeover is Friday in high season but in low season please contact us, the whole farm ( Manoir and gite) can be rented ( suitable for private functions) , we can arrange caterers for celebrations, marquees for special birthday parties, functions and other special occasions.
Video
Share videoThe Aquitaine / Dordogne / Dordogne region
One of the most beautiful parts of the country. The Manoir at Rigal is nestled in an area called the golden triangle where there are more tourist activities available area per square mile than any other area. Chateaux , vineyards ( our own special pechamant region is on our doorstep) rivers, the beautiful Dordogne and Verzere can satisfy any canoeist of any age.
The area is renowned for its gourmet restaurants and home produced foods and the markets host the most amazing array of fresh produce from the region. With beautiful honey coloured villages, some perched clinging to the side of rocks and others set around planned squares and courtyards the medieval Bastide towns beckon you to have a coffee and take in the atmosphere and the history of the area.
The Bergerac / Cause-de-Clerans area
There is so much to visit on our doorstep. The local village boasts the ruins of the oldest castle keep in France, honey coloured houses and pretty roof lines. There are local fetes and fayres in the summer and medieval fayres at Issigeac and Cadouin during July and August. Every Thursday there is a huge market in Lalinde all year round with wonderful fresh produce, ( the area is famed for its strawberries and the olives are delicious) and interesting local goods. The area is wooded which makes for wonderful walking and cycling along shaded paths.
The pecharmant vineyards are dotted around producing excellent wines and Chateaux les Merles less than 5 minutes away has a wonderful restaurant, bistro and golf course. There hand made paper mills on the river Dordogne 10 minutes away dating from the 18th century and of course canoing and water skiing at Tremolat a short distance away. The problem is deciding what not to do or whether to do anything at all!!
How to get there
Click map icons for more information
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| Nearest Travel Links | |
| Airport: | Bergerac: 20 km |
| Railway: | Lalinde: 8 km |
| Ferry: | Caen, Le Harve, St Marlow, St Andere |
Bergerac airport 25 minutes , daily flights from Stansted Ryaniar, other airports flying direct include Southampton, Exeter,East midlands, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford. Car hire companies include hertz, europcar ask us for details.
Eurotunnel and TGV via Lille or Paris to Libourne or Bordeaux and then regional railway to Bergerac or Lalinde ( 10 minutes away)
Ferries to all major ports in France and good autoroute communications
Activities near Bergerac
Tennis in town
Watersports
Waterpark
Horse Riding
Golf less than 15 mins walk
Fishing
Walking holidays
Rural / countryside retreats
Cycling holidays
Reviews
 26 Sep 2012 |
The Manoir and it's surroundings more than exceeded our expectations; it was amazing. It's nestled in the beautiful countryside close to a charming village with lovely views wherever you look. It's hard to believe than such a gem exists within easy access to both Bergerac and all the wonderful sights that the Dordogne offers. We especially loved the little Bastide towns which were brimming with delightful attractions and of course history. The Manoir itself is stunning, even better than the pictures on the internet and the renovation is a perfect blend of good taste and charm. The swimming pool is the best outdoor pool we've been in especially as the "salted" water means there are no sore eyes. I expected the water to be like the sea but it was much better than that in fact perfect. We loved the animals on site too. It was lovely to wake up to see the chickens wandering around and the cats asleep in the garden. We had a wonderful holiday and can't wait to return. Chris & Jacky were perfect hosts and we cannot recommend it enough. |
18 Sep 2012 |
This place is quite simply perfect! We researched for a long time when booking our holiday this year and boy did it pay off!!! - We did not want to compromise on quality/style but equally had to... more |
16 Sep 2012 |
This property is stylish country French living at its best. This house will give you plenty of space with all the modern facilities you would expect (& many others that you wouldn't) that just add the extra touches. I spent a week here with my family including two 2 year olds and everything was provided that I could have hoped for to make our life easy even down to the toys & dvd's available. The Holton family are very approachable and have thought of everything when preparing for your stay. The property would equally be suitable for a couple or family of any age. You will not be disappointed. The area is surrounded by many beautiful French villages. It is impossible to explore fully in 1 week and I hope I am lucky enough to return sometime in the near future! I cannot recommend this property and family enough |
Rental prices
| Rental prices originally quoted in: British £ | Convert to: |
| Prices for group size 6 | ||||||
| Period | From | To | Weekly | Nightly rate | Minimum stay | |
| Weekday | Weekend | |||||
| spring | 5 Jan 13 | 1 Jun 13 | £ 1500 | - | - | 1 Week |
| summer | 1 Jun 13 | 12 Jul 13 | £ 1600 | - | - | 1 Week |
| summer special | 12 Jul 13 | 19 Jul 13 | £ 1495 | - | - | 1 Week |
| summer | 19 Jul 13 | 29 Aug 13 | £ 1600 | - | - | 1 Week |
| autumn | 31 Aug 13 | 30 Nov 13 | £ 995 | - | - | 1 Week |
| Prices for group size 8 | ||||||
| Period | From | To | Weekly | Nightly rate | Minimum stay | |
| Weekday | Weekend | |||||
| winter | 1 Nov 12 | 15 Dec 12 | £ 650 | - | - | Flexible |
| Christmas | 15 Dec 12 | 5 Jan 13 | £ 1600 | - | - | Flexible |
| spring | 5 Jan 13 | 1 Jun 13 | £ 1500 | - | - | 1 Week |
| summer | 1 Jun 13 | 12 Jul 13 | £ 2100 | - | - | 1 Week |
| summer special | 12 Jul 13 | 19 Jul 13 | £ 1950 | - | - | 1 Week |
| summer | 19 Jul 13 | 31 Aug 13 | £ 2100 | - | - | 1 Week |
| Autumn | 31 Aug 13 | 30 Nov 13 | £ 1250 | - | - | 1 Week |
The property's weekend rates apply to: Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
The Manoir has full central heating ( combination wood/oil burning boiler) plus wood burning stove.So is perfect for year round rental...not many places have full central heating and temperatures can drop at night in the winter.In the low season a complimentary basket of wood is provided but from then on any fuel/wood used will be charged at the going rate allowing the customer freedom to use as much or as little as required.
Changeover is Friday in high season, in low season please contact us if you would like different dates
BookAvailability
See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
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