Vacation Rentals by Owner

Wonderful Stone House in Stunning Dordogne

Guest: SueAndSteveFromCA (Los Angeles, CA)
Date of Stay: 04/21/12 Review Submitted: 05/20/12

Our favorite spot by far on our three week vacation in France and Spain was your wonderful vacation home in Dordogne! Even with the rain. We didn't let anything stop us from exploring castles, gardens, caves, towns, open air markets, and the beautiful countryside. We just put on our rain gear and took off! The home was perfect! Warm and comfortable and in a terrific location. Dimitri came to the house and cooked us a fabulous dinner - very creative and delicious! Helen is a treasure! We visited her often for wine recommendations. What a wonderful experience! Thank you for all of your recommendations, and thank you for opening your home to us and introducing us to this beautiful location. I know we'll be back.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, girls getaway.

Guest: Rich and Diane
Date of Stay: 05/28/11 Review Submitted: 07/11/11

We had a great 4 weeks in France. Le Bourg is just beautiful. You've done an outstanding job decorating it. The sheets, pillows/chenille and furniture were all top of the line-sorry we could only use one bedroom. What a great place for a big group or number of couples. Pierre and Sarah were great and we bought quite a bit of wine and other local goodies from them. The weather was warm when we first arrived and then cooled a bit. Also loved the free telephone. We went to a number of gardens as Diane is a member of the La Jolla Village Club and really enjoyed that. The market at St. Cyprien was one of the best of our trips. Went to a number of castles and chateaus plus great wine tasting and food as usual. Thanks again for sharing Le Bourg. It is truly a very special place. Hope to do it again another trip. Rich and Diane La Jolla, CA

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It doesn't get any better than this.

Guest: John F.
Date of Stay: 04/23/11 Review Submitted: 01/22/12

My family of 5 stayed in La Bourg in the middle of a world trip that ultimately included 16 countries. We scheduled our stay at Kitty's place based mostly on descriptions and reviews here. Out of the entire trip, our stay in La Roque Gageac ended up being a top 3 pick for each person in my family. It really was that nice. The house is right in the middle of La Roque Gageac, just a few steps up from the parking lot. The rooms have fair views of the river, and there's a nice deck covered in a grapevine trellis where you'll likely enjoy most of your meals. The rooms were spacious, and the beds were as comfortable as any we found on our entire trip. My family slept very well here. The upstairs bathroom was especially nice, and the kitchen big enough for preparing any meals we wanted, which we did pretty often. Fast internet connection and phone service were a definite bonus. The house was really all we could have asked for. But to be honest, we didn't spend a whole lot of time in the house. The real attraction here is the Dordogne River valley: Cave paintings, medieval castles, local fresh fruit markets, canoeing, gardens, farms---it's all here in spades. We could easily have spent 3 weeks here if we didn't already have reservations in Paris. A few recommendations: 1) Get at least one meal with Dmitri, or even two if you can afford it. My son actually said while savoring his duck "I don't deserve food this good!". 2) The patisserie at the end of town has fantastic croissants, but don't get there late or you'll be out of luck. They also have pretty good baguette sandwiches if you're heading out for the day. You can't go wrong loading up there. 3) Canoes Roquegeoffre was our choice for canoeing. We would have gone with them on several days if we didn't have so much to do in all the surrounding countryside. 4) Definitely take advantage of all the nearby farmer's markets, which operate on a rotating schedule. This is how we got a lot of our fresh fruit. 5) Visit Sylvie in the wine shop 30 feet from the house. She hooked us up with our new favorite wine. 6) The supermarkets in Sarlat are only 10 minutes away by car, and a great source for general food supplies. We were only at La Bourg 3 days when we began making plans to return, figuring out who we'd invite to join us, etc. As long as you're there in the right season, you simply can't go wrong with this place. Plus, Kitty is a total pro as an owner and a host.

Owner response:Thank you so much for the fantastic review..We know how you feel about going back. We have been going to this area for 16 years and still have not seen all it has to offer. La Roque and the Dordogne are simply a magical place. Your review just makes me want to be there right now! Fortunately we are just weeks away from getting a bit of that magic for ourselves. Hope you too get to return soon.

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A Wonderful Week in a Lovely Home

Guest: Judith W. (Endicott, NY & Lourmarin, France)
Date of Stay: 03/26/11 Review Submitted: 04/04/11

We just returned from a week in La Roque Gageac, a beautiful little village in the Dordogne. This was our first visit to the Perigord, and we hope to return. Kitty and Dave's gorgeous riverfront home is the perfect location from which to admire the scenery, and it is furnished with every convenience. The home is immaculate, and would be a great place for a large group of family and/or friends to congregate, but still have plenty of space when they wanted it. We were amazed at how close we were to places like the Caves of Lascaux. Our visit to see the famous cave paintings was one of the highlights of our trip, although we also enjoyed visiting the Font de Gaume caves, as well as nearby Sarlat; and three chateaux that are all a short drive away. There is a fabulous garden that's only about 10 minutes away. On our last day, we visited the Chateau des Milandes, which was owned for a time by the American ex-pat and entertainer Josephine Baker. The place is filled with memorabilia and is fascinating. This chateau also features a raptor show that was very enjoyable. There seem to be several things of interest to families traveling with children in this part of France. There are several sites that offer insight into prehistory and are partially geared to children and activities for them. Although we were there too early to take the boat ride on the river, they begin after Easter, and there are also many places to rent canoes. The Dordogne area is filled with many other chateaux and caves to visit, and the countryside with rolling green hills and stone houses was breath-taking. On the recommendations of our hosts, we ate at Le Petit Paris and Le Tournepique, and enjoyed our meals very much. On other days, we dined in, and the kitchen is very well equipped. We highly recommend this property. You will not be disappointed!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

WOW!!!!

Guest: Val & Bob (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Date of Stay: 05/29/10 Review Submitted: 08/14/10

We rented Le Bourg in 2010, for 2 weeks (May 29 - June 12). We were a family group of 4 adults and 1 child of 18 months and were delighted with our whole experience there. First of all, the house was lovely throughout - a kitchen that just has everything and is large enough to have several people working together as well as a great table for dining. Also dining available of the great patio, overlooking the Dordogne River. The location is just perfect for exploring the Dordogne area and there are so many destinations for day-tripping. As well, you are in the centre of a lovely town, strung along the river with shops and restaurants to walk to. The scenery is spectacular and we thoroughly enjoyed the river cruise. The bedrooms, 2 up and 2 down, are very comfortable and the arrangement makes for a great deal of privacy in each bedroom area. We had a chef come in near the end of our stay and prepare a wonderful dinner that was indeed amazing as well as of very good value. On looking back, we probably should have had Demitri more than once!! We would not hesitate to recommend Le Bourg and as a matter of fact have already done so to several of our friends. Kitty is a wonderful help and is ready to answers all questions and does so with alacrity. The whole area of the Dordogne has so much to offer. We enjoyed the local markets, huge one in Sarlat (Saturdays), the castle in Baynac, the wonderful scenery of Domme, the cave paintings of Lescaux, beautiful Rocamadour and SaInt Cirque La Poppie - all wonderful day trips, and went to a great restaurant in Daglan - not to be missed. We found that the bakery right in town had delicious baguettes and croissants which we enjoyed every morning! All in all, Le Bourg gets very high marks from the Blake family. Valerie, Bob, Chris, Cindy and Etta - The Blake Family, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful Views overlooking the Dordogne

Guest: Babs and Tom (Louisanna)
Date of Stay: 05/22/10 Review Submitted: 06/12/10

The views from the living and the master bedroom windows overlooking the Dordogne River with a glass of French wine was beyond description. It looked like wonderful painting. A special treat were watching the hot air balloons! The terrance with an arbor of grape vines was devine. Watching and hearing the tourists was exciting. Once again the view of the river was terrific. The kitchen was exceptional with plenty of space with a long French country table. It was appointed with all of the implements necessary for cooking plus plenty of wine glasses. What ever you do, DO NOT miss the treat of Dimitri, the French chef that prepares a French meal (several courses) that is second to none.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Jerry Hey (Los Angeles, Ca.)
Date of Stay: 09/11/09 Review Submitted: 09/11/09

This May my family, consisting of two children and significant others, and another couple rented this house in La Roque Gageac for two weeks. We hadn't done anything like this before but we wanted to try staying in one spot for a while and explore from there. Needless to say this was THE PERFECT house. Very well appointed even down to some nice wine glasses and all the kitchen utensils. The bathrooms are updated nicely and the rooms have comfortable beds. But the main attraction was the patio where we spent many hours looking at the river, talking, and eating breakfast with great croissants from the local bakery, lunch, and dinner. We even had a chef recommended by the owner come in to cook two nights. La Roque Gageac is a great place to tour the Dordogne with all its plus beaux villages and castles in the area. And you won't find another owner who is genuinely more concerned with making your stay as good as possible. We talk about our two weeks all the time and hope to get back soon.

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Guest: Santabarbareno (Santa Barbara, California, USA)
Date of Stay: 09/10/09 Review Submitted: 09/10/09

We decided to rent a house in the Dordogne to celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary with friends and family because, being serious Francophiles, we knew that the Dordogne offers much for all ages: scenery, history, quaint villages, a variety of activities. In addition, I wanted a place on the river so that the teenagers had something at hand to keep them busy. After searching through the hundreds of properties available, we chose the Ziegler’s house. Little did we know what an excellent choice it was! Arriving at the property, I expected to be disappointed since websites invariably hide the warts. Not so here. This house is better than the photos; there are no warts. The entire ground floor is an expansive, functional, welcoming living space both indoors and out where all of us could gather without ever feeling cramped, and different groups had enough space to do their own thing at the same time. Sharing a house is not always easy, but the four bedrooms on two different levels allow 8 people to share the house without sacrificing privacy. The lovely terrace with the grapes hanging overhead and the river below is truly Paradise on earth. I wish I were there sipping a glass of wine right now!I cannot say enough about the kitchen. Much of our joy in France is centered on food, especially cooking the wonderful things you find only there. This kitchen is as functional as it is spacious. We did all the cooking for our actual anniversary party, and it was such fun and so easy in this lovely space. Unlike most rentals, there are enough glasses, dishes, etc. for family and guests. I wish I had such a kitchen in my own home.Not only do the Zieglers have a wonderful property, they are lovely people. Kitty was responsive and helpful during our lengthy preparations and quick to answer any question. During the time leading up to our trip and during our trip, our family experienced two serious crises, and no one was more supportive than Kitty. I feel that I have not only had the most perfect 50th wedding anniversary in the most perfect setting, but I have made a new friend whom I have yet to meet in person.Better book this quickly because we are telling everyone we meet that they must experience this unique property.

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Guest: Linda and Don
Date of Stay: 03/21/09 Review Submitted: 03/20/09

Knowing only that we wanted to spend two weeks in Dordogne, and having never been there before, I researched the internet offerings until I happened upon “Le Bourg” in La Roque-Gageac. I fell in love instantly with the pictures of the house and the village, and nothing else would do after that. We booked our two weeks and anticipated our visit for nearly a year. I admit that I was afraid of being disappointed because our expectations were so high.Au contraire, the area exceeded our expectations, and the house was delightful. We were astounded and charmed as we wandered from place to place, just amazed at the beauty that we encountered everywhere. We loved the villages, the markets, the castles, and the rivers; and the people were kind and helpfulWe especially enjoyed the terrace of the house, and I would stare out of the window in the “lounge” and feel so lucky to spend two weeks in such a spectacular setting.Our group consisted of five people—all over 55—three siblings and two spouses. We had more than enough elbow room and could have easily accommodated one or two more vacationers.We highly recommend both the area and the house. You won’t be disappointed.

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Guest: Linda and John
Date of Stay: 09/10/08 Review Submitted: 09/09/08

Knowing only that we wanted to spend two weeks in Dordogne, and having never been there before, I researched the internet offerings until I happened upon “Le Bourg” in La Roque-Gageac. I fell in love instantly with the pictures of the house and the village, and nothing else would do after that. We booked our two weeks and anticipated our visit for nearly a year. I admit that I was afraid of being disappointed because our expectations were so high. Au contraire, the area exceeded our expectations, and the house was delightful. We were astounded and charmed as we wandered from place to place, just amazed at the beauty that we encountered everywhere. We loved the villages, the markets, the castles, and the rivers; and the people were kind and helpful We especially enjoyed the terrace of the house, and I would stare out of the window in the “lounge” and feel so lucky to spend two weeks in such a spectacular setting. Our group consisted of five people—all over 55—three siblings and two spouses. We had more than enough elbow room and could have easily accommodated one or two more vacationers. We highly recommend both the area and the house. You won’t be disappointed.

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Guest: Tom and Nancy Shelby
Date of Stay: 08/10/08 Review Submitted: 08/09/08

I am sure you get this all the time, but your home was absolutely amazing. We reconnected with our beloved Belgian friends Pierre and Francine Van de Wattyne and their daughters Sarah and Julie of Ellezelles, Belgium. We all signed the book, but words cannot describe the fabulous time we had there. We walked shopped ate laughed paddled and stared with wonder. We learned enjoyed and looked dumb a bit too. We loved the restaurant you suggested. The owner was so charming and the food delicious. We had our last full dinner there. Such a fitting tribute to a great time. Pierre and Francine had their socks knocked off at your home and they took a movie for their family to see as they did not think photos would do it justice. I must agree. One of Tom's (my husband) favorite pastimes was to sit on the terrace and be hated. You know like when you see beautiful people in amazing homes and you just want to 'hate' them. He was just so sure that sitting on the terrace sipping local wine and munching on foie gras would make him 'hated' by the tourists who walked by. My French took a turn for the better as well. We are beat, but filled with unbelievable memories of your fairy tale retreat on the Dordogne....thanks so much

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Guest: Amy and Jacques
Date of Stay: 08/02/08 Review Submitted: 08/01/08

"I can't say enough wonderful things about your home. We have a guesthouse in Woodstock Vermont that we rent out on a weekly and per diem basis and I only wish that our guests could ever have as magical a week as we had in your place. It was a great respite for us-our older daughter (almost 17) had been in Aix for 3 weeks and after our visit, in Paris for all of July, so getting to hang out on your terrace and prepare meals with her was utter joy. We had perfect weather-quite warm and sunny the whole time-and were able to canoe, explore the caves and nearby towns, etc. We all found the house utterly charming and delightful-you've furnished it so beautifully, with such great modern amenities and yet all the old charm. Just wish we could spend more time there! If ever you find yourselves in Vermont, I hope you'll let us know."

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Guest: Julie V
Date of Stay: 06/02/08 Review Submitted: 06/01/08

"We loved your house. It was all we could have imagined and the little town of La Roque was just delightful. Everywhere we turned in the area we found similar beautiful villages and glorious views. None of us had ever spent much time in the rural areas of France before so we were constantly wide-eyed at the sheer loveliness of the countryside. We have oceans of photos. My special favourites were the poppies that were flowering all over the place - we have the Flanders poppy as a symbol of peace and remembrance in Australia so they are particularly meaningful to us. And now we are back with all of our fabulous memories. Without exception, the French people were very kind to us wherever we went. In fact they mostly went out of their way to help us, which was very necessary at times as my French was the best of our group and it is very ordinaire indeed!" "I want to say thank you for your interest in our stay and also for your assistance over the months prior as we waded through the administrivia associated with exchanging money. It was very much appreciated. We would love to come back one day for another stay."

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Guest: The Carlyle’s
Date of Stay: 06/30/07 Review Submitted: 06/29/07

"....Friends and family spent two weeks in this gorgeous home. Huge rooms, lovely terrace overlooking the river, well designed to allow privacy, and beautifully decorated. It has every modern convenience you could ask for! It exceeded our expectations in every way! Everyone agreed this was the best vacation – ever! All because of this house. We can’t wait to go again."

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Guest: Vic and Pat V., Bob and Roselena
Date of Stay: 05/01/07 Review Submitted: 04/30/07

"Wow! What an ideal vacation spot. Kitty and Dave, thank you for sharing your home at La Roque Gageac. Both the town and the house are beautiful and quaint. You have done a beautiful job maintaining and stocking the house with all the necessary amenities. We felt like millionaires sitting on the terrace in perfect view of the Dordogne river, sampling the fine wines and cheeses purchased in our morning ventures to the nearby open markets. The house was a perfect base from which to explore the nearby countryside and visit castles and other historical points of interest. Your book describing and recommending places to visit was excellent along with all the other information such as emergency numbers, etc. Whether you want to stay busy playing tourist or just kick back and relax in a peaceful setting, this is the place. We chose both, venturing out each morning to experience the many interesting and beautiful towns recommended in your book which has a wealth of information, more places to see than we had time for in our one week that went by way too quickly. We enjoy traveling to new locations and seldom repeat going back to the same place; but the house at La Roque Gageac is an exception, we can hardly wait to go back!"

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