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Facilities:
Services with a personal touch...
Upon request, France XX’s chef will cater your events at the chateau using local specialties and the estate’s organically-grown produce.
He is also available as your personal chef, to prepare gourmet meals in your cottage. Ask about guided wine tasting tours and our special French cooking courses, taught by our international chef. And for the ultimate in relaxation, make an appointment with our aroma therapy masseuse!
Library
In the chateau, you will find an elegant period library dating back to 1750, with cherry panelling and a stately fireplace. The library's
terrace faces south, and overlooks the formal gardens and fountain. Feel free to borrow a book or two! Then step out into our formal garden for breathtaking sunsets and the starriest nights.
Swimming
Choose your lounge chair and prepare for a peaceful poolside afternoon. Our swimming pool measures 6 x 12m and is located halfway down a sloping hill, far enough from the cottages to reduce any noise - yet close enough to keep an eye on any children
splashing about.
Walks
Crisscrossing the estate are age-old paths for adventurous walks through woods and meadows. Take a deep breath and smell the refreshing scent of wild mint crushed underfoot. Walk quietly and
you will certainly spot deer, hare and foxes. Don’t forget a basket
for all of the cherries and apples and pears and figs and berries
and walnuts and mushrooms you’ll pick along the way. Delicious!
Bikes and kids
Mountain bikes are available for hire, so you can peddle beyond the estate. It's also the perfect way to visit the local wineries! And your children will love our restored barn filled with their favourite games.
Laundry
Guests are welcome to use the estate’s laundry facilities, for which
a small service fee is charged. Though we would completely understand if you prefer to dry your wash in pure air and sunshine
on our outdoor line!
Other estate facilities include bicycles, picnic areas, a swimming pool overlooking rolling hills and a restored barn with a bar and games room.
Crisscrossing the estate are age-old paths, for adventurous walks through woods and meadows.
Cottages:
The cottages at France XX have been restored by craftsmen to preserve their original farmhouse character – oak beams, sandstone and timbered walls and wood and terracotta floors. Quality beds ensure a good night's sleep. Every cottage also has a cosy fireplace, satellite television and a luxurious bathroom. Outside are picnic tables, your own personal fruit trees, well-kept lawns, incredible views and the peace and quiet of idyllic nature.
Meals can be prepared with ease in the fully equipped kitchens, each with a proper stove and oven, quality utensils, a variety of pots and pans, dishwasher, microwave and refrigerator. You will also find a complete set of dinner and glassware. If you love to cook, ask about our organically grown herbs and vegetables and the local markets and regional specialities. And if you don’t feel like cooking, we’ll point the way to great local (and very affordable) restaurants. Each of the four cottages is unique, so read further for more details. If in doubt, we will be happy to suggest the most suitable cottage for your party.
Activities
From biking to canoeing - from golfing to horseback riding. Offering sports lovers everything you need to enjoy an active (or leisurely!) holiday.
The area surrounding France XX features lakes as well as the beautiful Dordogne River, France's longest river.
The lakes are great spots for swimming and windsurfing.
The Dordogne River is wide and shallow - ideal for canoeing or
kayaking for skilled beginners and the more experienced. Some sections of the river have fast water with possible eddies, but there
are no rapids or waterfalls. Just make sure you wear a lifejacket,
as the French police strictly enforce this safety measure.
Canoes are available for hire along the river.
Southwest France has a long tradition of golf. In the Dordogne you
will find 5 golf courses, 3 of which offer 18 holes and 2 with 9 holes
in both open and wooded areas. Nearby France XX are the golf courses, Le Buque and Monestier. And beyond the Dordogne, in Bordeaux, you will find even more unique golf courses. Most courses are playable all year round, thanks to the region's excellent weather.
Undoubtedly, while in the Dordogne you will come across groups of bicyclists touring the countryside. The hills are challenging and the rewards spectacular as you ride through the breathtaking landscape past fields of sunflowers, old oak woods and lovely medieval villages. Bring your own bicycle - or inquire about hiring a bike at Le Domaine
de Foncaudière. It's also the perfect way to visit the local wineries!
Nearby France XX are several equestrian centres, which offer visitors a chance to tour the region on horseback. But if
you are interested in more leisurely sports, just follow the ancient walking paths on France XX and discover the peace and quiet of your own backyard.
The Region
Sparkling rivers, green valleys, romantic castles, medieval villages
and boundless golden sunlight. The region of Dordogne, located in
the heart of southwest France, has been called paradise. And justly
so! As you enter the area known locally as Périgord, you feel as
though you are entering a different world. Of early morning mist rising over shimmering lakes and rivers, bold sandstone fortresses towering atop rocky cliffs, and vast fields of sunflowers as yellow as bright sunshine.
The region surrounding France XX is dominated by
the Dordogne River, which winds through deep valleys to create a spectacular landscape that has attracted people to this region since prehistoric times. Today the Dordogne is dotted with ancient
fortresses and castles, and more chateaux than any other region in France.
The many medieval villages of the Dordogne are so lovely, you will
want to wander every street just to drink in the atmosphere.
During the summer, the Dordogne is very popular with both French
and international holidaymakers. The sandy shores of the nearby
lakes and river are perfect for sunny picnics, canoeing and a relaxing swim. Vézère Valley is filled with caves and 15,000 year old drawings. And villages everywhere welcome you to their colourful festivals,
quaint antique shops, cosy cafes and bustling farmer's markets overflowing with local produce.
In the midst of so much activity, France XX forms an oasis of calm. You are far enough from the crowds, but close enough
to the sites to enjoy all the highlights the Dordogne and Bordeaux region have to offer. So, if you plan on travelling to France XX during July and August, make sure to book your accommodation on time to avoid disappointment!
Please Contact John Greer for more information.
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