5 Bedroom Farmhouse in Castillonnes

A couple of miles from the charming bastide town of Castillonnes near the Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne border, "La Genevrière" is a restored farmhouse - part of which dates from the 15th Century (attested by vestiges of "empilage sous combes" - a method of building typical in this part of the country at a time when there was an abundance of oak forest, consisting of vast oak logs piled one atop of another). 
 
The stone farmhouse with large adjoining barn is hidden up a forest lane in a large (2-acre) garden with lawns and flowerbeds, shade and privacy. It is well equipped and will comfortably welcome a party of 12 or more in a secluded, tranquil setting (2 child's cots and 2 high-chairs provided). With its open stone fireplace and shady verandah facing the colourful sunsets, the house boasts magnificent views over the pretty rolling countryside of forest and farmland. Colourful climbing roses and wisteria cover the front perspective. The place is well-looked after and very clean. The supplied linen is freshly pressed and towels, crockery and cutlery are all amply provided. Satellite television is provided with all channels (Astra and Hotbird) plus French national programmes, as is an excellent, free WiFi connection accessible throughout the house and yard. 
 
The large pool (11 x 5 metres or 36' x 16') with lighting and diving board is invisible to the outside eye, and has recently been surrounded by a walled-in area of attractive locally-made patterned terracotta tile terracing, providing a large outdoor living space which can be floodlit at night. The pool is fenced off to the latest safety standards and is automatically cleaned by robot each morning. Maintenance is undertaken several times a week. The automatic solar heating system makes swimming from the end of April up to the beginning of October very agreeable. 
 
The nearest neighbours (100 metres away) run a small, old-style traditional farm and can supply eggs as well as vegetables and chickens or geese, guinea fowl or turkeys on demand. The large barn can be used for parking and in addition houses a ping-pong table, garden furniture, sets of croquet and bowls and a large, round, two-wheel cast-iron barbeque. Seven bicycles are provided for "promenades". 
 
The property is situated in the northern Lot-et-Garonne, three miles from the Dordogne border and just 30 minutes from Bergerac airport (direct flights from London Stanstead, Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool and Southampton to Bergerac). 
 
Accommodation detail 
 
GROUND FLOOR 
- Fully equipped kitchen/dining room opening onto verandah and into lounge. Electric hob/oven, dishwasher, fridge with freezer, microwave, electric kettle, coffee machine, toaster. 
- Living Room with large stone fireplace opening onto terrace 
- Master bedroom, comfortable king-size double bed (160 x 200 cm), large antique oak wardrobe, door opening onto the garden. 
- Bedroom 2, double bed, fitted wardrobe. 
- Bathroom with bath/shower and washing machine. Separate W.C. 
- Covered outdoor eating area with table and chairs (verandah) 
 
FIRST FLOOR 
- Large landing area with single bed 
- 2 bedrooms containing 1 double and 1 single bed each 
- 1 bedroom with 3 single beds 
- Extra single beds available on request 
- Bathroom with shower, WC and sink unit

Lots of things to do and to visit in the area : 
 
- Chaudron magique (Ecologic Farm) : http://www.chaudronmagique.fr 
- Asinerie de Pinseguerre, very close : http://www.pinseguerre.com/ with all sorts of things around dunkeys (riding etc) 
- musee du pruneau in Granges-sur-Lot : http://www.musee-du-pruneau.com/ all about prune making, farming, this has been a local "speciality" for several centuries 
- castles : chateau de Biron, chateau de Duras, chateau de Lauzun 
- nice rivers (Vezere or Dordogne) where you can swim, canoe, etc 
- impressive caves to visit both natural and prehistoric with incredible paintings and a museum http://www.musee-prehistoire-eyzies.fr/  
- you can visit the vineyards and taste wines in the cellars, visit the local weekly markets ... 
- Castilonnes tourist office (+33(0)5 53 36 87 44), 4 miles away, : http://www.castillonnestourisme.com 
- Bergerac tourist office http://www.bergerac-tourisme.com

• Nearest Airport : Bergerac at 30 kilometers distance;
• Nearest Train Station : Bergerac at 35 kilometers distance
• Nearest Town : Bergerac at 35 kilometers distance