The Retreat
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Overview
In a stunning rural setting, just south of the Dordogne river, perfectly located between Sarlat and Rocamadour, The Retreat is a charming home full of original features and great character. With vast gardens, a heated swimming pool and delightful interiors, this is a wonderful place from which to explore this enchanting region.
The caring owners have beautifully restored this 18th century home ensuring they have retained traditional features such as the wood-beamed ceilings and exposed stone walls in the inviting living room whilst adding modern comfort throughout. There are three sweet bedrooms, each with the added benefit of air-conditioning.
Outside you can enjoy the spectacular views of the Dordogne valley from the glorious grounds, where you will also find a heated swimming pool, a traditional stone barbecue and peaceful spots perfect for relaxing in the tranquil surroundings.
This home has a wonderful family ambience, not only because of the lovely interiors and spacious gardens but also because of the activities provided such as table-tennis, football, basket ball, badminton and more. Even pets have been thought of by the owner who has secured part of the vast grounds to allow dogs to play.
In a remote and quiet location in the Lot department near the Dordogne, it's just a short drive to the shops and restaurants in nearby St. Julien de Lampon or Souillac, both of which also have a lovely weekly market. In this glorious area you can explore some lovely villages across the region of Lot such as Gourdon with its honey coloured houses or the spectacular Rocamadour, built on the edge of a cliff.
Not forgetting the lovely Dordogne river where you can picnic on a beach, go for long walks or hire canoes. Follow the river to the west and discover idyllic villages such as Domme, La Roque Gageac and Castelnaud-la-Chapelle.
Another must is the glorious medieval town of Sarlat to the north, with its vibrant Saturday morning market and amazing restaurants often specialising in Foie Gras or truffles.
The whole area is a true haven for nature and sport lovers alike from horse riding and tennis to mountain-biking and golf, not to mention the number of hiking and fishing opportunities in the area. The Retreat really does offer the best of what south west France has to offer.

What you should know…
- As well as six guests, two additional children can stay on request - please enquire
- Pets are welcome on request - the owner has enclosed part of the vast grounds for dogs to enjoy
- Air-conditioning is featured in the bedrooms only
- Car hire is essential to be able to explore the surrounding area
This home is a part of our Sustainable Collection!
To be part of the collection, homes must meet a minimum of four criteria from our sustainable checklist, or three from the checklist and have a daily carbon footprint of 5kg or lower, based on full occupancy per bedroom. View the full collection here >
This home meets the following criteria from our sustainable checklist:
- Supports the local community (promotes local businesses)
- Protects and conserves local Heritage
- Promotes Sustainable Living (Recycling)
- Travel by Train possible
Property Features
Main Villa Interior (250m2 over two floors including a mezzanine level)
- Lounge and dining room (52m2) with open-fire
- Kitchen-diner (31m2), well-equipped
- Laundry room (basement)
- 2 x Double bedrooms
- Twin/double bedroom
- 2 bathrooms with showers and WC
- Separate WC
Outside Grounds
- Heated swimming pool (9mx4m), open April to October, with pool safety alarm
- Terraces
- BBQ
- Covered well
- 1 hectare parkland
- Secured area of parkland (200m2) for dogs
- Private parking for two cars
Facilities
- Wi-FI
- Air-conditioning (bedrooms only)
- Heating
- Volleyball
- Football
- Table-tennis
- Badminton
- Bikes
- Basket ball
- Washing machine
Location
About the surrounding area of The RetreatThe Retreat is located in beautiful countryside in the Lot department, close to the Dordogne river. With wonderful views, just off a small country road, it’s a very tranquil place to stay. The local sleepy village (1km) has a hotel-restaurant (usually only open in summer months) which you can walk to (or you may prefer the short drive) where you can dine in the evenings.
You’ll find a bakery, butchers, restaurants, cafes and a lovely weekly market in nearby St Julien de Lampon (8km) or head over the Dordogne river to Souillac (11km) for a greater choice of large supermarkets. Be sure to visit the impressive Abbey Sainte-Marie in Souillac and even better combine with a trip to the atmospheric market on a Friday morning.
Head south to Gourdon (15km) with its honey stone coloured houses set beautifully on the hill and lovely warren of little streets. Beautifully preserved Rocamadour (32km) is another amazing place to visit, built on the edge of a cliff with the river at the bottom of the gorge.
The Dordogne department also hosts a wealth of beautiful villages and towns, many of them classed as France’s Plus Beaux Villages such as pretty Saint-Amand-de-Coly (41km), with the famous Lascaux caves nearby or the 13th century bastide village of Monpazier (59km).
Sarlat (27km) is one of the area’s most famous towns with its maze of medieval narrow streets, lovely squares and amazing restaurants plus a famous market on a Saturday morning.
Other magical day trips include idyllic Domme (23km) high above the Dordogne river with its amazing caves, La Roque Gageac (28km), a perfect picture postcard village backed by steep cliffs and Castelnaud-la-Chapelle (34km) just across the river.
Visit the topiary gardens at Eyrignac (22km) which opens up on Monday evenings in the summer for picnics and dance or Les Jardins de Marqueyssac (32km) set high above the river which also open on Thursday evenings in the summer when you can explore by candlelight.
The whole region is a true haven for nature and sport lovers alike offering a wide array of outdoor activities, from horse-back riding and tennis, mountain-biking, golfing and canoeing along the river, not to mention the number of hiking and fishing opportunities in the area. Children will love exploring prehistoric caves and parks and historic castles or even a magnificent hot air balloon ride across the stunning region. The more adventurous may enjoy tree-top activities in the forests near Sarlat.
Local Amenities | |||
---|---|---|---|
Nearest Airport |
Brive–Souillac/Bergerac
(33km/96km) |
||
Nearest Train Station |
Gare de Souillac
(13km) |
||
Nearest Ferry Port |
Ouistreham-Caen
(640km) |
||
Nearest Village |
(1km) |
||
Nearest Restaurant |
Hotel-Restaurant in local village (summer only)
(1km) |
||
Nearest Shop |
St Julien de Lampon
(8km) |
||
Nearest Supermarket |
Souillac
(11km) |
||
Nearest Town/City |
Souillac/Sarlat
(11km/27km) |
||
Nearest Golf |
Résidence Souillac Golf & Country Club
(20km) |
Kids
Best Suited For: All AgesThe area around the Dordogne river offers a wealth of activities for all ages and is very welcoming to families.
To keep the kids amused you could visit the toy museum in Souillac (11km), Musée de l'Automate or spend the day at Quercyland, a waterpark with all sorts of activities.
Kids may be fascinated by the famous Lascaux caves near the pretty village of Saint-Amand-de-Coly (41km) or visit the fascinating weekly market in the beautiful medieval town of Sarlat (27km).
There are picture postcard villages dotted along the Dordogne where you can hire canoes to paddle in idyllic surroundings.
Indeed, the whole region is a true haven for nature and sport lovers alike offering a wide array of outdoor activities, from horse-back riding to tennis and mountain-biking.
Children will love exploring prehistoric caves and parks and historic castles or even a magnificent hot air balloon ride across the stunning region. The more adventurous may enjoy tree-top activities in the forests near Sarlat.
Baby and Toddler Equipment
- Cot(s)
- High Chair(s)
Kids Activities Close-by
- Walk to Village
- Walk to Restaurant
- <1hr to Airport
- Canoeing/Kayaking
- Tennis Nearby
- Cycling
- Horse Riding
- Fishing
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
- Historical Sites
Onsite Facilities
- Badminton
- Bikes
- Soccer
- Child-Safe Pool
- Heated Pool
- Bicycles Provided
- Games Room
- Indoor Games
- Outdoor Games
- Table Tennis
- Fenced Grounds
Services Available
- Chef/Cook Available
- Maid Service Available
Extras
Oliver's Extras
- Chef/Cook Available
- Maid Service Available
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
- Babysitting / childcare services
Extras Available (payable locally):
- Maid service
- Chef
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 paid on arrival to the owners in cash in Euros (Pounds Sterling on request only) and refunded on departure subject to full inspection. Please note that access to the villa will not be possible without this payment. |
Arrival time | 1.00 p.m. |
Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
Security deposit | €500 paid on arrival to the owners in cash in Euros (Pounds Sterling on request only) and refunded on departure subject to full inspection. Please note that access to the villa will not be possible without this payment. |
Arrival time | 1.00 p.m. |
Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
Energy costs included? | Yes. |
Linen & towels included? | Yes, including pool towels. |
Changeover day | Saturday. |
Minimum stay | 4 nights in low season, 7 nights during all other periods. |
Pets welcome? | Yes, on request only and with prior agreement with the owner. |
Smoking Allowed? | Outside only. |
End of stay cleaning included? | Extra €150, payable locally. However, 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 garbage disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. |
Heating costs included? | Yes. |
Pool heating charge? | No. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures. |
Other Ts and Cs | The pool is usually open from April to October. 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. |
Other Ts and Cs | Stag/hen parties are not permitted. Weddings and other special events are on request only and subject to prior arrangement with the owner and additional charges. |
Tax | French Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs €1-€10 per adult per night- please enquire if exact amount is required). |
Other Ts and Cs | Air-conditioning is featured in the bedrooms only. |
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 6 people:
Rental period | 4 Nights | 5 Nights | Weekly |
---|---|---|---|
May 28th 2023 - Jun 3rd 2023 | - | - | £1,327 |
Jun 3rd 2023 - Jun 17th 2023 | - | - | £1,725 |
Jun 17th 2023 - Jul 1st 2023 | - | - | £1,991 |
Jul 1st 2023 - Jul 15th 2023 | - | - | £3,318 |
Jul 15th 2023 - Sep 2nd 2023 | - | - | £3,981 |
Sep 2nd 2023 - Sep 16th 2023 | - | - | £1,991 |
Sep 16th 2023 - Sep 30th 2023 | - | - | £1,593 |
Sep 30th 2023 - Oct 21st 2023 | - | - | £1,195 |
Oct 21st 2023 - Nov 4th 2023 | - | - | £1,725 |
Nov 4th 2023 - Dec 16th 2023 | £683 | £854 | £1,195 |
Christmas & New Year | - | - | £1,991 |
Jan 6th 2024 - Apr 6th 2024 | £683 | £854 | £1,195 |
Apr 6th 2024 - May 4th 2024 | - | - | £1,593 |
May 4th 2024 - Jun 1st 2024 | - | - | £1,327 |
Jun 1st 2024 - Jun 15th 2024 | - | - | £1,725 |
Jun 15th 2024 - Jun 29th 2024 | - | - | £1,991 |
Jun 29th 2024 - Jul 13th 2024 | - | - | £3,318 |
Jul 13th 2024 - Aug 31st 2024 | - | - | £3,981 |
Aug 31st 2024 - Sep 14th 2024 | - | - | £1,991 |
Sep 14th 2024 - Sep 28th 2024 | - | - | £1,593 |
Sep 28th 2024 - Oct 19th 2024 | - | - | £1,195 |
Oct 19th 2024 - Nov 2nd 2024 | - | - | £1,725 |
Nov 2nd 2024 - Nov 28th 2024 | £683 | £854 | £1,195 |
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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Beautiful house!
Beautiful house in such a peaceful beautiful area….great host.
Don't miss out! Reserve now and get a full refund if you change your mind within 48hrs.