Chateau Le Maurin Estate | 11-Bedroom Chateau in St Andre et Appelles

Twenty guests arriving at St Andre et Appelles in the Gironde countryside discover something rare: a five-acre estate where the architecture itself becomes the gathering point. Chateau Le Maurin Estate is not a villa that happens to have eleven bedrooms—it’s a functioning family stronghold built around a central quadrangle, complete with its own pigeonnier, where groups of up to twenty can spread across multiple wings without feeling cramped or compromised.

Inside Chateau Le Maurin Estate

Chateau Le Maurin Estate sleeps 20 guests across 11 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, distributed across the main chateau and its self-contained stone tower.

The main chateau entrance opens into a substantial hallway that immediately signals scale. The principal reception room commands attention with its original fireplace and ceiling height that makes standard hotel rooms feel like closets by comparison. A flatscreen satellite TV sits discretely in the corner—present if needed, ignorable if you prefer conversation. The day room provides quieter refuge for reading or board games, while the separate games lounge houses a pool table and gym equipment, accessible via its own staircase so guests needn’t pass through the main residence.

The dining room accommodates fourteen at a single table—the kind of arrangement that naturally encourages group meals and shared rhythm. The kitchen is engineered for serious cooking: walk-in larder, three refrigerators, two dishwashers, coffee machine, and an adjoining dining area where the cook can maintain conversation while plating. A cellar below houses washing machines and a drying area, practical for longer stays with children.

One ground-floor bedroom offers direct access with its own shower room—essential for guests with mobility considerations or families preferring proximity to the main action. A sofa bed is available on request for additional flexibility.

Upstairs, the master bedroom anchors the first floor with a double bed. Three further double rooms flank it, while a fifth bedroom holds two double beds and a sixth accommodates three singles—the kind of configuration that absorbs extended families or friend groups of mixed sizes without forcing anyone into uncomfortable compromises. Five bathrooms service these rooms, most positioned en suite.

Across the courtyard, the pigeonnier operates as a self-contained village unto itself. Its living and kitchen-dining area seats eleven, complete with its own refrigeration and cooking facilities. Four bedrooms occupy the tower and adjoining spaces: a twin room with en suite shower, and three further doubles with additional single beds and en suite facilities. A cloakroom serves the ground floor. A covered terrace with table tennis overlooks the orchard—the kind of sheltered space that becomes your afternoon headquarters regardless of weather.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The grounds radiate outward from the courtyard like a well-organised village. The swimming pool—ten metres by five—functions as the estate’s true social centre, fitted with Roman steps that allow gradual entry and a cover for safety and temperature retention. The pool house provides changing facilities, shower, and refrigeration, so poolside becomes self-sufficient. Loungers and parasols create defined relaxation zones, while the adjacent trampoline absorbs the energy that pools sometimes accelerate rather than satisfy.

The mature cedar trees and magnolia scatter the five acres with shifting light and shade patterns that change hourly. A pond adds reflective calm. Multiple terraced areas accommodate different group sizes—some for dining, others for lounging, the pigeonnier’s covered space for table tennis competitions. The courtyard itself, surrounded by the main chateau and tower, creates an intimate gathering space distinct from the wider grounds.

Location: St Andre et Appelles and the Surrounding Area

St Andre et Appelles sits within the Gironde countryside, positioned where the Dordogne region’s river valleys begin their most dramatic stretches. The location bridges two wine territories—the Périgord Pourpre to the north and the Durèze valley extending toward Bergerac—while remaining genuinely rural, fifteen minutes’ drive from the nearest significant town.

Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, just 4km distant, occupies a historical position on the Dordogne River’s eastern bank. Founded as a bastide town in the thirteenth century, its covered arcades and original street layout create the backdrop for a Saturday morning market that locals and visitors treat with equal seriousness. The market stalls operate year-round, selling vegetables from the surrounding countryside, regional cheeses, and the kind of bread that makes supermarket versions seem fraudulent. The town contains practical supermarkets on its outskirts alongside traditional boulangeries and restaurants where the menus reflect what grows nearby rather than what trends online.

The Dordogne River itself, running immediately adjacent to Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, invites water-based exploration. Canoe and kayak hire operations launch from multiple points, with paddling routes ranging from gentle four-kilometre stretches suitable for families with young children to longer expeditions reaching toward Les Eyzies. The river’s banks support fishing access, though advance notice improves the likelihood of securing prime locations.

Wine exploration becomes natural rather than effortful. The Château de Monbazillac, 27km south near Bergerac, produces distinctive sweet white wines and occupies a dramatic hilltop position overlooking its vineyard slopes. Bergerac itself, 26km away, functions as the region’s commercial and cultural hub, with direct train connections to Bordeaux (77km total distance) and Agen. Smaller producers throughout the Périgord Pourpre welcome visitors, though advance appointments improve the experience.

Saint-Émilion, 37km south, represents the region’s most celebrated wine destination, its medieval village perched above underground limestone quarries and UNESCO-protected vines. The drive takes approximately forty-five minutes. Nearby villages—Gensac (17km), Eymet (25km), and Issigeac (39km)—each offer distinct character: Eymet functions as a market town with regular commerce, while Issigeac prioritizes its preserved medieval streets and summer art markets.

Bergerac Airport, 26km away, handles scheduled flights from the UK and northern Europe with typical drive times of thirty minutes. For larger aircraft and international connections, Bordeaux Mérignac (77km, approximately seventy minutes) offers broader accessibility. Explore our luxury villas in St Andre et Appelles and our full collection in France. For destination inspiration, read our Dordogne travel guide.

The region experiences genuine seasons. Spring (April to May) brings wildflower displays and comfortable temperatures ideal for cycling without summer heat. Summer (June to August) provides reliable sunshine, peak accessibility to restaurants and attractions, and crowds at popular sites. September and October deliver warm days, lower visitor numbers, and harvest season activity at vineyards. Winter (November to February) reduces accommodation availability and shortens outdoor windows, though Christmas and New Year attract families seeking authentic French village experiences.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Extended families spanning three generations find Chateau Le Maurin Estate accommodates the complexity gracefully. The main chateau provides the natural gathering hub, while the pigeonnier offers semi-independence for adult children or grandparents preferring quieter mornings. Teenagers navigate the games room and pool without disrupting younger children in the main house.

Groups of six to eight couples appreciate the bedroom configuration: sufficient separation to maintain privacy, sufficient proximity to enable group dinners and shared activities. Corporate retreats benefit from the kitchen’s capacity, dining room’s table size, and multiple breakout spaces (games room, day room, pigeonnier lounge) suitable for varying meeting scales.

Families with children under twelve find the combination of swimming pool, trampoline, games room, and orchard-adjacent outdoor space creates natural structure. The proximity to Sainte-Foy-la-Grande means casual exploration from base camp rather than structured day-long excursions. Educational-minded families appreciate the Dordogne’s concentration of historical sites within thirty-minute drives.

Couples seeking multi-family holidays benefit from the chateau’s configuration: groups of three or four couples can organize shared kitchen duties, collective meal planning, and economical wine purchases from nearby producers, while maintaining distinct bedroom spaces for different comfort preferences and schedules.

Practical Information

Chateau Le Maurin Estate accommodates a maximum of twenty guests across eleven bedrooms and ten bathrooms. The main chateau provides six upstairs bedrooms plus one ground-floor room with en suite facilities. The pigeonnier contributes four additional bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. A sofa bed is available on request for additional flexibility.

Wi-Fi and internet connectivity serve the entire estate. Maid service is available on request, as is chef or cook provision for groups preferring professional kitchen management. The swimming pool remains heated throughout the rental period. Linen and towel provision is standard.

Bergerac Airport lies 26km away, approximately thirty minutes’ drive. Bordeaux Mérignac (77km) handles international connections with seventy-minute transfer times. The nearest supermarkets operate in Sainte-Foy-la-Grande (4km) and on its outskirts, with smaller convenience stores in village centers throughout the surrounding area.

Check-in typically occurs from 4pm, check-out by 10am, though flexibility is discussed on a case-by-case basis depending on prior and subsequent bookings. Arrival during summer months (July and August) may require staggered check-in times for cleaning completion.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chateau Le Maurin Estate

How many guests does Chateau Le Maurin Estate sleep?

Chateau Le Maurin Estate accommodates a maximum of twenty guests across eleven bedrooms. The main chateau contains seven bedrooms (one double master, three further doubles, one bedroom with two doubles, one with three singles, and one ground-floor double). The separate pigeonnier tower provides four additional bedrooms, each with double bed configurations and additional single beds where noted. Ten bathrooms serve these spaces, with most bedrooms offering en suite facilities. One additional sofa bed becomes available on request, potentially extending capacity by one further guest for shorter stays.

What is the nearest airport to Chateau Le Maurin Estate in St Andre et Appelles?

Bergerac Airport lies 26km from Chateau Le Maurin Estate, approximately thirty minutes by car via the D936 road. The airport handles scheduled flights from UK airports and several northern European cities, operated by budget and full-service carriers. For international connections and larger aircraft, Bordeaux Mérignac Airport serves as the alternative hub, located 77km away with approximately seventy minutes’ transfer time. Flights from Bordeaux connect to major European cities and North America with greater frequency than Bergerac.

What is the best time of year to rent Chateau Le Maurin Estate?

The Dordogne experiences distinct seasonal advantages depending on priorities. Spring (April and May) delivers comfortable fifteen to twenty-degree temperatures, wildflower displays across the countryside, and manageable visitor numbers at archaeological sites and villages. Summer (June through August) guarantees reliable sunshine and twenty-five to twenty-eight-degree temperatures, though popular attractions and restaurants operate at full capacity. Autumn (September and October) combines warm days, significantly reduced crowding, and harvest season activity at wineries and markets. Winter (November through February) experiences cooler temperatures and intermittent rain, but provides lower accommodation costs and a more authentic local experience for those seeking quieter exploration. Most families with school-age children target summer; couples and adult groups favour September through October.

Is Chateau Le Maurin Estate suitable for families with children?

The estate accommodates families with children across all age ranges effectively. The swimming pool features Roman steps allowing gradual entry suitable for toddlers and non-confident swimmers, plus a cover for safety when unsupervised. The trampoline and games room absorb older children’s energy during variable weather. The five-acre grounds provide space for exploration without safety concerns from neighbouring properties. Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, 4km away, offers a child-friendly Saturday market, riverbank picnic areas, and casual restaurants serving simplified menus. The Dordogne River supports gentle canoe trips with multiple operators offering family-appropriate routes. Nearby attractions include the Château de Monbazillac (27km) with its grounds and interpretive displays, medieval village exploration in Saint-Émilion (37km), and numerous castles suitable for half-day visits. The kitchen’s capacity for informal cooking aligns well with families managing multiple meal schedules and dietary preferences.

What is included in the rental price at Chateau Le Maurin Estate?

The rental price includes accommodation for up to twenty guests, Wi-Fi and internet connectivity throughout the estate, linen and towel provision for all bedrooms and bathrooms, swimming pool heating and maintenance, use of games room equipment (pool table), use of outdoor equipment (trampoline, table tennis), and standard utility costs (electricity, heating, water). Maid service and professional chef or cook provision are available at additional cost on request. Pool cover provision and maintenance is included. Damage deposits and cleaning fees are applied separately according to the specific booking agreement and duration.

What restaurants and shops are near Chateau Le Maurin Estate?

Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, 4km away, concentrates the region’s most accessible amenities. The Saturday morning market operates year-round, selling seasonal vegetables, regional cheeses, bread from the town’s boulangeries, and prepared foods suitable for casual meals. Traditional restaurants and cafes line the town’s main streets; the riverfront creates a natural dining district. Supermarkets (Leclerc and Carrefour locations) occupy the town periphery, offering comprehensive groceries and wine selection. Smaller villages throughout the area—Eymet (25km), Issigeac (39km)—support regular markets and café culture. Bergerac (26km) provides more extensive restaurant choice and specialist food shops. The region supports numerous wine producers welcoming visitors; advance appointments improve experiences. Farm shops selling local honey, walnuts, foie gras, and preserved vegetables operate throughout the surrounding countryside; asking locally at Sainte-Foy-la-Grande’s market provides current recommendations.