Location: Sarlat-la-Canéda, Aquitaine, France, Europe (Situated in the Dordogne between Les Eyzies and Sarlat.) View Map
Accommodations: House, 2 Bedrooms + Detached Unit, 1 Bath (Sleeps 2-6)
Keywords: House, villa, cottage, gite
Jon and Sue, the English owners of Le Jardin des Amis, would like to welcome you to the best part of the beautiful Dordogne, a tranquil and peaceful part of France. Le Jardin des Amis has 5 vacation rentals of varying size. All are lovely stone properties sympathetically renovated to provide comfort and modern living together with the cosiness of traditional features including internal exposed oak beams and sandstone walls.
The kitchens are fully-fitted and the living areas are comfortably furnished. All bedrooms have comfortable beds and side lighting. We live on site and are on hand to help make your stay a comfortable and hassle-free French experience. We can advise on any aspect of your holiday and are happy to help with the important little things, such as making restaurant reservations, balloon or canoe bookings etc.
Our location in the Dordogne is exceptional, ten minutes from Les Eyzies, the pre-historic capital of Europe (with caves and examples of Palaeolithic art) and 15 minutes from the medieval town of Sarlat. Approximately 90% of the major attractions in the area are within a 20-minute drive, so no big expedition preparations every day. At the same time you have the benefit of the peace and tranquility of the French countryside on your doorstep. A two-minute stroll takes you to the small, quaint medieval village of Meyrals with its award-winning boulangerie, charcuterie, bar and restaurants.
The local terrain comprises the hills and valleys of the Dordogne and Vezere rivers and is littered with beautiful medieval villages and chateaux. Cycling, walking, horse-riding, and are all available and we are happy to advise on suitable routes and paths in the vicinity.
Other interests include a number of renowned artists and galleries in the village and surrounding area. Many of the artists speak English and are delighted to welcome you to browse around their studios. Canoeing, golf, adventure parks are among the many other activities available. Take a day and visit the vineyards of Bergerac and Bordeaux. Do not miss the wonderful town of St. Emilion.
After a hard day's holidaying, why not stop by the pool bar for a well-earned aperitif before dinner? Have a chat with us and the other guests. Dinner choices are a delight-- any one of the numerous great restaurants in the area, a barbecue by the pool bar or on your terrace, fresh produce bought from the excellent markets and home-cooked by yourself, or have a home-cooked meal prepared for you and left in your gite for your arrival on any given evening. The food and wines of the region are superb, with delights such as truffles, duck confit, foie gras, Bordeaux and Bergerac wines as standard fare in the restaurants and supermarkets at excellent prices.
Local airports include Bergerac, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Limoges, all within a two-hour drive. Flights to these airports from London and Paris are available, amongst other major cities. We are happy to help with advice on your travel plans.
We look forward to meeting you and we are very happy to answer any questions you may have regarding your next holiday in this area. Please see our website for full information on all of our properties and internal photos (click the link below).
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning : Fans are provided for peak summer nights but thick stone walls usually keep gites cool in summer and warm in winter.
- Linens Provided : One set of linen is provided per week. Towels for use when swimming are not included, but may be hired if wished.
- Washer : The washing machine is located at the rear of the cottages and is shared with other guests. Irons/ironing boards also available.
- Dryer : A rotary dryer is provided for guests to hang clothes in the fresh air to dry. Each gite is also equipped with a clothes horse.
- Garage : secure barn where guests bikes can be stored
- Off Street Parking : large private parking area next to cottages
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer : Please contact owners to discussrequirements
- Wood Stove : Available for low season use in Tilleul, Chene Vert and Magnolia
- Beds
- Queen Bed : In Orchard View cottage, main bedroom
- Double Bed : All other double bedrooms have double beds with good quality mattresses
- Twin/Single Bed (2) : Twin beds in both Orchard View and Chene Vert cottage
- Convertible Bed : Bed settees in both Eucalyptus cottage & Tilleul provides extra accommodation.
- Crib : A cot and other baby equipment can be provided (free). Please let us know when booking.
- Entertainment
- TV (No Cable/Satellite) : TV/DVD player in Tilleul only
- DVD
- Video Library
- CD Player
- Ping Pong/Table Tennis
- Shared Pool : A 12 x 6 metre, salt-water system pool (no added chlorine) which is kinder to skin/eyes. Open 1st May - 30th September
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided : a good range of cooking equipment is provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher : installed in Tilleul, Chene Vert and Orchard View
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Communications
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Pool Bar for use of guests - also houses a library of books, games and sports equipment eg. badminton raquets, boules,croquet set.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly
- Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations) : Magnolia gite only
- Wheelchair Accessible (may have limitations) : No steps, wide doorways and large shower room in 'Magnolia' gite.
- Kid Friendly : Fenced and alarmed swimming pool. Grass areas suitable for ball games etc.
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Boating
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Antiquing
- Horseback Riding
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Spelunking
- Restaurants
- Other Activities
- Piloted Microlight Flights, Canoeing, Cycling, Walking
Rate Details (In Euros)
Saturday to Saturday rentals. 3 days+ considered at short notice or low season.
31/3-20/5 .. €420/week (2 pers)- €765/week (10 pers)
21/5-24/6 .. €510/week (2 pers) - €880/week (10 pers)
25/6-22/7... €570/week (2 pers) - €1075/week (10 pers)
23/7- 26/8.. €645/week (2 pers) - €1375/week (10 pers)
27/8 - 3/9 .. €510/week (2 pers) - €880/week (10 pers)
4/9 - 19/10.. €420/week (2 pers) - €765/week (10 pers)
20/10 -21/12..€345/week (2 pers) - €665/week (10 pers)
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Map & Owner's Profile
Charming Traditional French Vacation Rental with Pool
Year Purchased: 2007
Why the Owner Chose Sarlat-la-Canéda
Why did we settle for the Dordogne? Because we fell in love with it on our first (and only) trip before buying Le Jardin des Amis! Coming to the Dordogne is like stepping back in time: not only do we live in a medieval village but daily life is at a much slower pace and 'old fashioned values' are still important - people are polite and welcoming.
Their are some practical advantages too: we are within easy access of Bergerac, Bordeaux and Limoges airports for travelling to visit friends and family; when visitors come to us, we could easily fill every minute of their time visiting the wealth of local sites without needing to spend hours in the car!
The Unique Benefits at this House
The peace and quiet we enjoy at Le Jardin des Amis, belies the proximity of village facilities. We love to stroll out to the boulangerie in the morning to buy freshly baked croissants and then return home for breakfast in the sunshine with the sound of nothing more than birdsong. On spring evenings, we enjoy a wander along footpaths with our collie dog (Polly) admiring the changing display of wild flowers (which include various types of orchid - some of which grow in our grounds) perhaps calling in for a drink and a chat at our local bar. If we have guests staying we love to join them for an early evening aperatif at our 'pool bar' and hear about their day.
The pool is a big draw on a hot summer's day and is particularly pleasant now that we've changed from the old chlorine system to a 'salt system'which leaves your skin feeling soft and without that strong smell!
In autumn we are usually lucky enough to have a good crop of apples, pears and quinces in our orchard, followed by walnuts to be gathered daily: our guests are always wecome to share the bounty!
5 holiday cottages set in 7 acres with large pool in the pretty medieval village of Meyrals. 35 miles from Bergerac airport, 4miles from Les Eyzies & st. Cyprien stations, 10 miles from Sarlat
Bar and restaurant - also does take away pizza: a very friendly and good value venue!
Prehistoric cave with paintings etc. (very uncommercialised)
The national museum of France with regard to prehistoric relics. Close by is the new PIP centre opened by Nicholas Sarkozy in 2011 (interpretation centre with displays explaining the history of human occupation of the area)
St. Cyprien has an excellent market with a wide range of local produce. It is also the location of our nearest supermarket
A striking hilltop chateau - once owned by Richard the lionheart of England
Many places between St. Cyprien and Domme for hiring canoes and passing along one of the most beautiful (and historically significant) stretches of the Dordogne river
A vast cavern open to the elements with amazing crystal formations
Owner's Map of Sarlat-la-Canéda
We moved to France on the spur of the moment having decided that we'd reached the time of life to consider quality of life more important than making our way up separate career ladders! Our four children were all becoming independent and we wanted to have a new challenge but also a better life/work balance by sharing a new project: running 'Le Jardin des Amis' & becoming a little more self-sufficient by 'growing our own' and keeping some chickens!
In spare moments we enjoy walking and soaking up the history & culture of this beautiful area of France, and in turn we can pass on this knowledge to our guests.
Property Photos
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- Orchard View cottage and pool - Dordogne Cottage
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- 'Le Jardin des Amis' front view - Dordogne Cottage
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- Eucalyptus 1 bed cottage - Dordogne Cottage
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- Plenty of shady spots to relax after a busy day's sightseeing....
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- Bedroom 1 with Queen size bed in 'Orchard View'
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- Wood burning stove in Chene Vert
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- Magnolia, double bedroom
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- Chene Vert, twin bedroom
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- Pool, bar and orchard
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- 'Salt-system' pool and rear of Tilleul cottage
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- Early evening 'apero' at the bar, meeting other guests!
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- Pool & pool bar, looking towards orchard.
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- Meyrals village - with boulangerie, charcuterie, 2 restaurants, bar, & galleries
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- National Museum of prehistory at Les Eyzies (4 miles - 8 minutes drive away)
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- The 'lost' chateau of Commarque, a few minutes drive away.
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- Meyrals annual 'Festival d'Epouventail' held in July & culminating in fireworks!
Traveler Reviews (12)
Could have been marvelous, but....
Guest: Esanjay
(California, USA)
Date of Stay: 05/08/11
Review Submitted: 09/18/11
The location is excellent for getting to so many wonderful things to do and see in this area. The gites are all in converted old farm buildings. The grounds are large and quiet with unheated swimming pool.The gite was clean, with modern bathroom, adequately provisioned in the kitchen, and the bed was sufficiently comfortable, if small. However, the lighting is totally inadequate for reading, of which we do a lot.The furniture is very flimsy, definitely not adequate for a 200 pound man. Oh, and do be advised, you have to buy your own toilet tissue! Too bad; since the owners seemed so generous upon our arrival. Nevertheless, we did manage to have a good time visiting the region.
Owner response:Our gites here at Le Jardin des Amis are stone buildings which were converted from the original farmhouse (Chene Vert & Eucalyptus) stables and hayloft(Magnolia/Orchard View/Tilleul. The Magnolia gite is both our smallest gite and also our only gite suitable for the less mobile and as such is usually rented by couples on a budget or those seeking accommodation which is without steps and stairs. We provide a 'welcome pack' with tea/coffee/milk/jam & wine + an initial supply of toilet paper, soap & shower products, however as the definition of a 'gite' is self-catering accommodation, in common with other owners we do not supply these commodities for the whole holiday. Since May 2011, the lights in our 'Magnolia' gite (reviewed above) have been upgraded and now comprise 2 x 3 bulb fittings in the living area, whilst the bedroom has a central light fitting and bedside reading lamps. The bedroom has a standard European double bed, which has usually proved comfortable for our guests and we have had no previous comments about its size. We can provide a range of bedding depending on the season. The dining furniture is solid wood, whilst the sofa is of a heavy construction with leather upholstery. The 'flimsy' furniture referred to in the review was one brand new wicker chair which has now been replaced by a sturdier version.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, pet owners.
Delightful Discovery in Dordogne
Guest: Virginia 3
(Salem, Oregon, USA)
Date of Stay: 04/30/11
Review Submitted: 05/24/11
It always requires a leap of faith to book accommodations while sitting at a computer thousands of miles and months away from one's destination. But, we make the leap and hope for the best. And, with Le Jardin des Amis the best is what we got. We arrived late on April 30, 2011, after a long day's driving and were met with smiling hosts, Sue and Jon, and a lovely bottle of wine, all of which were greatly appreciated. We stayed in Eucalyptus Cottage and it was perfect for the two of us. The main floor comprises a large, complete kitchen, small dining area and a large, comfortable sitting area. The upper floor contains the bedroom and a compact, but more than adequate, shower room. Just outside the entry door and down a few steps is an outdoor sitting area, which, at the time we were there, was dripping with wisteria. The scent was heavenly. The pool is gorgeous but, having failed to pack bathing costumes, we were restricted to gazing at it longingly as the temperatures rose into the seventies and eighties! Sue and Jon are wonderful hosts, very generous in sharing their time and familiarity with the area. We had many wonderful excursions from this perfectly situated base. We arrived at Le Jardin just after the school holidays ended and we were the only guests present, which gave us the feeling of having this wonderful place all to ourselves. It was quiet and peaceful and Jon repeatedly told us that a nightingale was singing its heart out up in the trees . . . every evening. We have never heard a nightingale. Sadly, the one night that we went out to listen for it, the concert had ended. In an email received a few days after we had departed, Jon said that the nightingale song had resumed the night after we left. We refuse to take this personally and are determined to return to check on the veracity of Jon's statement. We couldn't recommend Le Jardin des Amis more highly. I suggest you go and check on the veracity of my statement; you won't be disappointed.
Owner response:Some of our cottages, including the one bedroom Eucalyptus cottage where Virginia stayed, have sloping roofed bedrooms, which does make the available space slightly tighter than it might seem in a modern building. Most of our guests are happy to forgo a little space in order to experience the character of a 300 year old property, but if you are are of a larger build, do please contact us with your requirements so that we can accommodate you in comfort!
Recommended for:Sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
High praise for Le Jardin des Amis
Guest: Joe & Judy
(Sydney, Australia)
Date of Stay: 04/05/11
Review Submitted: 04/25/11
Far exceeded our expectations in terms of the quality of the accommodation & the beauty of the area. Sue & Jon were excellent hosts & provided friendly & helpful advice to assist us in exploring the beautiful Dordogne area.
Owner response:We are lucky to have so much to see and do in this area, but that can also make the choice of what to do in a limited period, more difficult- so we are always pleased to be able to advise, if we can, on different activities. It is also lovely to hear about where our guests have visited and their thoughts on favourite sights so that we can pass their point of view onto future visitors!
Recommended for:Sightseeing, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Guest: Margaret & Rory
(-)
Date of Stay: 07/16/10
Review Submitted: 10/25/10
..You have a truly fantastic place - facilities great, location superb - lots to see and do. We'll be telling lots of our Irish friends about you!
Recommended for:
Guest: Jeff & Terrie (Vancouver)
(-)
Date of Stay: 05/28/10
Review Submitted: 06/08/10
We can't begin to say enough good things about our stay here!This gite is fabulous: owners of gite and their guests even better! and then their are the historical sites & beautiful bike routes. We hope to return!
Recommended for:
Relaxing, well located, kindly hosted cottage
Guest: Olivia and Family
(Brighton South Australia)
Date of Stay: 03/24/10
Review Submitted: 04/28/10
My husband adult daughter and I spent a week staying in Chene vert in (cold) March and loved every minute of it. Jon and Sue were very kind and gave us helpful advice about sight seeing and local walks in the area, even lending us maps. The cottage was very clean, full of character, very comfortable and the closed combustion wood fire was a treat in the evenings. Sunny decks were available and the local village pub was great- didn't get a chance to try the other options. There is so much o see nearby and not so nearby that we could have stayed 3 weeks rather than one. Highly recommended. I hope we can go back, perhaps when it is a little warmer. -
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Guest: Sylvia & Bob
(Winnipeg, Canada)
Date of Stay: 02/16/10
Review Submitted: 02/16/10
We had a wonderful time here! The perfect location for getting around to the 'sights'. loved our cottage - cosy, quaint...Thank you, Sue & Jon for your warm, helpful hospitality. Hope to return soon!!
Recommended for:
Guest: Shirley & Chris
(-)
Date of Stay: 02/16/10
Review Submitted: 02/16/10
A fabulous time - we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in 'Magnolia'. great company & hospitality from Sue & Jon. We will be back! Loved the pool and chats around the bar. Many thanks, Shirl & Chris
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #78170
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