Rooms

The villa spans two levels. Down on the ground floor, the sitting room is airy and open-plan, with white beams and plate-glass doors leading into the garden. There are shelves of board games and novels, table and chairs, four squashy pigeon-grey sofas, a large flatscreen TV, and a contemporary wood burner. The kitchen combines polished concrete units with the original terracotta floor tiles, and adjoining it is a dining room lit by industrial-style pendant lights, with another woodburner and views out over the garden.

There are six bedrooms on the first floor (can be set up as doubles or twins). One can be used as a stand-alone apartment as it connects to a separate downstairs sitting room and kitchen. They’re all white offset with pale grey, with high thread count Egyptian cotton and soft pillows, fluffy grey towels, grey framed windows, copper bedside lamps, and plenty of wardrobe space. Most have pale, polished, minimalist walk-in showers (one room has a bath), double basins and lovely toiletries. The three in the original house have double-height, exposed beam ceilings. All rooms have views over the greenery outside, and one has an egg-smooth freestanding bath.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Coffee / tea making
• DVD player
• Fan
• Fireplace
• Hairdryer
• In-room treatments available
• Toiletries
• TV
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

Dordogne Boutique Villa is self-catering, with a high-spec minimalist kitchen that’s well thought out for cooks: lots of worktop and storage space, an American fridge and a large range cooker. You’re greeted with a welcome basket of cheese, bread, wine, beer, and so on, while it’s five minutes by car to the local boulangerie for morning croissants and groceries from the local markets. For warmer days, there's an outdoor kitchen with a sink, fridge and gas barbecue, and a big shaded table for alfresco meals.

There are some great restaurants in neighbouring villages, and you'll receive recommendations from the owners. During July and August, there are night markets nearby where you can go to eat and drink from food stalls while listening to a local band: nearby Beaumont du Périgord (five minutes' drive) holds its weekly shindig on a Monday.

They can also recommend several superb local chef services who will come and cook you a meal at home (or bring you the prepared ingredients) if you don’t feel like self-catering or going out.

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Coffee maker
• Dinner by arrangement
• Dishwasher
• Food blender
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Microwave
• Oven
• Toaster
• Welcome hamper
• Basic ingredients

Activities

• Kayaking or swimming in the Dordogne river: there's a local beach at Beaumont. You can hire a canoe from multiple spots along the river, paddle downstream, and then catch the bus back to your starting point. There are places along the way to stop for a drink or a bite to eat. Allow at least half a day
  
• Horseriding: there’s a local stable which also offers pony rides for kids and adults
  
• Explore nearby prehistoric caves and wander around the UNESCO-listed Abbeys of Saint Avit Senieur and Cadouin
  
• Visits to local vineyards can be arranged, as well as private winetasting at the gite

Kids

Wonderful for families, with masses of space outdoors for playing, and no neighbours - you can make as much noise as you please! The heated pool has steps in and out, and it's the same depth throughout. Kids can borrow inflatable toys for the pool and there are lots of games, including boules, Swingball and a table tennis table. The Couze valley has heaps of fun activities for all the family, like horseriding, swimming and canoeing on the Dordogne River.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

All six bedrooms can be set up as doubles or twins, and all have ensuite bathrooms (five with showers, one with bath). One room can be set up as a self-contained apartment as it has an additional living area (kitchenette and lounge) - ideal for grandparents or teens wanting independence. There are also two baby cots available to borrow.

Distances:

• Airport: 25-minute drive (Bergerac)
• Shops: Five-minute drive
• Hospital: 30-minute drive

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Dordogne Boutique Villa is in the Couze valley in the Dordogne region of southwest France. It's a 25-minute drive from Bergerac airport and a five-minute drive from Saint-Avit-Sénieur and Beaumont, with their restaurants, bars and markets.

By Air:
Fly into Bergerac airport and hire a car from there.

Detailed directions will be sent when you book through i-escape.