This stunning honey-coloured villa sits in perfect solitude on its own private island in the heart of the Couze valley. Descend its long, narrow driveway and you'll reach a secluded, tree- and stream-encircled spot, which hums with birds chirping, dragonflies whirring and bees buzzing.
The building - a former 18th-century paper mill which had fallen into disrepair - was beautifully refurbished by a British couple in 2019, with the help of Dutch designer Joris Van Grinsven. Great care was taken to keep a sense of the building’s industrial past: there are grey-framed glass doors, open-plan spaces and whitewashed beamed ceilings. The state-of-the-art kitchen has a poured-concrete breakfast bar, a sitting room with four large sink-in-me sofas, while upstairs are six ensuite bedrooms, one of which can be used as a stand-alone apartment. Backing the house is an enormous (12m x 6m) heated pool among manicured lawns and rainforest-thick greenery.
You get complete privacy here. The owners, who live in the UK but visit regularly, have compiled a detailed pack of local info, with a local company on hand to help with any further questions about the house, or special activities. There's heaps to do in the Couze valley, with pretty villages all around, and restaurants just a five-minute drive away. The Dordogne is a foodie hotspot: it’s the honking heartland of foie gras, and the wine, cheese and salami are delicious. Stock up on ingredients from the local food markets and then head home to cook up a feast. Bon appétit!
Highs
- Secluded and lushly rural location on a private island, yet a five-minute drive from local villages and markets
- An enormous heated swimming pool surrounded by sunloungers, deckchairs and a hammock; great for families
- So much space to spread out both indoors and outdoors, with a forest and two rivers on the villa's land
- Close to wine tasting, markets, night markets in summer, canoeing, caves and historic sites
Lows
- Seven-night minimum stay in high season (July and August)
- WiFi wasn’t extending to bedrooms on our visit, but this is something they’re planning to address
- Luxury Gite
- 6 bedrooms
- Self catering
- All ages welcome
- Closed: Oct to May (excl Xmas & NY)
- Heated Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Babysitting
- Creche / Kids Club
- Car essential
- Parking
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Daily Maid Service
- Towels & Bedlinen
- Bicycles Available
- Petanque court
- Weekly cleaning
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 kingsize 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. All bedrooms have pale, polished, minimalist walk-in showers (one room also 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
- Toiletries
- TV
- Washing machine
- WiFi
- Wood-burner
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 local treats, and it’s only 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. Stock up at nearby markets on delicious local fruit, veg, cheese, salami, honey and foie gras: the Saturday morning market at Issigeac is particularly good.
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
- Dishwasher
- Food blender
- Fridge
- Full kitchen
- Hob or stove
- Microwave
- Oven
- Restaurants nearby
- Toaster
- Welcome hamper
- Drinks fridge
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
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Hiking
- Historical sites
- Kayaking
- Museums / galleries
- Plantlife / flora
- Shopping / markets
- Swimming
- Wine tasting
Best Time to go
May, June and September are ideal months, when the weather is usually at its best. July and August are great for summer events and night markets, but they tend to be busy as it's the school holidays. Note that many attractions only fully open during school holidays, and that the house is closed mid-November until then end of March excluding two weeks over Christmas and New Year.
Our Top Tips
This is a great option for an extended or multi-generational family holiday. We found that the young ones loved the huge pool, the middle ones loved the sunloungers and the long outdoor lunches, and the older ones loved relaxing and painting in wisteria-clad gardens. The generous indoor spaces are a treat for all, and there are local walks, plus a stream filled with dragonflies and frogs.
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.
Airports:
- Bergerac Dordogne-Périgord Airport 29.0 km EGC
Other:
- Beach 180.0 km
- Shops 3.3 km
- Restaurant 3.3 km
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape