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 🌄