Spend relaxed times with family or friends as you stay in a beautifully converted barn with pretty blue shutters and roses in northern Dordogne, only a 45-minute drive from Angoulême and close to characterful market towns and idyllic landscapes.

The owners have renovated most of the horse-shoe of period barns around the original courtyard to create an authentic family home set on a hillside position overlooking the stunning Dordogne countryside. They have added a heated swimming pool surrounded by the aroma of summer lavender, and guests can also enjoy the glorious rural views from the al-fresco lounge and dining terrace. The elegant swimming pool features a shallower end for younger guests and there is boules, badminton and table-tennis to keep all ages entertained on long summer days. As the evening nears, enjoy barbecues as you listen out for the hooting of resident owls in one of the unconverted barns.

Inside, Grange La Chouette has undergone a wonderful restoration with double height ceilings above the vast open-plan lounge, dining and kitchen space alongside five bedrooms. Traditional thick stone walls and shuttered windows means the interiors tend to stay cool even in the summer.  

Upstairs, guests will find two pairs of bedrooms (two king-size doubles and two twin bedrooms that can be made up as a king-size doubles) linked by an oak and glass walkway, two bedrooms with their own en suite shower room, the other two sharing a large Jack and Jill style bathroom which can be directly reached by either bedroom. A fifth bedroom is situated on the ground floor, again benefitting from an en suite bathroom, allowing this converted barn to sleep up to 10 guests in total.

This area is wonderful for exploring the authentic Dordogne. Drive to nearby Piégut-Pluviers to experience one of the region’s largest outdoor markets on a Wednesday morning whilst the picturesque market town of Montbron, 14km away in the Charente department, sits near the banks of the Tardoire River, a perfect place for fishing and canoeing. Dine in the riverside Michelin starred restaurant just north of Montbron, head to Saint-Sornin for wine-tasting or just make the most of the glorious walking opportunities near here – the GR4 hiking route passes close by.

Cycle or stroll around the tranquil Grand Etang de St-Estèphe, only 8km away, discover a go-karting circuit within a short drive and enjoy the woodland activities and trails at Périgord Vert Aventure. Picture-perfect Dordogne villages and towns also await such as Nontron, Brantôme and Thiviers whilst the cities of Angoulême, Périgueux and even Limoges make fine days out in this enchanting part of south-western France.