The chateau
is situated in the Gironde hills bordering the Lot-et-Garonne and the Dordogne,
a beautiful location in the wine region of the south-west. This scenic area
offers a wide range of activities and sight-seeing excursions.
Overview: Secluded and private with breathtaking views, yet close to
lovely villages, towns and activities. Beautiful courtyard with loggia, barn and
towers; garden (2.5 acres) enclosed by clipped hedge; 100ft terrace with views.
Large pool (36 ft x 18ft) in garden setting with wooden decking and underwater
lighting. Charming spacious interior, elegantly furnished, oak beams, terracotta
tiles and antiques. Large principal rooms; five bedrooms, four receptions, very
spacious and well equipped kitchen and south-facing conservatory. Accommodates
10 in great comfort. Linen and towels all provided, plus cot and high chair.
Ample outdoor furniture, sun-loungers and barbecue. Championship golf course
with country club facilities, and lake with sandy beach and water sports are
within 15 minutes. Chateau tours, catering, baby-sitting and extra cleaning can
be arranged locally if desired. Bordeaux: 1h 20 mins; Bergerac and St. Emillion,
35 mins; Ste. Foy-la-Grande, 20 mins; Duras, 5mins.
The accommodation is very spacious. All the rooms are large and furnished with
French country antiques – lots of comfort and space for 10 or so people to
enjoy. On very hot days it is cool and comfortable inside. The Chateau is for
your exclusive use. The property is managed by a local resident who is British
and who lives close to the Chateau. Cleaning is undertaken on Saturdays when bed
linen and towels are changed. The front courtyard (90ft x 90ft) is enclosed by
sandstone buildings; a barn, stables, a loggia and two towers. The courtyard is
gravelled and the entrance to the courtyard has large imposing gates and
ornamental stone columns. The courtyard is a perfect area for dining by
candlelight. The rear terrace is also gravelled with stone tables and seating.
There are several separate places to eat – the courtyard, the kitchen, the
dining hall, the conservatory, under the loggia or on the terrace facing the
pool.
The Chateau & Garden: A tranquil and very private setting, the two and a
half acre garden is fully enclosed by a clipped hedge. The large swimming pool
(18ft x 36ft) has panoramic views from the pool side and shade under the nut
trees. It has underwater lighting for swimming at night. The 100ft terrace
overlooks the South West garden so you can enjoy the sunsets across the valley.
In May and June the area is full of wild flowers and the orchards are in full
blossom. The grape picking season is late September/October when it can be as
hot as July/August. If you are not restricted to school holiday periods May/June
Sept/Oct is an excellent time to visit the South West.
Rooms: Inner Sitting Room; with a beautiful stone fireplace; TV (main UK
channels on satellite), video, multi-region DVD and Hi-Fi. Garden Room; newly
renovated casual sitting room connecting the kitchen with the terrace
overlooking the garden and pool. Salon; an elegant sitting room with wide views
over the south west countryside. Conservatory; also leading onto the garden and
pool. Dining Hall Chinoise; grand room with a monumental open stone fireplace
and an imposing Chinese antique dining table. The Kitchen; large (52ft x 35ft)
with exposed stone walls, overlooks the courtyard and the North garden. Very
well equipped; built-in oven, gas hob, dishwasher and two fridges and an
excellent batterie-de-cuisine. Laundry Room; with washing machine, iron and
ironing board, clothes drying frame. There is a cot and a high chair. Bedrooms;
all of the 5 bedrooms are large and have tiled floors, high, beamed ceilings,
large windows and fireplaces. Two have en suite bathrooms and one has an en
suite WC and wash basin. There is also a separate bathroom with shower, wash
basin and WC. Swimming Pool; large pool (36ft x 18ft ) with decking in full sun
all day; there are shady areas under the nut trees; it is in the South West
garden with panoramic views over the countryside. Bed linen and towels are
provided and are changed every week. Additional cleaning and baby-sitting can be
arranged to suit. Outdoor tables, chairs, and parasols are set up in the
courtyard and terrace for al fresco dining, sun-loungers around the pool, and a
swing seat in the South West garden. There is a games room (South East Tower) in
the courtyard for table tennis and parking for 3 or more cars in the courtyard
barn out of the sun. There is a cot and a high chair. Local calls from the
telephone are free but all other calls are charged or deducted from the security
deposit. Most visitors bring their mobile phones with them. An 'information
book’ is provided at the Chateau which lists all the places of interest in the
area including hidden spots that most visitors miss. It also lists where to
shop, the best restaurants, local walks, what the neighbours sell, where to buy
the best duck, wine etc., also doctors, dentists and how the equipment works.
The Chateau will be prepared for you; all you have to do is enjoy yourselves.
Golf: Chateau des Vigiers is a Golf and Country Club with a championship
course and sport and leisure facilities including tennis and two excellent
restaurants. Château Des Vigiers is 15 minutes by car from the Chateau.
Duras: The local village is a pretty arcaded bastide village 6km from the
property, ideal for daily shopping. There are restaurants, supermarket, bars,
banks, bakers, butchers and petrol stations. The market is in the main square
every Monday morning. The village is on a hill and the large Chateau de Duras is
open to the public. In July the population of Duras storm the bastide and the
Chateau de Duras dressed in traditional costume, and then eat, drink and dance
in the square – everybody is welcome. Duras has a famous antique fair each year.
