Location: Issigeac, Aquitaine, France, Europe (12 Minutes SE of Bergerac Airport, 15 Minutes to Monpazier) View Map
Accommodations: 3 Story Village House, 3 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 2 Baths (Sleeps 6-7)
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 8, 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 (2)
- Convertible Bed
- Crib: Available on request
- Entertainment
- TV (No Cable/Satellite)
- DVD
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Balcony
- Communications
- Telephone: The telephone is available for use - for free.
- Free Long Distance
- Other Amenities
- Within walking distance of all services - bakeries, restaurants, butchers etc -due it being in the heart of a historical. medieval village.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Waterskiing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Antiquing
- Museums
- Hot Air Ballooning
- 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
September 04 - November 05, 2009 .. €1290/week
November 06, 2009 - April 01, 2010 .. €1150/week
April 02 - June 03, 2010 .. €1350/week
June 04 - September 04, 2010 .. €1550/week
September 05 - October 29, 2010 .. €1350/week
October 30, 2009 - January 14, 2011 .. €1150/week
January 14 - March 18, 2011 .. €900/week
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Luxurious 14th Century Townhouse in Popular Medieval 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 3 Story Village House
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
- "La Maison Haute" on an ancient street in Issigeac - Vacation House Rental in the Village of Issigeac in Southwestern France .
- Issigeac village with its medieval style - Vacation House Rental in the Village of Issigeac in Southwestern France .
- Entrance way with carriage doors - Vacation House Rental in the Village of Issigeac in Southwestern France .
- Downstairs double bedroom
- Twin-bed in single room
- Entrance and staircase to upper floor
- Main living and dining area
- Dining area with antique table and furniture
- Living room & fireplace towards kitchen
- Kitchen & breakfast area (with fridge in armoire)
- Top floor suite
- Top suite bathroom
Guest Comments (2)
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #231071
There have been 33 visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in 2009.
This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - October 07, 2009
Positive Rating
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
Positive Rating
Robert Gunter , Kennebunk, Me