Immerse yourself in the stunning gardens and historic charm of Maison Des Pivoines in Dordogne.
Thoroughly recommend
“We had a wonderful week at this gorgeous property. The hosts were extremely helpful and welcoming. The house is amazing - beautiful blend of old and modern. Impressive double height ceilings and doors. Very spacious and well appointed. The kids had a...”
“We had a wonderful week at this gorgeous property. The hosts were extremely helpful and welcoming. The house is amazing - beautiful blend of old and modern. Impressive double height ceilings and doors. Very spacious and well appointed. The kids had a...”
Relax among the peonies, roses and magnolias in this stunning maison set in two hectares of beautiful gardens in the Dordogne countryside, not far from the historic market town of Ribérac.
Listen to the birdsong of the nightingales and goldfinches, watch butterflies dance by, hear the distant sound of chirping frogs or the gentle flow of the fountain as you sit in the magnificent gardens, inspired by English and Japanese designs. Wander down the steps to the delightful salt-water swimming pool and laze in the sun on warm summer afternoons. Spend balmy evenings in the outdoor courtyard kitchen by the pizza oven and firepit, then retire to the magnificent terrace, looking out towards Dordogne landscapes of rolling meadows and farmland as the sun sets.
The restoration of this historic building has led to an incredible and unique holiday home. With most of the maison dating back to the late 1700s, contemporary additions bring the house straight into the 21st century whilst maintaining character and many original features. Thick wood beams, exposed stone walls and an old fireplace contrast contemporary design, bold colours, modern furnishings and a vast sense of space in the remarkable living and dining room. Six cosy bedrooms and six bright bathrooms are scattered across the home, including two especially impressive king-size doubles with ensuite bathrooms and beautiful views.
Wander out to the local village with its café-bars, boulangerie, grocery store and brilliant brocante (flea market) on the first Sunday of every month. Pick up all sorts of local delights in Farmer’s markets dotted across nearby towns and villages including historic Ribérac and charming Chalais, both a short drive away. Other wonderful places to visit include the idyllic village of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, picturesque Brantôme on the River Drone and the great cities of Périgueux and Angoulême.
Hire canoes along nearby rivers, swim in the lakes at La Jemaye and walk or cycle through the magnificent countryside. Whether exploring the local landscapes, visiting historic towns or simply admiring the valley views, Maison Des Pivoines enjoys a superb setting in northern Dordogne.
What Oliver loves...
The grand and contemporary living space opens up to a superb terrace with stunning valley views
The lovely outdoor kitchen courtyard has a fire pit, pizza oven and gas barbecue
You can walk to the local village with its café-bars, shops and a fantastic brocante the first Sunday of every month
Don’t miss the Friday morning market in nearby Ribérac, one of the best in the region
Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, one of France’s classified prettiest villages, is also a short drive away
What you should know
There are lots of steps both inside this beautiful maison and outside in the terraced gardens
There are two mezzanine levels (one is a bedroom), both accessed via open-tread stairs which are partially open-sided
The two double bedrooms in the upper annexe are accessed either via one of the mezzanine levels or steps outside
The owner’s own house is just 100m away should you require any assistance
The nearest village is just a 20 minute walk away down rural lanes - please note that there are not pavements the whole way
Please note that whilst the garden is gorgeous all year round, our photos were taken in Spring and you may find it less verdant in the height of summer
This home is a part of our Great Value Collection!
Our great value homes:
may be traditionally styled for a laid back feeling
may have some simple amenities and features
mean that you can enjoy top holiday destinations for less!
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The Local Area
About the surrounding area of Maison Des Pivoines
Walk to Village
Walk to Restaurant
Rural Location
Positioned between Périgueux and Angoulême in the Dordogne region of south-west France, Maison Des Pivoines enjoys a rural location surrounded by farmland and rolling countryside. The owner’s own house is just 100m away should you need anything during your stay.
You can walk to a lovely village (1.7km), around twenty minutes away (or a five-minute drive), where you will find a bakery, grocery store, a handful of cafes and bistros/bars, a pharmacy and an atmospheric brocante (antiques/flea market) on the first Sunday of every month.
The nearby town of Ribérac is well-known for its excellent Friday morning market. Indeed, this region is well known for its wonderful Périgord cuisine and you will be able to discover a Dordogne market every other day selling all sorts of local produce. Look out for the weekly markets in places such as Chalais, Saint-Aulaye as well as the cities of Périgueux and Angoulême.
There’s also a lovely Sunday morning market in Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, a remarkably picturesque village that is classed as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’ due to its location above the River Drone and its historic buildings including the amazing Monolithic Church which has been carved into the rock.
Watersports lovers should spend some time in Brantôme, again on the River Drone, where you can hire canoes along the river, try paddle-boarding or just take a lovely walk along the riverside. It’s a really pretty town with lovely shops and has some excellent restaurants.
Périgueux is also a fantastic day out with its wonderful markets (specialising in foie gras and truffles at certain times of year) and its Byzantine cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. History lovers can visit the Roman remains, museums or simply admire the marvellous architecture across this beautiful city, the capital of the Dordogne department.
Angoulême is a great city to explore, set above the Charente river and filled with history, art in beautiful surroundings. The National Comic Strip and Image Centre is a great museum for lovers of graphic-novels. The city hosts a number of lovely markets and features stunning architecture, pretty gardens, pleasant cafes and good restaurants.
The 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 famous 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.
