Location: Domme, Aquitaine, France, Europe (Domme is just 14 kms from Sarlat and 1 hour from Bergerac)
Accommodations: Cottage, 3 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 1 Bath (Sleeps 6)
Keywords: 18th Century Stone House
Kestrel Cottage is a gorgeous, newly decorated and highly maintained property which forms part of our lovely La Prairie Estate here in Le Peyruzel. Just minutes drive from the stunning riverside village of Daglan and a beautiful meander down the valley to the equally stunning world renowned villages of La Roque Gageac, Beynac and Domme.
The cottage dates from 1809 and was fully transformed from a Byre in 1997 and re-decorated just before Christmas 2008. It is a wonderfully airy house that remains cool in the very hot months of June, July and August but is equally as cozy in the cooler months.
There is a log burner and radiators so you will not be cold and the house has plenty of cozy corners, soft rugs and fully lined curtains, making this a real home not a holiday rental!
There are French doors leading to the main part of the house and the kitchen, dining area and living space are all on the same spacious floor, decorated in yellows and blues. Up the stairs to the little landing and the lovely bathroom with bath, hand held shower, toilet and sink. The three bedrooms all have either windows or velux's. There are two twin bedrooms and one gorgeous double bedroom. All of the bedrooms has a fan for the hot days nights.
All the rooms have been fully updated and renovated. There are soft towels in the cupboard for swimming and the bath and the kitchen is complete with everything you need in order to test your culinary skills! There is no need to bring any house linen whatsoever and that includes bath mats, tea towels and table cloths. In fact everything is provided but if there should be anything missing that you deem necessary to make your holiday what it should be then please don't hesitate to let me know!
Outside there are two terraces for your private use, neither of which are overlooked. One of the terraces has eating facilities and a BBQ of course and the other terrace at the front of the house has fabulous views across toward the lovely Chateau in the village.
The swimming pool is just a few metres walk away and has plenty of sunbeds and plenty of space around including a wonderful pool house for that much needed shade during the hot months.
There is a fully equipped laundry room, a wonderful toy barn for the children and a great outdoor play area complete with football, log cabins, swings, slides, sandpit and table tennis. There is also a covered garage for cars.
The surrounding area is so wonderful that it is very difficult to know where to start! We are in such a central position for all the activities in the area that the only problem holidaying at La Prairie will be 'What do we do today'? Canoing, hot air ballooning or rock climbing? There are innumerable restaurants one of which is in the village below La Prairie in Daglan and is an extraordinary place to eat for the food and the setting. The fairytale villages and the dozens of Castles make any excursion a treat and that is not forgetting the wonderful underground river and caves of Padirac, the must see village that clings to the rock face in Rocamadour, Eagles Rock and the nocturnal market in Domme which is amazing!
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer : There are three washing machines in the newly refurbished laundry room.
- Dryer : There will be a tumble dryer in the laundry room from January 2012!
- Linens Provided : All the house linen is provided. This includes your bath and hand towels, pool towels, tea towels and bath mats.
- Garage : There is a double covered garage.
- Covered Parking
- Off Street Parking
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer : There is room for leaving and unhitching car roof boxes, trailers etc...
- Wood Stove : A wonderful wood burner comes with logs and kindling of course!
- Beds
- Queen Bed : A very comfortable Queen bed.
- Twin/Single Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV : There is, of course, cable TV, int he house and a large flat screen tlevision on which to watch!
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library : There is a video library in the toy room for the children.
- CD Player
- Ping Pong/Table Tennis
- Shared Pool : On La Prairie Estate there are 3 Cottages and one farmhouse. All share the fabulous swimming pool which is free form and has a submerged beach, steps and a covered pool house for the really hot, hot days! It is open from the 1st April through to the 30th September every year.
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : There is an electric oven and a gas cooker in the kitchen along with a dishwasher of course and a large fridge/freezer too. All pots and pans and necessary equipemnt are supplied. In general, if I have forgotten something that will make your life easier, then I will buy it for you. That is the policy of La Prairie.
- Cooking Utensils Provided : All utensils are provided. Have I forgotten something? then I will go and get it for you.
- Refrigerator : Large and new woth a large freezer compartment.
- Dishwasher : Of course!
- Catering Available : Catering available by an English speaking French chef.
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill : A new charcoal bbq will be supplied for 2012.
- Deck/Patio : There are 2 lovely patio's provided at Kestrel; one at the front of the house, in the shade where there is seating for 6 and a small beautiful terrace at the back.
- Communications
- WiFi (Wireless Internet) : Free wifi at La Prairie.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly : Dogs are welcome but are not allowed at the swimming pool and do please pick up the obvious after his/her walk!
- Kid Friendly : We have raised 6 children here. It is safe and fun for childrena nd reassuring for the parents.
- Smoking Not Allowed : You may discreetly smoke outside the properties but on no account is smoking be permitted inside the houses.
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Zoo/Wildlife Park
- Restaurants
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
Rate Details (In Sterling, Dollars etc.)
Out of Season .......... £400/week
Apr and Oct ............ £485/week
May .................... £540/week
Jun .................... £690/week
Jul .................... £895/week
Peak .. Jul 17-Aug 28 .. £930/week
Sep .................... £640/week
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 1996
Hello Everyone!
Well, after browsing the photographs in my online album I decided that the best advertisment would be a photograph of our wonderful children who have made La Prairie what it is today. Inspired by them from the beginning, they have all lived here, The Farmhouse being especially important, as it is here that Huckleberry came at 2 days old and where at the age of 5 years, 8 months and 2 days, Nadia arrived from Burundi in Africa to be a part of our weird and wonderful family forever.
As for us, I and David, well, what to say that you would want to know?! You can't go and blow your own trumpet can you? But I can blow David's and let you all know that he is the Master Craftsman who has done it all. We came to France back in 1986 in order to work and to stay somewhere just after our marriage in the April of that year. We quite simply never went back to England. We both spoke French as I had been educated here for 4 years whilst living in Normandy with my parents and David had spent many winters in the Alps. We lived and worked all over France before falling for La Prairie in 1996. We have spent the last 15 years accomplishing what we have now and are still at it! We love what we do, love La Prairie very much and can't wait for 2012 to start although we don't finish this year until the end of October. The winter months will be very welcome in order to work in the houses making them lovelier, replacing what needs to be replaced, adding new and up to date essentials and mainly to re-do the laundry room and the entire re-surfacing of the pool terrace with stone cobbles which we are greatly looking forward to. We hope that you will come and stay with us very soon.
Why the Owner Chose Domme
Why did we choose the Golden Triangle of the Dordogne? Well, because of its proximity to 1001 castles, the nearness of Daglan, La Belle Etoile in La Roque Gageac, the history, the river itself, the people, the climate, everything in short. It is within a short drive of beautiful Daglan yet quiet and well away from any tourist trap and the noise that this brings. But it is near to everything. We couldn't believe our luck when we came across La Prairie quite by accident though. It was in 1995 when we were living about an hour away in the Lot. We came over this way because we had heard tell of its incomparable beauty. We did as we had always done and drove around the country lanes, avoiding the busy parts of the area. This led us to Le Peyruzel. Destiny? Undoubtedly. Easy? No, not at all. We loved it here although there was nothing but some ruined buildings and weeds and brambles 7ft tall. We offered a price. Accepted with joy on both parts then turned down as 'family' wanted to buy it. Fortunately for us 'family' decided against it at the very last minute and we jumped in as quick as possible and signed over the money before it could happen again. We had seen the extraordinary potential, the position of the property was unique. All was needed was hard work and we had plenty of that to give! So here we are waiting to share what we have created with you all. We never stop improving, replacing, updating. La Prairie is a love affair.
The Unique Benefits of this Cottage
Perhaps the best thing about living here at La Prairie is the peace and quiet. You could be a million miles from problems that beset the rest of the world yet we are so close to noise, ferment, news and people if we choose. I find that a rare combination.
Also, there is the village of Daglan which is so beautifully maintained and so French and so welcoming.
Walking the dogs is a treat not a chore as is the gardening. Spring comes very early here too. By the end of February there are many signs that the warmer weather is returning: the Black Redstarts are nesting early, the swallows appear at last, the dandelions come out and the light changes. You can rise at 5.30 in May and be greeted by deer and rabbits and maybe, if you're lucky' a shy wild boar. The air is warm already, the promise of another day of unbroken sunshine. And then there's lovely Sarlat of course, a fabulous town, so rich in culture and history that even after 30 years of living in France, I still find this town fascinating and love nothing better than having tea in one of the cafes along the side streets.
Property Photos
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- The terrace - Domme House with Terrace
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- The Double Bedroom - Domme House with Terrace
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- The double bedroom - Domme House with Terrace
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- The Kitchen/living room
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- Our beautiful pool
Traveler Reviews (1)
Kestral Cottage and The Byre
Guest: Emma
(Shropshire)
Date of Stay: 07/03/10
Review Submitted: 03/05/11
We have stayed twice at La Prairie. The first time in The Byre - The byre has the most spectacular terrace for sitting out on and enjoying your bbq and a glass of wine, the views are stunning - it was just myself, my husband and our little girl then. The cottage itself is very quaint and lovely, it has everything you could want. The second time we stayed in Kestral Cottage which slightly larger with a more private terrace and a private balcony off the kitchen, again it is very quaint and the views from the kitchen windows are fabulous, we saw hot air balloons floating by on many an evening - beat that! We took the whole family this time and they stayed in the other properties (The Byre, Mado Hargreaves) and they also fell in love with the place. La Prairie is set in the most spectacular location over looking Le Peyruzel and there are many fantastic things to do within a 10 to 15 minute drive. There is the most amazing restaurant in Daglan (2 kilometres down the hill) called Le Petit Paris, a visit is a must. Our children loved the barn full of toys and the pool is just perfect for little ones as it has a sloping entrance which they loved to sit in the shallow bit and play with their toys. Even from the end of the swimming pool the views are just to die for. We go on holiday twice a year and no where yet has beaten La Prairie for beauty, things to do and fantastic accommodation. We love it. Louise is discreet yet always there if you need anything or to ask about anything and always gladly helps out. We noticed that she always works very hard around the place keeping things in shape, she is one hard working person! We hope to return again in the next year or two we love it that much. I would absolutely recommend La Prairie to everyone, it really is wonderful.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #208522
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This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - Tuesday, November 29, 2011
