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- About The Experience
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Imagine a place that was "brilliantly designed" and "a real gem." Sounds pretty intriguing, right? Well, you'll find that those are the exact words used to describe this vacation rental in France by previous guests who just loved it! Bordering the Dronne River, this self-catering accommodation near Chenaud has a peaceful and pleasant setting in the beautiful countryside. Incredible, stunning, and lovingly restored, this is just the place to spend the holidays in France!
- Location Description
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Located on the border of the Dordogne and Charente regions of Southern France, this charming chateau is located just outside of the medieval village of Chenaud (population of 340). The area is a quiet little valley on the west side of the Dordogne region. There is a bakery and butcher shop less than 5 km south in St. Aulaye; 5 km north there is a good grocery store in Chalais.
Nearby Attractions: The property is situated in the center of the largest wine producing area of France: Bordeaux, Bergerac and Cognac. Saint-Emilion is only a 45-minute drive away. The countryside is ideal for walking and biking – in the hilly fields, the forest of the banks of the Dronne River. Close to St. Aulaye, there's a nature reserve: La Jemaye. There are markets throughout the area, with a large market in Riberac on Friday; on Sunday there is a big antique market in Bordeaux. Aubeterre-sur-Dronne is listed as one of the “most beautiful villages of France”.
Bordeaux: 69 km/43 mi
Angouleme: 59 km/37 mi
Perigueux: 50 km/31 mi
Riberac: 19.2 km/12 mi
Aubeterre sur Dronne: 9.6 km/6 mi
St. Aulaye: 4.8 km/3 mi
Chalais: 4.8 km/3 mi
- Exterior Description
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2.6 hectares (6.4 acres): The chateau was built in the 17th century, with the foundation dating back to 1090. In the 18th and 19th century the chateau was enlarged with 2 more parts. All sections are attached to each other with 3-foot thick walls. The different styles of the various constructions are visible, which lends an attractive rambling aspect to the building. For example, in the 17th century the cellar, now used for wine storage, was the kitchen. The original details are still visible. The property is accessed via a quiet little road that connects two small villages. The graveled courtyard leads to the house, barn and garden. The backyard overlooks the winding Dronne River where there is a dock (4m x 7m) where guests can sit and to enjoy the riverside and the canoes passing by. The large garden is completely private; the north, south and west sides consist of typical large French walls; the river Dronne is on the east side of the property. The south of the property has a splendid view of the 12th century Roman church of Chenaud. There is garden furniture in both sunny and shaded areas of the garden. There are huge 100-year old oak and line trees, as well as apple, peach, cherry, prune and chestnut trees. New plantain trees have been planted. At the far end of the garden a little pond.
Beside the main house is a large barn with two towers and an old well. This is a very attractive apartment located in the barn, which has been beautifully restored and decorated.
- Interior Description
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(90 m2)
Ground Floor: This accommodation is in the old barn. From the entrance one can access the guest bathroom with WC and sink and the laundry room with a washing machine, dryer, iron and ironing board. The living area includes an open-plan, fully equipped kitchen, with door which opens onto a beautiful south-facing terrace with a view of a 12th century church. The living room is tastefully decorated. There is a CD player and a built-in electronic safe. There is radiant floor heating in the living room.
First Floor: There is a large bedroom with an electronically adjustable king-size bed and a bathroom with WC, bidet, sink and shower. There is radiant floor heating in the bathroom. Because of the 3-foot wide walls, there is no need for air conditioning, as the walls keep the house quite cool in summer.
- Features Description
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Extra Services: The following are listed as an aid for trip planning; the services and prices are approximate and cannot be guaranteed by Rentvillas. All extra services are payable locally in cash.
- Portable Baby Crib: Upon request
Please Note:
- The property is not well suited for handicapped people.
- Because of the river, children must be watched closely.
- This villa comes with a welcome basket with: tomato sauce, olive oil, and pasta, fresh fruit, eggs, and corn flakes, various cheeses and local bread, mineral water, orange juice, Coke, milk, coffee, tea, and wine (red and white), sugar, salt, butter, jam, napkins, dishwasher tablets, and toilet paper.
Features and Amenities
- Free Parking on Premises
- Independent Villa
- Balcony/Terrace
- Barbecue
- Outside Area - Private
- Outside Area - Shared
- Outside Dining
- CD player
- DVD player
- Ipod dock
- TV - English Channels Available
- Internet
- Internet - Wireless
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- American Coffee Maker
- Clothes Dryer
- Dishwasher
- Electric Tea Kettle
- Hair Dryer
- Iron and Board
- Microwave
- Oven
- Toaster
- Toaster Oven
- Washing Machine
- Fans Available - Upon Request
- Heating - Whole House
- Window Screens - Whole House
- Portable Baby Crib/Play Pen - Upon Request
- Safe
- Cook Service Available - Extra Cost
- Housekeeping Available - Extra Cost
- Welcome Basket
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Arrival Times
Please note: Official Arrival Times:
Questions? Please ask us!
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Call us: 1-800-726-6702
Outside the US: +1-805-880-1228
Mon-Fri 8:00-5:00
Sat 8:00-11:00 Pacific Time
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Customer Ratings
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Overall
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View
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Outside Area
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Kitchen
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Bedrooms
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Bathrooms
Based on 4 Reviews
Customer Reviews
Overall:
This was an outstanding place to stay in an outstanding area. The owners were fantastic, and had all sorts of food and drink waiting for us in our kitchen when we arrived. The Dutch owners speak several languages including excellent English.
Enjoyed Most:
The property was exceptionally quiet, and the south-facing patio was a fantastic place to have a glass of wine as the sun set. The kitchen was equipped with absolutely everything you could want, and everything in the property was of the highest quality.
Enjoyed Least:
Nothing to complain about!
Surrounding Area:
Beautiful villages, quiet roads for walking. Easy access to grocery shopping, boulangerie, gas, pharmacy, etc. The weather was incredible.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Chenaud was only 100 meters away, and has a beautiful old church. Chalais about 15 minutes drive had all the shops one could need. Auburterre-sur-Dronne was also about 15 minutes away, and is one of the most beautiful villages in France.
Tips or Restaurants:
Can't think of anything to bring. Being addicted to coffee, it was nice to see that they had several ways of preparing coffee, including two French presses and the latest "cup at a time" machines. Being from Seattle, we like our Melita cone and filters, so we brought one along with some excellent French coffee and made it that way.
Directions:
We just had a good map of the area, and looked for the village Chenaud. From there it was easy.
Check In Out:
It went very smoothly.
Philip, September
Show All 4 Reviews
Overall:
The owners were absolutely wonderful. They gave us many tips on where to go. They were wonderful hosts.
Enjoyed Most:
The unit was beautifully furnished, top quality, very cosy and offered everything we needed.
Enjoyed Least:
We liked it all!
Surrounding Area:
We took great runs along the river.
Nearby Events or Locales:
Not really anything within waking distance. About 10K there were shopping and restaurants.
Tips or Restaurants:
Everything we needed was provided. The owners left us a wonderful hamper with cheeses, bread and wine. Most nights we came back home and had dinner there after a long day of exploring the region.
Check In Out:
We were greeted by the owners, who showed us our unit and how everything worked. They also showed us around the property. It went very well, same with checking out!
Rita, October
Show All 4 Reviews
Overall:
This was one of the best places we have rented. It is to be highly recommended.
Enjoyed Most:
It's in a beautiful location, surrounded by wonderful countryside. It was extremely quiet they even turn off the church bells at night! and with few cars on the roads it made for excellent walking and in my case, running. The owners are delightful and have done a superb job of renovating the property. It is exceptionally well equipped and brilliantly designed with beautiful touches. The main building is equally well appointed suitable for 4 or 8 people and because of the thoughtful design each is secluded from the other.
Enjoyed Least:
The only thing I can come up with is that there was no place to hang our coats and walking boots downstairs, which in the summer is not going to be an issue! As it was the end of the summer, there were a few very dozy wasps around the grape vines on the back of the house which for those fearful of them might be an issue.
Surrounding Area:
It was absolute bliss to wander along the quiet country lanes around the property and running at sunrise was gorgeous - we live in Bahrain where it's nothing but sand so you can imagine how wonderful it was for us! There is an amazing monolithic underground church at Auberterre sure Dronne which is 9km away and walkable if you're feeling energetic.
Nearby Events or Locales:
The nearest town is probably St Auyale about 4km away. It has everything, including a post office, but watch out for the opening hours! We usually went to the supermarket in whatever town we were in on the way home. Intermarche seems to be the main chain in the region and has everything you need. Plus there are a myriad of specialist shops in virtually every village you visit and a market some where on most days of the week particularly in the summer, so we were told.
Tips or Restaurants:
There's a lovely restaurant in Chalais in the old chateau. As we went off season many of the places recommended by the owners were shut but we did notice a place up the road in Les Essards which looked OK 4km up the road. Cooking at home was easy as the kitchen had everything you could possibly need. St Emilion and the surrounding area is glorious. And we'd recommend a trip to see the largest sand dunes in Europe on the coast west of Bordeaux at Arcachon. We had a lovely lunch in a place in the square at Auberterre. A trip to Bordeaux is worthwhile. We spent our first night there in a boutique hotel. The old town is lovely and there are lots of shopping options for those last minute gifts.
Check In Out:
We were a bit disappointed to have to pay 50 Euros for cleaning. We felt this could have been included in the rental fee. For those who think the 500 euro deposit is high, it is such a beautifully and luxuriously appointed place I now see why the deposit was such!
Sarah, October
Show All 4 Reviews