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Simple escape to nature, rustic family retreat in river valley in France, YES!

Photo gallery for Simple escape to nature, rustic family retreat in river valley in France, YES!

Living room, view over the weir.
Property video
Living room north window, overlooking the lake.
The ducks look for food before going to sleep on the island.
St Jean de Cole village 10km away

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
5 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub on site
  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
Nanthiat, Dordogne

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed, 2 Single Beds and 1 Single Murphy Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed and 2 Single Bunk Beds

Bedroom 5

1 Single Bunk Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Toilet

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bidet · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Simple escape to nature, rustic family retreat in river valley in France, YES!

Nestled in the heart of France, our charming former mill offers a peaceful escape from the everyday. This private, detached house is a haven of tranquility, surrounded by sprawling gardens perfect for games, relaxation, and multi-generational gatherings. Unplug and unwind with free 2,0GB Wi-Fi throughout the property, from the gardens to the riverbank. Nature’s Playground awaits.
Fish in the serene river flowing beneath the house, marvel at the vibrant butterflies, and photograph a diverse array of wildlife and birds. At night, gaze at the clearest, most breathtaking starry skies you’ve ever seen. For adventure, explore the wild forests on mountain bikes, zip down our expanding Tirolyeanne zipline, or swing on the 7-meter footswing (supervised use only). Paddle a stand-up board or dinghy on the lake, or let kids splash in the gentle stream. Cool off in the refreshing pool during France’s warmest days, finding the perfect oasis for relaxation. Rich Experiences for All
Discover authentic prehistoric cave drawings nearby—no replicas here! Play tennis for free at a court just a short walk away, or visit more castles within an hour’s drive than anywhere else on earth. Bargain hunt at local flea markets and auctions, bringing home treasures and memories.

Evening Bliss

As the sun sets, gather around the roaring wood stove, savor world-class local wines, and indulge in gourmet, locally sourced cuisine cherished by food connoisseurs. For families, our host—a seasoned educator with decades of global experience from Japan to Germany—delights in engaging children with fun, educational activities in multiple languages.

Dream Under the Stars

During heatwaves, opt for special sleeping arrangements under the open sky, drifting off as you stargaze. This is more than a getaway—it’s a chance to reconnect, explore, and create lifelong memories.Book Your Rustic Retreat Today.

Note: Zipline, footswing, and water activities require supervision for safety.
P.S. No burnt up heatwave disaster zone here:
The river running under the house has kept the interior under 21 degrees since June this year, while elsewhere the temperatures reached 42 degrees. Open the windows at night, close them in the day and you need zero air-conditioning - all just because of a natural perfect location.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
Events larger than 10 guests confirmed with owner.
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Barbaques must be supervised by adults.

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Remember to leave the keys in the safety box.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 3979040vb
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
Note from host: Events larger than 10 guests confirmed with owner.
Host has indicated that there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property, but there are gas appliances; 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

About the area

Nanthiat

Nanthiat is home to this holiday home. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Regional Natural Park Périgord Limousin and Nantheuil Pond, while Sorges Truffle Museum and Musée du Chai de Lardimalie are cultural highlights.
Map
Nanthiat, Dordogne

Getting around

  • Thiviers Station - 10 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪La Guinguette de Nantheuil - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Le corgnacois - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Bistrot du Marché - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Tasty d'ici - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Chez Marie - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Simple escape to nature, rustic family retreat in river valley in France, YES! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Simple escape to nature, rustic family retreat in river valley in France, YES!?

As of 15 Aug 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Simple escape to nature, rustic family retreat in river valley in France, YES! on 17 Oct 2026 start from £627, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Simple escape to nature, rustic family retreat in river valley in France, YES!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Simple escape to nature, rustic family retreat in river valley in France, YES!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Simple escape to nature, rustic family retreat in river valley in France, YES!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Simple escape to nature, rustic family retreat in river valley in France, YES! located?

This family-friendly Nanthiat holiday home is within 3 mi (5 km) of Nanthiat Castle and Nantheuil Pond. Regional Natural Park Périgord Limousin and Château de Laxion are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

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

8.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Gary H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We stayed here as a stop off point on our way down to southern spain .its a good place to discover all the wonderfull towns and villages of the dordogne however my kids and grandchildren loved it so much that i couldn't get them to leave the property. The house itself is little old and quirky but we found that added to its charm,it has all the things you need for a comfortable stay inc good wi fi and the owner was a great host ,an highly educated chap with a lifetime of fascinating stories to tell,the kids were mesmerised by him too .we look forward to staying here again next time we're in France
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Aug 2025
Perfect guests, I couldn't have wished for more. Had great long chats with old and young and they helped me set up swings and ziplines that should have been here years ago as the kids absolutely loved it. Plan an art competition with the winner getting free residence in exchange for garden duties. This year's visitors have been inspiring, creative and a joy to engage with.
Verified review

8/10 Good

Paule M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nous avons apprécié le charme d'une maison rustique tout en étant bien équipée. Wifi et téléphone fixe ont permis de compenser l'absence de réseau sur place. Nous avons bien profité avec 5 petits-enfants du grand espace intérieur et du vaste jardin qui nécessite cependant de la vigilance vu la proximité de la rivière.Clive est très accueillant et chaleureux. Très souvent à proximité, il était prêt à répondre à nos demandes et à proposer des aménagements pour les enfants.
Stayed 19 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Aug 2025
Chers Paule et Jean-Marc, Merci pour votre magnifique commentaire ! Ce fut un réel plaisir d’accueillir votre famille au Moulin de Madame. Je suis ravi que vous ayez apprécié le charme rustique, l’espace intérieur généreux et le jardin, et que le Wi-Fi ainsi que le téléphone fixe aient été utiles. Je suis heureux de savoir que les enfants se sont amusés, et je vous remercie pour votre vigilance près de la rivière et de la nouvelle tyrolienne.Je suis désolé d’apprendre l’incident du bras cassé lors de votre sortie, mais soulagé que cela ait été pris en charge localement et n’ait pas gâché votre séjour. Votre famille a été exemplaire, laissant la maison en parfait état et embellissant même les chambres du grenier avec les œuvres d’art des enfants ! Vous êtes les bienvenus à tout moment, et je vous enverrai des photos des canetons dès leur éclosion.Cordialement, Clive STEWART

About the host

Hosted by Clive STEWART

Host profile image
I am a physicist/economist/artist living in Europe who has acquired properties in the best locations for peace and quiet. I have rented these properties out to visitors for nearly 30 years and do so in order to provide myself with an income and to enjoy seeing others taking a delight in the locations I have found. I travelled the globe six times in order to be sure I had found the best spots to invest and continue to do so but as yet have not found anywhere better. An environmentalist since 1980 I have helped further research into alternative techniques to providing people with the knowledge to better themselves without destruction to the surroundings. Hence I respect nature and watch it for years before starting to make any impact which would have an effect on the plants and animals living there.
I offer simple, comfortable best quality options I can find which are usable and not fragile and likely to break quickly. Thus they are not always the newest, but the most robust, Sony, Apple, Stihl, Volvo, Swiss-Made, Brother and Panasonic being the makes I prefer.
Old is not necessarily good, but the older something is and still operates shows that it is of quality and that is the core to all that I do - buying the best available so that nothing is wasted. My dissertation on heatpumps in 1980 earned me a "Bachelor of Science Honours Degree" and additional degrees in the State Academy of Art in Germany and four years working as a researcher into Artificial Intelligence in Tokyo University completed my academic work in 1994. Since then I have been building situations which I share with paying guests who I expect to take care and treat with respect the enormous amount of work that has gone into finding and restoring these locations. This former mill from the 17th century in France was once a commercial enterprise milling flour, then producing electricity and sadly today, EDF banned all production of electricity, + maintain tight control on their nuclear power production.

Why they chose this property

France offered the highest quality cultural and climatic conditions in the world in the 1990s and remains top except in winter when I retreat to south Portugal where no heating is required in winter. This area in particular the Dordogne offers the best visually stimulating views with more castles per square kilometre than any other place on earth. Undulating hills and green valleys are just one of a dozen reasons to come here and taste the best food available on earth, view the crystal clear night skies and encounter the wild animals all around the property and in the three rivers running through this estate.
The greatest attraction for me was the potential source of power from the river which could power a heat pump, but this is illegal and will remain so until society falls apart and we are each left to our own devices. I have all the equipment in storage for the day when EDF are declared bankrupt and we are all free to look after ourselves with the resources around ourselves. That may come very much sooner than expected if the elites continue to enrich themselves at the cost of the average person and people attempt to start again. So this location is well away from large population centres and thus safer from those who will try to escape the cities when TSHTF!

What makes this property unique

There is not another property to compete with this Moulin de Madame, anywhere in the Dordogne and thus not anywhere in Europe or I would have heard about it. The fact that it is located on a freshwater river provides positively charged ions which give those who stay here a huge amount of energy - the weir is a constant source of oxygen for the many species of fish which can be watched trying to spring up the over one metre high barrier into the deep water above. Guests marvel at the never ending sound of water rushing over the rocks but I can say that after one month it gets to be an annoyance (for those of us who compose music) and thus another area of gardens can be reached up on the hills (3 kms away) where absolute silence is available, along with a fantastic view of the next local village - Thiviers where the greatest French philosopher Jesn-Paul Sartre spent his formative years - .
The largest private telescope in the region was placed near those gardens, put there by a group of astronomers to exploit the optimal conditions for viewing galaxies billions of light years away. Open to all when the skies are clear.

Close by, is the huge lake open to the public at Nantheuil where anyone can enjoy the fresh clear water for swimming and grassy banks for sunbathing or playing in the golden sand with the children. A snack bar provides full meals and drinks for those who do not wish to bring their own picnic - no waste accepted so guests must take their waste products home with them - yet another positive sign of keeping the local environment pristine and worth preserving.
For those who enjoy discovering caves and ancient rock locations, the valleys here have rock formations reaching back 560 million years. Original cave drawings can be seen, not reproductions but the real thing for a fee, but worth viewing on a hot day - 13 degrees temperature all year round inside.
The cool pool in Le Moulin de Madame gardens offers a cold bath since before humans even existed.

Languages:

English, French, German, Japanese
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