No pets allowed Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Situated on top of a hill with a superb view over rolling countryside, Maine de la Garde is an 18th century farmhouse, fully renovated to be a comfortable and well-equipped family home. Great emphasis on the outdoors, with a 12m x 5m HEATED pool, and two and a half acres of garden and hilltop meadow, surrounded by fields and woods. Lots of space for children to run around. Remarkably peaceful location, yet close to Ribérac with its famous market and all the amenities you need. Great for walking, cycling, canoeing, or just relaxing and enjoying the many and varied delights of the region.
Approximately 40 yds from the farmhouse is a converted pigeonnier with living room/kitchen, bedroom and shower room. Available at extra rental - please ask.
The farmhouse with pigeonnier on the right
Heated swimming ool
View from pigeonnier towards house and barn
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/69544
The Aquitaine / Dordogne / Dordogne region
The town of Ribérac is located in the south-west of the scenic Périgord Vert region of the Dordogne. Maine de la Garde is about 4 km south of Ribérac, on the edge of the Forêt de Double. This is a land of farmland, forests, rivers and lakes. It is a region where seemingly every village, however tiny, proudly holds its own annual fete, usually lasting at least three days and often finishing with a spectacular fireworks display. It is an area steeped in history and tradition. It is renowned for its gastronomic delights such as fois gras, snails, boar, and truffles. There are music and art festivals, and crafts of all kinds. The climate here is very agreeable, the people are friendly, and the pace of life is easy.
The other regions of the Dordogne all have their own distinctive characteristics and attractions. Périgord Blanc is named for the limestone plateau through which the river Lisle has cut its path. Its main town is Périgueux, with its many-domed cathedral and Gallo-Roman remains. Périgord Pourpre is named for the grape vines that produce the deep red wines in the area around Bergerac. Périgord Noir is so-called for its dark oak forests, and is famous for its caves with pre-historic paintings and drawings. The town of Sarlat is perhaps the best-preserved medieval town in France.
To the west of the Dordogne is the wine-growing region of Bordeaux. The city of Bordeaux itself is the capital of the Aquitaine region. Beyond that, and still within a couple of hours by car, is the Atlantic coast, with its stunning dunes, coastal wild-life, and fishing ports.
Riberac / St Martin de Riberac area
Ribérac is about 5 mins away and has a good supermarket, a lively square with many bars, cafes and restaurants. The Friday market is real fun - very large. Don't forget to check out the ones in the side streets as well. There are also several bakers, butchers, florists, pharmacies, doctors, banks and an excellent supermarket - Leclerc. There is a good tourist information office where you can get details of places to visit, details of festivals, various attractions and activities. RIberac has an indoor swimming pool, a tennis courts, and even a small cinema.
Only 2.5 km away is the small picturesque village of Siorac-de-Ribérac. It has a very good, friendly, restaurant "Le Lavoir" with a small epicerie/bar attached. It also has a 12th century Romanesque church, which is so typical of the area.
About 12.5 km away is Le Grand Etang de La Jemaye, which is a large lake with fishing, a sandy beach, pedaloes, and canoes. It has a safe area for swimming, and even a diving platform. You can walk or cycle around the lake, and there are picnic areas, a bird-watching hide, and play areas for the children. You can get drinks, snacks and simple meals at a couple of cafés overlooking the beach, and there is a larger restaurant which often has music in the evenings.
Going a little way west from Riberac just over the Charente border is Aubeterre-sur-Dronne. Its charming narrow streets wind through white stone houses and ancient buildings. Built in the shape of an amphitheatre this former stronghold is classified as one of France’s prettiest villages. The most outstanding and impressive monument in Aubeterrre is the underground church of St John. Carved entirely out of rock the main nave reaches a height of 20m. Aubeterre also has a river beach.
A short drive takes you to St Astier and Neuvic where there is a large ornamental garden and chateau. In Neuvic the mayor reportedly makes the residents wash the pavements every month!
On the way to St Astier you will go through a small village called St Aquilin where there is an excellent restaurant.
About 15 km down the road to Brantôme you come to the pretty village of Bourdeilles where there are two chateaux of different periods built on a fortified hill – a medieval fortress (13th – 14th century) and a Renaissance palace (16th) with a remarkable collection of furniture. On the River Dronne you can rent a canoe.
Not far away is the delightful medieval town of Brantôme where it is a delight to walk around the remarkable and ancient abbey founded by Charlemagne (742-814). With its soaring campanile this is one of the most elegant medieval and Renaissance buildings in the Dordogne, complete with caves used by the monks as kitchens and cellars. The town sits on a bend of the river Dronne and a stroll along the riverside is an unforgettable experience. Loads of brilliant restaurants complete the experience. Boat trips are available, and there are canoes to hire.
Beyond Brantôme is the town of Villars and a short distance north of the town are the caves (Grottes de Villars) with some impressive stalactites and paintings more than 17,000 years old. It was discovered in 1953 and is the largest underground network in the Périgord. The underground river has hollowed out huge chambers connected to each other by galleries.
Nearby is the Chateau de Puyguilhem in a village of the same name. It is a fascinating structure way out in the woods a Renaissance masterpiece that fell into disrepair but was carefully restored after WW2. It is now open for inspection.
The city of Périgueux, with its Gallo-Roman remains, old city and spectacular multi-domed cathedral, is about 36 km away. It has a good market on Saturdays.
St Emilion and Bergerac are not to be missed. Both are well worth visiting and are within easy driving distance.
There is a small 9 hole golf course about 12 km away - details are in the folder in the house. There is a first class 18 hole course, with full rental facilities, just the Ribérac side of Perigueux about 20 km away. There is a restaurant there for the family.
There is an "Information Folder" in the house covering ideas for eating out, supermarkets, market days and places to visit.
How to get there
The distance from Calais is 760kms and takes about 8 hours. (Boulogne-Rouen-Le Mans-Poitiers- Angouleme). There are a number of alternative ferry companies. We have found Sea France to be very competitive. If you are prepared for a little longer drive you can use Norfolk line to Dunkirk instead of Calais. This is about 45 kms extra but if you decide to come through Paris this is no disadvantage.
By air to Bergerac (about 50 minutes by car) we suggest Ryanair. They have an almost daily service from Stansted and are cheap if you book ahead. Alternatively Flybe from Exeter or Southampton or sometimes Gatwick. Ryanair also fly to Angouleme (about 1 hour 10 minutes by car) but this service is less frequent. Easyjet fly to Bordeaux (about 1 hour 30 minutes by car).
Rentals cars are available from a large number of rental companies at Bergerac. You can book Hertz through Ryanair and their rates are competitive. Europcar and Avis are also available.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Bergerac: 47 km
Railway:
Angoulême (TGV): 65 km
Ferry:
Caen, St Malo: 540 km
Activities near Riberac
Sports: Tennis in town Waterpark Horse Riding Golf within 30 mins drive Fishing
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats Cycling holidays
Facilities
Luxuries:
Log fire, DVD player
General:
Central heating, Video player, CD player, Telephone, Satellite TV
Single beds (4), Double beds (1), Dining seating for 6, Lounge seating for 6, Sleeps maximum of 6
Other:
Linen and towels provided.
Outdoors:
Shared garden, BBQ, Shared outdoor pool (heated)
Access:
Parking space
Further details indoors: The living room has a sofa and armchairs and a satelite TV system (BBC/ITV and 300+ Free to Air stations) .
The second reception room is large and contains a dining area with a large table, a fully fitted kitchen area with dishwasher and microwave, etc, and a comfy couch and chairs in front of a wood-burning stove. This room has access to the garden. The washing machine and dryer are in a separate utility room.
The three bedrooms are all at the back of the house. There is one double-bedded room with en suite bathroom, one room with three single beds, and one room with one single bed (this room leads into the double room). There is a separate shower/toilet room.
Further details outdoors: The garden has a large table and chairs close to the house for outdoor dining. There is a large area of lawn, and an even larger area of meadow with wild flowers (depending on time of year).
There is covered parking.
Further details
The fixed line telephone accepts incoming calls, and can be used to make outgoing local calls and emergency calls.
The swimming pool is open from May to October.
A cot (travel type) can be provided on request.
Occasionally there may be up to two people staying in the pigeonnier, in which case the pool and garden are shared with them.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: British £
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
Early Autumn
27 Sep 09
4 Oct 09
500£500
0-
0-
1 Week
Late Autumn - Winter
4 Oct 09
20 Dec 09
400£400
0-
0-
1 Week
Christmas
20 Dec 09
3 Jan 10
650£650
0-
0-
1 Week
Winter - Early Spring
3 Jan 10
2 May 10
400£400
0-
0-
1 Week
Late Spring -Summer
2 May 10
4 Jul 10
500£500
0-
0-
1 Week
High Summer
4 Jul 10
5 Sep 10
850£850
0-
0-
1 Week
Early Autumn
5 Sep 10
3 Oct 10
500£500
0-
0-
1 Week
Late Autumn - Winter
3 Oct 10
19 Dec 10
400£400
0-
0-
1 Week
Christmas
19 Dec 10
2 Jan 11
650£650
0-
0-
1 Week
81
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser's discretion.
Reductions available for stays of 3 weeks and longer - please contact us.
A completed booking form and deposit of £150 per rental week is required to secure your booking. The balance must be paid 8 weeks before arrival, together with a £300 security deposit, which will be refunded within two weeks of departure, subject to satisfactory property inspection.
Payment to be in Pounds Sterling by cheque or bank transfer, or in Euros (rates on request) by bank transfer.
Availability
See below for next 9 months' availability - to see the next 24 months click here
Key:
11
12
Booked
11
12
Available
11
12
Unknown
11
12
Arrival/Departure dates
Send Enquiry
To contact this advertiser please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/69544
Contact details for the advertiser of home 69544
Name:
John and Pippa Bromell
Tel:
+44 (0)1799 531437
Be aware of time-zones Please mention Holiday Lettings when contacting this advertiser
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