Location: Sarlat-la-Canéda, Aquitaine, France, Europe (Fifteen minutes from Sarlat.)
Accommodations: House, 2 Bedrooms, 1.5 Baths (Sleeps 4)
In its bucolic setting, Gaurenne is a three hundred year old farm of special charm. Arranged around a courtyard, it is a fine example of Perigordine architecture. The buildings are constructed of golden limestone and the steep pitched roofs are constructed of stone slabs, giving this farm its fairy tale quality. Climbing roses, jasmine and lavender fill the courtyard with fragrance, and the herb garden by the door is intended for your use.
The house had been restored in a way that respects it original rustic character, while being modernized for your convenience. The interior has many walls of exposed stone and has exposed beams throughout. The eat-in kitchen is of generous size and includes a dishwasher and the usual amenities. From the table a lovely stone window looks out into the meadow. The living room is large and includes a comfortable seating area as well as an antique farm table for dining.
Upstairs, there are two bedrooms, one with a double bed and the other with two single beds, which can also be joined. Both rooms have large windows and antique armoires and the master bedroom contains a sink. There is also a bathroom with a tub/shower, bidet, and sink set into a tile counter. The WC is separate.
Guests arriving enter a gate leading into a courtyard filled with flowers and partially shaded by a plane tree. At the far side of the courtyard, a covered terrace holds a long teak table and chairs for outdoor dining. On the north side of the house is a fruit orchard; the fruit is yours for the taking if you are there when it's ripe. There is also a walnut orchard.
On the south side of the house, the swimming pool is hidden from view but is open to the meadow and hills beyond. Measuring 17' x 36', it was recently re-built and bordered with stones from Burgundy. This is a favorite spot for guests and is a welcome pleasure at the end of a day of sightseeing. Outdoor lighting makes night swims a pleasure as well. Lounge chairs, beach towels and mats are provided as are kickboards and some water toys for children. (Please see link for photo of pool as well as others of house)
The farm is set on 28 acres, yours to explore, and trails can be followed for miles through the countryside, either on foot or on bicycle.
Five minutes away is a village where you'll find a post office, three restaurants, and a grocery store/cafe/bar. Just as close is a lake with a public beach and tennis courts. Fifteen minutes away, the larger medieval town of Sarlat has everything you might need, including shops, restaurants, movie theatre, hospital, summer festivals,and outdoor markets.
Gaurenne is situated in the part of the Dordogne known as the Perigord Noir, which offers a lush landscape threaded with meandering rivers and dotted with charming villages. This is a rural area with a quiet, unspoiled countryside where the traditional way of life is still very much in evidence. Despite the tranquility, there are a wide range of activities and sites to fill your days, should you so choose. There are extensive hiking trails, canoe, trips on the Dordogne and Vezere rivers, horseback riding, swimming, and tennis nearby. There are numerous chateaux to visit (Beynac and Castelnaud are not to be missed)as well as odd sites like the haunting Chateau de Commarque and the Cabanes de Breuil (an unusual cluster of ancient, round, stone buildings of unknown origin). The region's wealth of prehistoric sites is close at hand. The Lascaux caves, Font de Gaume, the National Museum of Pre-history at Les Eyzies de Tayac, and the Abri de Cap Blanc, with its carved horses, provide memorable experiences. Local outdoor markets abound, featuring the regional produce and products for which the Dordogne is revered as a gastromic center of France. The twice weekly market in Sarlat being one of the most colorful in France. A listing of suggested outings, restaurants, and market days is provided to help visitors make full use of their stay.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Linens Provided
- Off Street Parking: This is an entirely private property, the house located amidst 28 acres of meadow, orchards and woods, therefore parking is not a problem.
- Beds
- King Bed
- Double Bed: This bed is wider than an American double
- Twin/Single Bed
- Crib
- Entertainment
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Private Pool: The generous pool sits in its own garden behind the house and opens onto the meadow. Please see photos on linked site.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio: The covered terrace is one of the especially wonderful feature of the property. With views of neighboring hills and hamlet, it is peaceful and totally private place to enjoy meals, read, or visit with friends.
- Lanai
- View/Location
- Mountain View: Views are of neighboring hills and farms.
- Communications
- Telephone
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- House has new washing machine and central heating.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly
- Smoking Not Allowed: Smoking on the terrace or by the pool is fine.
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Horseback Riding
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Other Activities
- Set in breath-taking nature and within easy reach of medieval villages, chateaux, Lascaux and other pre-historic caves and shelters, with some of the most celebrated prehistoric cave art in the world. There are also numerous outdoor markets, and two magnificent rivers. This is "deep France" with the added advantages of fascinating cultural and historic sites. A full listing of sites, suggested activities for adults or children, and recommended restaurants is available in the house.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Jun, Jul, Aug .. $1700/week.
Apr, May, Sep .. $1250/week.
Minimum Stay of 1 Week.
Rents Saturday to Saturday.
Discounts for Stay of One Month or Longer.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Property Photos
- View of house from meadow - Aquitaine Region, France Holiday Lodging
- Rental house - Aquitaine Region, France Holiday Lodging
- View of courtyard - Aquitaine Region, France Holiday Lodging
- Kitchen
- Living room
- Private swimming pool
- Bedroom with either 2 twins or king-size bed
- Bedroom with queen bed
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #166317
There have been 537 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2009.
This listing was first published here in 2008.
Date last modified - October 07, 2009
