Derwent - Chez Paille Gites

Forget your worries in this spacious and serene space. Set in beautiful rural France the three gites, Coniston, Derwent and Windermere are surrounded by open countryside. Forget your worries in this spacious and serene space. In addition to rabbits, cats and sweet dogs we are being joined this year by minature donkeys.

The space
Three large bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs, very large 45sq mt living area downstairs. With french TV and UK satellite TV as well.

2023 was a big year for us, not only were we engaged in May we tied the knot in September at our local Marie in Cressat. The ceremony was all in French with some English translation. The mayor gave us some lovely gifts, a his and her inscribed towel set and a voucher for the large plant nursey. This will be used to buy a tree in remembrance of our beautiful day.
During 2022 we changed the double beds in each gîte for lovely French wood beds. We also changed all the bedding and replaced all the pillows and duvets with luxury slumber down products.
In 2023 we replaced all the single mattresses with lovely new top of the range mattresses and are currently in the process of replacing all the single bed frames with new ones from Germany. In the Coniston and Derwent and for the slightly cooler season we have now installed lovely pellet stoves replacing the old log burners.

Last season we changed the swimming pool from a chemically cleaned pool to a salt water pool which is better for both our guests and the environment. NOW Totally chemical free! our guests all commented on how much better the water felt and no one was left with a chorine smell.

We also installed a new trampoline in the children’s play area, and are in the process of building a boules area behind the gites for adults and children to enjoy.

2023 saw the arrival of our beautiful puppy called Pepperoni, a wire haired dachshund which join our rabbits, cats and two cocker spaniel dogs. The dogs were such a hit with all the children during the season and never played as much as they did when the children were here! We were also joined by two more kittens, Maine Coons, who as I write this are 14 months old and still growing. Bagpuss (baggy) is a large ginger colour and Top Cat (TC) is a brown tabby colour. They grow for 3 years and adults can reach 14kg, our Maine Coons are bug but soft and furry.

All our animals are kept separately from the gîtes to protect our guests who might have allergies or be nervous around animals, but for those wishing to engage with them we are sure they love the attention. We also recently visited a neighbouring wildlife park who keep miniature donkeys…. Keep an eye on our blog for more news.

We have continued to upgrade the outside furniture for each gîte ready for the new season and replace some outside toys for the children, the swing ball was so popular a new model is needed!!

Having planted over 100 trees and shrubs in 2022 you would of thought we were finished… NO! having bought more land adjacent to our property in 2023 we hope during 2024 to plant more fruit trees and flowering shrubs and perhaps an olive grove. We would also like to add additional break away seating for guests to enjoy.

2023 winter we have laid a new drive and yard area in lovely rounded pebbles straight from the Dordogne River which is like walking in a soft pebble beach. Nicer for feet! We have also visited like-minded businesses nearby and have chosen a select few to recommend to guests which include massage and beauty treatments, horse riding, restaurant’s, needle felting, candle and soap making day experiences. They are all family friendly and reasonably priced offering a warm welcome and first-class service.

Finally, as there is no light pollution here, and the air is perfectly clear, we purchased a telescope to view the night sky which is vast. We hope to be able to allow guests to enjoy this as well.
Very best wishes, Paul and Tara x