Location: Domme, Aquitaine, France, Europe (1 Hour E. of Bergerac; 2.5 Hours E Bordeaux or N of Toulouse) View Map
Accommodations: House, 2 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 2 Baths (Sleeps 5)
Picture yourself waking up in this two-bedroom, two-bath, 14th century house! Domme, a wonderful medieval bastide town in Southwest France, holds the honor of being voted one of France's most beautiful villages. Ideally situated on a quiet street, this charming stone house--"La Belle Petite Maison"--and streetscape appeared on the cover of Travel + Leisure magazine in 2003 for a cover story entitled “The Heart of French Country.” The house has been furnished to a high standard using a mixture of both antique and new French oak furniture. Much of the house is newly decorated.
Dine in the kitchen at the large table or enjoy outdoor dining just out the glass door which opens onto the very private garden patio. The day-bed in the second floor salon offers comfortable sleeping for a fifth guest. A glass door leads to a lovely balcony with table and chairs, providing stunning views of the village, one of the ancient gates, and the hills to the South. The balcony makes a lovely spot to relax and enjoy coffee, tea, or a digestif.
Given the location of the house within Domme, visitors can easily walk to the local museum and tourism office, the cave, gardens, wonderful restaurants and shops—as well as enjoy the village market on Thursday mornings! Fresh croissants for breakfast are only a few steps away. Stroll along the esplanade in the evening to watch the sun set over the valley below or walk the ancient ramparts around the village.
On the edge of a cliff, Domme offers a vast panorama over the Dordogne River valley. Enclosed by walls, this bastide village founded by Philip the Bold in 1283, tells of its glorious past through its fortified gates and towers, where Knights Templar were once imprisoned. The visitor will also discover the consuls’ and the goldsmiths’ houses, the old covered market and the governor’s hotel. Domme offers the green luxury of its suspended gardens above the Dordogne valley and a fascinating cave (grotte) below. Domme provides an ideal location to visit the Dordogne’s many places of interest such as the numerous chateaux, prehistoric caves, spectacular gardens, museums, churches, villages and artisan’s studios--all of which are an easy day-trip!
Additional information on the many area activities are available at the house or from our property manager.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning: Available in the guest annex. The main house has shutters and 2-foot thick stone walls to keep it cool in the summer.
- Washer
- Dryer
- Wood Fireplace: Huge medieval stone fireplace!
- Beds
- Queen Bed: In each bedroom. These are each 140cm wide so slightly larger than an American double, but smaller than an American Queen.
- Twin/Single Bed: A sleigh bed in the salon on the second level of the main house.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV: Satellite is limited to a few French channels only.
- DVD
- Video Library: Small at this time. NOTE: U.S. made DVDs do NOT work on Euro DVD players--only Euro made DVDs.
- CD Player
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen: Stovetop is gas; oven electric; built-in timer is inscrutable. Use the mechanical timer hanging on the wall.
- Cooking Utensils Provided: Full complement of cooking utensils, dishes and glasses supplied.
- Refrigerator: A separate freezer may be found in the lower level of the guest annex with the washer and dryer.
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio: Adjoins the guest annex and has a table and chairs for dining, plus an umbrella for shade.
- Balcony: Lovely views from here, access from the second floor salon. Great for a glass of wine at sunset!
- Other Amenities
- Beautiful village view to the south from the salon terrace, small walled garden for privacy.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Rafting
- Kayaking
- Boating
- Swimming
- Biking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Rock Climbing
- Spelunking
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Other Activities
- The entire village is a perfect example of a medieval bastide and provides many entertainments within easy walking distance of the house.
Rate Details (In US $/Euros)
Jan-Apr 01 & Oct-Dec ......... €400/week
Winter Holiday Weeks ......... €500/week
Apr School Holidays .......... €450/week
Early May to Early Jul, Sep .. €650/week
Jul-Aug ...................... €800-€900/week (Peak Season)
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Charming 14th Century Village House in Domme
Year Purchased: 2005
Why the Owner Chose Domme
In May of 2005, my husband and I finally returned to Europe after an absence of nearly 20 years. Neither of us would have imagined 20 years ago that our return would be to Southwest France—we would have been certain that it would be to Cornwall or Denmark (both homes of our ancestors). In the fall of 2004, I received a travel brochure from one of the universities I attended which invited me to join a tour of village life in France. I was stunned by the beauty of the photos. I was compelled. I was also sure that we did not want to be loaded on to buses morning and evening to be trotted about the countryside. But I was sure that we must see Southwest France, the Dordogne, Perigord Noir—all quite unfamiliar to us.
With an adventurous spirit and the Internet at our fingertips, we booked ourselves nearly three weeks in France, ending in Paris, of course! But we spent two weeks in Sarlat-la-Caneda near Domme. Each day was more awesome and beautiful than the last. It took our breath away. The history! The food! The French people! The wine! The extraordinary natural beauty…. The place had utterly captured us.
Most of all, the Dordogne Region made me recall D. H. Lawrence and my scattered readings of his works in college. While I cannot quote the source from so many years ago, I have never forgotten that Lawrence first told me about "a sense of place." A location where one felt a sense of comfort and homecoming, of wonder and joy. My husband and I have been fortunate enough to find two such places, one is the Dordogne River Valley in Southwest France--and Domme.
The Unique Benefits at this House
Great local restaurants and shops within walking distance of the house. Excellent wine recommendations from the local merchants. Fresh bread, elegant pastries and croissants every day. (Please say "bonjour" or "bonsoir" when you enter any village--or any French--business!) The local market in the Place de la Halle on Thursdays, plus large markets in Sarlat (Wednesdays and Saturdays) and St. Cyprien on Sunday morning. Fresh fish at the market in Cenac on Tuesday mornings! My husband says the oysters are the best in the world. A huge selection of places to visit and things to do within easy day trips from Domme. Relaxing on the terrace at sunset with a fine glass of local wine. Ahhhhh....
Scenic route west along the river to Le Roc Gagneac, Beynac, St. Cyprien and Bergerac.
Owner's Map of Domme
Buzz Madsen planting flowers in front of the house. Buzz and his wife Stephany not only enjoy the gardens of France, but also the wonderful food, wine and historical sights throughout the region! And there are several wonderful, huge gardens to visit nearby.
Property Photos
- La Belle Petite Maison abounds with roses in the springtime! - Domme , France House Rental with Village View near Museum, Restaurants, and Shopping
- The medieval fireplace in the salon is so cozy for the cooler months. - Domme , France House Rental with Village View near Museum, Restaurants, and Shopping
- Enjoy dining "chez maison" or walk to one of the wonderful village restaurants! - Domme , France House Rental with Village View near Museum, Restaurants, and Shopping
- A view of the salon, with the sleigh bed for sleeping or just reading!
- The guest annex has its own en suite bathroom and air conditioning.
- The top floor bedroom sleeps two!
- The spectacular village view from the balcony toward the Porte Delbos!
- Stroll up to the Place de la Halle for a panorama of the Dordogne River.
Guest Comments (1)
First (1) of (1). View all comments
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #224656
There have been 2195 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2009.
This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - November 23, 2009
Positive Rating
, Boston, Massachusetts