Rent Maison Maronniere France

Looking out towards vines, enjoy long lunches beneath the shady tree accompanied by good local wine as children play in the vast garden. This beautiful historic house in the Dordogne welcomes up to 15 guests with its heated swimming pool, idyllic grounds and stylish interiors.

The owners have created an exceptional holiday home which exudes traditional French charm alongside contemporary interior design. As is typical in a chartreuse, the living spaces and three spacious double bedrooms are on the ground floor whilst there are two bedrooms upstairs beneath the huge wood beams, one double and another dorm-style room with eight single beds (four of which can be joined as two double beds).

Throughout much of the home, exposed stone walls, tiled floors and many other original features juxtapose a blend of modern and vintage furnishings alongside impressive new bathrooms. The living room with its grand fireplace leads through to a dining area with a library of old books. The traditional country kitchen will charm the keenest of cooks – embrace the home’s rich heritage as you prepare delicious feasts using fresh ingredients from local markets.

There is such a relaxing ambience outside – this is what holidays in southwestern France should be all about! Set in two hectares of grounds overlooking vineyards, swim in the heated swimming pool, chill out in the hot tub, then relax with friends on the outdoor lounge next to the pigeonnier. There is a long table for al-fresco dining in picturesque surroundings and even a children’s play area.

Come across the winery and auberge-restaurant within walking distance in a little hamlet passing vines, farmland and rural French countryside en route. Discover local walks and cycle rides as you explore the gentle landscapes of this part of the Dordogne and Gironde. Just a 15-minute drive away is medieval Sainte-Foy-la-Grande by the banks of the Dordogne river, home to one of the region’s biggest and best markets on a Saturday morning.

As well as visiting vineyards and markets, other highlights of the area include Saint-Émilion and Bergerac, both historic gems within half an hour by car. There’s summer swimming in a local lake with a sandy beach around 10km away as well as canoeing and kayaking opportunities along the Dordogne and L’Isle rivers.

For a fantastic day out, hop on the train to Bordeaux to explore this grand city famous for its food, wine and history. You could even venture further west by car to admire the surfing beaches and dunes of the Atlantic coastline, try the wines of Margaux and Pauillac on the Médoc peninsula or stop off near Arcachon for oysters as the sun sets over the bay.  

Maison Interiors

–    Lounge and open-plan dining area
–    Country kitchen, well-equipped
–    Bedroom with double bed, fireplace and bathroom with bath, shower and separate WC
–    Bedroom with double bed (180cm, can be split into twin), sofa-bed, fireplace and bathroom with bath, shower and WC
–    Bedroom with double bed (180cm, can be split into twin), sofa-bed and open bathroom with separate WC

Upper Floor (via steep staircase from living room)

–    Large dorm-style bedroom with two double beds (can be split into singles) and four single beds
–    Bathroom with shower, bath and WC
–    Bedroom with double bed

Outside Grounds

–    Salt-water swimming pool (10x5m, depth: 1.5m) with safety alarm. Can be heated on request
–    Poolside terrace with sun loungers
–    Hot tub
–    Al-fresco dining area
–    Outdoor lounge
–    Large garden (two hectares)
–    Children’s play area and trampoline

In the Dordogne region, not far from the Gironde border, this historic house enjoys vineyard views from its picturesque setting just a 15-minute drive from the riverside market town of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande. The two nearest airports are Bergerac (35km) and Bordeaux (80km) whilst Gare de Libourne (38km) has direct TGV train arrivals from Paris.

There is a French auberge (book ahead) in the tiny local village/hamlet around 650m away passing vineyards, countryside and windmills as you cycle or walk along the country road (no pavement). This is a superb area for wine-tasting with vineyards and wineries so near – try the local Montravel rosé surrounded by glorious valley views at the local wine château.

Other wine regions within easy reach include Pomerol, Bergerac, Bordeaux and, further afield, the Médoc peninsula with Pauillac and Margaux within a 90-minute to 2-hour drive away. Of course, Saint-Émilion (31km) is a great highlight of this region, loved not just for its UNESCO World Heritage vineyards but also the enchanting hilltop town itself with its medieval lanes, Romanesque churches and amazing catacombs.

This area is also famed for its fantastic markets scattered across local villages and towns. The Saturday morning market in medieval Sainte-Foy-la-Grande (11km) is said to be one of the best in the region whilst other atmospheric markets take place in Castillon-la-Bataille (19km), Bergerac (31km), Libourne (40km) and the picture-perfect village of Issigeac (50km), to name just a few.

Canoe or kayak along the Dordogne River near Pessac-sur-Dordogne (12km), enjoy nature walks, hiking routes and amazing cycling through vineyards, orchards and idyllic landscapes of south-western France. Nearby Lac de Gurson (10km) offers supervised swimming and paddle boarding in the height of the summer.

As well as spending the day in the grand city of Bordeaux (less than an hour by train from nearby Vélines), you could drive as far as the Atlantic coast for surfing near Lacanau (124km), climbing the Dune du Pilat (147km) or simply enjoying oysters overlooking Arcachon Bay, just over a 90-minute drive away.