La Jolie Maison, Haute Vienne

13/09/2023

The Voie Verte situated in Haute Vienne is a fabulous traffic free old railway line which is now a beautiful place to roam and explore. With a distance of 13 kilometres located between Chalus and Oradour-sur-Vayres and 7 kilometres from Bussière-Galant. You can wander through nature preserved areas, cycle, hike or even get the roller blades out! It’s a fabulous place to visit with mostly paved surfaces and surrounded by beautiful countryside. The old railway houses have been renovated and the land around the properties have been transformed into beautiful country gardens. You will truly enjoy the charm and character from this beautiful preserved railway.

28/05/2023

The best part of promoting La Jolie Maison is that we get to travel around and recommend places to eat. Today was the turn of Le Moulin Du Grand Étang, a beautiful restaurant in Saint Estephe in the Dordogne region of the Perigord Vert. Saint Estephe is a small village located not far from the cottage and well worth a visit. It’s a gem of a find if you like good food and it’s right in the countryside. You’ll find a lake with a beach with plenty going on. The restaurant was fabulous, reservations are recommended, if you have a special occasion coming up then this is the place to celebrate. The food was just incredible! There are a number of menu choices, or simply pick your own favourite from the à la carte menu. ❤️🇫🇷❤️ 🇫🇷 🇫🇷

20/04/2023

On the borders of Dordogne and the Haute Vienne, midway of Brive-La-Gaillarde and Limoges, you will find Pompadour. Pompadour belonged to one of the oldest lordships in Limousin, the Lastours, Vicomte de Pompadour. The first castle was built in 1026 by Guy de Lastours to defend his possessions, coveted by the Vicomte de Ségur. He also rebuilt Arnac church and established a monastery there, given to Saint Martial’s Abbey in Limoges. The name Pompadour became world famous due to the favourite of Louis XV, Madame de Pompadour, to whom the king gave the Château of Pompadour and the associated title of Marquise. It is also identified as the city of horses. Cradle of the Anglo-Arab breed, Pompadour welcomes the National Stud and is a famous race course featuring gallop races, including flat and hurdle and also for equestrian events. Pompadour is also known for its golden apples as well as the famous Saint Blaise chapel and monumental painting of Andre Blaise. 🇫🇷

19/04/2023

April through to May and all you see is endless fields of rapeseed. It is grown for the production of edible vegetable oils, animal feed and biodiesel. Did you know that it is also called canola oil? Regardless of the known facts it’s a short lived impressive sight. 🇫🇷

19/04/2023

We recently visited the beautiful beau village of Saint-Robert in the Corrèze department of France. It is a medieval village located on a limestone promontory, which has changed its name multiple times. It is classed as ‘plus beaux villages de France’ since 1982. Organised around a Benedictine monastery built by the disciples of Saint Robert, the village experienced violent religious confrontations. Nevertheless, a beautiful fortified Romanesque church from the 12th century remains from this period, as well as some seigniorial residences made of cut stone. Interestingly, it featured in a scene of a film shooting in 1983, Des Grives au Loup from the novel by Claude Michelet. The church of Saint Marie is listed as a historic monument. 🇫🇷 🇫🇷

03/09/2022

As the summer season draws to a close, it’s time for us to let our hair down and enjoy everything that the Haute Vienne has to offer. Last night we met up with some friends and went for some drinks at the medieval bar, La Taverne de Montbrun. The Taverne forms part of Montbrun Château and is owned by Marteen Lamers and his beautiful and talented wife Irenie. The Château de Montbrun is a beautiful castle in Dornazac and was built in the 12th and 15th centuries, and was restored in the late 19th century. It’s function was to defend the borders of the Dutchy of Aquitaine. Richard the Lionheart was mortally wounded in nearby Chalus and it has been reported that he died there, or at Montbrun; and that part is his body (his entrails) was buried in the grounds. The question mark over this remains debatable……… A few years ago Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt arrived at the Château with a view to buying it. They chose another property instead! It’s a good job, we wouldn’t have had such a wonderful evening in the company of the current owners who gave us a private musical performance. As we tootled off back to our happy place, Marteen and Irenie went home to their 165 hectare estate of land with several houses, barns, 4 lakes and a river. Friday nights at La Taverne de Montbrun is now a must for us. If you enjoy history then this is definitely a place to visit, the Château has guided tours available for you, the very knowledgeable Irenie will take you on a walk through history from the original building of the Château by the Aymeric Bruni on his return from the Second Crusade to the start of the Hundred Years War when it was occupied by the English and what happened during the French Revolution. ❤️🇫🇷❤️ 🇫🇷

31/08/2022

The peace, tranquility and bird song is complimented with the sound of laughter from children running around the vast garden with views of open countryside. It brings a smile to my face knowing that our guests are having a fabulous time. We recently hosted a beautiful family who made the most of relaxing and socialising with their family. I dug up some fresh produce from the garden, which they thoroughly enjoyed. Evie and Aimee are the most adorable, and very polite young girls who left me some wonderful artwork. I hope we can welcome them back to La Jolie Maison some time soon. Do you want to enjoy a relaxing holiday, set in extensive gardens with a view of open countryside? Or gaze at stars in the night sky because of zero light pollution? A stay at La Jolie Maison is just for you. Our listing with Airbnb is just a click away Airbnb.com/h/lajoliemaisonhautevienne ❤️🇫🇷❤️ 🇫🇷

23/08/2022

A beautiful morning today and as I await the arrival of our guests I can’t help but love each sunrise and sunset of this beautiful part of France, everyday gives a beautiful surprise. I hope my guests love La Jolie Maison as much as I do. Before their arrival I nipped into Rochechouart, a beautiful town with an equally stunning Château. The town is a must see place then have a coffee and croissant (or delicious pastry) from the many cafés. 🇫🇷

28/07/2022

This week we have had some friends over to stay at La Jolie Maison. They have thoroughly enjoyed their French adventure, and I was very emotional this evening when I was shown a beautiful water colour painting that was created during the stay. I will cherish this beautiful piece of artwork and hang it within the cottage for all our guests to admire. Thank you Clive, Louise and our Harry for a very memorable and enjoyable week in your company. 🇫🇷 #

20/07/2022

We welcomed a beautiful French family to La Jolie Maison last weekend. They live hundreds of miles from each other and chose to meet ‘mid way’ from their respective homes. They all enjoyed the peaceful surroundings, beautiful weather and dined al fresco under the hazelnut tree. Chit chat and laughter was all that could be heard from the cottage. We joined them for drinks and Sacha. the most adorable 3 year old son of one of the guests presented me with a beautiful drawing. He was singing the alphabet song for us all. It was amazing just to listen to their life stories, and were very interested to know why we chose France to have a home. I even managed to learn some new French words! We look forward to welcoming them back to our happy place. ❤️🇫🇷😎🌞❤️ 🇫🇷

16/07/2022

Lovely afternoon spent with our guests staying next door.

Thankyou to Yehouessi family who have travelled from Paris, Orleans and Bordeaux to enjoy a family weekend.

Thank you for your hospitality.

15/07/2022

Today is Bastille Day and celebrations are taking part all over France. It’s been beautiful here in the Limousin Perigord National Park, very hot and Mother Nature has produced some amazing night skies. We welcomed a lovely French family to La Jolie Maison this week, I hope they enjoyed their stay as much as we enjoyed having them. It’s time to welcome another family……… ❤️ 🇫🇷 ❤️ If you would like to holiday in rural France have a look at our listing at Airbnb.com/h/lajoliemaisonhautevienne for availability. 🇫🇷

11/07/2022

I hope that our guests have a fabulous stay in our beautiful cottage, La Jolie Maison is welcoming several families over the summer season. 🇫🇷 #

11/07/2022

The summer season has well and truly started! We are welcoming a young French family today quickly followed by a Dutch family. I hope they all have a memorable stay with us at La Jolie Maison. There are only a few dates left for the summer, have a look at our cottage on Airbnb, the link is Airbnb.com/h/lajoliemaisonhautevienne 🇫🇷

28/05/2022

Beautiful sunny day in Champsac today. Plenty of colour around the garden!

03/03/2022

The weather has reverted back to what it is supposed to be, it’s still very pleasant so I can’t complain. I visited a lovely tea room today with a friend, she hadn’t been here before, but I think she enjoyed it. It was only my second visit but it was just as nice as the first. The tea room is ‘quintessential’ England and it was lovely to see so many locals enjoying what was on offer. Their menu is varied and plenty to please. I would definitely recommend any guests staying with us to have a drive over to Saint Yrieix-La-Perche. The drive there is just as enjoyable as the tea room, with stunning French countryside and beautiful villages to see and visit. If you are looking for that perfect holiday home check out for availability at airbnb.com/h/lajoliemaisonhautevienne 🇫🇷

01/03/2022

26/02/2022

It’s been a beautiful day here at La Jolie Maison. I will never tire watching the sunrises and sunsets here. Spring is definitely around the corner. I can see all the work that needs to be done in the garden, it’s that time of year, getting holiday ready! 🇫🇷

20/02/2022

We always try to give our guests, family and friends ideas of where to visit whilst staying with us at La Jolie Maison. Sarlat-La-Caneda is a medieval town in southwest France’s Dordogne region. The most famous town in the region and one of the most renowned and visited in France. The town is a gastronomic centre, the region being well known particularly for foie gras and truffles. The town is well worth a visit. 🇫🇷 🇫🇷

19/02/2022

We welcomed our first guests last night, a father and son from the UK visiting family and planning a renovation on his late fathers French home. It’s going to be a very busy weekend for them. A welcome pack provided them with the necessary items as they settled in.

If you are looking for somewhere to holiday, to work, or to visit family and friends check out the availability on Airbnb and start planning your trip.

03/02/2022

Just had a couple of days “out” exploring parts of the South Dordogne approximately 2 hours away from us. Visited and stayed in Sarlat as well as visiting the stunning locations of Rocamadour and La Roque Gageac.

29/01/2022

29/01/2022

Some of the many villages in our region

29/01/2022

The nearby City of Angouleme with rail travel to Paris. Home of Herge who wrote the Tin Tin novels.

29/01/2022

The Venice of France - the stunning town of Brantome.

Brantome sits on a bend of the river Dronne that encircles a large part of the town and the steep wooded slopes form an attractive backdrop. The Benedictine Abbey on the river's edge is superb and this along with the old stone bridge, weir and pretty mill now turned into a splendid hotel and restaurant all make for a very photogenic scene and make Brantome one of the most beautiful towns of the Dordogne. Why not hire a canoe and make your way along the river? Stop off on the banks and enjoy a picnic, or dine in any of the fabulous restaurants in the town. 🇫🇷

Check out our availability below and start planning your trip! ❤️

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/49661199?adults=4&check_in=2022-03-23&check_out=2022-03-30&previous_page_section_name=1000&federated_search_id=529faf43-6054-48c0-98cd-bf0e9063b0cf&guests=1

29/01/2022

We all love to try the local delicacies.