Welcome to Le Gatinaud, a stylish French holiday house - ideal for a special family holiday in a tranquil and picturesque part of South West France on the Dordogne and Charente border. We hope this website gives you all the information you need but don't hesitate to call or email to enquire about availability or anything else we can help you with.
jennie@gatinaud.com
Tel: +44 (0)1225 852439
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Time to relax
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Time to unwind
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Time in the country
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Things to do
From here, you are ideally situated to explore all the attractions of the Dordogne region (e.g. Perigueux 45 mins, St Emilion 50 minutes) or just take in the many local markets at St Aulaye (5 mins) or the amazing Friday marché at Ribérac (20 mins).
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Miles of beaches
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Or if you fancy some sea air and a dip in the Atlantic why not head West for the many beautiful beaches and coastal villages of the Charente Maritime (1hr 15 mins).
For some wonderful shopping visit Bordeaux (1 hr 15 mins by car or 1 hr by train) or Angouleme (40 mins). Further afield Paris is just 2hr 15mins on the TGV from Angouleme.
The famous wine growing regions of the Medoc are within an hour so why not fit in a day of wine-tasting while you're here.
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Le Gatinaud is right down in the South-West of France where the sun is much higher in the sky all year round. We get lots of sunshine throughout the year and just enough rain to keep it green and pleasant. Spring comes early and temperatures can be in the 20's from March onwards. Summer is warm, with highs in the 30's. Autumn can stay warm in the day but with cooler nights. Even in winter when the sun is out it's possible to sit outside in the middle of the day and enjoy a glass of St Emilion.
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.jpg) "“Our family of 7 spent a fantastic week at Le Gatinaud. Wonderful pool, games room, large garden and local water-based activities to keep the kids entertained, elegant rooms with all the facilities the grown-ups need. Would definitely recommend Le Gatinaud”.
Nigel Yard, Weymouth, UK
"We have had a great time here and hate to leave after some magical holiday moments. The house has been fantastic, a really special place and we hope to be back again soon..."
P.P., Edinburgh
"We absolutely loved Le Gatinaud and the gorgeous views. We had the most relaxing week imaginable, so much so, that we reluctantly ventured out to do some sightseeing. The views over the Dronne valley from both the house and the pool provided the perfect backdrop for a perfect holiday. The house is very stylishly decorated and we really felt at home at Le Gatinaud. Needless to stay, we did not want to leave at the end of the week!!"
D.B. London. UK
"We absolutely loved the house and the garden, so much atmosphere and beautifully presented. The local area was a real discovery for us too, lots to see and do but also special because of the peace and quiet and old-fashioned way of life...thanks again"
R.H. Cornwall, UK
"Have had a fab holiday, kids and adults all loved it, now I wish we had spent more time at the house (which is wonderful) instead of doing so much sight-seeing but we were pleased to have beaches and Dordogne attractions so near...will come back for more time in the garden and by the pool next time!"
D.G. Bath. UK
"A memorable stay in a delightful place. The house is charming and spacious and the position is just wonderful, we have had a really amazing vacation..." E. J. Vermont, USA.
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A beautiful 17c holiday house for rental on the Dordogne Charente borderPerfect for summer family holidays - top quality accommodation sleeps 10
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South facing terrace
| Your idyllic French family summer holiday awaits you in this beautiful 17c manor house ideally located in a picturesque area on the Dordogne/Charente border of South West France.
- Immaculately restored with taste and style
- Five double bedrooms
- Max occupancy 10 people
- Huge 70 sq. m. living room
- Games & TV room
- Kitchen/breakfast-room
- Formal dining room
- Mature private gardens
- Swimming pool
- Pool-house
- Lovely views over the Dronne valley
- Satellite English TV/DVD
- WiFi broadband internet access
- Shops and restaurants nearby
- Canoeing, golf, riding nearby
- Perfect area for sight-seeing
About the manoir at Le Gatinaud
The main house at Le Gatinaud consists of part 17c farmhouse with later, grander extensions in the early 19c. The house has been lovingly restored by the owners to bring out all the character and period charm. The house is very spacious and includes a huge 70 sq.m. living room with working fireplace, elegant dining room, kitchen-breakfast room, beautiful turned chestnut staircase, 5 double bedrooms and a large newly converted attic space of approx. 50 sq.m. The gardens are mature, more like a small park, with some interesting large trees and shrubs. There is a swimming pool with south-facing terrace and pool house.
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Le Gatinaud
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Pool & Terrace
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Location
The house sits on a 2 acre hillside plot overlooking the picturesque Dronne valley, ideally located 5 minutes between the ever-popular and historic Charente village of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne and the Dordogne market town of St Aulaye. The nearest airports are approx. 1 hour away at Bergerac and Bordeaux, offering a growing choice of flights to Gatwick, Stansted, Heathrow, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Southampton and other regional UK airports.
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Sunflowers in the valley
| This area is right on the border of the beautiful Départments of the Charente and Dordogne and therefore offers a great range of things to see and do at all times of year. The picturesque villages and historic sites of the Dordogne are on your doorstep, yet you are also just an hour or so away from the sandy beaches and sea-side towns of the Charente Maritime, 45 minutes from St. Emilion and an hour from Bordeaux.
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Aubeterre - 5 mins
| Aubeterre-sur-Dronne is a hidden gem just 5 minutes from Le Gatinaud, one of the “plus beaux villages de France”, it is full of history, a maze of streets leading to a charming central square lined with limestone houses, antique shops, artists galleries and restaurants - very popular with French and English yet not spoiled by tourism.
The local village, a short walk from the house, is right on the river with many historic old houses, lovely river-side walks, 2 restaurants and a bakery.
5 minutes in another direction takes you to St. Aulaye, a characterful market-town with a variety of shops, chemist, petrol station and a useful supermarket.
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Relax by the pool
| This location is ideal for a relaxed holiday in the French countryside. There is a great range of holiday activities including river swimming, canoeing, mountain-biking, pony-trekking, art and music festivals and a great choice of restaurants, brocantes and farmers markets.
Accommodation – Main House
GROUND FLOOR
Living Room
A very large room of approx. 70 sq. m. in the older part of the house. Tiled floor, whitewashed beams, exposed stone walls, characterful windows with views across the valley. The depth of the stone walls keeps this room beautifully cool in the summer. Doors lead to the Dining Room, Kitchen/Breakfast Room and to the downstairs WC and Utility Room (containing sink, drying rack & washing-machine).
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Kitchen
| Kitchen/Breakfast Room
This airy room is in the 19C part of the house and has tall ceilings and very large windows looking over the garden. It has an oak floor, fitted hand-painted kitchen units with a hand-made oak work-top.
There is a large fridge-freezer, dish-washer, microwave and new range-style oven and hob.
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Dining room
| Dining Room
Also in the 19C side of the house this is an elegant room with unusual curved doors and a striking original encaustic tiled floor and marble fireplace. Perfect for a more formal dinner with the tall windows open to enjoy the evening breezes and views down the valley.
Hall
Between the Dining Room and Kitchen/Breakfast Room is a lovely light hallway with double doors opening onto the sunny south-facing terrace at the front of the house. From the hall a door opens into the stairwell revealing the elegant original chestnut curved staircase leading up to the first floor and then to the attic.
WC
Wash-basin and WC.
FIRST FLOOR
As you walk up the impressive winding chestnut staircase you will find five large bedrooms on the first floor and two bathrooms.
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Double bedroom
| Bed 1
At the front of the house, an elegant room with tall ceilings, natural wood floor and a large window with stunning views over the valley.
Beautiful French kingsize double bed. Porcelain wash hand-basin in painted wood vanity unit. Range of hand-made built-in period style wardrobes. Door leading to bathroom/WC.
Bed 2
Also at the front, with two single iron beds, tall ceilings, cupboards, hanging space, painted wooden floor, wash hand-basin and views over the garden
Bathroom/WC
Between the two front bedrooms is a charming ensuite bathroom with white claw-foot bath and large shower head, WC, large window overlooking the garden.
Bed 3
At the back of the house, a spacious double bedroom with antique furniture, a charming kingsize double French bed, original wide oak floor-boards and views over the valley facing towards Aubeterre.
Bed 4
A light and airy, spacious twin-bedroom with views over the valley, exposed beams and exposed stone wall features.
Bed 5
A further large bedroom with twin beds, a massive stone fireplace and views overlooking the garden.
Bathroom/Shower Room/WC
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Main bathroom
| A spacious family bathroom with newly fitted period style white bath, wash hand-basin, panelled shower cubicle and WC.
TOP FLOOR
Very large, newly renovated spacious attic space set up as a recreation area and chill-out space. It is very bright and airy with windows overlooking the garden and side windows with views to Aubeterre and beyond and has full head-height throughout.
There is a pool table, table football, art area, Sky satellite TV with UK programmes and DVD/Video player. Comfy chairs, plus desk space with internet access.
There is also a travel cot available.
OUTSIDE
Garden
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Shady mature garden
| The garden is very private, entirely enclosed by walls or hedging but with stunning views in all directions. There are areas of lawn, avenues of trees, places to sit in the sun or shade, fruit-trees, roses, fig-trees and other shrubs and plants. In front of the terrace is a very large and elegant antique stone pond currently being renovated by the owners.
Pool
Set away from the house, but still with lovely views, the 10x5 m. pool is set in its own terracing with a newly-built pool-house providing shade, a bar and seating area and changing space. The pool has a new alarm system which conforms to the French legal standards.
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Pool area with house behind
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2009 PRICES
2 May - 27 June ......... £1,450 per week
27 June - 5 Sept ........ £1,750 per week
5 - 26 Sept ................. £1,450 per week
DATES STILL AVAILABLE:
2 May - 18 July
22 Aug. - 26 Sept.
CONTACT
Tel: +44 (0)1225 852439
Email: jennie@gatinaud.com |
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A few minutes drive from the house takes you into the heart of the historic hilltop village of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, one of "Les plus beaux villages de France", with it's wealth of history and quaint old streets to explore, plus a great choice of restaurants, river-swimming, canoeing, pony-trekking, tennis and golf nearby. Or just sit at one of the many cafés or restaurants around the old square and enjoy the comings and goings of people and the display of summer flowers - quintessential French village life.
The lovely river Dronne acts as a focal point for this area, providing a serene backdrop to the sights of Brantome,
a picturesque picnic place under the walls of the chateaux at Bourdeilles and on through our local villages offering excellent river-swimming and canoeing.
Walk down to our local village to enjoy some lovely walks along the river Dronne, a stroll along some of the lanes with characteristic white limestone houses, or enjoy a meal in the local restaurant.
The Cadogan Guide to the Dordogne describes this area: "Some of the prettiest Dronne valley scenery is in these parts: along the D17 from Aubeterre to St-Aulaye". An early warm Spring sees the rolling hills reveal their striking white soil while lilacs, iris and cherry blossom are everywhere.
Summer brings lush countryside for the Aquitaine Blonde cattle to enjoy, interspersed with spectacular fields of sunflowers and swathes of poppies in the golden cornfields. Autumn brings the colour to the trees and a warm glow to the evening light and remains warm even into November and December.
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May and June are lovely months in this part of France. Where we take our dogs for a walk there are some quiet tracks and we are often amazed at the fabulous display of wildflowers along the lanes and hedgerows. This is a popular area for walkers more...
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Also available in the same hamlet is the former coach house to Le Gatinaud, a restored cottage which sleeps 2 or 3. It has its own large private garden. Dordogne holiday cottage
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