Entire home

Million Euro View- Villa Mont Joie

Photo gallery for Million Euro View- Villa Mont Joie

Medieval meets modern comfort at Mont Joie
Private Pool with Chateaux Views across the valley
Romantic master bedroom with King bed, private bath, and balcony
Views of Montgolfiers, French for hot-air balloons, as seen from the villa
Second Master Bedroom with King Size Bed and Private Bath

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 62100 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Beynac-Et-Cazenac, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
  • Château de Beynac
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Château de Castelnaud
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Gardens of Marqueyssac
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Bergerac (EGC-Bergerac - Perigord - Dordogne)

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Kids Room

1 Single Bunk Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Million Euro View- Villa Mont Joie

France is the world’s most sought-after travel destination and Beynac is one of its most beautiful villages. Many of our guests are taking their trip of a lifetime. We understand this and that’s why work hard to help make your dream come true. For the last 15 years, we have been doing just that. Our on-site team is here to help you and take care of you.

Our extensive free planning guide will help open your mind to all the possibilities this area has to offer. In addition, we can offer private tours that can be designed according to your specific interests. Our knowledge of the local cuisine can help point you in the right direction to the best restaurants and bakeries with locally sourced ingredients.

Our home is full of history including many period furnishings but with all the modern conveniences. We want you to be able to experience the history of what makes this region so famous and at the same time feel the comfort and coziness of returning each night to your own special place.

As our guest, you will enjoy top-quality amenities to help make life easy as you savor a home-cooked meal from our fully equipped kitchen or just relax with friends and family and relive your adventures of the day. Let this place be a memory that you will relive for years to come and possibly return to again like so many of our guests.

Mont Joie is a charming 15th Century stone house located in the heart of the village of Beynac, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The chateau at Beynac is on the top of a 500-foot cliff and the village houses are positioned below - providing privacy and spectacular views from one side of the house, and village life on the other.

Extraordinary views of the magnificent Dordogne river and the Valley of the Five Chateaux present themselves from each of the four floors. The front door opens directly from the cobblestone streets - just steps from our private and unique parking grotte - into the main room of approximately 60 sq. meters. Honey-colored stone walls, stone tile floor, ancient wooden beams, and a huge medieval fireplace set the tone for this main floor. A fully equipped kitchen with granite countered cooking area is built into one of the old fireplaces. Antique carpets and leather seating offers a comfortable area to relax, listen to the stereo or view English satellite television on the 42” curved panel television. The large dining table suitable for seating up to 6 diners is next to the window offering spectacular views of the river, the sunset, and the colorful montgolfiers (hot air balloons) drifting by at dawn and sunset most days in season.

Down the stone staircase is the Master Bedroom with an ensuite bathroom combining modern fixtures with stone walls. A King-size bed with a Tempurpedic mattress, reading lamps, desk, and a large private full-width balcony with loungers, barbeque and dining table for 4 make this room the ideal spot to relax with a glass of wine to admire the view. On this same level, there is a very small bedroom with bunk beds for children, which is especially convenient for parents who want their young children to sleep nearby but in a separate space from the master bedroom.

One floor down, the old merchant's storeroom now is the second large bedroom, again with stone walls, an ancient beamed ceiling, and a river view. This room also has a king-size bed. An ensuite bathroom, and a full laundry room with a washer and dryer complete this floor. Because neither bedrooms are in the attic, and the thick stone walls offer a cooling insulator against the hot Dordogne summers, we sleep comfortably cool all summer long, many times with a duvet cover.

Another floor down brings you to a flagstone terrace with a grape and wisteria arbor for a shaded sitting area and a few steps down, the stunning swimming pool area (Open May 1-Oct 31) - with panoramic views and full access to the sun. Take in wonderful views of the river from both terraces and views of the Chateaux of Fayrac, Castelnaud, Lacosse, and Marqueyssac.

Eat, drink and be merry. Mont Joie is truly a destination in itself. Many of our guests return each year and plan their whole vacation around their stay at this property. So pack your bags and experience the true French joie de vivre.

Please note: If you have mobility issues or concerns please contact the owner.

Attention: If Mont Joie is booked for your desired dates or if you are traveling with a large group and need more space, consider booking Mont Joie's sister-house, Maison Delluc, next door with 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and similar jaw-dropping views (https://www.vrbo.com/3763087). An original 17th c. noble house, Maison Delluc has been fully restored and is available for the first time in 2024.

This is a non-smoking property.

Property manager

Vincent Shrader
Premier Host

Languages

English, French
Lock

Protect your payment — always book on Vrbo

If someone asks you to book through them or pay them directly before you book on Vrbo, report it.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
Family members have allergies.
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
For the safety and comfort of all our guests, smoking and pets are not permitted. Evidence of smoking or pets will forfeit the security deposit.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 1000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Beynac-et-Cazenac

Located in Beynac-et-Cazenac, this holiday home is on a river. Écomusée de la Noix and Manoir de Gisson are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Gardens of Marqueyssac and AirParc Perigord. Travelling with kids? Consider Les Jardins d'Eau and Aquarium du Perigord Noir. Kayaking and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding and cycling nearby.
Map
Beynac-Et-Cazenac, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

What's nearby

  • Château de Beynac - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Château de Marqueyssac - 3 min drive - 3.1 km
  • Château de Castelnaud - 5 min drive - 4.8 km
  • Château des Milandes - 5 min drive - 4.4 km
  • Gardens of Marqueyssac - 5 min drive - 3.8 km

Getting around

  • Saint Cyprien Station - 10 min drive
  • Brive-la-Gaillarde (BVE-Brive - Vallee de la Dordogne) - 73 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Lou Toupi - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Le Palmier - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Auberge le Colombier - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Le Patio - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Hostellerie maleville - ‬2 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Does Million Euro View- Villa Mont Joie have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is Million Euro View- Villa Mont Joie pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Million Euro View- Villa Mont Joie?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Million Euro View- Villa Mont Joie?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Million Euro View- Villa Mont Joie located?

This family-friendly Beynac-et-Cazenac holiday home is located on a river, within 1 mi (2 km) of Château de Beynac and Old Gare De Vézac. Gardens of Marqueyssac and Écomusée de la Noix are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 121 out of 124 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 124 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 124 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 124 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 124 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

8/10 Good

John G.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location
Disliked: Check-in

our recent stay

There is no question that the outstanding aspect of the property is the view from the balcony-truly exceptional. We believe that the description of the property should indicate that it is spread over 5 levels and that the path to the "apex"/door is very steep after the first 60mtrs and very demanding for those with heavy luggage and shopping.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachel S., London

Fabulous view of the French countryside from a charming stone house!

My husband and I rented this house to celebrate my birthday. We wanted a quiet holiday where we could relax and enjoy the French countryside. We definitely got that by staying in Mont Joie!!! We felt instantly relaxed after we arrived. We proceeded to spend every evening on the balcony enjoying watching the birds, boats on the river and life in the village. The village of Beynac is extraordinary with its beautiful stone houses, cobbled streets and its chateau! We loved exploring the alleyways and visiting the local shops and restaurants. The locals were very friendly and helpful - even when dealing with our basic French! This was the perfect location to explore the surrounding villages which also have a rich history. The parking grotto (and the road up to it) are too difficult to navigate unless you are in the most compact of cars. We tried it once and then decided to park at one of the nearby lots instead as our small car was not small enough!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Alan D.

Stunning property with great views over the River Dordogne ideally located at Beynac

The property is located in the historic village of Beynac below the impressive castle. The village has narrow steep lanes and Mont Joie is located on one of these routes. The house covers three floors with the entrance at the top floor where the kitchen and lounge area are located. The lower floors have the bedrooms with a great balcony terrace on the middle floor from the master bedroom. The views of the river, castles and town frontage are superb from this terrace and the lounge window. There is also the added bonus of regular morning and evening balloon flights passing over the river in view from the house. The property has all the modern day appliances for cooking, washing, entertainment etc. Whilst there is a parking place for the house it is located up the narrow lanes - we decided to buy a weekly pass from the Mayor's office for 13 Euros rather than undertaking the challenging driving manoeuvres required to access the parking place. Beynac is a great location for seeing the many great sights in the Dordogne including Beynac itself, Roque Gageac, Domme, Sarlat etc.
Stayed 12 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

anne k.

Lovely property, stunning views, beautiful village

Lovely property, fantastically located up the path from the Petit Tonnelle Restaurant in the main street. All amenities including excellent kitchen, laundry, beautiful bathrooms, large comfortable bedrooms. We were a party of four so had access to the two main bedrooms only. Balcony off main bedroom provided excellent large covered space with beautiful vista over the Dourdogne Rr., castles and hills beyond. Large comfortable living room, with views over the river , town and valley, excellent wifi. Top property, highly recommended. P.S Don't try to drive up from the Petit Tonnelle. Only approach from the Hotel Bonnet direction with a small car.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca & Charles R.

Perfection

Outstanding in every respect. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ We could not imagine a more satisfying vacation than our 2 weeks at Mont Joie in picture perfect Beynac. Having spent 3-4 weeks annually in most European countries from Norway to Hungary, Turkey and Sicily over the past 30 years, this year we wanted something special for our family's return to the Dordogne and indeed we found it in Mont Joie. Everything about it was superb including the spectacular setting, the architecture, the tastefulness of its furnishings, the privacy and tranquility, the high level of comfort, the proximity to excellent resources and nearby attractions, the owner's extraordinary attention to detail and responsiveness. We must also mention the exceptionally warm, friendly and helpful Martine who greeted us and was repeatedly helpful to us during our stay and, if you are interested in wildlife, you'll be very pleased with the swans, herons, egrets, ducks and the constant aerial display of the swallows in full view from the great room, the balcony and terraces. Mont Joie is a great value and we are most grateful to the owner for this truly exceptional, most rewarding and memorable experience.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Garen B.

Wonderful Rental Property in the Dordogne Region

My girlfriend and I stayed at Mont Joie for 17 days in July. This provided a great base for both general relaxation and active exploration of the many great villages and sites that this area of France has to offer. The property was entirely consistent with the listing description and pictures on the HomeAway website. It has extraordinary views, is very roomy and comfortable, is clean and well maintained and is very well equipped with everything one might need for a rental property. The owner, local manager and housekeeper were all very helpful and responsive to any and all questions/needs that we had prior to and during our stay. We had breakfast on the main terrace every morning and, for lunches and dinners, alternated between eating in on this magnificent part of the home and going out on a roughly 50/50 basis. I would highly recommend Beynac as a base location and this property in particular for a memorable stay in the Dordogne region.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Anne S.

Sensational

We have stayed in so many places over the years and this is by far, the most welcoming, beautiful and comfortable yet. The owners have set the house up with everything you could possibly need. The UK TV was great and to discover the board games was a bonus. Plenty of books, movies and comfy furniture & the wood burning heater was atmospheric & wonderful. My husband, our 9 yr old and I booked Mont Joie after researching the the various home sites and the reviews were absolutely accurate!!...Actually, it was even better than the reviews. Beynac and the surrounding area is picturesque and enchanting. We rented at the beginning of winter and, despite the cold weather, the home was warm, inviting and the views were breathtaking. Many people avoid touring during the colder seasons but we loved the fact that the area was quiet and the weather was not uncomfortable. As the previous reviews have commented, the information included in the house manual gave so much useful, local information. (& easy to read/understand instructions for everything) Martine, the housekeeper, was charming and helpful and one can feel assured that if there were any problems or anything you needed, help was on hand. Our daughter fell in love with the kids bunk room with artfully drawn medieval theme and, despite her sleep issues, couldn't wait to climb into bed each night. This house would be perfect for anyone (except with disability or age issues-due to the steep path) A special place indeed !!!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Everything and More

I cannot tell you how much we enjoyed Mount Joie!!!!!!!!!! There are no adequate words to describe it. I tried to put my thoughts in your guest book but in a nutshell, stepping into your place was like stepping back into time. I am sure you have heard that before. It was a fantasy. You and Michelle have done an absolutely fantastic job of creating a charming home with a wonderful atmosphere. We are so glad that we got the chance to visit especially after that delays last fall. We had a couple of days of challenging weather but other than that it was superb. I took your advice: we’d often sit on the balcony and simple absorb the wonders around us. It was so relaxing and tranquil. The visit to the Perigord now ranks as our #1 vacation of all time. We’d go back in a heartbeat! Thank you. Jim & Bev
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Relax and enjoy the views

This is our first experience with renting a home in France. The owner made it very easy with quick responses to our inquiries, useful information, and a home, that if anything, is understated. The home is in wonderful condition and outfitted well. The local contact people speak excellent English and seemed happy to help. The views from the terrace and balcony are better than the pictures on the website and the terrace became our favorite spot each evening to watch the sun go down and the hot air ballons drift by. All this accompanied by drinking some fruit of the vine. We were in Baynac the first week of October and had wonderful weather with highs in the 80's and lows around 50 and only one day with a little percipitation. Beynac is well situated and we didn't need to do a lot of driving to see what we wanted to see. Please tour Font du Gamma, enjoy a canoe ride, visit a open air market, and drop into a country restaurant. We would go back in a minute and stay at Mont Joie.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

janice l., st simons island, GA, USA

Excellent in every respect.

This home is beautifully furnished with french antiques, copper pieces, very comfortable beds, tons of linens & well stocked kitchen! The photographs are accurate except that they may not do the great room/kitchen & the VIEW justice. You will remember the view long after your vacation is over. (Imagine waking up to the sound of ducks down on the river and watching the mist lift above the hills to reveal 2 neighborhing chateaus!) And yes, hot air balloons do go by, right over the roof in fact!! House was clean & owner very responsivel when we had problems with TV & internet. He was very organized with all paperwork/transactions & recco's on day trips, local markets and restaurants were excellent. The home was throughtfully well stocked with DVDs, excellent travel books/maps, umbrellas, walking sticks, laundry detergent. Beynace is a very tiny medievel village with a "chateau"/fortress at the top...tons of charm and character. You will become friends with the local merchants! Note: this house and this village are not for people who have difficulty either with steps(the house) or going up and down steep stone village paths. I am not great at walking down hill and a couple times used a rubber tipped cane for security (and I am a VERY fit 55 year old!). Up hill is steep and will get you huffing & puffing, but is a good way to work off the cheese & pate! If you want charm, a sense of history, modern conveniences, a home that does feel like a sparse rental, a place to relax with wine and watch the sun go down, this is it!!! Plenty of hot water & modern bathrooms (altho as 2 floors are below ground humidity and mildew are struggle for these homes). To do: La Petite Tonnellel for dinner, Saturday market in Sarlat, kayak on the Dordogne (clear and clean like you won't believe! Take a picnic...lots of spots to get out), hikes around the town to Cazenac & St. Vincent de Cosse, trips to Domme, Monpazier (lunch at Privilege Perigo ), St. Cirq Lapopie, Racamadour. Peche Merle caves are incredible and orginal, not recreated. Re the parking grotto: you MUST have a narrow car. Fold in your mirrors & it is do-able. Backing out takes many manuevers, but with 2 people (1 in the car & 1 out directing), it is fine. The applause from tourists after you finish the process is amusing. We took the owner's suggestion: bought a parking permit for down by the river (22E for 2 wks.) & parked there when we came back after dark.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Serene respite

We had a wonderful time in Mont Joie. It was just what we needed. We had had a very difficult trip up until that point and arrived exhausted and stressed. What better place to unwind than in this lovely, serene environment!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

hkmLRRstph5Elu1uQKmtlwpDPp+ejMpPxsvT2bZMEK6MQmXvpyOS5GSTJLgi8EHnbU2VJ+MkxymS2M2T4cAmy02Ko1fUXvy7svgL h., hkmLRRstph5Elu1uQKmtlwpDPp+ejMpPxsvT2bZMEK7EacDofQOkvSLhgqa0UTEfRR71lxRNC7qKT1GP

Fairy tale place!

We spent a week during October 2010 at Mont Joie. The Dordogne is a fantasy land and staying in Beynac just adds to the depth of the dream. Mont Joie is the icing on the cake. The vila is so well equiped and so very comfortable. The view of the river, the surrounding countryside and the castles only heightens the feeling that you have taken a detour to another century but have managed to drag along all the conveniences of the current one. We would highly recommend Mont Joie if you are planning a stay in the Perigord.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Helena G.

Villa Mont Joie

A wonderful vacation full of memories for a lifetime. The views, the house, the people, the history, the countryside, the food, the wine, the markets all were incredible and exceeded our expectations. The experience of having dinner at La Borie Blanche farm with Christine was one of the highlights of our trip and should not be missed. The markets at Sarlat and St. Cyprien are fantastic and enable you to have a great meal on the Villa Mont Joie terrace overlooking the Dordogne. Would also suggest going native and having lunch " French style " in small towns.......it is a great experience and an incredible value. A total surprise was the town of Les Eyzies and the prehistoric museum and nearby cave drawings, simply amazing! Would recommend this property very highly.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Perfect home in a perfect village

Mont Joie is a delightful property. The owners have provided everything to make guests feel at home, and they were very responsive to a couple of questions that arose during our stay. If you are looking for a luxurious and well maintained property as a base for exploring the Dordogne and beyond, this is it!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Julie G., Boston, MA USA

Perfection!

After a week in Paris, coming down to the countryside was the perfect way to wind up our 2 week trip. Little did we know the treat that was in store for us! Mont Joie was absolutely breathtaking. The views from the dining room windows seem like they come straight out of a fairytale. Even though it was a little later in the season (October), there were still several great restaurants open and within walking distance of the house and if you're a little adventurous several more within biking distance. The house was immaculate and well-stocked with common kitchen utensils/appliances. The location is absolutely fabulous for biking! Did a lot of biking and found many interesting routes in the area. Biked up to the caves a little to the north and down in the direction of La Domme to the south. Of course, the trip was not nearly long enough! The owners were a pleasure to work with and made the whole process extremely easy - great directions, easy contact folks at the hotel, and lots of great suggestions for restaurants, shopping, etc.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

John P., Hampshire, UK

The ‘crème de la crème’!

We enjoyed the whole experience and appreciated the ambience! A lovely home with spectacular views, autumnal mists swirling over the trees and river in the morning and beautiful sunsets in the evening. Watching the montgolfieres slowly progress along the valley, some hovering just above Mont Joie breathing fire, like dragons of old. Frequenting Beynac’s shops and restaurants we got to recognise a few local characters, which added depth to our stay. We appreciated the rich history of the area, enjoyed our visits to Castelnaud and Chateau Beynac and were interested to note that the river itself marked the front line during the 100 years war. Our guide at Lascaux II caves brought the history of the cave paintings to life and Rocque Saint Christophe was interesting. The canoe trip from Veyzac to Beynac was idyllic and relaxing -we stopped off to explore Rocque Gageac and profited from the many excellent photo opportunities on offer, from the river. Our visit to Sarlat with its market, lively old town, narrow winding streets, interesting architecture, hidden courtyards and street entertainers provided an enjoyable change of tempo. We provided a little of our own 'street entertainment' in Beynac with a 'spectacle' staged late one afternoon whilst executing a fine 24 point turn in an exhausting effort to extricate our 4x4 from the grotte by the house! Thinking we had chosen a quiet time when few people would be passing on their way to and from the chateau - to our horror, once committed, there was a sudden ‘rush’ of tourists and we attracted quite an audience! We received various tips and words of encouragement, along with laughter and a few ‘alternative’ comments! However, successfully completed our mission and retreated to the car park! Only a couple of very small negatives - firstly we could not receive French TV - we feel this gives an extra flavour of the country and also a good weather forecast (although we did obtain this from the tourist office in Beynac) and an opportunity to practice the language, secondly, the relaxer chairs were in a poor condition - they had obviously been put to good use during the season and the supporting elastic had long since given up the ghost! We enjoyed our time at Mont Joie - could have seen more - but we also wanted a relaxing break and apart from the above niggles everything was perfect. We would love to come back sometime in the future and will definitely recommend you to our friends!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Anne P.

Picture perfect village living

Our family stayed for one week at Mont Joie in June and were absolutely delighted with the home and the village. Mont Joie has all the deluxe comforts you need, but our favorite feature was the beautiful view of the river, stone rooftops, and castles. Our daughters felt like they were stepping back in history, and they were also enchanted watching the hot air balloons as we had breakfast or dinner by the large dining room window or on the terrace. Many evenings we strolled up the hill to Beynac castle to watch the sunset. Beynac is a great place to stay when visiting the area. There is so much to see and do without much of a drive. Be sure to go to the Sunday morning market in St. Cyprien, canoe on the river, and visit the prehistoric sites. Font de Gaume was our favorite--reserve in advance. We would definitely recommend Mont Joie!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nancy K., San Diego, CA

Wow, what a view!

There are so many wonderful things to do and see in this area and we're glad we chose to stay in Baynac over Sarlat (traffic). This house and the view was so wonderful, we hated to leave home, but we did. Every day was really full and sometimes we didn't return home until 11 PM. I only wish we could have stayed two weeks so we would have had time to dine at home on the patio, sit and read a book on the balcony while watching the hot air balloons take off and watch some of the French-themed DVD movies provided. I definitely made good use of the WiFi connection and free phone calls home to keep in touch with my elderly mother and my business. The house was very clean, the welcome basket provided sustenance until we got to the markets the next day. Advice: This house is not for the elderly or disabled. Get a parking permit from the Maire (Mayor's office) and park your car near the river, walk past the front of the Hotel du Chateau then turn uphill past the Cafe de la Riviere and through the gate to patio of the Mont Jolie house and enter through the 2nd floor bedroom. It's not as steep as walking up the path for the Chateau to the front door. Don't even try driving up those narrow roads to the private parking grotto or even more scary is trying to turn around to drive down again! If the cobble stones are wet from rain, don't even think about it in a stick shift car. We chose to leave our large suitcases upstairs and just dress in the living room rather than carry them down the steep little stairway to the bedroom and then up again when it was time to depart. The Cafe de la Riviere right below the house (just peer over the balcony to see the tables) is excellent as is La Petite Tonnelle. Sarlat at night is delightful. Font de Gaume cave paintings requires reservations one month in advance in the summer! Our favorite photographic town was Collonges la Rouge, followed by Loubessac, Autoire. Favorite castle was Josephine Baker's Les Milandes, very close by. I recommend to PLAN AHEAD and research what time (if any) they have English tours and make reservations because everything is so interesting you don't want to miss out! At Lasceaux II, the English tour was at 10 AM, required a reservation in advance and starting out at 8AM from Beynac. Most useful pieces of equipment- our GPS, a good map and extra strong glasses to read it! Also, Rick Steves guidebook (there is one at the house) and Michelin Green Guide for the area.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Fabulous house with a great view

We were thrilled with our stay at Mont Joie-Vincent and Michelle are the ultimate hosts! The views and accomodations at Mont Joie were even better than the pictures on the website-it is our favorite rental-great for a family vacation. We loved spending time on the terrace enjoying the view of the river, nearby castles, wildlife and hot air balloons. Our 12, 10 and 3 year old enjoyed walking to Beynac castle (and shopping in the medieval shop near the entrance), touring Castlenaud, canoeing and swimming in the Dordogne and going down to feed the ducks and swans in the evening. Additional highlights for the adults were the candlelit evening at Marqueyssac Chateau gardens, touring the cave at Font de Gaume, great meals and evening strolls in Beynac. We hope to return soon!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Perfection in a villa rental

Bottom line, Villa Mont Joie is equal to our best villa experience in 40 years of extensive traveling and my 20 years of travel consulting . VIEW: Magic. Certainly the best villa view in Beynac and equal to the best overall take-in villa view of our travels. We always seek a stunning view in a villa. Mont Joie is true magic and the pictures just cannot do it justice - 180 degree view of the Dordogne, castles, boats, hot hair balloons, swans - that is changing and mesmerizing dawn to dusk. The huge top floor window and large covered second floor deck with table/chaises/bbq are focal points to this. INSIDE: This is a beautifully renovated medievel era home with the finest touches of period interior design and furniture and lighting. Many of the walls are the glowing honey color stone of the region. The master bath is spectacular with the glass sink set against the local stone. KITCHEN: Equipped at the highest grade with stainless steel appliances, granite, and extensive dishes, serving and kitchenware, and accessories. As cooks, we were in heaven. BEDS: Among the most comfortable of all our travels. SETTING: Mont Joie is in the fairy tale town of Beynac, consistently one of the most beautiful villages in France. The key sites of the area are all within easy reach by car (chateaux, Sarlat, etc). We were a party of 4 - myself and husband and daughters 9 and 15. We found Mont Joie as close to perfection as a rental could be. The owners use this home as their own for their vacations which speaks volumes to the quality. As renters of Mont Joie, we stepped in as "residents" rather than mere villa renters for the week due to the quality and beauty. The ultimate compliment to a rental is that you want to stay there rather than venture out as it is so nice. Mont Joie is truly a rare gem . .and we were lucky to experience it. A week of magic moments in a magic villa in a magic setting - what more could you want from a vacation?
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Neil M.

Absolutely fantabulous!

When we came across Mont Joie online, we figured we had stumbled onto the find of the century... and all was confirmed when we arrived. It really is like the pictures, and better - even more outside space than we expected. The location is great for exploring, particularly the nearby area - as Beynac is some distance from the auto route day trips as far as Bordeaux and Toulouse are somewhat arduous, but even over three weeks at Mont Joie there was more than we could manage to do and see within an hour radius. For us a car is a must - and smaller is better. While we initially defaulted to our 'shop for a week' Canadian-style grocery shopping at the big supermarket in Sarlat, we ended up doing most of our food shopping daily at the local alimentaire in Beynac and then on Sundays at the St. Cyprien market. There's not much you can't get in nearby Sarlat, so if you like to travel light, you can comfortably wait until you arrive to stock up on familiar toiletries - from toothpaste to hair colouring. If you do nothing else... make good use of the BBQ on the balcony off the master; be sure to try dinner at Beynac's La Petite Tonelle (grilled duck breast was unbelievable); visit Sarlat at dusk for an evening stroll when the gas lamps come on to light the narrow medieval streets; and check out the view over the valley at nearby Domme... add dinner on the terrace at sunset for an unforgettable experience.

10/10 Excellent

Mike and Peg H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dordogne adventure genial (awesome adventure)!

There are not enough words to describe this lovely part of France. We have been to France many times but this area is amazing. Mont Joie exceeded all expectations. A beautiful property set above the Dordogne where we were provided all amenities and more. We were able to relax and enjoy our time together. Martine is a joy, she helped us in so many ways! We highly recommend this area and Mont Joie. We will be back! Merci to Vince and family for sharing your lovely home with us. Au revoir for now, Mike and Peggy
Stayed 8 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nancy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magnificent!

I was expecting a great house based on all of the other reviews, but even they did not do it justice. What a superb home, with a billion euro view! A true 500 year old house with 21st century comforts. Thank you Vincent for sharing Mont Joie. And thank you Martine for all you do. We are sure to return to this wonderful area and house!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Pamela H.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gay G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy

Mont Joie is a Joy!

Outstanding! Parking was not really an option but we managed using the public parking lot. Those who stay need to prepare to climb hills.😀
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

About the host

Hosted by Vincent Shrader

Host profile image
We are avid Francophiles and love to travel in Europe. We've been coming to Beynac since 1997 and immediately felt a sense of connection to this charming little village in this beautiful region of France. Some years we visited several times. Eventually, we found a place of our own. This is more than a vacation rental to us, it's a second home

Why they chose this property

Beynac feels like home to us. Like a story book village lost in time that we had only read or dreamed about, it deserves its designation as Most Beautiful Village of France.

What makes this property unique

Villa Mont Joie enjoys a central village location and superb 180 degree views from the covered balcony, garden terrace and pool terrace. The stunning scenery and setting are captivating! Located on a footpath leading up the chateau but far enough to be off the main road and away from street noise. Just steps away are the best restaurants in the village, a snack shop, wine shop, bakery, grocer, post office, pharmacy and ATM.

Languages:

English, French

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests