Situated on its own private grounds, this renovated barn is the perfect place for your vacation in the country. It has a bright and spacious open plan interior. Bedrooms 1 and 2 share a bathroom and, bedroom 3 on the ground floor has an en suite bathroom. Entering the barn through the French windows into the hall on the ground floor you notice the original oak beams above and the banisters edging the dining room, landing and living room on the upper floor. On the right is the door to the ensuite bedroom which, together with the hall, has a view of the garden to the south. Ahead of you, the stairs rise to the upper floor reaching the landing which leads right to the kitchen & dining room and left to the living room, bedrooms and bathroom. French windows from the dining room lead to a patio and the upper garden. The large garden and oak wood are fully fenced. Some areas are mown whilst others are left to grow in summer to encourage wild life. There is a small fenced off pond and some hedgehog refuges dotted around. I do not use pesticides. Close to St Aulaye, the tiny hamlet of La Ganetie is on a hill above the Dronne valley with countryside views across the valley. The river Dronne and local lakes are great for fishing. In summer both Aubeterre and St Aulaye create riverside beaches with restaurants and river swimming. You may hire canoes and paddle down the rivers having great fun when you hit the unexpected shutes! There are sign posted walks along the river and through the forests all around. After a busy day exploring the vin yards, historical sites, Art galleries and beautiful countryside of the Perigord vert.
The garden is very pretty in Spring with cherry, apple and plum blossom and the song of the nightingales, In summer and autumn the cherries, apples, plums and figs are ripe to eat. 'Katy's barn' is divided into two apartments in the same building. I and my dogs live permanently in another part of the barn so that when you come to stay we will share the garden. As the garden is so big and includes different areas and levels, you will have space to relax and play. Local Area: Close by, the historic Market town of St Aulaye has amenities such as a bank, restaurants, Art galleries and shops including a good sized Carrefour Contact supermarket which stays open till 7pm. (except Sunday when it closes at 1pm) In the summer enjoy the beach and the swimming in the River Dronne where there is a playground and café/restaurant which frequently hosts live music and entertainment. You may stroll from the barn to Chenaud where you can see the Chateau and Mill beside the river and there are plenty of woodland and riverside walks close by. Riberac, Chalais and Aubeterre are all within twenty minutes drive and provide further opportunities for exploration, marketing and shopping. Activities: This is a good base for day trips to interesting places in the region including west to the coast or inland to Lascaux, and the many historic towns and cities of the Dordogne. Walking and cycling - there are many way-marked trails in the area. The little winding lanes and white roads provide good routes along the river and through the forests and hills. Horse riding. (It is best to book this before you arrive as the stables get very busy in the summer) Cycling: There are a number of bike hire companies which will deliver the bikes to your door step. Bird watching. A variety of birds of prey live and breed in the area. Buzzards are the most common but I frequently see Black kites, hen harriers, kestrels and merlins. Wild animals such as deer and wild boar are common in the forests. The garden has a number of refuges for hedgehogs and other small animals such as the green speckled lizard. There are lakes and rivers for fishing, canoeing or swimming. Visit historical sites including Roman villas, Romanesque churches, pre-historic cave paintings and carvings, the Museum of Pre-history.
Suitable flights from UK. (These have probably changed due to Covid 19) Easy jet flies to Bordeaux from Liverpool, Gatwick and Bristol Jet2.com: Leeds Bradford to Bergerac. Ryanair: Bristol to Bergerac. East midlands and Stansted to La Rochelle. Leeds Bradford and Liverpool to Limoges.
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A security deposit of 100 Euros is required upon arrival. The deposit will be refunded at the end of your stay as long as there is no damage.
Please empty the bins in the bathrooms and bedrooms at the end of your stay and remove used bedding, leaving them and towels ready for the laundry.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 446353
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: No large parties or events.
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Saint-Aulaye-Puymangou
Located in Saint-Aulaye-Puymangou, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a river. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Safari Parc of Haute-Saintonge and Lac de Gurson, while Moulin de la Veyssiere and Château de la Mercerie are cultural highlights. Kayaking and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and hiking/biking trails nearby.
Aubeterre-sur-Dronne Tourism Office - 15 min drive - 12.6 km
Trarieux Square - 15 min drive - 12.6 km
Saint-Jacques Church - 15 min drive - 12.6 km
Monolithic Church of Saint-Jean - 16 min drive - 13.6 km
Getting around
Chalais Station - 14 min drive
Restaurants
La Taverne - 14 min drive
L"Échappée Gourmande - 15 min drive
Au Vin d'abord - 15 min drive
Authentik Bistrot - 15 min drive
Bar Restaurant de la Plage - 4 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Pet friendly 3 bedroom house. pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at Pet friendly 3 bedroom house.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Pet friendly 3 bedroom house.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Pet friendly 3 bedroom house.?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Pet friendly 3 bedroom house. located?
Located on a river, this family-friendly holiday home is within 9 mi (15 km) of Chalais Tourism Office, Trarieux Square and Monolithic Church of Saint-Jean. Aubeterre-sur-Dronne Tourism Office is 7.5 mi (12.1 km) away.
About the host
Hosted by Katherine Hick
In September 2017 I moved permanently to France. I had been working in Brunei for 21 years teaching Art and Design to pre-University Students. During the winter I use my indoor studio space and in summer there is plenty of space out-doors for my Art work. In September 2019 I fostered a Breton Spaniel from the pound at Cognac, he has now become a permanent resident at the Barn.
Why they chose this property
During my first visit to the barn, walking around what was then an overgrown field, gusts of white butterflies rose from the long grass and the wild flowers and shafts of afternoon sun shone through the oaks and across the field. It made me feel joyful. I decided straight away that that was the place for me. Inside this field was a big stone barn which had housed wagons, a hay loft and a cow byre. I bought the property in 2007 and the conversion to human habitation was completed by 2010. The garden has oak woodland at the top. The garden is wildlife friendly so I do not use pesticides. There are refuges for hedgehogs and a small pond in a fenced area to encourage frogs and newts. The flowering shrubs encourage bees, butterflies and other interesting insects as well as birds. The mown areas are people friendly and the meadow is to encourage wild flowers.
What makes this property unique
Walking, cycling or driving through this beautiful countryside and the historic villages of the region is a joyful experience. The area is full of places to visit and the barn is centrally placed for day trips to the coast or to the prehistoric caves to the east. 'Katy's Barn' is only a short trip to the river (about 2 Km) where there is a beach and a lovely swimming spot. The river-side restaurant and bar also has a huge television where important sporting events are shown.