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Welcome to our 300 year old Pigeonnier (dovecote) at Petit Bout! Find us tucked into an hameau (hamlet) of 6 stone houses in the Perigord Poupre (wine growing region). A 17th century ruin when we discovered it, it has been restored and renovated by an American architect with international design experience. The Pigeonnier’s many original features have been preserved among them, the open fireplace, the stone warming-oven and the evier (stone sink).
On the Pigeonnier’s ground floor, we’ve installed ultra modern appliances to create a kitchen that is the perfect blend of old and new. Above the kitchen, reached by a circular steel and oak stair created by a local artisan, is a nice size single bedroom with sink and mezzanine. Beyond the living area on the ground floor, are two bedrooms, the spacious master bedroom has an ensuite with a tub and walk-in shower. The third bedroom, the ‘chambre d’ami’ is beyond as is another bathroom which this room and the upstairs bedroom share. Both the living room and chambre d’ami open onto a private interior courtyard. This courtyard leads out to a second, larger courtyard, which offers views of the countryside beyond. The Pigeonnier is furnished inside and out with comfortable, country French furniture and fabrics while the kitchen and bathrooms offer the latest in modern convenience.
Surrounded by fields of sunflowers and rows of grapevines, Petit Bout is in the ‘compagne’ but not remote. A pleasant stroll (or 5 minute drive) along a country road, past the Cave Cooperative (where locals bring their grapes to be blended into wine) takes us to a medieval village, Sigoules, with all amenities - boulangerie, maison de la presse (English newspapers, magazines & books for sale), café, post-office, etc.). Ten minutes by car and you’re at the fairy tale castle of Monbazillac, touring the Chateau or sipping the sweet white wine of the same name, which the locals drink with dessert or more often with another speciality of the region, foie gras. One of our favorite restaurants is in Monbazillac and the food is as good as the scenery is: spectacular. Another 10 minutes farther north will find you at the capital of the Perigord Poupre, Bergerac, made famous by the Musketeer who never set foot in the town. The twice weekly Farmer’s Market which engulfs the Church with fresh, local produce and the Maison des Vins, where you may taste and sniff as many local wines are you are able, will make you forget all about Cyrano’s slight! At Bergerac, you can explore Old Town by foot or take a relaxing gabarre (flat bottom boat) ride and travel lazily along the Dordogne River.
Within an hour radius of Petit Bout, grand chateaux and simple wineries welcome you and offer you samples of their Bergerac sec (white wine), Pecharment (red wine) and of course Monbazillac wine. If you enjoy Farmer’s Markets, you can find one everyday and depending upon the season, you can gorge on white asparagus, wild strawberries or perfectly ripened peaches. If you like antiquing or searching for bargains, then the brocantes (antique fairs) and vide greniers (literally empty the attic) held in different villages and towns each weekend throughout the summer, are for you. Sightseeing too is easy with Petit Bout as your base. Within an hour or so drive, you’ll be touring beautifully preserved medieval hilltowns like Beynac and Castelnaud with their fabulous fortress chateaux, medieval bastides (planned towns) created by English and French rivals during the 100 Years Wars, of which nearby Monpazier is the best preserved. Then there are Sarlat and Brantome and their nearby Renaissance pleasure chateaux. And of course, there are the caves with prehistoric paintings from Lascaux to Font de Gaume and Rouffignac (where you visit the cave by electric train) that are not to be missed. From late July through mid-August, medieval fairs abound - with actors, dancers and musicians all in period costume, you'll be transported back in time. Please keep scrolling for more views of Petit Bout. |
