The Property
Les Hirondelles are 2 Rental cottages with a Large swimming pool in the Dordogne, France. The Cottages (4 person & 6 person) are in the Perigord Blanc Region of Dordogne in the heart of the Forest of Double.
Front Cottage - 2 bedrooms - sleeps 4
Large Cottage - 3 bedrooms - sleeps 6
Las Fonts is a small hamlet set near the rim of the Dordogne and Lisle valleys and Les Hirondelles is on the edge of the hamlet.
The property was originally a French “Fermette” or small farm and the original timber frame house forms the heart of the main building. Dated at over two and a half centuries old the original timbers are pre revolutionary and are considerably older than the building.
The site is set amongst working farmland and has open views over fields in most directions.
The property is built in the perigordine style and retains some character features, including open fireplaces and original stone sink along with exposed timbers. Further chai’s and a Perigordine style barn occupy the site.
The accommodation comprises two cottages with two and three bedrooms respectively set in the main house. Both have been refitted with modern amenities that include self contained kitchen, microwave, all linen, colour TV, DVD and UK televison via satellite. BBQ’s are available if required.
The restoration of Les Hirondelles has been sympathetically approached and both cottages retain considerable original charm.
The cottages share a 10 x 5 metre salt-water swimming pool with a large terrace for sunbathing.
*It must be noted that the accommodation in les Hirondelles is on differing levels and is therefore unsuitable for wheelchair access.
The immediate area is very rural and quiet, yet is deceptively close to the main auto route and route national within fifteen minutes drive of excellent shopping at two well appointed local towns Montpon and Mussidan both of which have modern supermarkets.
Good restaurants (within ten minutes drive) offer a wide selection of menu’s including all regional specialities.
The Dordogne is rightly famed for being a gastronomic paradise with wines to complement the cuisine and to delight all palates and pockets.
Las Fonts is fifty minutes drive South west of Perigueux, which is the regional capital of the Dordogne.
Perigueux is a walled city with a medieval cathedral, a country market, and with the river Lisle running part way around and through it. The city is both old and fascinating, retaining much of interest for visitors and with lots of modern amenities.
The nearest town to Las Fonts is Montpon, about ten minutes by car, and our local commune is Saint Martial d’Artenset, the village centre is about five minutes drive distant.
Bordeaux is the largest town in the Aquitainne and about forty-five minutes away by car roughly due west. It has great shopping and is a busy, lively and very metropolitan city with a park and ride tram system to avoid hassles with inner city parking. A new auto route passes close by Montpon and runs between Bordeaux and Perigueux.
St. Martial d’Artenset is on the N89 between Montpon and Mussidan.
Rightly famed as being visually spectacular the Dordogne with its stunning vistas and scenic rolling valleys has long been a favoured vacation destination. The landscapes and the particular quality of light in the Dordogne makes the area a favourite spot for artists and photographers from all over the world.
The whole area is steeped in history and is in one of the most visited areas in Europe. The prehistoric caves at Les Eyzies are world famous and considered of special archaeological interest. The cave paintings are reproduced all around the world as some of the earliest art yet discovered.
The Romans were here in force and there are plenty of gallo roman structures still in evidence, (shades of gladiator!)
Many of the structures in and around the Dordogne date from the middle ages and the Bastide towns of the Dordogne valley are quite splendid, Domme and Sarlat being great examples and in easy travelling distance.
The gastronomic pleasures of the region are quite rightly world famous and the vineyards are considered by experts to be amongst the best in the world although these things are subjective.
There are many extraordinary chateaux in the area and most have something special to offer the interested visitor. One of our favourites is chateau Monbazillac, close to Bergerac and distinctive for the wonderful sweet white wine produced in the region.
On the doorstep is the river Lisle and the Dordogne, both fine rivers for fishing. Licences for visitors to fish on both the Lisle and Dordogne are easily obtainable and relatively inexpensive. Specialist carp fishing for visitors can be organised locally.
The market town of Bergerac is very popular with visitors and has good restaurants. Go carting and ten pin bowling along with substantial out of town shopping facilities are some of the many attractions. The old town is very picturesque and well worth seeing.
The statue of Cyrano de Bergerac is a much-photographed local attraction. Drive time from Las Fonts to Bergerac is about thirty five minutes.
The local communes take a great pride in the upkeep and presentation of the area and tourism is a very considerable source of finance for the region. There remains much flora and fauna locally that has become rare in the UK now because of the increased use of intensive farming, pesticides and population pressures. Nature lovers might see birds of prey here, the rare European falcons, kites and owls, deer and wild boar in the woodlands close by.
Montpon has a market on Wednesday and one can enjoy shopping for provisions there. The aroma’s and smells of a French market are a positive assault on the senses with pancakes, roasting chickens, spices and the epicurean delights in which the locals revel all mixed up in the air. Being a country market there is frequently livestock as well as the food and wine on sale.
The French are very tactile and greet each other by kissing or shaking hands whenever they meet neighbours or acquaintances. “People watching” while enjoying a coffee or a glass of wine at a café in the market square can be very diverting and relaxing.