Madalyn House | 6-Bedroom Villa in Saint-Emilion Vignonet

The Bordeaux wine region reveals itself gradually as you approach Madalyn House, a luxury villa rental Saint-Émilion where ten guests settle into rooms filled with afternoon light and the distant murmur of vineyard activity. This eighteenth-century former winery—historically called La Madeleine—sits wrapped by emerald slopes and working estates, a ten-minute walk from the medieval heart of Saint-Émilion itself. The pale brick exterior and tall windows frame views that shift throughout the day, from morning gold to the softer tones of late afternoon.

Inside Madalyn House

Madalyn House sleeps 10 guests across 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, split between the main residence and a separate apartment. Upon entry, you step into a sunlit reception hall where a dedicated breakfast room catches the morning light through tall windows—the ideal spot for coffee before exploring the vineyards. The main living room demands attention: plush deep blue velvet sofas sit beneath crystal lamps, with ornate mirrors and antique furnishings creating a space where groups naturally gather to plan the day’s activities.

Main House Ground Floor: The breakfast room opens onto the living quarters, with a double sofa bed for flexible sleeping arrangements. The kitchen provides full meal preparation capability. A king-size double bedroom with en-suite bathroom completes this level, offering immediate ground-floor convenience.

Main House First Floor: Three additional double bedrooms occupy this level. The first features a king-size bed and en-suite with walk-in shower and separate bath. The second combines a king bed with a sitting sofa, en-suite attached. The third—and most versatile—includes a king bed plus a convertible sofa bed accommodating a third guest, paired with an en-suite bathroom featuring both shower and bath options. Every bathroom showcases individual character: some feature tall stone vessels, others present round bucket-shaped sinks, all appointed with heated towel rails, premium toiletries, bathrobes and slippers.

Apartment Ground Floor: A self-contained living room and equipped kitchen provide independent accommodation for two guests who prefer separation from the main house. The apartment functions equally well as a guest annex or private retreat.

Apartment Upper Floors: Two additional double bedrooms—one on the first floor with standard ceilings, a second on the second floor with sloping ceilings that add character—share a full bathroom with shower and bath. This arrangement suits extended families or multi-generational groups perfectly.

Throughout Madalyn House, the renovation balances period authenticity with contemporary comfort: Wi-Fi connectivity, air-conditioning for summer months, flat-screen television for evenings, Nespresso machine for morning rituals, washing machine and dishwasher for practical needs. Desks provide workspace should anyone wish to work remotely. Books line shelves in multiple rooms. The thoughtful details—from iron and ironing board on request to curated furnishings—reveal an owner who understands how guests actually live during extended stays.

Outdoor Spaces and Living

The private garden surrounds Madalyn House like an extension of the living space. A long swimming pool dominates the rear grounds, accompanied by a child-safe fence system for families with young swimmers. Sun loungers with parasols line the pool’s edges, positioned to catch morning light while shaded areas provide respite during afternoon heat peaks. An outdoor lounge area featuring soft cushions creates an additional gathering point, ideal for evening aperitifs as the vineyard light softens to gold.

The garden itself functions as a true sun trap—the kind of space where guests find themselves lingering longer than anticipated, drawn by the quality of light and the peace of rural Aquitaine. Surrounding vineyards form the garden’s boundary, creating an unbroken vista of cultivated slopes and working estates. The sound profile here differs markedly from village life: birdsong replaces traffic, seasonal vineyard activity (pruning in winter, harvesting in autumn) punctuates the quiet, and evening brings the ambient soundscape of rural France.

Location: Saint-Émilion and the Surrounding Area

Madalyn House occupies one of France’s most historically significant wine regions, where Roman settlers planted the first vines two thousand years ago. Saint-Émilion itself—a ten-minute walk from the villa—ranks among Europe’s most preserved medieval settlements, its golden-brick architecture ascending steep cobbled streets to a twelfth-century church tower visible for miles across the vineyard plateau. The village contains over 200 restaurants, wine shops, and galleries within its compact medieval core, making it simultaneously intimate and culturally rich.

The immediate region encompasses dozens of classified wine estates. Château Pavie, Château Angélus, and Château Ausone—some of Bordeaux’s most celebrated producers—conduct tastings and estate tours within 5-8km. Your hosts arrange these experiences, handling reservations and timing. Local wine merchants in Saint-Émilion’s Place du Marché offer daily tastings and cellar visits.

Libourne, a harbour town 12km north where the Dordogne and Isle rivers converge, preserves its status as a medieval trading port. The Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday farmers’ market at Place Abel Surchamp—operating continuously for 600 years—supplies seasonal produce, regional cheeses (particularly Brebis), and artisanal French nougat. The cobbled town centre invites wandering, with galleries and restaurants occupying fifteenth-century buildings.

The Dordogne River itself, recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2012, runs 483km through unspoiled countryside. Kayak operators based in Beynac-et-Cazenac (20km west) offer leisurely descents revealing deep gorges, medieval villages like La Roque-Gageac, and wildlife including kingfishers and herons. The Dordogne claims status as Europe’s cleanest river—swimming from sandy banks provides genuine refreshment during summer months.

For coastal experiences, the Aquitaine coastline stretches 230 kilometres—Europe’s longest continuous sandy beach. Arcachon Bay, 80km west, offers calmer waters and the distinctive Dune du Pilat, a 110-metre sand mountain accessible by car. The Atlantic beaches of Lacanau and Biscarrosse (85-90km) suit surfers and swimmers equally. Bordeaux city itself—25km northwest—contains architecture spanning Roman through contemporary periods, with the Cité du Vin wine museum and extensive restaurant scene.

Explore our luxury villas in Saint-Émilion and our full collection in France. For destination inspiration, read our Aquitaine travel guide.

The region operates at a gentle pace throughout the year. May through June brings warm temperatures (19-24°C), wildflower blooms across vineyard margins, and manageable crowds. September-October aligns with harvest season—the vineyard landscape transforms daily, and many estates welcome visitors during active picking. July-August peaks in heat and tourist numbers. Winter (December-February) offers solitude and the genuine working landscape of pruning season, though temperatures drop to 3-8°C.

Who This Villa Suits Best

Multigenerational family groups: The separation of the apartment from the main house allows adult children or grandparents privacy while maintaining proximity. The pool safety system, ground-floor bedroom options, and diverse bed configurations accommodate ages from infants to seniors.

Extended family reunions and celebrations: Ten-guest capacity allows cousins, in-laws, and children to gather without the impersonal feel of hotels. The multiple lounge areas and outdoor spaces permit groups to disperse when desired.

Wine enthusiast groups: Friends seeking a week-long education in Bordeaux terroirs will find themselves metres from classified estates and within the village that defines Right Bank quality. Your hosts’ knowledge of local producers and ability to arrange private tastings transforms a rental into a curated experience.

Couples or four-person groups seeking privacy with shared space: The apartment functions as a standalone residence, making it ideal for two couples desiring independence with occasional joint meals and activities.

Remote workers and flexible sabbaticals: Desk availability, reliable Wi-Fi, air-conditioning during warm months, and the quiet of rural surroundings support focused work. The afternoon pool and evening village walks provide structure to days that blend professional and leisurely time.

Practical Information

Capacity and Layout: Madalyn House accommodates 10 guests across 6 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. The main residence contains 4 bedrooms; the separate apartment contains 2 bedrooms, providing flexible grouping options.

Nearest Airport: Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD) sits 40km northwest, approximately 50 minutes by car. Nice (NCE), 400km south, offers alternatives for guests arriving from Mediterranean origins. Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS), 220km southeast, provides a third option.

Nearest Supermarket: Carrefour Express operates in central Saint-Émilion, 10 minutes’ walk. Larger supermarkets (Intermarché, Leclerc) operate in Libourne, 12km north.

What Is Included: Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, all utilities, pool access (with child safety fencing), full kitchen equipment, washing machine, dishwasher, television, Nespresso machine, linens and towels, bathrobes and slippers, premium toiletries. Heating during winter months included. Pool heating available seasonally. Cleaning service arranged on request.

Check-in Flexibility: Early or late check-in arrangements subject to availability; discuss with management upon booking confirmation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Madalyn House

How many guests does Madalyn House sleep?

Madalyn House accommodates 10 guests: 6 bedrooms containing queen/king beds (with options for twin configurations), plus convertible sofa beds in two main-house bedrooms and the living room, allowing flexible sleeping arrangements for groups of 8-10. The main house contains four double bedrooms; the apartment contains two double bedrooms.

What is the nearest airport to Madalyn House in Saint-Émilion?

Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD) is the primary gateway, 40km northwest of Madalyn House—approximately 50 minutes by private transfer or rental car via the A89 motorway. Nice Côte d’Azur (NCE), 400km south, serves guests arriving from Mediterranean regions. Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS), 220km southeast, provides a third alternative with approximately 2.5-hour transfer time.

What is the best time of year to rent Madalyn House?

May through June offers ideal conditions: temperatures between 19-24°C, wildflower blooms across the vineyard landscape, and moderate crowds. September-October aligns with the grape harvest—the working vineyard transforms visibly daily, many estates welcome visitors, and temperatures remain warm (15-22°C). July-August peaks in tourism and heat (up to 28°C). Winter (December-February) brings solitude and access to the authentic working landscape of pruning season, though temperatures drop to 3-8°C. Spring (April-May) blooms dramatically; autumn (September-October) offers the most vivid landscape activity.

Is Madalyn House suitable for families with children?

Yes. The pool features a child-safe removable fence system. Multiple ground-floor bedrooms eliminate stair concerns for young or elderly guests. Nearby Saint-Émilion offers age-appropriate activities: the village market (daily), bakeries with pastries, and walking paths through vineyards suitable for families. The Dordogne River, 20km west, provides family-friendly kayaking operators with calm water sections. However, the property contains water features requiring supervision; families with very young children should discuss specific safety arrangements with management.

What is included in the rental price at Madalyn House?

Rental includes Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, heating during winter months, all utilities, pool access with safety fencing, full kitchen equipment (including Nespresso machine), washing machine, dishwasher, flat-screen television, linens and towels, bathrobes and slippers, premium bathroom toiletries. Optional pool heating and cleaning services are available for additional fees. Guests arrange their own food and beverages; the equipped kitchens support self-catering entirely.

What restaurants and shops are near Madalyn House?

Saint-Émilion village (10 minutes’ walk) contains over 200 restaurants, wine bars, and shops. Carrefour Express supermarket operates in the village centre. For larger provisions, Libourne (12km north) offers Intermarché and Leclerc supermarkets, plus the renowned farmers’ market at Place Abel Surchamp (Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays). Fine dining: La Terrase Rouge (1km), Hostellerie de Plaisance (in village), L’Envers du Décor (regional specialities). Wine shops throughout Saint-Émilion conduct tastings and cellar sales. Nearby Pomerol (15km) and Fronsac (20km) offer additional estate restaurants and tasting rooms.