Maison Contralto
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Overview
With the meandering Dordogne River right on your doorstep, Maison Contralto offers a relaxing stay in the heart of southwestern France's pastoral countryside.
The modest home has been lovingly restored by the passionate owners with refined style and quirky character and sleeps up to 8 people in 4 comfortable bedrooms. Expect a splash of colour throughout, with modern décor adding a captivating contrast to the old beams and local art. Inside, guests can find a homey living area with a dining corner that connects to a fully equipped kitchen, offering everything you need to prepare delicious home-cooked meals. The direct access to the terrace promises a magnificent view over the nearby truffle fields and the rolling hills of the Dordogne and Lot valleys. In addition, all four bedrooms are equipped with double beds and present a cheerful place where to take your afternoon naps and moments of slumber.
The outside grounds are simply impressive: there is a large private pool with a tiled terrace and garden furniture inviting you to enjoy your morning coffee in the sun. Furthermore, facilities include a spacious garden with trees and shrubs, as well as a neatly manicured lawn perfect for ball games, homemade picnics and tracing the stars across the night sky as the sun falls behind the horizon.
A pleasant 15-minute walk brings you to Moncalou, the closest local village with a couple of amenities such as a restaurant, winery and a patisserie shop, while more villages are dotted around the pastoral landscape too. Some of these include places such as Salviac, or Domme, Vitrac, La Roque-Gageac and Beynac-et-Cazenac to name a few – all unique and captivating in their own way.
A little further afield, spend the day in Sarlat-la-Canéda – a medieval town with a beautiful central church, an indoor food market and winding streets made for relaxing strolls.
Alternatively, discover towns such as Gourdon, located a 20-minute drive away. Its notable sights let you travel back into the old days, and include charming castles, a 14th-century church and magical gardens with an abundance of greenery.
Nature lovers will love the array of walking and hiking trails located all around, as well as activities such as kayaking, canoeing, fishing and paddle-boarding. Those looking to get lost should head to Causses du Quercy Natural Regional Park – a stunning natural park full of woodland, vantage points and fauna and flora.
What you should know…
- Maison Contralto is within walking distance of the nearest village and restaurant, however the road leading to these does not have a pavement. A car is recommended to best explore the region.
- Children may need to be supervised when using the open-tread staircase.
- Please note that published rates are only valid for the current year. Any bookings for subsequent years will be on request only and correct rates will be confirmed at the time of booking.
- Please note that your booking will only be confirmed once we have checked availability with the owner or their property manager.
Property Features
Villa Interior (140m2)
Ground Floor
- Kitchen equipped with a fridge, freezer, oven, hob, dishwasher, microwave, kettle, toaster and coffee machine
- Living/dining room with sofas, TV, dining table and chairs
- 3 x bedrooms with double beds
- Bathroom with a shower/bath and WC
First Floor
- Small sitting room with sofas and TV
- Bedroom with a double bed
- Bathroom with a shower/bath and WC
Outside Grounds (2500m2)
- Pool with steps (10m x 14m, max. depth: 1.4m)
- Pool terrace with outdoor furniture
- Barbecue
- Parking
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Air-conditioning
- TV
- Washing machine
- Iron
Location
About the surrounding area of Maison ContraltoA land of oak forests, murmuring rivers, great gastronomy and fortified towns where Maison Contralto is situated offers the most idyllic location for your typical French holiday. Also known as the Dordogne and Lot department, this prosperous area has something for every type of traveller.
The closest village, Moncalou can be reached in just 15 minutes by foot and has a restaurant, winery, dessert shop and a vantage point with a tall tower construction offering panoramic views of the surrounding farmland full of dipping hills, vineyards and orchards. If you need fresh groceries and ingredients to cook your own meals, then head to the supermarket, located a 10-minute drive away.
The natural backdrop of the Dordogne River hosts an array of stunning villages and towns, many of them classed as France’s Plus Beaux Villages. Some of these include for example Saint-Amand-de-Coly, with the famous Lascaux caves nearby or the 13th-century bastide village of Monpazier, as well as Domme – famous for its fortifications and a bustling Place de la Halle market with stalls overflowing with pâté, truffles, walnuts, cheeses and fine wines. It's also the right place where to start exploring the river and the wealth of activities that come with it, such as kayaking, boat tours and trails set amidst the greenery with medieval castles dotted along the way.
If your heart longs for some hustle and bustle, why not head to one of the larger towns to explore museums, galleries and the region's flourishing dining scene? Gourdon is located only a 20-minute drive away, and has magical castles Butte du château and Château de Gourdon, as well as Église Saint-Pierre – a 14th-century church with stained glass windows worth checking out.
However, when it comes to truly exploring the region's famed gastronomy, you should visit Sarlat-la-Canéda, the capital of the Perigord Noir. Its maze of narrow medieval streets and characterful squares with fountains and crumbling stone buildings hides first-class restaurants, bistros and family-owned shops stocking everything from foie gras and the famous Perigordian truffle to walnuts, goat’s cheese and confits alongside great wine.
Even bigger in size, Montauban is a handy 1.5-hour drive away and is located on the banks of the Tarn River. Almost the entire city and its central squares are built using a pink stone found in the region, and there are plenty of amenities such as ice cream parlous, restaurants, bars and shops where to spend your day. Culture aficionados can admire the architecture or visit the city's museums such as the Musée Ingres Bourdelle, Le Musée des Jouets and Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle Victor Brun.
| Local Amenities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest Airport |
Brive–Souillac Airport
(58km) |
||
| Nearest Airport 2 |
Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport
(75km) |
||
| Nearest Village |
Moncalou
(1.5km) |
||
| Nearest Restaurant |
(1.5km) |
||
| Nearest Supermarket |
(6km) |
||
| Nearest Bar/Pub |
(6km) |
||
Region
The pace of life in the Dordogne is languid, laid back and positively infectious. Relax in bucolic beauty as you drift along the Dordogne River, or wander among the forests and hillside of the Périgord Natural Park.
The foodie scene too, is a relaxed affair. Take your time over your lazy lunches of local duck, black truffles and goats cheese. If you’re feeling energetic, you can even hunt for them yourself. The wine here is second to none, with infamous grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chenin Blanc all having a huge presence here.
The Dordogne is also brimming with history. Castles and chateaux are scattered throughout the region, among the enchanting medieval villages. History of an altogether more ancient sort can also be explored in the incredible prehistoric cave drawings of Lascaux and Grotte de Rouffignac.
Click to download your definitive Guide to the Dordogne >>
Kids
Best Suited For: All AgesFamilies with children will enjoy the property's vast lawns and a private swimming pool, as well as forested trails ideal for nature walks, jogging and cycling. Just outside the fenced garden, you can find a Tour de Moncalou scenic point which offers picturesque views of the countryside, plus a designated picnic area among the fields and a café offering refreshments nearby.
Find many ways how to entertain toddlers and active teenagers near the Dordogne River – think canoe trips with tons of fantastic views and stops along the way, as well as exploring the world of underground caves and chasms. Le Gouffre de Padirac is the biggest and most famous of them all with a boat trip on a turquoise blue underground river, while the caves of Lascaux host an array of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as prehistoric sites decorated with wall paintings. Want-to-be princesses and knights will love watching medieval sword fighting shows that take place in some of the towns in summer, with Les Fermes du Moyen-Age being a perfect reproduction of a 15th-century hamlet housing farm animals, houses and medieval vegetable garden.
Still n need of entertainment? Then visit Souillac's toy museum Musée de l'Automate, less than a 45-minute drive away or spend the day at Quercyland, a waterpark home to slides and activities for children of all ages.
Baby and Toddler Equipment
- Cot(s)
- High Chair(s)
Kids Activities Close-by
- Walk to Village
- Walk to Restaurant
- Canoeing/Kayaking
- Fishing
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
- Historical Sites
Onsite Facilities
- Child-Safe Pool
- Fenced Grounds
Extras
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!
Oliver's Travels Chef Service: A Gourmet Dining Experience
Make hosting a memorable dinner party at your villa an absolute breeze with our superb Chef Service. Our chefs will take care of everything for you from start to finish so you can just sit back and enjoy the gastronomic experience. They will bring all the necessary ingredients, cook and serve the food and even clean up afterwards. To find out more visit www.oliverstravels.com/chefs
| Security deposit | €500 charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation one week before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 4.00 p.m. |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
| Security deposit | €500 charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation one week before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 4.00 p.m. |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
| Changeover day | Sunday. All other changeover days on request. |
| Minimum stay | 7 nights. All other durations on request. |
| Energy costs included? | 150kWh included per week. Excess charge extra, payable locally. |
| Linen & towels included? | Extra €12.50 per person, payable to Oliver's Travels at the time of balance payment. |
| Pool towels included? | No. |
| End of stay cleaning included? | No. €125, payable to Oliver's Travels at the time of balance payment. This is for a standard changeover clean. Guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. |
| Pets welcome? | On request only and with prior agreement with the owner. If accepted, a pet supplement of €50 per pet per week will apply. |
| Smoking Allowed? | Outside only. |
| Pool opening dates? | Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming. |
| Tax | French Visitors Tax Included. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Please note that published rates are only valid for the current year. Any bookings for subsequent years will be on request only and correct rates will be confirmed at the time of booking. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Please note that your booking will only be confirmed once we have checked availability with the owner or their property manager. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are not allowed. |
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 8 people:
| Rental period | Weekly |
|---|---|
| Nov 29th 2023 - Dec 17th 2023 | £1,432 |
| Dec 17th 2023 - Jan 7th 2024 | £1,790 |
| Jan 7th 2024 - Apr 14th 2024 | £1,313 |
| Apr 14th 2024 - May 5th 2024 | £1,551 |
| May 5th 2024 - May 19th 2024 | £1,492 |
| May 19th 2024 - Jun 2nd 2024 | £1,790 |
| Jun 2nd 2024 - Jun 23rd 2024 | £1,849 |
| Jun 23rd 2024 - Jun 30th 2024 | £2,267 |
| Jun 30th 2024 - Jul 7th 2024 | £2,863 |
| Jul 7th 2024 - Aug 25th 2024 | £3,281 |
| Aug 25th 2024 - Sep 1st 2024 | £3,102 |
| Sep 1st 2024 - Sep 15th 2024 | £2,028 |
| Sep 15th 2024 - Oct 13th 2024 | £1,790 |
| Oct 13th 2024 - Oct 27th 2024 | £1,670 |
| Oct 27th 2024 - Dec 15th 2024 | £1,432 |
| Dec 15th 2024 - Jan 5th 2025 | £1,790 |
| Jan 5th 2025 - Apr 13th 2025 | £1,313 |
| Apr 13th 2025 - May 4th 2025 | £1,551 |
| May 4th 2025 - May 18th 2025 | £1,492 |
| May 18th 2025 - Jun 1st 2025 | £1,790 |
Please note that these prices/rates are a guide only and may not be correct at the current date. For an accurate quote, please enquire.
Reviews
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Maison Contralto
We enjoyed our stay, nice location.
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A great holiday!
We had a great holiday in the Dordogne and loved Maison Contralto, particularly the pool.
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Beautiful
Thank you for letting us stay in your lovely house. We have had an amazing holiday and visited many local villages, castles and spent a lot of time in and on the Dordogne!
We loved spending hours in the pool, especially when the temperature was so hot. Thank you for being so welcoming, the chicken was delicious. Your house is beautiful and we’ve had a fantastic holiday.
Love, The D’Enrico’s
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