La Petite Maison - Gite - Dordogne

08/06/2024

Who knew cherries can be golden? I always thought they were red. So I missed the cherry season when we first moved into the moulin - I waited and waited for them to turn red, not realising they were a different variety. The second year, I was ready but the birds got there before me. The third year there was a storm and we lost them all. And the last few years I've been in Belgium and missed them. So today's haul of juicy golden cherries was particularly satisfying 🍒 Now I just need to wait a few months for the apples, figs and walnuts 🍏🌰

07/06/2024

Would you like to wake up to this view each morning?

Moulin du Pont is for sale. Why not take a look?
https://beauxvillages.com/fr/nos-biens_fr/property/309166-BVI73040

07/06/2024

The view from my window 🌳

This view could be yours too. Moulin du Pont is for sale. Why not take a look?
https://beauxvillages.com/fr/nos-biens_fr/property/309166-BVI73040

24/04/2024

FOR SALE Due to life bringing me new adventures, I am selling this beautiful property. Could you be Le Moulin's next owner?

For just €276,169*, you could enjoy:

🏡Main house with 3-beds, 2-baths, open-plan kitchen/lounge, dining room, library and lots of storage - and the potential to extend into the loft areas.

🏡Cottage packed with original features and character, plus 3-beds, 1-bath, lounge, dining kitchen and first floor terrace overlooking the riverside garden.

🏡 3 x barns, including one that would make an excellent venue for a restaurant, small weddings or corporate events

🏡6,350m2 of land, including a magical island with wild flowers and views of the Dordogne countryside

🏡Riverside location with a working waterwheel that offers buckets of potential for energy creation and sustainable living

* Fees and taxes not included

EN EXCLUSIVITÉ! Voici une occasion rare d'acquérir une maison de moulin rénovée avec goût et dotée d'une roue de moulin en état de marche. Située dans un endroit paisible avec un potentiel pour générer un revenu dès le début, le jardin a même sa propre île. La maison principale compren...

03/04/2024

Tales from the moulin: island life (and read to the end for some news!)

I write this while sat on the island. It’s only a teeny tiny island, but it’s an island and it’s mine. For now, at least. The island is my favourite part of the moulin. A peaceful sanctuary that at this time of year is dotted with colour from the crocuses, bluebells and daffodils.

The island is located just to the side of the house. On a dry sunny morning like today, I step through the kitchen door with a steaming hot coffee in hand, take a few steps over the terrace and through the gate that leads over the small bridge, past the waterwheel and onto the green of the island. I like to sit and take it all in, breath by breath: the water tumbling over the waterfall, the pretty wildflowers dancing in the breeze, the birds of prey swooping above the farmer’s fields opposite.

One day during the pandemic, I was having dinner on the island when a large stag came trotting down the road. He stopped when he saw me, as intrigued with me as I was with him. After a few minutes of eye contact, he nodded goodbye and went on his way.

If he’d have stopped by earlier, he’d have found me grappling with putting the fairy lights up. I wanted a string of lights going from tree to tree, but not being willing to climb up a ladder on my own, I needed to find a way to get them high up in the branches. I found the solution in the barn. Hidden in a corner were some long dried bamboo poles. I decided I’d fix the lights to the end of the poles and prop them against the trees.

Easier said than done.

Every time I leaned a pole against a tree, one of the other poles would fall over. I’d run to prop that one back up and another pole would fall over. Short arms and fat tree trunks made tying the poles to the trees also a challenge. Anyone driving past would have wondered why this crazy woman was hugging her trees!

But on I struggled (the joys of living on your own during lockdown!) until eventually the lights were in place. And oh did it look lovely.

The island is now an excellent entertainment space. It’s fabulous to sit out with friends on a warm evening. The lights twinkle in the trees as we fill our bellies and our souls with good food and even better company.

This island could soon be yours as the moulin is looking for someone new to love it as much as I do. I’m in the middle of another adventure that’s demanding my full attention and so the property is for sale.

If you fancy spending your summer evenings on your own private – albeit tiny – rural island, check out the listing here: https://beauxvillages.com/fr/nos-biens_fr/property/309166-BVI73040

17/02/2024

Fancy experiencing a slice of French life? Why not rent Le Moulin - an 18th-century watermill with three comfortable bedrooms, fully-equipped kitchen, cozy living space and a beautiful island. Due to an unexpected cancellation, its available from 1 April.

08/02/2024

The view from my window... or rather the view from the master bedroom of Le Moulin. Would you like to wake up to beautiful sunrises? Book now for the summer 🏡

06/02/2024

How old do you think this building is?

This is the lieutenants house in Cognac, dating back to around 1490. Just imagine the events it's been witness to over those 533 years...

These days, it's under private ownership but between May and September, its doors are open for tours.

Cognac is 1hr 20mins drive from le moulin et le verger and offers lots to do: riverside walks, art and Culture, and of course, Cognac tasting 😋

01/02/2024

Our little island is slowly coming alive again 🌱🏡

30/01/2024

How do you like to eat a croissant? Do you smother it in butter and jam, or do you prefer to eat it plain? Maybe, like me, you choose to dunk it in your coffee? Or perhaps you have a different way of savouring these traditional French breakfast pastries - if you do, let me know in the comments so I can give it a try.

29/12/2023

Dreaming of deserted beaches? Meandering round sleepy villages? Trying local French delicacies? Or maybe you just want to chill out somewhere quiet with a good book?

We have just the place for you. Le Moulin et Le Verger are two comfortable properties in southwest France. Ideally located for river beaches, farmers markets, ancient château and much, much more.

But hurry, they are getting booked up. Reserve your holiday now before it's too late.

Availability:
Le Moulin is available between 8 June and 20 July; and then again from 24 August to 7 September.

Le Verger is available from 2 March to 20 July; and then again from 24 August to 7 September.

See profile for links to more information and to book.

20/12/2023

Happy Christmas all 🎄

25/11/2023

Warm evenings spent laughing and chatting; alfresco dinners with a bottle or two of France's finest; spotting shooting stars and making wishes... summer in the Dordogne is blissful. Book your stay at the orchard cottage now before it's too late.

19/11/2023

Le Moulin is now fully booked until mid-June 2024. For summer holiday bookings, please visit our Airbnb page. You know where to find it. Hurry before you miss out! 🏡

P.S. There's still availability in Le Verger (formerly known as La Petite Maison) from early 2024 onwards.

15/11/2023

Who's dreaming of lazy summer days...?

With soft sand, wild water swimming and a funky beach bar, Aubeterre-sur-Dronne is one of our favourite places to while away the holidays.

See you there next summer?

06/11/2023

Picnics in the back garden... what's your favourite al fresco nibble?

05/11/2023

Who here likes to run? Or, as in my case, go for a shuffle? 😆 There's absolutely loads of great running routes at Le Moulin et Le Verger. Whether you want a short flat loop "around the block" or one that's a little more challenging, there's something for everyone. They're quiet, safe, and come with great views and fresh air🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

girl can

04/11/2023

Go to sleep in a huge and comfy bed. Wake up to views overlooking the countryside. A good night's sleep and a great start to the day guaranteed 🌄

02/11/2023

Can you spot the old stove in the corner of the room? Back in the 18th century when the mill owner lived in this cottage, a fire would have been made in the middle shelf and dinner cooked on the grill on the top.

This is one of many original features in this beautiful stone cottage. To see more of them and to book your stay, check out the link in our profile.

Property featured: Le Verger (formerly known as La Petite Maison)

31/10/2023

Happy Halloween everyone!!

👻☠️😈🎃

31/10/2023

Happy Halloween 🎃

30/10/2023

Fancy working from a beautiful library with great WiFi and loads of books. Where the peace and quiet means you can think and concentrate?

We have just the space for you.

Le Moulin is perfect for remote workers. Check out the link for more info and to book.

29/10/2023

Lazy Sunday afternoon... what's your favourite way to relax on a weekend?

Pictured: Barbacan in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne where Sundays usually involve live music, a delicious lunch and a cheeky glass of vin rouge 🍷

28/10/2023

Tonight the moon kisses the stars.

O beloved, be like that to me!

Rumi

27/10/2023

A neighbour told me once about the time she'd gone to buy a sheep (as one does) from a local farmer. As they were discussing the price over a glass of homemade eau de vie, she noticed snails crawling out of a pan and up the wall. Indicating to the farmer, the farmer laughed and said: "don't worry, they can't escape. We'll be having them for dinner later". Said dinner had been collected from the garden. At least the hostas were safe, eh? 🐌🐌🐌😬😬😬

Who here has ever tried escargot? Do you like them?

25/10/2023

Sunset over Nanteuil...

22/10/2023

Who can see a face in this rock?

On the outskirts of the village of Bourdeilles are rocky cliffs that are believed to have once been the home of the Solutreans – people of the Ice Age who walked the earth some 20,000 years ago.

The craggy rocks and dark caves that follow the path of the river Dronne towards Brântome include the Fourneau du Diable (Devil’s Furnace) - a natural arch which over time has eerily been formed into the shape of a human face.

This is just one of the many sights on offer in this pretty medieval village that is a 20-minute drive from Le Moulin et Le Verger.

Dominating Bourdeilles is the château. We’re not just talking about one building steeped in history here, but two: a fortress dating back to the 13th century, and within the walls, a second built in the 16th century.

While the fortress was very much built for defence – it is dominated by a 35-meter-high octagonal keep – the 16th century renaissance castle was intended as a luxury residence.

Highlights include the ‘golden room’ which has a beautiful painted ceiling, and a notable collection of furniture, including the gilt Spanish bed of Charles V known as the ‘Paradise Bed’ (we’ll leave it up to your imagination as to how it achieved that name!😉)

Another fact that makes this a special place to visit is that the building of the renaissance castle was overseen by a woman, Jacquett de Montbron – a very rare occurrence for the time!

At the top of the village is a panoramic viewpoint that provides superb views of the château and surrounding countryside.

Bourdeilles also offers a small selection of bars and restaurants, many of which have live music events taking place throughout the year. Keep your eye on this page for more information.

17/10/2023

Are you a writer looking to focus on your work in progress? Maybe you have the luxury of being able to work from anywhere and fancy trying out the French lifestyle for a while? Or perhaps you're starting a new life in France and need somewhere to base yourself while you look for your dream home. What ever your reason for wanting a longer-term rental in France, why not consider Le Moulin et Le Verger?

Dating back to the 18th century, this former working watermill offers two separate properties, both with plenty of French rural charm and original features. Quiet and peaceful, but close to villages and activities, it's an ideal spot whether you're looking to work, rest or explore the south west of France.

Each property is available to rent for a minimum of one month between 1 September and 31 May, and a minimum of one week between 1 June and 31 August.

Le Moulin: This 3-bed riverside house has a large open-plan kitchen and lounge room, separate dining room, library with two built-in desks, 2 bathrooms, lots of storage space and hi-speed wifi. The pretty garden area is located on a small island with views of the waterwheel, bridge and farmland. There is outside space that can be used either as a driveway for 2 cars or as a patio/dining area. Pets are welcome at Le Moulin.

To check pricing and availability, visit: https://airbnb.com/h/lemoulinetleverger

Le Verger is the former mill owner’s cottage and has 3 bedrooms (two doubles and a twin), lounge, dining kitchen and bathroom. There is a terrace on the first floor overlooking the garden, patio on the ground floor, large riverside garden and a small fruit and nut orchard. There is enough space to park one car out the front of the cottage. We do not accept pets at Le Verger (formerly known as La Petite Maison).

To check pricing and availability, visit: https://airbnb.com/h/relaxatlapetitemaison

Got questions? Want to know more about the houses or the local area? We'd love to chat - drop us a note via the message button. 🙂

15/10/2023

In today’s busy non-stop world, it’s hard to find a minute to yourself, right? If your to do list is anything like mine, it's packed with work, admin, meetings, appointments, housework, places to go, people to see... It can feel relentless at times (or is that just me?)

In an attempt to stay sane, I always try and make sure I get at least 20 minutes to myself at the start of the day. I make myself a cuppa and go and sit. And breathe. And ponder...

And then I get back up and at it and start ploughing through that list.

How do you take time for yourself when life is so hectic?

*********************

If you'd like to enjoy a quiet dawn cuppa on the island belonging to Le Moulin (as pictured), get in touch.

Both the mill (Le Moulin) and the orchard cottage (Le Verger) are available for let. Autumn/winter bookings are for a minimum of one month. From 1 April 2024 onwards, the minimum rental period is one week.

For more information or to book, contact me via the message link below.

17/03/2018

A luxurious night’s sleep awaits in our comfortable bedrooms, which are full of French character. Book today at http://ow.ly/nqer30iRZhH