Le Bournaguet
24200 Sarlat-le-Canéda, Dordogne, France
Sleeps 12 (excluding babies)
The Location
"Le Bournaguet" is about 300 metres above sea level. It stands in 39 hectares (96 acres) on the summit of a flat-topped hill with magnificent panoramic views over the magical countryside of the Périgord Noir in south east Dordogne.
This stunning property is 6 kms (4 miles) from the fascinating small town of Sarlat-le-Canéda (known simply as 'Sarlat') which has excellent shopping facilities of all kinds (including 4 supermarkets), plus a wealth of restaurants from Michelin-rated to more modest establishments which nonetheless pride themselves on their 'cuisine'- good food is taken very seriously in the Dordogne! Sarlat also boasts one of the best Saturday markets in the region - held in the heart of the beautiful town centre (which, when floodlit at night, has all the atmosphere of a stage set).
The international airports of Bergerac and Périgueux are within an hour's drive, whilst Bordeaux's rather larger international airport (called Mérignac) is 2¼ hours away. The nearest railway stations are at Souillac (30 kms) and Brive-le-Gaillarde (35 kms).
The U-shaped South Front
The Setting
"Le Bournaguet" is a "U-shaped" 18th century south-facing farmhouse with flagstone floors, and built on 2 levels in the attractive local stone which glows golden in the sunshine.
It is actually 3 separate buildings which have been joined together by its present owner, and converted to the highest standards of comfort and efficiency. A deliberate feature is the fact that the bedrooms are well separated from the living rooms, allowing a considerable degree of individual privacy to those staying in the house. In addition, its unique setting gives the property an air of total peace in a very private world.
The steepish, winding drive off a quiet country road leads past the Caretakers' Cottage to the front door - parking space abounds to one side.
The Drive leading to the Front Door
The House
Wing "A"
Ground Floor
- Sliding glass front doors open into the Entrance Hall, at the other end of which similar doors lead to the south-facing Courtyard at the centre of the "U".
Opening to the right off the Entrance Hall are:
The extensive open-plan Kitchen/Dining Area/small Sitting Area.
Kitchen No expense has been spared. 4 electric hobs and 2 gas rings; a grill and a deep-fryer; 2 ovens; a microwave; 2 fridge/freezers; 2 dishwashers; a blender; a toaster and a coffee maker; a double sink with a waste disposal unit etc.
Dining Area With a table seating 14.
Sitting Area With a large wood-burning fireplace, and 2 comfortable armchairs.
The Kitchen and Dining Area
Off the Kitchen/Dining Area/Sitting Area is:
The large, high-ceilinged Sitting Room. With a picture window at its far end, and glass doors opening onto the Terraces on either side; comfortable sofas and armchairs; a massive wood-burning fireplace; a TV receiving French channels only; a CD/Tape Player; a radio; and DVD and Video Players.
The Sitting Room
Stairs ascend from the Kitchen/Dining Area/Sitting Area to the:
First Floor
- Bedroom 1. With a high, beamed ceiling, a 6 ft-wide bed which can be split into 2 singles (although remaining within a single frame), and windows facing east and west.
- Bathroom 1. With a bath and an overhead shower, twin washbasins, a bidet and a W.C.
- Bedroom 2. With a beamed ceiling, and twin beds.
Bedroom 1
Wing "B"
This wing forms the base of the "U".
Ground Floor
A passage to the left of the Entrance Hall leads to:
- Bedroom 3. With twin beds, and a glass-panelled door.
- Bedroom 4. A children's room with 3 single beds, a small TV receiving French channels only, and a glass-panelled door.
- Bathroom 2. This lies between Bedrooms 3 and 4, and has (lockable) doors opening into each of them. A bath with an overhead shower, twin washbasins and a bidet.
- Separate W.C.
Bedroom 6
The Passage continues up a short flight of stairs to:
Wing "C"
The other side of the "U".
Ground Floor
- Bedroom 5. With a 5 ft-wide bed, glass-panelled doors on 2 sides, a wood-burning fireplace, and a TV receiving French channels only.
- Bedroom 6. With a 6 ft-wide bed which can be split into 2 singles (although remaining within a single frame), glass-panelled doors on 2 sides, a wood-burning fireplace, and a TV receiving French channels only.
- Bathroom 3. This lies between Bedrooms 5 and 6, and has (lockable) doors opening into each of them. A bath, a separate shower, and a concealed bidet and W.C.
Opening off a short flights of stairs which ascends from the First Floor of Wing "A" to the First Floor of Wing "B" are:
- A W.C. with a wash basin and a bidet.
- Bedroom 7. With a 6 ft-wide bed which can be split into 2 singles (although remaining within a single frame).
- Ensuite Bathroom. (Bathroom 4) with a bath, an overhead shower, a wash basin and a bidet.
- Utility Room. With a washing machine and a tumble dryer; plus an ironing board and an iron.
An outside Staircase descends from the Utility Room to the gravelled area at the front of the house:
Bathroom 3
The Grounds
The house is surrounded by flower beds, shrubs, and a wide variety of trees.
- In the centre of the "U" is a south-facing Courtyard with a dining table seating 10, shaded by a large sun umbrella.
- Accessed from the Kitchen/Dining Area is the west-facing terrace, shaded by trees and a large sun umbrella, and with a dining table seating 12. Nearby is the charcoal-fired barbecue.
Huge lawns on the south and west sides sweep down to: - The very private, filtered Swimming Pool which is protected both by a high hedge and a fence with a very secure gate. It is 13.5 x 6 metres, with a maximum depth of 2.1 metres, and Roman Steps at its shallow end. There is an extensive range of pool furniture, including a table seating 6 and a large sun umbrella.
The Pool House is in the Background
- At the shallow end of the Pool is the pool house with 2 day-beds, a 3-ring electric cooker, a sink and a fridge/freezer.
- In the other half of the Pool House is the changing area with a shower, a wash basin and a W.C.
- The splendid all-weather tennis court has a practice wall at one end, and panoramic views over the surrounding countryside.
- On the north side of the House, and 50 metres from it, is the caretakers' cottage.
Other Facilities And Information
- Unless otherwise agreed, there should not be more than 12 people (including children, but excluding babies) staying in the house at any one time.
- No pets are allowed.
- Bed linen, bath and pool towels are provided free of charge, and will be changed on a weekly basis.
- Tenants should advise Anglo French Properties Limited at the end of each rental of any losses, breakages or damages. This is in lieu of an inventory.
- The owner's insurance policy requires that all exterior doors are locked, that all windows and shutters are securely closed, and that all fires in the fireplaces have been extinguished prior to tenants leaving the property at any time.
- Please turn off all outside lights before retiring to bed at night, including those in and around the Pool.
- The Caretakers are Monique and Jean-Luc Dumas. She is paid by the owner to carry out housework on 6 days per week for 6 hours per day. This includes washing up and cleaning the Kitchen, the Living Rooms, Bedrooms, Bathrooms and Terraces, as well as making breakfast if and when requested. Any additional hours of work (including washing and ironing tenants' laundry) should be agreed with Monique and paid direct to her at the rate of Euros 10 per hour.
Jean-Luc is paid by the owner to look after the grounds, and to maintain the Pool and the Tennis Court. - A part or full-time cook and/or a babysitter can probably be arranged. His/her/their wage/s will be the tenants' responsibility and, if requested, will be established prior to the commencement of a tenancy.
- There are 2 telephones, together with Wireless/Broadband internet access.
- There are 2 cots (both with bedding), and a high chair.
- This is very much an "all-the-year-round" house, and is therefore centrally heated throughout. Wood fires can be lit in the Sitting Area at one end of the Kitchen/Dining Area, in the Sitting Room, and in Bedrooms 5 and 6.
- There is a ping-pong table as well as a badminton net, both of which can be set up in the garden.
- There are a number of board games in the house, plus a bridge table.
- Truffles and foie gras are a speciality in the many good-to-outstanding restaurants in the region (See also under 'The Location' above).
The West-Facing Terrace with the Barbecue in the Background
- There are open-air markets in numerous local towns and villages, taking place on different days of the week.
- Fairs, festivals and concerts are held in the region throughout the summer. As with the markets and many of the other attractions and sporting activities mentioned below, details are available both in the house as well as in the Tourist Office in Sarlat.
- The nearest golf course (9 holes) is Golf de Rochebois at Vitrac (8 kms). Golf de la Forge (also 9 holes) is at Siorac-en-Périgord (10 kms), whilst the 18 hole Golf la Croix de Mortemart is near Le Bugue (15 kms).
- Bicycles can be hired in Sarlat.
- Canoes and kayaks can be hired at various points on the magnificent Dorgogne river.
- There are numerous local riding stables where everything from lessons to pony-trekking can be arranged.
- Nearby are many stunning Chateaux that are well worth a visit - Beynac, Castelnaud, Commarque, Fénelon, Biron, Puymartin and Bourdeilles to name but 7.
- There are also some exceptional gardens that are open to the public - d'Eyrignac, Terrasson, Hautefort and Marqueyssac spring immediately to mind.
- Amongst the many ecclesiastical buildings of note are the Abbeys of St Amand de Coly and de Cadouin.
The Tennis Court with its Practice Wall in the near corner
- Fascinating small towns and villages abound - Domme, La Roque-Gageac, Montignac, St Cybranet, La Roque St Christophe, Léon-sur-Vézère etc.
- Because of the beauty of the scenery, the wealth of picturesque towns and villages, and the splendid chateaux, churches and ancient buildings of all kinds, hot-air ballooning is a special attraction, with many ballooning organisations to choose from.
- The pre-history caves of Lascaux and Les Eyzies are world-renowned. Also well worth a visit is the Grotte du Grand Roc.
The Rents Per Week In 2008
| Month | One Week | Two Weeks or More (per week) |
|---|---|---|
| 29th March - 31st May | £4,870 | £4,700 |
| 31st May - 30th August | £5,210 | £5,040 |
| 30th August - 4th October | £4,870 | £4,700 |
| 4th October - 20th December | £4,620 | £4,450 |
N.B. All the above dates are a Saturday.
The rents for Christmas and New Year 2007/2008 are negotiable.
Unless otherwise agreed, all lets will be for a minimum of 1 week, and will begin and end on a Saturday. Tenants should arrive between 4pm and 6pm on the commencement day (not earlier), and should leave by 10am on the agreed day of departure. They will be met on arrival by the Caretakers.
The Deposit
A deposit of 25% of the rent will be payable to Anglo French Properties Limited on signing the Rental Agreement, with the balance to be paid 6 weeks prior to the start of the tenancy.
The Booking And Security Deposit
A Booking and Security Deposit of £500 will also be payable to Anglo French Properties Limited on signing the Rental Agreement. This will secure the booking and will cover:
(a) the cost of telephone calls made on the house telephone during the tenancy;
(b) the cost of replacing/making good any losses, breakages and/or damages incurred during the rental;
(c) a central heating charge of £70 per week in the months of November to March inclusive.
(d) any exceptional cleaning work which may be required at the end of the tenancy.
This Deposit will be refunded (less any deductions as outlined above), within 8 weeks of the tenancy's conclusion.
