Converted barn in Dordogne, France

La Grange at le Mentet details

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A spacious family holiday home

The front of the house

Partial view of the lovely Lac de Gurson

Home description

This lovely house is located just outside a small village in the west of the Dordogne, approximately 50 minutes east of Bordeaux and the surrounding towns and villages read like a wine list! Pomerol, St. Emilion, Bergerac, Monbazillac to name but a few. It is 5 minutes walk from the Lac-de-Gurson with safe swimming, beach, cafés and restaurants.

This delightful barn conversion has retained the barn's original roof-high ceilings with its exposed beams. The addition of a wooden staircase and mezzanine gallery which overlooks the main living area, gives a bright, open feel, accentuated by the large French windows to the front of the house and at the rear leading out onto an enclosed private garden. There is a lovely original stone fireplace in the main room fitted with a wood burning stove.

Accommodation detail

The dining room

The magnificent main lounge

The magnificent main lounge

Twin bedroom

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Ground Floor

A large open plan living/dining/kitchen area, with comfortable furnishings throughout. 

• In the living area there are two large sofas.
• Additional sleeping space for 2 is possible in the separate T.V. room where there are two large sofas of which can be converted into sofa bed; there is also a rocking chair.
• There is a Stereo music system and a Television/VCR for playing your own UK cassettes.
• Dining area with a large pine table, easily seats 8.
• A compact, well equipped kitchen area including 2 fridges, microwave and a full size electric cooker with oven.
• Utility Room with washing machine and electric water tank.
• On the ground floor there is a well appointed shower room with wash basin and WC.

Upstairs

All bedrooms have hanging and draw space.  The rooms all have comfortable beds and are decorated in a restful, uncluttered style for effortless maintenance on your holiday.

• 1 double bedroom with a comfortable king size double bed
• 3 twin bedrooms each with 2 single beds.
• The well-finished bathroom has a bath with shower attachment, wash-basin, bidet and WC.

Toddlers

We are well-equipped to cater for young families and can supply the following if needed, at no extra charge.

• A folding cot
• A high chair
• A stair gate

Garden

To the front is a large grassed area which is partially fenced with a lovely open view of the Chateau de Gurson ruins. A set of French doors to the rear of the house leads to a good-sized, pleasant, private fenced and secure lawned garden and paved terrace, where rambling grape vines provide welcome shade for meal times. Garden furniture, a barbecue and sun-beds are provided to make the most of being outdoors. We can provide a paddling pool for the garden for our younger guests to use while the adults linger over their afternoon barbecue!

About the location

Local Leisure Activities

Only minutes from the house, and a short walk through vineyards brings you to the large well equipped Lac-de-Gurson.  This lake complex was built about 20 years ago by all the local communes.  It has two large lakes, one for fishing and one for swimming (life guard on duty during high season).  There is a safe beach, a children's swing area, a water slide, pedaloes, tennis, pétanque court, horse riding, shady picnic areas, beach type cafés and several lakeside restaurants and snack bars.

For families not wanting to spend their holiday driving, La Grange is the perfect location.
Teenagers can come and go as they please to the lake.  The lanes are superb for walking or cycling.  Villefranche-de-Lonchat is only 3km away.  It has a pretty tree lined square, an excellent restaurant, three cafés, boulangerie, post office, pharmacy and a general store.

On the continuing theme of transport - we find it extremely pleasant to be able to wander along to one of the lakeside restaurants for a quiet drink or a nice meal without the designated driver dilemma - everyone walks!

Because of the rolling countryside, although only minutes away, the lake is out of sight and earshot of the house, which is located in a small hamlet. There is very little traffic on the nearby lane which is used mostly by local residents and their farm vehicles.

Wine.   La Grange is surrounded by acres of vineyards.  There are dozens of small local vineyards in this part of the Dordogne - hence the name "Perigord Pourpe" given to the Bergerac wine-growing region.  Locally grown wine can be found at the friendly wine cooperatives located in Carsac, Villefranche and St. Vivien.  Wine tasting at some of the local small chateaux is unpretentious and not at all intimidating for the uninitiated.

St Emilion.   An exceptionally beautiful medieval town with steep cobbled streets running between ancient limestone buildings.  It is famed for its association with some of the finest wines in France and even the world!  Here there are a wealth of restaurants and small shops selling local produce and of course many caves selling wine. 

Ste Foy La Grande.   With the Dordogne River running through it this Bastide town is lovely place to visit.  There is a museum of the Dordogne Rive rand a large market every Saturday morning.

Bergerac.   Set on the Dordogne River with its outdoor pavement cafés and summer evening entertainment.  This is a large town with many small individual shops.  There is a market every Saturday morning.

Further field at Lascaux  you can see the famous prehistoric cave paintings, the breathtaking stalactites and stalagmites to be found in the Grottos of Les Eyzies, home of Cro-Magnon Man; the beautiful unspoilt medieval town of Sarlat, the panoramic view from the fortified town of Domme and the magnificent Chateau de Beynac.  A trip on the Dordogne River by canoe or kayak. 
A trip to the Atlantic coast and Arcachon is less than 11 hours away.  Here you can see and climb the Dune De Plya, the highest sand dune in Europe.  Further round the coast you can enjoy the exhilarating Atlantic surf at Le Cap Ferret and Lacanau Ocean.

Restaurants.  There are many excellent restaurants in the area where you can sample many of the local specialities.

Markets.   Monday - Castillion-la-Bataille.  Tuesday - Villefranche-de-Lonchat.  Wednesday - Montpon, Périgueux.  Friday - Ribereac. Saturday - Bergerac, Ste Foy-la-Grande, Périgueux. Sunday - St Surin-Sur-Isle.  All markets are only in the mornings.

Bonnes Vacances.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and facilities.

Activities near by

Bird Watching, Boules, Ceramics, Cycling, Fishing, French tuition, Golf, Gourmet dining, Horse riding, Mountain biking, Pottery, Rambling, Riverside activities, Sea excursions, Shopping, Sightseeing, Swimming, Tennis, Walking, Water sports, Wine tasting, Wine touring

See Activities and attractions for more information on nearby activities and places of interest.

How to get here

Please contact the owner for full directions.

See Local guide and map for information on nearby towns and airports.