Petite Shambhala France

Original artwork, dreamy sunsets, swans on the river and the best wines in the world….
Villa Shambhala has been a firm favourite at Excellence Luxury Villas for many years and so we are delighted to introduce Petite Shambhala, the owner’s latest creation, a charming and beautifully restored village house just across the lane.
The mesmerising Dordogne River is just 25 metres away and life on the river is very much at the heart of this village – swans glide along the water, wildlife comes and goes, locals pass by on canoes, whilst others try their luck at fishing. Inside, the house showcases the owner’s creative flair and artistic talent. Original paintings adorn the walls and the décor is stylish and elegant. Everything is brand new and totally refurbished to a high standard using natural materials in stone and oak.
Outside it has its own walled courtyard garden with a large terrace with loungers and outdoor furniture. Petite Shambhala also enjoys access to the owner’s riverside garden approximately 40 metres away, which has steps down to the river. It also has a table and chairs and barbecue, and the riverbank has a bench under a large fig tree – take the picnic chairs down and have a picnic, watch the river’s wildlife or spend the evening stargazing.
When in residence, the owner who has an art studio (discretely tucked away at
Villa Shambhala and who is also a wine expert, can organise wine tastings at the house or at local wineries and châteaux.
From the house, it’s a scenic walk to coffee and croissants in the nearest town, Pessac. A 20-minute drive will take you to charming Saint-Émilion, where world class restaurants sit beside ancient ruins. The fabulous city of Bordeaux, with its new ‘Cité du Vin’ is a must see town and only an hour away. The welcoming climate and stunning scenery of the Dordogne encourage exploration, and the region has many treasures to delight wine connoisseurs, gourmets, artists and activity enthusiasts alike.
Make the most out of the Dordogne river and enjoy the many outdoor activities such as boating, canoeing, fishing, bird-watching and a lot more.
The chic bustle of St Emilion, only twenty minutes from Shambhala, offers stylish boutiques, contemporary fine art and world class restaurants. Following the Dordogne and Lot waterways will reward the explorer with many new delights, as charming villages and market towns such as Bergerac, Souillac and Cahors were established through trade along their banks.
Bordeaux is an elegant city filled with architectural delights. The visitor can enjoy the narrow streets of the old town, stunning 18th Century mansion houses, the neoclassical theatre and wide boulevards lined with boutique shops in this diverse and attractive city.
Along the Dordogne are many fine chateaux such as Beynac and Monpazier, mainly built for military action against England during the 100 Years’ War. Each summer only ten minutes from Shambhala a dramatic battle re-enactment is held at Castillon de Bataille (July and August). The home of the philosopher Michel Montaigne is only 10 minutes away, and there are fine Gallo-Roman mosaics to be seen in the neighbouring village of Montcaret.
The traditional French hamlet location is a peaceful centre from which to explore the region, with excellent amenities close by.
The local village of Pessac is a lazy walk along the Dorgogne where you can take a coffee, drink and pick up fresh croissants and papers while enjoying the beautiful countryside, vineyards, apple orchards and walnut groves. When you reach the village there is a small supermarket, boulangerie, tobacconist, hair salon and two restaurants. Slightly further out you have Castillon and Sante Foy that have larger supermarkets and various markets throughout the week which specialise in local produce.
The nearby Chateau Bauduc, favoured by Gordon Ramsay and Rick Stein, is a must for wine connoisseurs and offers a programme of tours and tastings, with private visits by arrangement. Wine tours of the many local vineyards are a wonderful chance to sample world-renowned names. Chateau Monbazillac is at Bergerac and St Emilion, Cahors and others are all nearby, offering a chance to sample outstanding wines on the soil where the grapes are grown.
To accompany the wines are many famous traditional cheeses, truffles, mushrooms, duck and goose delicacies such as foie gras. The wealth of gourmet produce makes this area a paradise for foodies, who will be delighted by the local markets of Castillon, Sante Foy and Libourne. This passion for fine produce is reflected in the many excellent restaurants throughout the region. Private wine-tasting is available at The Villa as well wine-tasting tours and Chateaux visits.
Kid’s Activities:- Zoo de Bordeaux 1 hr- Water Park Bordeaux 1 hr- Aquarium du Perigord Nord Le Bugue 1hr 25 min- Chateua Bridoire 40 minAt Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. If there is anything you would like to arrange for your stay, please contact the Excellence Luxury Villas VIP Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can usually put you in touch with the right people arrange any of the following:
– Complimentary welcome hamper with wine and homemade products- Babysitting service- Maid service – Mid-week clean (extra €12/h)- Laundry service – Cook/catering- Local day-trips or tours- Airport pick-up/drop-off- Taxi / Car rental
This is by no means an exhaustive list, so please just contact Excellence Luxury Villas VIP Concierge Team to help you arrange any of those little extras that can really make the difference.