Chartreuse Des Roses | 5-Bedroom Chateau in Cales Payrac

The Lot department of southwestern France pulls visitors into a landscape where medieval villages cling to limestone cliffs, vineyards stretch across rolling hills, and the Dordogne river carves through terrain that has barely changed in centuries. Within this timeless setting sits Chartreuse Des Roses, a luxury villa rental in Cales that transforms a 17th-century stone manor into a sophisticated retreat for up to 10 guests seeking authentic French countryside living with modern comforts.

This is not a property that announces itself loudly. The chartreuse sits quietly within a walled five-hectare garden, its traditional terracotta roof and pale stone walls blending seamlessly with the Quercy landscape. But step through the entrance, and the scale of thoughtful restoration becomes immediately apparent. The owners have preserved the architectural soul of the building—original wooden beams crown the upper floors, wrought iron balustrades frame a distinctive pink marble staircase, and fireplaces anchor the principal rooms—while introducing the infrastructure modern guests expect without compromise.

Inside Chartreuse Des Roses

Chartreuse Des Roses sleeps 10 guests across 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms distributed across three floors. The ground level contains the social heart of the property: a living room centered on a working fireplace with television and direct garden access; a dining room with double doors opening to the terrace; and a French country kitchen that surprises with serious culinary infrastructure. The Lacanche range cooker anchors one wall, a full-sized American refrigerator lines another, and the appliance collection—including dishwasher, washing machine, and Nespresso machine—suggests the owners understand that villa cooking should be optional, never obligatory.

The first floor holds two principal bedrooms, each with king-size beds, individual air-conditioning units, and en-suite bathrooms featuring double sinks, freestanding baths, and walk-in showers. These are the bedrooms for couples who value privacy and space within shared accommodation.

The second floor accommodates three additional bedrooms beneath the exposed timber framework that catches visitors’ attention immediately upon climbing the stairs. One offers a king-size bed; one provides a queen-size option; the third supplies king-size or twin configuration flexibility. Air-conditioning cools each bedroom. A fourth bathroom on this level serves the secondary bedrooms. The spatial arrangement allows families and multi-generational groups to organize themselves into pods of privacy without fracturing the social cohesion that defines successful large-group holidays.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The five-hectare garden surrounding Chartreuse Des Roses operates as an extension of the interior living space. A heated swimming pool measuring 17 meters by 6 meters at 1.5 meters depth provides the focal point for daylight hours from April through October. An automated safety shutter secures the pool when not in use, addressing both insurance requirements and child-safety concerns that preoccupy families traveling with young children. The al-fresco dining terrace sits positioned to capture views across the garden, and a separate barbecue station handles evening meal preparation for groups who prefer outdoor cooking to kitchen confinement.

A boules pitch—the traditional French lawn bowling game—sits ready for the inevitable late-afternoon competitions that somehow emerge whenever six or more adults gather with wine and slight competitiveness. Scattered throughout the grounds lie quieter spots designed for reading, contemplation, or simply sitting motionless while the landscape works its particular magic. The walled garden design provides complete privacy; the boundary fence ensures children and pets remain safely contained within the property perimeter.

Location: Cales and the Surrounding Area

Cales occupies a position within the Lot department that offers proximity to major attractions without the tourist saturation that crowds more famous Dordogne destinations. The village itself maintains a traditional French character: it hosts an annual flower market on May 1st, features a working restaurant and café for casual meals, and provides the kind of genuine community experience increasingly rare in heavily touristed regions.

Rocamadour, one of France’s most visually dramatic villages, sits only 15 kilometers away, built vertically into a cliff face and drawing pilgrims for over a thousand years. The market town of Souillac, located 12 kilometers distant, opens on summer evenings for night markets in late July and August—the local farmer’s market transforms into an evening social institution where residents and visitors alike browse produce, local cheeses, and prepared foods under string lights. Sarlat-la-Canéda, 40 kilometers south, ranks among the Dordogne’s most enchanting medieval towns, with Saturday morning markets that have operated continuously for centuries.

Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, designated one of France’s “Plus Beaux Villages,” sits 60 kilometers away and has inspired artists for generations with its clifftop position above the Lot river. The village of Domme, 33 kilometers distant, offers morning markets and underground cave networks. Closer to the property, La Roque-Gageac (40 kilometers), Beynac-et-Cazenac (44 kilometers), and Castelnaud-la-Chapelle (45 kilometers) provide the kind of riverside village exploration that defines a Dordogne holiday.

The natural attractions extend beyond villages. The Grottes de Lacave, located just 5 kilometers away, showcase underground chambers and underground lake formations. The Gouffre de Padirac, 30 kilometers distant, offers one of Europe’s most impressive sinkhole cave systems with boat access through underground rivers. Lascaux IV, 50 kilometers away, presents reproductions of the prehistoric cave paintings that shaped human artistic history. For activity-oriented visitors, the Dordogne river itself invites canoeing; rock-climbing sites dot the surrounding landscape; and hiking and cycling routes crisscross the Quercy plateau in seemingly endless combinations.

The wine region of Cahors extends 52 kilometers south, producing some of the world’s finest Malbec grape expressions from vineyards that have operated continuously for centuries. The local culinary tradition draws from the dense forests surrounding the property: foie gras, chestnuts, truffles, and cèpes appear in restaurant menus and market stalls with the casual abundance that marks genuinely productive terroir. Explore our villas in Lot for additional luxury accommodation options in this exceptional region, browse our luxury villas in Cales for similar properties, and consult our Dordogne travel guide for comprehensive destination planning. Our full collection in France offers comparable properties across the country.

Seasonal timing shapes the Dordogne experience significantly. Spring (April-May) brings manageable crowds, blooming gardens, and the village flower market mentioned above. Summer (June-August) delivers warm, dry weather but higher tourist volumes. Autumn (September-October) offers the ideal balance: pleasant temperatures, grape harvest activities in Cahors, truffle hunting season beginning in October, and substantially reduced crowds. Winter remains quieter and considerably colder, limiting outdoor pool use and certain activities.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Multi-generational family groups find Chartreuse Des Roses particularly well-suited to their needs. The five-bedroom configuration accommodates grandparents, adult children, and grandchildren with each generation claiming separate sleeping areas. The heated pool operates when extended families typically vacation (school holidays and summer months). Babysitting services can be arranged, enabling parents to dine at the owners’ Michelin-starred hotel restaurant 5 kilometers away—a 10-minute drive that doesn’t require evening childcare logistics.

Friend groups celebrating significant milestones benefit from the property’s layout and amenities. Ten guests spread across five bedrooms allow for privacy when energy dips while maintaining the shared space for evening dinners and poolside socializing. The boules pitch and garden grounds support the kind of leisurely afternoons that characterize successful group holidays. Couples seeking a romantic Dordogne escape without the isolation of smaller properties appreciate the sophisticated interior, private garden, and proximity to fine dining.

Families with young children encounter specific advantages: the pool safety shutter addresses drowning risk; the walled garden prevents accidental wandering; toys are provided for rainy-day entertainment; and babysitting availability enables parental independence. Maid service maintains cleanliness standards across such substantial square footage without burdening guests with household management.

Practical Information

Chartreuse Des Roses accommodates 10 guests across 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. The nearest major airport is Limoges-Bellegarde, approximately 110 kilometers away with roughly two hours’ driving time. Toulouse-Blagnac airport provides an alternative 150 kilometers distant, requiring approximately two-and-a-half hours by car. Ground transfers can be arranged through the property management company. Supermarket facilities are located in Souillac, 12 kilometers away; small shops and restaurant amenities exist within the village of Cales itself.

The rental rate includes Wi-Fi internet access throughout the property, air-conditioning in all bedrooms, heating for the swimming pool (April-October), bed linens and towels, basic cleaning services, and the first grocery stock for initial meals. Pet accommodation can be arranged on request. Maid service and babysitting require advance booking and additional fees. Check-in and check-out flexibility depends on booking patterns but can often be negotiated directly with management.

Frequently Asked Questions about Chartreuse Des Roses

How many guests does Chartreuse Des Roses sleep?

Chartreuse Des Roses accommodates 10 guests across 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. The bedroom breakdown comprises two king-size bedrooms on the first floor with en-suite bathrooms, and three bedrooms on the second floor—one king-size, one queen-size, and one king-size or twin configuration—sharing a fourth bathroom on that level. This arrangement optimizes both privacy and group cohesion for families and friend groups.

What is the nearest airport to Chartreuse Des Roses in Cales?

Limoges-Bellegarde airport sits approximately 110 kilometers away with a driving time of roughly two hours. Toulouse-Blagnac airport, 150 kilometers distant, requires approximately two-and-a-half hours by car. Both airports receive regular international flights. Ground transfers from either airport can be arranged through the property management company.

What is the best time of year to rent Chartreuse Des Roses?

May through October represents the optimal rental period. May offers blooming gardens, the village’s annual flower market on May 1st, and spring weather with manageable crowds. June through August delivers reliable warmth for swimming and outdoor activities but coincides with peak tourist season across the Dordogne. September and October provide ideal balancing conditions: warm, dry weather; reduced tourist numbers; active grape harvests in nearby Cahors; and early truffle hunting season. The heated pool operates April through October, making these months most suitable for families prioritizing water-based recreation.

Is Chartreuse Des Roses suitable for families with children?

Yes. The property incorporates multiple family-friendly features: the heated swimming pool includes an automated safety shutter addressing drowning prevention; the five-hectare walled garden prevents accidental wandering beyond property boundaries; toys are provided for indoor entertainment; babysitting services can be arranged, enabling parental flexibility; and maid service manages household maintenance without burdening guests. Proximity to Rocamadour (15 kilometers), cave attractions like Grottes de Lacave (5 kilometers), and riverside villages accessible by canoe creates activity variety for various age groups. High chairs and cots can be provided upon advance request.

What is included in the rental price at Chartreuse Des Roses?

The rental rate includes Wi-Fi internet access throughout the property; air-conditioning in all bedrooms; heating for the swimming pool during the April-October operating season; complete bed linens and bath towels; standard cleaning services; and a pre-stocked refrigerator for initial meal preparation. Utilities—electricity, gas, and water—are included. Additional services available for supplementary fees include maid service, babysitting arrangements, ground transfers from airports, and pet accommodation by prior arrangement.

What restaurants and shops are near Chartreuse Des Roses?

The village of Cales itself contains a working restaurant and café serving casual meals. Souillac, 12 kilometers away, offers a supermarket, various shops, and operates evening farmer’s markets during late July and August. The owners’ Michelin-starred hotel restaurant sits 5 kilometers away on the banks of the Dordogne river; reservations must be booked well in advance as this fine dining establishment draws diners from across the region. Rocamadour, 15 kilometers distant, provides casual dining options within the village. Sarlat-la-Canéda, 40 kilometers away, features numerous restaurants, markets, and specialty food shops reflecting the region’s gastronomic heritage.