Farmhouse and Barn, Each with Pool

Farmhouse details

Home description

La Rouchie is a hamlet of seven typical Périgordean houses about a kilometre from La Chapelle Aubareil. The area is abundant with footpaths and woodland tracks. Lovers of bird life will be pleased to see the many large birds of prey including owls, woodpeckers and many other species that inhabit the woodland around the house. In lazy moments you can sit in the garden and watch the lizards run up the walls and butterflies flutter in the grass. It is a very quiet hamlet with only a few residents' vehicles coming and going, so there is little danger for the children.

The Farmhouse and the Barn, although on one large site, are independent and the grounds offer privacy to occupants of both. Each house has its own private, safety fenced, swimming pool. The swimming pools are not overlooked and both are maintained by the owner who lives away from La Rouchie.

The two properties have mainly been let individually but have sometimes provided joint occupancy for larger parties, for instance for golden wedding celebrations with groups of several generations and wide age ranges.

Both houses benefit from gas barbecues, outdoor seating and outdoor lighting. Having thick stone walls the accommodation remains quite cool on hot days, particularly if the shutters have been kept closed.

The pools are 10 metres by 5 metres with uniform slope from approximately 1 metre to 2 metres in depth.

Both properties include cooker, microwave, fridge/freezer, dishwasher and washer/dryer. There are convector heaters for occasional chilly evenings.

A cot and high chair are available.

This property allows two families holidaying together, or different generation groups, to have some individual space whilst enjoying communal eating and relaxation.

Accommodation detail

Ground floor

• Large comfortable salle de séjour has a very large fireplace with a wood burning stove, settees, chairs and dining table and chairs, together with the cooking and washing facilities. It is fully equipped with china, glass and cutlery for eight people.
• Bedroom with a double bed, a single bed and a cot, in a curtained alcove. It has an en-suite bathroom with bath with shower, toilet and washbasin.
• Separate toilet with hand-basin.

First floor

• Bedroom with double bed.
• Bedroom with three single beds. Both bedrooms have fans. Beware low beams in the two bedrooms!
• Bathroom with a shower, toilet and washbasin.

There is a large verandah on the front of the house offering some respite on hot days and shelter from showers, with a picnic table for eating in the shade. There is a further picnic table in the open air. Inside the farmhouse the rustic stone walls and beams have been retained, as has the ancient floor of small stones called sol pizzé, which is much admired even by local people.

About the location

The valleys in the department of the Dordogne are without doubt the most beautiful in France. The rivers Dordogne and Vézère are wide and slow moving with deep gorges and rugged cliffs. All shades of green and brown make the area a feast for the eyes at every season.

The hills and valleys teem with wildlife, birds in abundance and the woodlands with wild flowers – orchids and cowslips – and also mushrooms. The cultivated areas have a mixture of walnut trees, tobacco plantations, sunflowers and many fields of maize.

The best example in the world of prehistoric cave paintings and artefacts are in the Vézère valley around Les Eyzies and at Lascaux, 5 km from La Rouchie. The region was under English rule in the Middle Ages and was the theatre for the Hundred Years War from 1337 to 1453. The innumerable fortified castles are a legacy of this period with many of the greatest within easy reach. Every village and town is full of history and the town of Sarlat, some 14 km from La Rouchie, is a completely preserved historic town unique in France.

The Périgord is famous for its truffles, geese and ducks. Foie gras production is very important. Local produce is the mainstay of restaurant food with fresh food generally being bought daily at the local markets. Excellent value for money is given by the many, mostly family run, restaurants.

La Chapelle Aubareil is a typical French village with a church and square as a focal point overlooked by the school, mairie and café/bar/restaurant. The grocery shop fulfils everyday basic needs and fresh bread is available daily at the village bakery. All shopping requirements can be met 8 km away in Montignac, where there is also the nearest supermarket on the road to Thonac. The best local markets are held at Montignac, Terrasson and Sarlat and a small Sunday market is most convenient at the pretty village of St Genies.

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

Activities near by

Canoeing, Fishing, Swimming, Tennis, Walking, Sightseeing, Gourmet dining, Golf

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

How to get here

The property is situated in a small hamlet, in a village between Montignac and Sarlat.  The nearest airport if Bergerac, although it is also accessable from Limoges and Toulouse as the motorway links are very good.  Bordeaux is a possibility but it is a further drive but again is now well linked by a motorway.  The motorway access is about 10 miles away.

Rail travel is not particularly good, as like in England it is cross country.  It would be possible with changes and eventually arriving at Sarlat but then a car would be needed.

To get to the house a car is a must as there is now public transport to the village.

 

 

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