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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. |
