Main living and dining area "piece de vivre" with stairs up to top floor suite.
Location: Issigeac, Aquitaine, France, Europe (12 Minutes SE of Bergerac Airport, 15 Minutes to Monpazier) View Map
Accommodations: Villa, 3 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 2 Baths (Sleeps 6)
Keywords: village house, stone house, stone cottage on 3 floors, villa, house, cottage.
Long before Shakespeare wrote a word, or John Donne penned a sonnet, the village house on Rue St Felicien was built above a registered Gallo-Roman villa, in an ancient medieval village called ISSIGEAC, amid the vines of the Bergerac wine appellation, and just miles away from the Dordogne River. Here in a vibrant, popular market village with every possible service at your doorstep, this luxuriously-renovated ancient townhouse sits in stone as a testament to the 14th century. All around are reminders of a past where warriors wandered the streets below, yet inside the village house on Rue St Felicien offers the utmost in all modern conveniences and beautifully appointed surroundings.
With walls of limestone and ceilings of walnut, the entrance way leads through large blue carriage doors off a winding (walk-only) street, into a large stone hallway housing a magnificent, curved staircase. Down the passage is the downstairs double bedroom with queen bed and beamed walls. Next door there is a bed room, with a single twin bed. Both rooms are individually designed with beautiful curtains, linens and "heavenly beds" ("ciel du lits"). Next to the bedrooms is a full, modern bathroom with double sinks and a separate (American-style) shower, and separate toilet. The washer and dryer are conveniently located in a nook nearby. NOTE: With 2 double (queen) bedrooms and one single room and bathrooms located on 2 separate floors, this home is ideal for 2 couples travelling together, and perhaps with a single friend or relative. The bedrooms and bathroom on the ground floor are conveniently separated from the top floor suite and bathroom, so that your common living area in the middle allows each floor total privacy.
Ascend the ancient staircase to the "great room" which will take your breath away with it's medieval stone and heavy beams. This room is the main living area with a dining area, a salon area, and an open kitchen. There are 12 foot high ceilings, 3 sets of double windows and a set of double French doors, which open out - with light and air pouring in day and night. Attention has been paid to every detail with antiques and beautiful fabrics everywhere, reflecting a design style of French country living.
In the kitchen, the stove-top and large oven offer professional cooks tools, and is equipped with every convenience from microwave to dishwasher. Chat to your friends and family as you cook or spend long lunches at the antique table with fresh cheese or local delights you've bought nearby.
A second magnificent staircase takes you up to the spacious, private master suite on the top floor. This enormous, light-filled room has dimensions to match its history. The beams were lifted to a height above 2 meters (6 ft 8 in), and four classic windows were added for light and magnificent views over the village of Issigeac below. This is surely not the usual attic-converted space in the least, but rather a living and relaxing space akin to top-class hotel suites. Take long afternoon naps lulled asleep by only birds and the sound of bells from nearby St Felicien, or enjoy a quiet read by the light of an open window. The ensuite bathroom is complete with bath, toilet and basin - you'll enjoy soaking in the claw-footed bathtub while enjoying the view up high.
Back on the ground floor, you can head out through double French doors to a spacious open courtyard (with ancient stones) where you can enjoy the day as it passes by. With table and chairs for 6, it's the perfect spot to taste your best effort at French cuisine, or to barbecue under the stars. Or in the morning, indulge in coffee and fresh croissants as you enjoy the new day.
The village of Issigeac is just 15 minutes south of Bergerac in the Perigord (Dordogne) region of southwestern France. It is well-known due to its very popular Sunday market, and its easy proximity to the Bergerac airport (12 minutes away) and train station (20 minutes). It is also within easy reach of all of the world-famous French wine appellations of: Monbazillac, Bergerac and Saussignac, as well as being minutes away from other popular villages like Beaumont, Monpazier and Villareal. An hour by car will take you to Sarlat, Les Eyzies and Domme where you can explore the Perigord Noir with its caves and ancient paleolithic history.
One of the best reasons to stay at the village house on Rue St Felicien is living in the heart of an authentic medieval village - with absolutely everything within easy walking distance. There's never a reason to get in your car as you take in all that the village has to offer. With its boulangeries, restaurants, butcheries, and grocery stores, you’ll have a wide variety of choices for all your needs. If it’s a bottle of great local wine you’re after, you’re sure to find it at the local wine shop, or if you just want a quick "cafe", that's available too. If you're visiting in the summer months, the fabulous "Fete de Bodega" will have you dancing in the streets, or enjoy the wonderful night-markets with tables and chairs set up in the square for you to soak up the local flavor - and a glass of local wine! The Sunday market will have you trying the freshest produce of the area including the best selection of the Perigord: foie gras, truffles, walnuts and goat cheese. We offer a Friday changeover so that you'll be well-settled in to take full advantage of the Sunday market.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Wood Fireplace : We have wonderful, modern central heating from radiators all through the house. The fire works beautifully, but is by no means the only source of heat. In the cooler months, the heating is included in the weekly rate.
- Beds
- Queen Bed (2)
- Twin/Single Bed
- Convertible Bed : We can possibly add 2 convertible beds to the top floor suite - making the room one queen and 2 single/roll-away beds for small children.
- Crib : Available on request
- Entertainment
- TV (No Cable/Satellite) (2)
- DVD
- CD Player
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Balcony
- Communications
- Telephone : The telephone is available for use - for free.
- Free Long Distance
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet) : Bring your own laptop
- Other Amenities
- Within walking distance of all services - bakeries, restaurants, butchers, due it being in the heart of a historical, medieval village. Incredible popular Sunday market all-year round. Free summer night markets with music in the village.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Golf
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Fishing
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Horseback Riding
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Hiking
- Spelunking
- Restaurants
- Museums
- Other Activities
- There is a popular "boules" court (also called "petanque" or "bocce") which hosts many matches and spontaneous challenges every week and weekend. An ancient French tradition in the village.
Rate Details (In Euros/US Dollars/GBP)
Available all year round - we also accept US Dollars and British pounds
October 23, 2010 - March 19, 2011 .. €1,150/week
March 19, 2011 – April 30, 2011 .. €1,500/week
May 1, 2011 – September 30, 2011 .. €1,700/week
October 1, 2011 - November 19, 2011 .. €1,500/week
November 20, 2011 - March 16, 2012 .. €1,150/week
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Luxurious Stone Villa with Courtyard in Popular Market Village
Year Purchased: 2006
Why the Owner Chose Issigeac
Issigeac is one of the precious medieval gems of the Dordogne, with so much of its history apparent in its wonderful architecture. We used to visit the Sunday market routinely, and so fell in love with this timeless village. With only about 600 inhabitants and the village being within a "ring road" built in the classic Roman form of its predecessor, owning a home right in the heart of the village was a dream come true. Once you're parked and unloaded, you can walk to 3 restaurants, 3 boulangeries, various cafes, 2 butcheries, 2 grocery stores, a presse, a wonderful wine shop, a lovely boutique, and antique shops, - what's not to love! This was especially wonderful for our elderly relatives as well as visiting friends who didn't have a car, since they were completely independent once we arrived. With wine-tasting and historical sites so close, it was really the perfect location to have a 3-storey village house. And all of this is within 15 minutes of Bergerac and the airport as well.
The Unique Benefits at this Villa
As with out other properties, we believe that great beds, beautiful linens and decorations, and a superbly clean environment are the best benefits to a vacation home. We also love the 14th century history that comes with this home, as well as its proximity to all immediate services within a few minutes walk. With 3 floors all filled with light and sunshine, this ancient home offers a unique experience of blending the historical with the modern.
Owner's Map of Issigeac
We (Bill and Janice) are the proud owners of the house of Rue St Felicien in Issigeac, and purchased it in 2006 from friends of ours, who had just completed a 5 year renovation - adding all new electrics, plumbing, central heating and double-paned windows. They bought it as a ruin and did an amazing job in bringing it back to life. We couldn't resist its charm when they had to sell it in order to move for their work. In fact, when we walked into the entrance way, we had already decided to buy it without seeing any further! Although our home is in California, we have traveled a great deal in western Europe and have rented many properties – some great, and some less than spectacular! We always appreciated cleanliness, comfort, good beds, furniture you could actually sit on, great linens and towels, appliances that really worked, and nice big wine glasses! After buying our dream French village house, our philosophy hasn’t changed - and we have upgraded the standard of the house to meet or exceed the best we’ve seen in terms of personal comforts. Basically, we have designed it to be the way we’d like it if we arrived tired and hungry from across the world. And we know you'll love it when you arrive too.
Property Photos
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- Main living and dining area "piece de vivre" with stairs up to top floor suite. - Vacation House Rental in the Village of Issigeac in Southwestern France .
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- The Issigeac Village house on an ancient street in a medieval village. - Vacation House Rental in the Village of Issigeac in Southwestern France .
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- Entrance way with carriage doors and old "ratelier" discovered during renovation - Vacation House Rental in the Village of Issigeac in Southwestern France .
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- Main entrance way with stairs up to living area (middle floor).
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- Living room & fireplace towards kitchen
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- Kitchen & breakfast area (with fridge in armoire)
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- Top floor Master Suite (very large - can add single beds)
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- Downstairs double bedroom with bathroom, shower & double sinks next door.
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- Top suite bathroom
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- Dining area with space at the antique table for eight.
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- Outdoor courtyard with barbecue and seating for 6
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- Issigeac village with its medieval style
Traveler Reviews (11)
Wonderful!
Guest: Tracy C.
Date of Stay: 10/21/11
Review Submitted: 12/05/11
We had the opportunity and pleasure to stay here on our holiday and it was perfect! Janice was extremely helpful in accommodating our last-minute booking and met us upon arrival to show us around the property and the town. Her recommendations as well as the guidebooks, brochures, maps etc. at the house were very informative and helpful in planning our daily excursions. In particular, Janice made fabulous dinner recommendations and we were never disappointed! We actually drove out to Janice's other rental property, Chateau Peyruzel, where she graciously indulged us with a private tour of the incredible castle and its grounds. Issigeac is perfectly located for day trips and the town offers everything you might need during your stay with a few restaurants, a wine store, two little grocery stores, a couple of patisseries [for the daily fresh baguette and pain-au-chocolat!] a petrol station as well as a few local shops. The Sunday market is a must! We were able to stock up with fresh produce, cheese, sausages and other delicious treats and able to enjoy many meals at the house - nice when you are on holiday not to eat every meal in a restaurant. The house is fairly well equipped with everything you'd possibly need to prepare and enjoy your own home-cooked meal. The house is quite comfortable for relaxing with a glass of wine [or two!] in the evening and the beds and linens are remarkably comfortable for a holiday rental. We highly recommend this holiday rental property and look forward to a return visit!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, sightseeing.
Perfection at its best!
Guest: GMc
(Tacoma, WA)
Date of Stay: 10/01/11
Review Submitted: 11/03/11
This property and the little village are as charming as you could ever imagine. It was comfortable, well-stocked and very liveable. Elegant is another word that comes to mind. The village itself provided countless evening walks, afternoons at the park and shopping at the local stores as well as the Sunday market. The restaurants are quite unique and delicious. The people in the village were exceptionally welcoming, even the cats! Janice and Bill visited us and it is quite apparent their love for this home and this area of France. It was excellent for day trips always knowing you were returning "home."
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing.
French Perfection
Guest: Jerry
(Green Bay, Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 06/07/11
Review Submitted: 06/19/11
Every aspect of our Issigeac visit substantially exceeded our expectations! The villa is charming, spotless, very comfortable (beautiful local furnishings, luxurious bedding and towels), ancient structurally and modern functionally, located in a delightful village. We have rented at least ten properties throughout the world through VRBO (all positive), and never experienced the personal care and attention to every detail that we enjoyed in this villa and with Janice, the villa's owner. Things start with a packet of information containing information on everything a guest could want to see/do/explore. There are multiple villages, cro-magnon cave art sites, restaurants, markets, vineyards, river cruises, antiques shops to explore or select---Janice removes the guess work with recommendations for the best of the lot. We needed bikes, they were delivered to the villa; we had difficulty arranging a hot air balloon flight, Janice made it happen; we arrived at restaurants without reservations and needed only to mention we were staying at Janice's villa to be escorted to the nicest tables. I could go on and on---the perfect vacation awaits in Issigeac, with no heavy lifting: secure this villa, throw away your guidebooks and instead review your options for daily adventures from the carefully and personally prepared packet you will receive weeks before your arrival, and prepare to be overwhelmed by the area's beauty and history, and by this lovely villa!
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children.
Perfect vacation rental
Guest: The bear
(St. Louis,Missiouri, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/03/11
Review Submitted: 06/10/11
Charming, beautifully refurbished and great location for your stay in the Dordogne area. We in joyed the house, the town so much that we spent many evening at the house. The local resturants, food stores, bakerys(breads and pastries, great) and local cooking class are just around the corner.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, age 55+, sightseeing.
Stay in Issigeac
Guest: PB
(Dubai, UAE)
Date of Stay: 08/27/10
Review Submitted: 11/05/10
My husband and I spent a week in this lovely home during our three week trip to Europe, and absolutely fell in love! The house was beautiful, and a perfect mix of history but with modern amenities. From booking to arriving it was seamless, and of all the places we went in France this region was by far our favorite. Janice was so helpful and after one day we got rid of all of our travel guides and took her packet she had sent us, those recommendations were the highlights of our trip. We used it to book restaurants, tour vineyards, rent a canoe, etc. and they were all great. We really loved Le Tour de Vents, we had a great meal there....and wines from Mirabelle. I would highly recommend this property to anyone, and we would look forward to returning someday.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.
A double bonus
Guest: Ann
(Alamo, CA)
Date of Stay: 09/25/10
Review Submitted: 10/30/10
We were looking for a central location for exploring the area and "adopting" a town for a week. We were also looking for a place where we could both be comfortably relaxed and feel that the ambiance of the place was special. WE FOUND BOTH. This wonderful townhouse attracted us to "hurry back" from our daily explorations so that we could "hang out" in its terrific environment. We are kind of foodies so the abililty to shop local markets and cook in the well-appointed kitchen was really nice. From the extensive materials which the owners provided us on both the home and the area before we arrived, to the assistance we were given on making transportation arrangements when time to leave, we felt like we were treated like welcomed houseguests. Perfect for most any age groups other than small children. We will treasure the memories.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, age 55+, sightseeing.
Exceptional Home in a Magnificent Village
Guest: Ed and Julie
(Boulder, Colorado USA)
Date of Stay: 08/09/10
Review Submitted: 09/20/10
We had a fantastic time in Issigeac and the Dordogne region! Thank you for the most incredible home and hospitality that really exceeded our expectations. The lit candles welcoming us to your home were only the tip of the hospitality iceberg. Kathy and Rick were so warm and welcoming-stocking the fridge with milk and juice and the counter with wine and coffee. Wow, we were delighted. Your home is so beautiful, comfortable and so well appointed. We enjoyed all the modern comforts within its wonderful historic walls. Issigeac is such a delightful village. It was so fun to explore the narrow streets and market, and the people were very welcoming. We also had such fun touring the Dordogne countryside. Every drive presented beautiful villages, castles, chateaus and stunning countryside. We especially adored the markets which brought to life French food, music and sense of community. Thank you for all you did to make our stay in the Dordogne so wonderful.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, age 55+, sightseeing.
A Medieval Gem
Guest: Larry and Alice
(Granite Bay, California, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/17/10
Review Submitted: 05/02/10
We were introduced to this property through friends of ours who know the owners. Little did we know what a treat was in store for us when we unlocked the beautiful blue french doors which opened up into a delightful ages old house complete with the character that only a very old home would include. From the ground floor to the top master suite, the house charms it's guests with unique features. We were very comfortable there whether enjoying a meal prepared in the new kitchen, or listening to music while relaxing in the main living area. Even though the house is composed of stone, it has a warm, airy feel to it due to its lovely understated decorating. One of the best parts about this village house however, is the knowledge and enthusiasm of it's owner, Janice. Her love for French culture and the history of the Dordogne and it's inhabitants becomes apparent immediately as she eases her guests into the small town life of the local residents. No travel problem is too small for her gifted attention, she made us feel like family! Issigeac and it's little shops, bars, boulangeries, and restaurants (we especially enjoyed Chez Alain), is a treasure to explore. Farther afield, we discovered town after town of unspoiled beauty. If you have room in your luggage, bring a small pair of binoculars--there are many sweeping vistas to take advantage of which overlook the winding path of the Dordogne River. We will remember this beautiful undiscovered area and it's people for a very long time.
Recommended for:Families with teenagers, romantic getaway, age 55+, sightseeing.
A Jewel perfect for Two couples
Guest: LarryT
(Austin, Texas USA)
Date of Stay: 04/09/10
Review Submitted: 04/30/10
This house and its surroundings was perfect for our two couples traveling in April 2010. We could hit the market and cook in when we wished or frequent the outstanding eating establishments recommended by the owners. They even set up a cooking class for us at Chez Alain which was informative and fun. We did day trips out to the many small towns and castles in the area after grabbing our daily baguette down the street each morning of course...All of the information Janice provided to us on things to do in the area could have been published as a tour book. We can't say enough about how the house exceeded our expectations. Modern, comfortable, quiet and conveniently located.....We have rented in Tuscany in the past and this rental far exceeds what we saw there. This place is a real jewel........
Recommended for:Age 55+, sightseeing.
Guest: Halsch family
(-)
Date of Stay: 08/02/09
Review Submitted: 08/02/09
A HUGE thanks for all you did for us while we were in France! We were so thankful to meet you and find your rental property on the web. We all enjoyed our time in Issigeac and count the time spent there as the highlight of our trip! We have passed on your listing on the VRBO site along to all the friends who ask about our trip and we will continue to recommend it. We do this with some reluctance, of course, as we would like to keep it all to ourselves! Susan H., Minnesota, USA
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #231071
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