Le Bastion France

Immerse yourself in French village life at this beautifully restored maison close to the Dordogne river, perfectly positioned between Bergerac and Saint-Émilion.
On the edge of a picturesque Gironde village which dates back to medieval times, surrounded by cobbled lanes and near a 19th century church, historic Le Bastion has undergone a remarkable restoration. Over the last few years its new owners have treated its renovation as a labour of love, exposing hidden stone walls, oak beams and Louis XV fireplaces whilst completely changing so many aspects of the maison.
The end result pays huge respect to the house’s heritage – its historic charm is vastly evident, yet so many wonderful 21st century features have been added. Downstairs, guests will love the delightful lounge with a wood-burning stove and pretty lighting. The dining room with its open fireplace and chandeliers leads through to the bespoke kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances, stone flooring and kitchen island.
On the first floor, there are four en suite bedrooms alongside high-end features such as Sonos speakers, USB ports and satellite TV in every room, not to mention elegant décor and White Company towels. Look out for super king-size doubles in three of the rooms and gorgeous bathrooms featuring rain showers and two with a rolltop bath.
A further superb feature is the games, film and music lounge where you can make the most of the home cinema system, play music or relax with table tennis, a PS4, board games and puzzles, a room that will appeal to both families and friends. The gym is yet another bonus of this fantastic house.
Step across the village lane into your own rustic courtyard where you will find the swimming pool – how wonderful to be able to enjoy a morning swim or cool off after long summer days exploring. A drinks fridge, ice-maker and Bluetooth speaker add to the appeal, or you may prefer the serenity of the west-facing terrace where you can sit back with a glass of Saint-Émilion’s finest vintage and watch the sun set over the La Durèze valley.
As well as the vineyards of Saint-Émilion, which have acclaimed UNESCO World Heritage status and can be reached in under half an hour, discover endless wineries closer to home surrounding the village and beyond towards Bergerac or Bordeaux. Atmospheric food markets also await, including the region’s largest market in nearby Sainte-Foy-la-Grande on a Saturday morning.
Then there’s canoeing down the Dordogne, just 2km away, grand châteaux to discover and many other interesting villages to visit such as Castillon-la-Bataille, Duras and Issigeac. Or stay at home in your picture-perfect village, home to a weekly fruit and vegetable market, a summer fair, July and August night markets and other events throughout the year. Le Bastion is set in the oldest part of a Gironde village, 2km south of the Dordogne river and around 16km from the much-loved market town of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande. Perfectly located between Bordeaux and Bergerac, it’s ideal for guests wishing to immerse themselves in French village life whilst also exploring the wonderful regions of Dordogne, Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne.
The pretty village dates back to medieval times and is home to a restaurant, boulangerie, grocery store and other amenities including a bank and pharmacy. There is a small fruit and vegetable market every Friday morning and look out for other events and festivities across the year such as the annual brocante in early August, occasional night markets in the height of the summer and a little fairground. A walking tour from the tourist office is a lovely way to explore the village and learn about its history. The village also has a tennis court, petanque court and a 19th century church which is home to concerts in late July, sometimes outdoors.
Drive up to the next village just 2km away and hire canoes or kayaks along the Dordogne river for a wonderful experience. Cycling is another great way to admire the scenery of this region – visit historic châteaux, charming brocantes, pretty villages and undulating landscapes of woodland and vineyards.
Heading east along the Dordogne, drive to Sainte-Foy-la-Grande on a Saturday morning for its bustling market, one of the region’s best, or spend time discovering the town with its historic architecture and picturesque riverside setting. Both Libourne (32km) and pretty Issigeac (52km) host excellent Sunday morning markets and also look out for Marchés Nocturnes in villages and towns, usually taking place on warm summer evenings.  
A little closer to home, Castillon-la-Bataille’s market is on a Monday but the town can be visited any day for its shops, restaurants and riverside setting. In late July and August a superb sound and light show takes place on Friday and Saturday evenings depicting the battle of Castillon.
Wine-tasting opportunities can be found at wine-châteaux close to the village or further afield towards Bergerac (40km) and Bordeaux (62km). Not forgetting the enchanting hilltop town of Saint-Émilion, around half an hour away, and its glorious surrounding landscapes of historic vineyards, now classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
For a fantastic day out for all ages, drive west towards the shores of the Atlantic coast and spend the day in or around Arcachon, under two hours away, whether sampling oysters and white wine overlooking the bay or running down huge sand dunes and admiring the vast beaches of this magnificent coastline. The peaceful and gently-shelving shores of Étang de Lacanau, France’s largest lake, are also waiting to be explored, just 110km by car. At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the
concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning – Private chef/cook/catering- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Local day-trips or tours- Airport pick-up/drop-off- Babysitting/childcare services
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!