View from the dining room window with the Montgolfier floating by
Location: Beynac-et-Cazenac, Aquitaine, France, Europe (5 miles to Sarlat, 35 m. to Bergerac, 96 m. to Bordeaux) View Map
Accommodations: Villa, 2 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 2 Baths (Sleeps 4-6)
Keywords: Villa with spectacular views over Dordogne Valley in Most Beautiful Village of France
Mont Joie is a charming 15th Century stone house located in the heart of the village of Beynac, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The chateau at Beynac is on the top of a 500 foot cliff and the village houses are positioned below - providing privacy and spectacular views from one side of the house, and village life on the other.
Extraordinary views of the magnificent Dordogne river and the Valley of the Five Chateaux present themselves from each of the four floors. The front door opens directly from the cobblestone streets - just steps from our private and unique parking grotte - into the main room of approximately 60 sq. meters. Honey colored stone walls, stone tile floor, ancient wooden beams and a huge medieval fireplace set the tone for this main floor. A fully applianced kitchen with a granite countered cooking area is built into one of the old fireplaces. Antique carpets and leather seating offers a comfortable area to relax, listen to the stereo or view English satellite television on the 30" flat panel television. The large dining table suitable for seating up to 6 diners is next to the window offering spectacular views of the river, the sunset and the colorful montgolfiers (hot air balloons) drifting by at dawn and sunset most days in season.
Down the stone staircase is the Master Bedroom with an ensuite bathroom combining modern fixtures with stone walls. A King-size bed with temperpedic mattress, reading lamps, desk and a large private full width balcony with loungers, barbeque and dining table for two make this room the ideal spot to relax with the a glass of wine to admire the view.
One floor down, the old merchants store room now is the second large bedroom, again with stone walls, ancient beamed ceiling and a river view. This room is set up as either a king size bed or two twins. An ensuite bathroom, and a full laundry room with washer and dryer complete this floor.
Because neither bedrooms are in the attic, and the thick stone walls offer a cooling insulator against the hot Dorgdogne summers, we sleep comfortably cool all summer long, many times with a duvet cover.
Another floor down brings you to two flagstoned terraces, one with a grape and wisteria arbor for a shaded sitting area which includes a small fountain and a few steps down, the lower terrace - with full access to the sun. Wonderful views of the river from both terraces and views of the Chateaux of Fayrac, Castelnaud, Lacosse and Marqueyssac.
Eat, drink and be merry. The 64 steps from the lower terrace to the kitchen will help burn off those excess calories.
Feeling hot and want a cooling dip? We will tell you about about our favorite spot in the wonderful River Ceau. Crystal clear water with no chlorine, within 4 kms. Nice shady spot for a picnic, so pack the basket and experience the true French joie de vivre.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking : Private parking is available just across from the front door of the property, a rarity in the village. You will need to have a compact car to navigate up and down the narrow lane.
- Wood Stove : New in 2009, enjoy the warmth of hearth and home with our new porcelain enameled wood stove by Godin.
- Beds
- King Bed (2) : One of the king beds can be separated into two twins upon request.
- Child Bed (2)
- Crib
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV : English Channels from Sky TV.
- DVD
- Video Library : Several titles available including many films shot on location around Beynac and in France.
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Balcony
- Lanai
- Gazebo
- View/Location
- Water View : Enjoy an unrestricted panoramic view of the Dordogne river.
- Mountain View
- Monument View : From the balcony and both terraces you can see the Chateaux of Marqueyssac, Fayrac, Castelnaud and Lacosse.
- Communications
- Telephone
- Free Long Distance : New in 2009 - FREE long distance telephone service to all of Western Europe, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many more.
- Broadband Internet : Free High Speed DSL.
- WiFi (Wireless Internet) : Free high speed WiFi, Bring your laptop!
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed : Family members have allergies.
- Kid Friendly : We welcome well-behaved children but be very careful. There are steep stone and wood staircases which could present a hazard for toddlers.
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters : 25 years and older
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Boating
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Fishing
- Antiquing
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Hiking
- Spelunking
- Restaurants
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
Rate Details (In Euros)
(Jan 7-Mar 9, 2012) € 855/wk (Jun 30-Aug 31, 2012) € 1725/wk
(Mar 10-Apr 6, 2012) € 925/wk (Sep 1-Oct 5, 2012) € 1625/wk
(Apr 7-May 18, 2012) € 1175/wk (Oct 6-Nov 2, 2012) € 1245/wk
(May 19-Jun 29, 2012) € 1575/wk (Nov 3-Dec 21, 2012) € 855/wk
(Dec 22-Jan 4, 2013) € 1150/wk
We accept credit cards via PayPal, wire transfers and personal checks in Euros.
Weekly rentals run from 4 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. the next Saturday unless
otherwise arranged. Prices are all inclusive of taxes, fees, linens, and heating.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Map & Owner's Profile
Beynac-a Million Euro View and a 15th Century Village Charmer
Year Purchased: 2008
Why the Owner Chose Beynac-et-Cazenac
Beynac feels like home to us. Like a story book village lost in time that we had only read or dreamed about, it deserves its designation as Most Beautiful Village of France.
The Unique Benefits at this Villa
Villa Mont Joie enjoys a central village location and superb 180 degree views from the covered balcony and two garden terraces. The stunning scenery and setting are captivating! Located on a footpath leading up the chateau but far enough to be off the main road and away from street noise. Just steps away are the best restaurants in the village, a snack shop, antique shop, wine shop, bakery, grocer, post office, pharmacy and ATM.
Owner's Map of Beynac-et-Cazenac
We are avid Francophiles and love to travel in Europe. We've been coming to Beynac since 1997 and immediately felt a sense of connection to this charming little village in this beautiful region of France. Some years we visited several times. Eventually, we found a place of our own. This is more than a vacation rental to us, it's a second home
Property Photos
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- View from the dining room window with the Montgolfier floating by - Aquitaine, France Vacation
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- The Great Room with its original limestone fireplace - Aquitaine, France Vacation
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- Romantic master bedroom with King size four poster bed and private bath - Aquitaine, France Vacation
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- Enjoy panoramic views on the terrace adjoining the master suite
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- Fully Equipped Kitchen with high end appliances and granite countertops
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- Welcome home to a relaxing respite after a busy day of site seeing
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- Spectacular Beynac village with its 12th Century Castle
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- Second Master Bedroom with King Size Bed and Private Bath
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- Relax in the comfort of your medieval retreat with leather club chairs and sofa
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- The master bath is spacious and boasts interesting architectural details
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- Villa Mont Joie overlooking the Valley of the 5 Chateaux
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- Garden pergola covered in wisteria adds a romantic element to the garden
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- Mont Joie has a private parking grotto just steps from the front door
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- Get a birds-eye view of Beynac from a Hot Air Ballon
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- Hot Air Balloons often soar by just outside the great room window
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- Dinner with a view on the covered terrace at Mont Joie
Traveler Reviews (27)
"The Honeymooners"
Guest: Sean
(Dallas, Texas.USA)
Date of Stay: 01/07/12
Review Submitted: 01/18/12
Following our wedding, in my homeland of Ireland, we were ready for a quiet time, alone. Mont Joie was the perfect answer. The house, and the village, are cozy and inviting. It is clean, tidy and exactly as it appears in the photos. The property allows plenty of privacy as it has three levels, so, as I was cooking something in the kitchen, my wife was on the garden patio reading a magazine. The staff were very accomodating; they had the house ready and warmed and met us in person to show how everything worked, though we had arrived quite late at night. The only difficulty for us was the time of year that we visited. As it was the beginning of January almost ALL of the restaurants and shops in the village and surrounding areas were closed... As a restaurant owner myself, I was very dissapointed by this. I would highly recommend this property, and it's efficient and congenial owner. I just recommend that one checks the schedule of the "neighborhood" in advance!
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, sightseeing, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.
comfortable, exceptional home in a gorgeous part of the world
Guest: experienced home renter
(United States)
Date of Stay: 12/22/11
Review Submitted: 01/10/12
We really enjoyed Mont Joie - it offers absolutely exceptional views year round and is a very comfortable and peaceful place to stay. We visited over the Christmas holiday and really enjoyed the cozy fireplace, the medieval architecture, the river view, and the fog that appears in the evening. Just a magical place! The home is very well appointed, with a sofa you can sink into, fine beds, and a kitchen equipped for those who want to make meals at home. There are many lovely sites, restaurants, and places to visit all a short drive away - and right in town, too. Loved this place.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway.
Your homebase in Perigord Noir
Guest: Michael W
(Marshfield, MA (Boston))
Date of Stay: 10/08/11
Review Submitted: 10/30/11
My wife and I, and another couple, spent mid-October 2011 at Mont Joie. Beyond our expectations for charm and comfort. We felt at home in the village of Beynac and Mont Joie felt like "our home" in the Dorgdogne River valley. We concur with all the rave reviews in the guest book - for example the views from both terraces are a daily treat, overlooking the river and, in the distance, the chateaux (castles) of Feynac and Castelnaud. While there's so much to do in the area, one of the chief attractions is Mont Joie itself. Such a nice feeling walking in the door after a long day of market visits or sightseeing. The owners' notes provide all the guidance you need to settle in and venture out. The place is well-equipped and comfortable. The added freebees - free calls to the States and WiFi kept us connected to family and Kindle books. Can't vouch for the TV because we never turned it on. We cooked our meals in about 50% of the time because we enjoy it, it's cheaper, and we can consume more local wine that way. If you're thinking of the Dordogne, think of Beynac and Mont Joie.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing, age 55+, romantic getaway.
Mont Joie
Guest: Swiss family
(Switzerland)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11
Review Submitted: 09/17/11
We very much enjoyed our stay in Mont Joie. The house is located in the middle of Beynac and overlooks the river Dordogne. The house is spacious and well equipped and has fantastic views over the valley. A big surprise were the hanging gardens - ideal for eating outdoors or watching the hot air balloons pass by. We all (including our boys aged 10 and 12) loved going out to the river to swim or to paddle around (we had taken our inflatable boat). We rented (twice!) a canoe to make the 15 km trip to explore the river and the spectacular views of the castles of Castelnaud, Fayrac and la Roque-Gageac. The area is excellent for sightseeing (castles in plenty abound and also very interesting for the boys), walks through beautiful country side (the office de tourism has maps of walks one can make), prehistoric caves (don't forget to prebook at least a month in advance) and more. The location in the middle of Beynac means that all nice, little stores are close by. However, it also means that quite a lot of tourists walk past the front door. I did not find this an issue at all - one really does not notice this as the house is largely facing the river - at multiple levels. In fact, the gardens/ terraces are very peaceful. While suitable for younger children, it might be a bit more challenging for the very young ones that are not yet "stair walking" safe. We tremendously enjoyed our stay, the region, Beynac itself (very impressive ) and the atmosphere that also the house contributed to! Thank you!
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.
small correction
Guest: JJ
(st simons island)
Date of Stay: 08/13/11
Review Submitted: 09/07/11
Meant to say: NOT....repeat....definately NOT a sparse rental.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, sightseeing, age 55+, girls getaway, families with young children, romantic getaway.
Excellent location, beautiful historic home
Guest: JJ
(st simons island)
Date of Stay: 08/13/11
Review Submitted: 09/04/11
This home is beautifully furnished with french antiques, copper pieces, very comfortable beds, tons of linens & more gadgets in the kitchen than you may have at home! The photographs are accurate except that they may not do the great room/kitchen & the VIEW justice. You will remember the view long after your vacation is over. (Imagine waking up to the sound of ducks down on the river and watching the mist lift above the hills to reveal 2 neighborhing chateaus!) And yes, hot air balloons do go by, right over the roof in fact!! House was clean & owner very responsivel when we had problems with TV & internet. He was very organized with all paperwork/transactions & recco's on day trips, local markets and restaurants were excellent. The home was throughtfully well stocked with DVDs, excellent travel books/maps, umbrellas, walking sticks, laundry detergent. Beynace is a very tiny medievel village with a "chateau"/fortress at the top...tons of charm and character. You will become friends with the local merchants! Note: this house and this village are not for people who have difficulty either with steps(the house) or going up and down steep stone village paths. I am not great at walking down hill and a couple times used a rubber tipped cane for security (and I am a VERY fit 55 year old!). Up hill is steep and will get you huffing & puffing, but is a good way to work off the cheese & pate! If you want charm, a sense of history, modern conveniences, a home that does feel like a sparse rental, a place to relax with wine and watch the sun go down, this is it!!! Plenty of hot water & modern bathrooms (altho as 2 floors are below ground humidity and mildew are struggle for these homes). To do: La Petite Tonnellel for dinner, Saturday market in Sarlat, kayak on the Dordogne (clear and clean like you won't believe! Take a picnic...lots of spots to get out), hikes around the town to Cazenac & St. Vincent de Cosse, trips to Domme, Monpazier (lunch at Privilege Perigo ), St. Cirq Lapopie, Racamadour. Peche Merle caves are incredible and orginal, not recreated. Re the parking grotto: you MUST have a narrow car. Fold in your mirrors & it is do-able. Backing out takes many manuevers, but with 2 people (1 in the car & 1 out directing), it is fine. The applause from tourists after you finish the process is amusing. We took the owner's suggestion: bought a parking permit for down by the river (22E for 2 wks.) & parked there when we came back after dark.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, sightseeing, age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway.
Beautiful home in medieval hilltop town
Guest: Laura S.
(Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Date of Stay: 06/25/11
Review Submitted: 07/18/11
Although we pored over the gorgeous website photos of Mont Joie for months before our trip, nothing prepared us for the beauty of the setting or the charming layout of this luxurious, comfortable home. As advertised, it is very well-equipped (first-class bathrooms and kitchen) and filled with lovely antiques and decorative touches (although we never felt we couldn't put our feet up on the furniture). We loved having breakfast on our private balcony each morning, and relaxing in the evening by watching the hot-air balloons floating over the castles and river valley outside our window, curling up with one of the excellent books in the library, or watching a video. We had one or two very hot days, but the old stone house stayed delightfully cool. The only set-back was the European clothes dryer, which never seemed to get the clothes dry. I wish I had bypassed it and hung the clothes on the line right away, because they dried in the sun in hours. The house is situated along a somewhat steep, cobbled, switchback of a street that leads up to Beynac castle, our favorite castle in the Dordogne. Climbing roses, hanging grape vines, fragrant lavender and rosemary greeted us around every corner. Beynac is truly something out of a fairytale. It's also very well located as a base for the entire region. We enjoyed a day in Sarlat, lunch at Le Petit Paris in Daglan, kayaking on the Dordogne, the markets at St. Cyprien and Monpazier, and a too-brief visit to Domme among our many activities. In short, it was a wonderful stay in a marvelous home. I highly recommend Mont Joie.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, sightseeing, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.
Serene respite
Guest: Frank J
(United States)
Date of Stay: 07/02/11
Review Submitted: 07/16/11
We had a wonderful time in Mont Joie. It was just what we needed. We had had a very difficult trip up until that point and arrived exhausted and stressed. What better place to unwind than in this lovely, serene environment!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway.
A week in Heaven
Guest: Tom
(Yucaipa, Ca USA)
Date of Stay: 05/28/11
Review Submitted: 06/22/11
my wife and I spent the last week of May 2011 at Mont Joie and wish the experience could have continued indefinetly! The home is everything it was advertised to be and more. The moment you see the home, and then enter you immediately feel the charm of Southern France renaissance living. The views from just outside the windows and multitude of balconies offer you a portal to green meadows, a winding river and castles on the opposite hills. The furnishings were very comfortable and met all of our needs. The City of Beynac is great. A number of the restaurants are within easy walking distance. The food was exceptional, and the service was wonderful. There were more attractions within a short drive than we could see in our weeks stay. As many other people have stated the leisurly canoe ride was a definet high point of the trip. We were picked up by a van at the bottom of the hill upon which Mont Joie sits and taken to our departure point, and the trip ended on the small ramp immediately across the street. It could not have been more conveinent or enjoyable. We ventured out to different restaurants every night and were always pleased with our experiences. Driving in the area is very pleasant since the roads meander through forest, along the river and by working farm fields. The owner Vincent was a pleasure to deal with from the beginning of our planning process, and once we arrived at Mont Joie his local representatives were responsive to all of our needs. We were obviously very pleased with our entire experience at Mont Joie, and would enthusiastically recommend this home to any and everyone wishing to visit the Dordogne Region.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, adventure seekers, sightseeing, tourists without a car, age 55+, girls getaway, families with young children, romantic getaway.
Mont Joie - Couldn't be nicer
Guest: J T and Regina
(Cincinnati, Ohio, US)
Date of Stay: 05/14/11
Review Submitted: 06/09/11
Mont Joie is a gem. It’s hard to believe there could be a better location or a nicer place in the Dordogne. We loved the house and we loved Beynac. We felt the picturesque streets and overall ambiance in Beynac were much nicer than better-known places like La Roque Gageac. Beynac is a lovely village with just enough in the way of services, but at least in May, it isn’t overrun with visitors. We had every breakfast and a couple of (modest) dinners sitting at the window just taking in the scene outside and the view of the castles, the hills and the river. We spent one entire day just lying around under the cover of the wisteria on the terrace. We met some other very interesting couples from various parts of the world who were also renting houses in Beynac and enjoyed dinner with them a couple of times. We spent a good bit of our week wandering the roads and walking some trails, stopping in some of the lesser-travelled villages for walks, pictures/video and a quiet meal. Aside from Beynac, we liked Castelnaud and Domme best. Lunch on the terrace at Marqueyssac with the view of Beynac was a real highlight for us. The view was spectacular (the reverse of the view from Mont Joie) and the food was good. If want to eat by the river, the restaurant right on the water in Beynac has a great view. It's a great walk up to the castle, but be forewarned that the view up at the castle isn't any better than the view at Mont Joie! There's so much within 10 miles of Beynac that you'll never want for things to see and do just a short drive away. Sarlat, a very nice small city, is close if you need anything you can't get in Beynac. Since we like to rent automatic cars, we couldn't use the parking space because our car was too large for Beynac's lovely little streets. So if you have anything but a small car, you'll be carrying your luggage up the hillside a bit. No big thing, really. The walk from Beynac's public parking lot by the river isn't any more than three or four minutes, and the reward of the amibience at Mont Joie is more than worth it. Overall, the house was not just as described; it was nicer. There was even a basket of "starter groceries" in case we didn't get to the store in time to stock up for the first breakfast. Our only hesitation about posting such a positive review is that too many people might like it as much as we do, and we might have a tougher time finding available dates for our return visits.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, romantic getaway.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #148294
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