So French !

• Perfect setting for a romantic Dordogne holiday

  Perfect setting for a romantic Dordogne holiday

  • Guest Donna L.
  • Date of stay 04/01/13
  • Review Submitted 05/12/13
  This delightful cottage is the perfect setting for a romantic Dordogne holiday. As an Australian couple travelling to Cubjac for five days, we couldn't have been happier with our choice of accommodation. La Cuisine d'Alice is beautifully furbished with tasteful finishes and great attention to detail... luxurious bed linens, hand painted bathroom tiles, well-equipped stylish kitchen, ipod dock private garden and inviting fire place. Le Maine is a beautiful property and Catherine and Maxence are the perfect hosts, from the first email communication to the fond farewell. They provide a warm welcome, helpful local advice for day trips and restaurants, as well as the sense that you have made friends (a highly desired thing but rarely achieved on holidays). Thank you for a wonderful stay. We look forward to our return!

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• What a wonderful place!

  What a wonderful place!

  • Guest Christopher S.
  • Date of stay 09/05/12
  • Review Submitted 01/10/13
  Cuisine d'Alice is the perfect place to stay for a couple. The cottage is very well-designed and comfortable, and if you ever have a problem or a concern, the owners, Catherine and Maxence, are only too pleased to help you. We loved the grounds and the surrounding area, too. There's a nice pool out back, and the village, with a bakery and a few other shops and a nice little farmers' market, is only a short walk or bike ride away. The weather was pretty hot when we were there, but the cottage, with its thick stone walls, stayed cool most of the day and cooled off considerably at night. So if anyone is concerned about the lack of air-conditioning, don't be. Our favorite aspects of our stay at Le Maine were: 1) the design and quality of the accommodation, which was simple but elegant, 2) the hosts, who are wonderful people and 3) the environment and the peace and quiet. I only regret that we couldn't stay longer. If we're ever in Perigord again, we hope Le Maine will be our temporary home. Oh, and if you get a chance, take a cooking class with Jean-Francois, a friend of the owners. He's a great guy, and it's a memorable experience.

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• A Stunning Gem in the Perigord

  A Stunning Gem in the Perigord

  • Guest Barri and Steve
  • Date of stay 10/14/12
  • Review Submitted 11/24/12
  The little town of Cubjac, France may not be on your map but consider it a discovery and Le Maine a very special destination. Nestled into a bend of the lazy Auvezere River one feels light years from Perigueux – but in reality you are only a half hour away. As you step into “another life” at Le Maine, this becomes more meaningful for the traveler who delights in putting down roots in the terroir on holiday. For here, you have the best of the Perigord at your fingertips. In Cubjac, there is baker, a butcher, a great little bar (with live music!), and a helpful pharmacist surrounded by towns with healthy local markets. Nearby in Perigueux, you have the power of Le Clerc for general supplies including grand a selection of wine. Stock up because your hosts, Catherine and Maxence have created a perfect kitchen and dining set up. You may just stay home for dinner more than you expect. Plan to stay at least a week and unfold yourself into the lush landscape that is the Perigord Noir. One realizes from the first glimpse of Le Maine that the manor house is seated to enjoy the view. Its tall windows open out to a vast pastoral scene that invites you “in”. It is here at Le Maine, Catherine and Maxence have chosen to create their vision for a holiday capable of infusing and replenishing one’s soul to its core. We learned a new meaning for the word “chartreuse” and fell into a rhythm we’ll just call “plush”. Le Maine is visually arresting and simply stunning. Catherine and Maxence welcome you to their life in the country with grace and attention to every detail. One may walk for hours on the paths through the woods or for short jaunts to clear the mind and enjoy sweet, fresh air. We stayed for eight nights in Cuisine D’Alice . At each turn, we marveled at how well designed Cuisine D’Alice was – from the romantic loft bedroom with amazing linens and designer bath to the sitting room. The kitchen charmed me at every turn – from the real knives to work with to the high end appliances. The artful flat, glass and plate-ware created a dining experience in itself. We look forward to returning. The guest book attests to blissfully satisfied travelers…and it is all true. Le Maine is a stunning gem in the Perigord. P.S. Both Catherine and Maxence speak excellent English – and are most patient with those who strive to speak. So dust off your French– explore Jumilhac, Font deGaume and dine at L'Essential- you will unlock experiences you may not have imagined.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, romantic getaway, girls getaway.

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• Highest Recommendation

  Highest Recommendation

  • Guest Stargazers
  • Date of stay 04/28/12
  • Review Submitted 07/09/12
  We stayed at Chartreuse du Maine, near the charming village of Cubjac in the Dordogne, for four weeks, one week in “La Cuisine d’Alice” and three weeks in “Chez Colette et Mimi”. And, it was hard to leave! LeMaine is an excellent “base” for exploring the Dordogne. It is a pleasant one hour drive South by backroads to Montignac and the caves of the Vezere Valley (Lascaux, etc.) and about an hour twenty minutes to Sarlat and the Dordogne Valley (Beynac, Domme etc.). Others might be quicker, but we drove slowly, and never tired of the scenery. Nearer to Cubjac is the elegant Chateau and gardens of Hautefort, the caves of Tourtoirac, and Perigueux, with its Roman and medieval ruins. And, to the North, gems such as Brantome, St. Jean de Cole, and the caves of Villars. Maxence and Catherine are gracious, knowledgeable hosts who are eager to ensure your stay is a pleasant one. They have an excellent knowledge of the Dordogne, and are keen to help you plan your routes and to make your stay as pleasant as can be. Their English is excellent, but they are happy to let you practice your French. But, our most pleasant days were at Le Maine itself. We enjoyed our walk into the village for our daily bread, and we made a point of attending the Friday market, to buy the local cheese, chicken, jams, and fresh strawberries. The locals were all very kind. We wandered down to Catherine’s herb garden to snip a few sprigs of rosemary and thyme. We were then able to prepare our own meals in the very well appointed kitchen, and enjoy them in the very elegantly decorated living and dining areas, or on the unit’s own terrace or garden. We could always look forward to comfortable beds and bathrooms in these elegantly and thoughtfully furnished gites. There was excellent Wi Fi service for our iPad. The property has its own delightful walking trails, and Maxence can help you find other nearby hikes and walks. And, of course, no discussion of Le Maine could be complete without mention of Zebulon the donkey and Rothschild the sheep, who are excellent hosts in their own ways. So, by all means, come to Le Maine to enjoy the sights of the Perigord, but you will likely find that Le Maine itself is your most pleasant destination.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

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• A magic place

  A magic place

  • Guest Mike
  • Date of stay 06/13/12
  • Review Submitted 07/04/12
  I travelled to the Périgord for the first time. Le Maine is a beautiful estate at the edge of Cubjac. La Cuisine d'Alice is part of a transformed outbuilding of a former vineyard. It has been awakened from its long sleep by the hosts Catherine et Maxence who breathed new life into this wonderful place. And what a life! If you explore the wonders of the Périgord you will encounter tourists galore but on Le Maine you will find peace, tranquillity, comfort and the small village of Cubjac will welcome you to its tranquil life away from the beaten tracks. Yet you will not be somewhere in the backwoods. All of Périgord is contained within a circle of 55km radius around Cubjac. The Cuisine d'Alice has been created with taste and intelligence, it is perfectly equipped and maintained, and Catherine and Maxence are the perfect unobtrusive hosts who will help you when help is needed. I was touring the countryside with my pedelec and enjoyed this perfect retreat matching the indescribable beauty of the land. When I left this enchanted place with its distinct atmosphere I had the feeling part of me stayed there. I plan to come back there again. À vous, Catherine et Maxence, je dis merci et au revoir!

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, romantic getaway.

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• Idyllic Getaway in the Dordogne

  Idyllic Getaway in the Dordogne

  • Guest JEA
  • Date of stay 05/19/12
  • Review Submitted 06/04/12
  We arrived at La Cuisine D'Alice with high expectations for our week in the Dordogne. This beautiful stone cottage met our every need and defintiely surpassed our expectations. The interior was impeccably decorated with every modern convenience. The country setting was peaceful and a very relaxing escape from our daily sightseeing adventures. There are many historic chateaux, churches, villages and caverns within easy drives from the village of Cubjac. Our hosts Catherine and Maxence were very welcoming and Maxence helped us to map out our daily tours of the area. The local knowledge with regards village markets and restaurants, provided by our hosts was invaluable. We would love to return one day and would not hesitate to recommend this memorable property to anyone seeking a very special experience in a unique region of France. Merci beaurcoup Catherine et Maxence.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway.

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• a lovely experience

  a lovely experience

  • Guest jane
  • Date of stay 04/18/12
  • Review Submitted 04/29/12
  we just spent a delightful two weeks in la cuisine d'alice. catherine and maxence clearly love what they do and it shows--the property is beautiful and well maintained and the guest accommodations are really outstanding--aesthetically pleasing, exceedingly well equipped (we especially appreciated the fully outfitted kitchen) and immaculate. catherine and maxence know the area well and their suggestions for activites and restaurants were "spot on". we look forward to a return visit.

  Recommended for: Age 55+, romantic getaway.

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• A little piece of heaven.

  A little piece of heaven.

  • Guest Caroline S.
  • Date of stay 08/20/11
  • Review Submitted 11/18/11
  This was our second and definitely not our last visit to Le Maine. La Cusine d'Alice is furnished with taste and flair and to an exceptionally high standard. Of particular note is a really comfortable bed, quality towels and bed linen, a lovely bathroom with a high spec shower and bath and a very well appointed kitchen. The swimming pool is beautifully situated and is the perfect spot to unwind and admire the views, whilst the private garden provides a lovely area for drinks and dinner. The house, grounds and pool are immaculately maintained and together create the ideal ambience for a truly relaxing holiday. Catherine and Maxence are the perfect hosts - great company, friendly, helpful and informative, but never intrusive (they also grow heavenly tomatoes and herbs!). It is very hard to tear yourself away from Le Maine, but if you can there is so much to do in the area - canoeing, walking, visiting chateaux, caves and some fantastic restaurants. For us Le Maine really does tick all the boxes and we would strongly recommend it to anyone who is looking for somewhere which really is a cut above the rest.

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• Warmth and Charm in Dordogne

  Warmth and Charm in Dordogne

  • Guest Lawrence
  • Date of stay 09/06/11
  • Review Submitted 09/24/11
  Our stay in "la cuisine d' Alice" could not have been more perfect. From Catherine & Maxence's warm, friendly welcome to the luxurious towels and linens to the high speed wireless internet to the completely upscale kitchen -- everything was done perfectly to make our stay memorable. Maxence's "magic maps' guided us to interesting & beautiful Dordogne sights and Catherine's freshly picked heirloom tomatoes added the right touch to picnics in our private garden. Our expectations were exceeded and we will return!

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, age 55+, romantic getaway, girls getaway.

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• A lovely, relaxing retreat in the Dordodgne

  A lovely, relaxing retreat in the Dordodgne

  • Guest Sylvia Blight
  • Date of stay 07/09/11
  • Review Submitted 07/22/11
  My husband and I made a last minute booking to this fantastic cottage. Catherine was extremely helpful in responding promptly to emails and providing us with information on the best way to travel by car from London. Upon our arrival Catherine and Maxence welcomed us to their lovely property. It certainly lived up to our expectations and more. Cuisine D'Alice has been tastefully and sympathetically decorated, so that it retains its charm, whilst also providing modern comforts. During the week we were able to make the most of the outdoor dining area, walk through the grounds of Le Maine and relax in the garden. Maxence was extremely helpful in recommending restaurants and suggesting places of interest. With the help of his "magic" map we spent many hours travelling to small villages, sightseeing, canoeing and enjoying the countryside. We were also fortunate enough to see the firework display in Cubjac on Bastille Day. We cannot recommend this property highly enough. It is very comfortable and homely. We certainly plan to return in the future, possibly during the truffle season. PS - My husband would like to recommend the bakery in Cubjac village, for its excellent croissants and pastries.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, romantic getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

Oct 31 - Dec 21, 2012....€ 115/night....€ 575/week....€ 1840/month
Dec 22, 2012 - Jan 4, 2013....€ 168/night....€ 840/week
Jan 5 - March 31, 2013 ....€ 120/night....€ 600/week....€ 1920/month
1 April to 31 May, 2013.... € 140/night.... € 700/week.... € 2380/month
June 1 - July 5, 2013.... € 176/night....€ 880/week....€ 3170/month
July 6 to Aug 31, 2013.... € 235/night .... € 1160/week.... € 4400/month
Sept 1 - Sept 30, 2013.... € 176/night....€ 880/week....€ 3170/month
Oct 1 - Oct 31, 2013.... € 140/night.... € 700/week.... € 2380/month

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.