Vacation Rentals by Owner

Stepping Back in Time

Guest: Jim (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 03/31/12 Review Submitted: 04/23/12

Vincent, I cannot tell you how much we enjoyed Mount Joie!!!!!!!!!! There are no adequate words to describe it. I tried to put my thoughts in your guest book but in a nutshell, stepping into your place was like stepping back into time. I am sure you have heard that before. It was a fantasy. You and Michelle have done an absolutely fantastic job of creating a charming home with a wonderful atmosphere. We are so glad that we got the chance to visit especially after that delays last fall. We had a couple of days of challenging weather but other than that it was superb. I took your advice: we’d often sit on the balcony and simple absorb the wonders around us. It was so relaxing and tranquil. The visit to the Perigord now ranks as our #1 vacation of all time. We’d go back in a heartbeat! Thank you. Jim & Bev Ottawa, Canada

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent Location, Great Experience

Guest: venu (United States)
Date of Stay: 03/03/12 Review Submitted: 03/19/12

This was our first vacation rental experience, and I must say it's set a high bar. Mont Joie is 3 hours or less from the legendary vineyards of Pauillac and Margaux to the east, and spectacular views in St Cirq La Popie, Rocomadour and Cahors to the West, in addition to Beynac being quite the destination itself (in fact you're half way up to Beynac Castle, which we wish we'd spent more time at). The Mont Joie staff was warm, welcoming and very professional. The accommodations are very comfortable, with a grocery store, butcher and bakery within walking distance (if you're inclined to cook). If you're into haute cuisine, Le Grand Bleu in nearby Sarlat is well worth considering. There is 'attached' car parking for the intrepid, but the public parking is only 50 yards away. If you're looking for a place both comfortable and scenic in the Dordogne region, you'll be hard pressed to do better than Mont Joie.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

"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:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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

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:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

We should have stayed longer!

Guest: stormin (Maui)
Date of Stay: 05/21/11 Review Submitted: 06/07/11

My wife & I traveled around Provence and Beynac region for 5 weeks (renting two homes). We really loved Provence and then came to Beynac and stayed at Mount Joie for a week. What a mistake!!! We should have been there for a month. No fool'in. One of the fondest memories was when we would cook dinner with the open window to the steep, narrow walkway from the Village which passed the residence. How fun was it having onlookers smell our cooking, wanting to drink our wine and terribly interested to how cool the home was. What a treat. We quickly made friends in the wine store, the meat store, the bakery , a few restaurants and also the markets. In a very short period of time, we felt like locals, even though we live in Maui. The next time, we will stay there a month (hopefully). Lucky us to have found this hideaway! aloha, Norm & Brenda

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

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:Romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Mont Joie

Guest: greg (Fairhope,Al. United States)
Date of Stay: 04/09/11 Review Submitted: 04/28/11

We found our stay at Beynac-et-Cazenac to be more than what we hoped . Both the French people and the area made us feel very welcome and at home. The great wine & food just added to our great experience. We can't wait to return.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Can we give more than 5 stars?

Guest: Rich (Falmouth, MA)
Date of Stay: 04/02/11 Review Submitted: 04/27/11

The rental experience was easy and professional. The pictures were accurate and the information Vincent supplied was invaluable. Here's the thing, while we were enjoying the many delights of the Dordogne, every day we looked forward to coming back to our home (away from home). The house is immaculate, fully furnished, a joy to live and relax in, and a very special place. Some of our best times were coming back to relax on the porch off the master bedroom in the sun with a cooling breeze off the river, watching the river slip by, sipping a glass of Pecharmant, and admiring the always spectacular views. Even the montgolfiers put in several appearances. We particularly enjoyed our river walk to Chateau Marqueyssac (bought a french straw hat for the sun) and a second trip along the river to Chateau Castelnaud. We made it to the top of Chateau Beynac twice with its incredible views, and highly recommend the long walk through the countryside back down. We visited La Roque Gagneac and Domme (for dinner on the terasse watching the sunset), Lascaux 2, and as far as Rocamadour (cheese to die for). Memorable meals included La Petit Tonnelle (you must), Presidial in Sarlat, and L'Esplanade in Domme. We shopped at Casino in Sarlat and cooked our own Magret de Canard in what is truly a fully equipped kitchen. Most of all Mont Joie is comfortable and one can truly relax. Even the walk up and down is good for you, both body and soul. Nothing could have been nicer than our time in Beynac et Cazenac and Mont Joie. Thanks to Vincent for allowing us the pleasure of calling it our own for a week. We would recommend this experience to anyone.

Recommended for:Age 55+, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Fairy tale place!

Guest: Don and Patty (Abbotsford, BC, Canada)
Date of Stay: 10/16/10 Review Submitted: 11/14/10

We spent a week in October at Mont Joie. The Dordogne is a fantasy land and staying in Beynac just adds to the depth of the dream. Mont Joie is the icing on the cake. The vila is so well equiped and so very comfortable. The view of the river, the surrounding countryside and the castles only heightens the feeling that you have taken a detour to another century but have managed to drag along all the conveniences of the current one. We would highly recommend Mont Joie if you are planning a stay in the Perigord.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing.

A fantastic property in the Dordogne

Guest: Frank O'Phile (Victoria, BC, Canada)
Date of Stay: 07/10/10 Review Submitted: 10/07/10

The listing description was accurate regarding the location--the town of Beynac and the Dordogne area are beautiful. Photos accurately reflect this property--we chose this property largely on the photos and were not disappointed. The property was exceptionally well maintained. The owner was great to deal with from the start of the process right to the very end. We had prompt replies to our questions, detailed information on getting to the property and a very useful handbook at the property on things to do in Beynac and the surrounding area. Our favourites: 1. The two homes, La Petite Maison and Mont Joie are beautifully period-decorated and the views from Mont Joie are awesome. Both homes were comfortable and welcoming to return to each evening. We loved the library, both film and book. The orientation booklet was invaluable. We also viewed the suggested films that portrayed views and castles in the area. The homes were really well equipped; virtually everything that we wanted to use was there, the microwave, dishwasher, TV, WiFi , washer and dryer, and dishes, cutlery, pots and pans, etc. Being part of an authentic local neighbourhood was a bonus; we were a bit afraid that we would be surrounded by tourists, but such was not the case. We were able to chat daily with the woman in the wine store and with the proprietor of La Petite Tonnelle. 2. Food-The food at La Petite Tonnelle is delicious. We also thoroughly enjoyed Le Grand Bleu in Sarlet for dinner and passed a lovely afternoon near Domme at the ferme-auberge, La Borie Blanche, however, it was good to have a French speaker at the table at La Borie Blanche. La Récréation in Les Arques was amazing. 3. Activities/Visits We loved the town of Les Eyzies and the National Museum of Pre-history, as well as the cave paintings in nearby Font de Gaume. Paddling down the Dordogne was a highlight, with a ride on the motorized Gabarres a less strenuous option. Domme was pretty, with that incredible view from the Terrasse, and we loved the shopping and market. St Cyprien market was huge and very good. The 'plus beaux villages de France' were great; we particularly enjoyed Carrenac, Autoine, the Chateau de Montal and Chateau de Castelnau. The castles of Beynac and Castlenaud were interesting, as were the nearby Jardins de Marqueyssac. Don't miss: St Cirq-La Popie, Peche Merle, Rocamadour, Roque Gageac or Sarlat.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Location, location, location!

Guest: Tori O. (San Francisco)
Date of Stay: 07/03/10 Review Submitted: 07/28/10

It was a wonderful experience from check-in to check-out. It is simply the best location in Beynac with lovely views and the home is comfortable and well equipped. Imagine the comforts of home combined with the charm of a 15th century building! Beynac is the ideal spot to use as a home base to see the Dordogne, and Mont Joie is the place to stay.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Most Magical Place Ever!

Guest: PnJ (Thousand Oaks, CA, US)
Date of Stay: 05/08/10 Review Submitted: 05/25/10

Your home is beautifully appointed and we had everything that we needed for the week...it's a real home away from home. We really loved relaxing on the balcony and enjoying the beautiful views with a nice glass of wine. It was quite a privilege to stay in such a wonderful place. You must be so happy to have Mont Joie as part of your family. What a joy, indeed. We look forward to returning as soon as possible.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: luanne (Lancaster, PA)
Date of Stay: 04/14/10 Review Submitted: 04/14/10

We just returned from a week's stay at Mont Joie & recommend it 100%. The house itself is beautifully decorated and equipped, but the location and view are truly worth "A Million Euro"!!! If you are able to tear yourself away from Mont Joie, there are at least 5 gorgeous castles to tour within a 10 mile radius, wonderful small villages of character to explore and the must-see gardens of Marqueyssac. Beynac is the perfect central base for daytrips to the Bordeaux wine region and the gorgeous scenery and villages of the Dorgogne River Valley. The produce markets are fun to explore, and the area is packed with wonderful restaurant options. We've rented several vacation properties before, but Mont Joie by far surpasses the others for standard of furnishings and amenities, location and VIEWS!! If you're heading to France, include this area - and Mont Joie - in your visit.

Recommended for:

Best Rental in the Best Village in the Best Region of France

Guest: luanne (Lancaster, PA)
Date of Stay: 03/27/10 Review Submitted: 04/14/10

We just returned from a week's stay at Mont Joie and recommend it 100%. The house itself is beautifully decorated and equipped, but the location and view are truly worth "A Million Euro"!!! If you are able to tear yourself away from Mont Joie, there are at least 5 gorgeous castles to tour within a 10 mile radius, wonderful small villages of character to explore and the must-see gardens of Marqueyssac. Beynac is the perfect central base for daytrips to the Bordeaux wine region and the gorgeous scenery and villages of the Dordogne River Valley. The produce markets are fun to explore, and the area is packed with wonderful restaurant options. We've rented several vacation properties before, but Mont Joie by far surpasses the others for standard of furnishings and amemities, location and VIEWS!!! If you're heading to France, include this area - and Mont Joie - in your visit.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Guest: slomartire in nc (Siler City, North Carolina, USA)
Date of Stay: 12/01/09 Review Submitted: 12/01/09

Mont Joie is a simply delightful holiday rental. The owners have done a wonderful job of equipping this home with everything needed to make guests comfortable. The location is fantastic -- the perfect base for exploring the Dordogne and beyond. The village is beautiful, steeped in beauty and history. The views, the sightseeing, the foods of the area, the activities -- all more than live up to their descriptions.

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Guest: California Visitor (Los Altos, California, USA)
Date of Stay: 07/06/09 Review Submitted: 07/06/09

Perfection in a villa rental California Visitor Los Altos, California, USA. Date Submitted: June 30, 2009 Date of Stay: June 2009 Bottom line, Villa Mont Joie is equal to our best villa experience in 40 years of extensive traveling and my 20 years of travel consulting . VIEW: Magic. Certainly the best villa view in Beynac and equal to the best overall take-in villa view of our travels. We always seek a stunning view in a villa. Mont Joie is true magic and the pictures just cannot do it justice - 180 degree view of the Dordogne, castles, boats, hot air balloons, swans - that is changing and mesmerizing dawn to dusk. The huge top floor window and large covered second floor deck with table/chaises/bbq are focal points to this. INSIDE: This is a beautifully renovated medievel era home with the finest touches of period interior design and furniture and lighting. Many of the walls are the glowing honey color stone of the region. The master bath is spectacular with the glass sink set against the local stone. KITCHEN: Equipped at the highest grade with stainless steel appliances, granite, and extensive dishes, serving and kitchenware, and accessories. As cooks, we were in heaven. BEDS: Among the most comfortable of all our travels. SETTING: Mont Joie is in the fairy tale town of Beynac, consistently one of the most beautiful villages in France. The key sites of the area are all within easy reach by car (chateaux, Sarlat, etc). We were a party of 4 - myself and husband and daughters 9 and 15. We found Mont Joie as close to perfection as a rental could be. The owners use this home as their own for their vacations which speaks volumes to the quality. As renters of Mont Joie, we stepped in as "residents" rather than mere villa renters for the week due to the quality and beauty. The ultimate compliment to a rental is that you want to stay there rather than venture out as it is so nice. Mont Joie is truly a rare gem . .and we were lucky to experience it. A week of magic moments in a magic villa in a magic setting - what more could you want from a vacation? Recommended for: Girls Getaway, Families with Teenagers, Romantic Getaway, Adventure Seekers, Age 55+, Sightseeing

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Guest: lisa an barry gurney (londo0n hertfordshire)
Date of Stay: 10/16/08 Review Submitted: 10/16/08

mont joie is a truly magical experience. either relaxing on the terrace with its wonderful views or canoeing down the dordogne this place has it all. visit the hotel du chateAU in beynac walking distance from house for lovely home cooked food and great service you wont be dissapointed. we hope to return very soon.

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Guest: The Stewarts1 (Toronto, ON)
Date of Stay: 08/24/08 Review Submitted: 08/24/08

We had a fabulous time, Mont Joie was absolutely perfect. The views from the balcony will keep us going through the long Canadian winter! Our first visit to the Dordogne will not be our last. There was lots for the kids to do - the Air Parc and other such tree climbing adventure parks were great for our older kids. I thought the best things we did were to visit Beynac castle, canoe on the river and then the Gouffre de Padirac, which is worth the drive but get there early! The balcony provided an excellent view of the hot air balloons and also a spectacular lightning storm. Mont Joie is centrally located for many things to do, and the accommodation is first class.

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Guest: Katherine, Mark, Olenna, and Ella (North Vancouver, BC)
Date of Stay: 08/21/08 Review Submitted: 08/21/08

We loved Mont Joie. After 6 weeks in France, this was by far our favourite vacation rental. The house is beautiful as well as comfortable and well-equipped. The views from all three levels can't be beat. (They take up a big section of our photo album!) This is a perfect spot to visit the lovely Dordogne.

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Guest: Martha Spaulding (Belmont, Mass.)
Date of Stay: 05/25/08 Review Submitted: 05/25/08

My husband and I and our two friends were absolutely enchanted by Mont Joie. The phrase "million euro view" is right on target. One or all of us were constantly standing at the dining room window if we weren't on the balcony or one of the terraces: river, castles, chateaux, flowers, birds, hot-air balloons, made a fairytale picture we couldn't get enough of. The kitchen was nicely equipped (though we'd love to see some mixing bowls included); the dishes and glassware were pretty; the bedrooms were spacious and comfortable; the gardens around the split-level terrace were exquisite. Wonderful village markets every day of the week; great walks; excellent restaurants nearby; wonderful towns and other excursions all around. Mont Joie lived up to the pictures and description on the website where we found it. I'd never rented a property online before, and this experience was 100% satisfactory.

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 05/22/08 Review Submitted: 05/22/08

caroline wrote something in the guest book, but to add, the location was superb with panaromic views of the valley, river and chateaux. The facilities were excellent and extensive(kitchen, bathroom). Some of the kitchen knives could be sharpened(bread knife). Can one access by car the house from the other way reliably(from the Sarlat side)? Instructions for the kitchen equipment were comprehensive, and the suggestions from past guests on what they found worthwhile to do were useful. Overall, an excellent location and extremely high standard of accommodation. We were very happy there. regards Simon and Caroline Chin

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Guest: Dawn A. (-)
Date of Stay: 04/16/08 Review Submitted: 04/16/08

My husband and I loved our stay in your beautiful home. It was everything you advertised to be. The views of the river and castles are magnificent. The furnishings are lovely, and the bed extremely comfortable. We enjoyed many lovely evenings on the terrace overlooking the river. The area has many wonderful sites and great things to do. We would highly recommend your home to anyone! Thank you! Dawn, Ann Arbor, Michigan

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