Domaine de Barbe (KUS.24)

Domaine de Barbe is a 1-bedroomed cottage, sleeping 2, in a rural location, 1.5km from Badefols (Dordogne), 5km from Lalinde, 10km W of Le Buisson, 28km E of Bergerac (Michelin map: 525). VFB is delighted to have featured this property since 1989. Saturday arrival.

This is an imaginative conversion of an 18th-century pigeonnier set by itself in the grounds of a 260 acre estate, where the owner and her son raise geese (some 500m away) and produce their own foie gras and pâtés. Constructed in the local Périgord stone, the property enjoys lovely extensive views in all directions over rolling, partly cultivated farmland and woods; a gravelled terrace and large grassy garden area with shrubs and acacia trees enable one to appreciate the peaceful rural location to the full, while at first floor level, there is another spacious terrace ideal for watching the sunsets. All rooms are comfortable, simply and tastefully furnished with much use of pine and cane, and rustic character is lent by the presence of the original exposed timbers and fine stonework, a particular feature of this cottage - the old pigeon holes can still be seen in the bedrooms! The owner and her son live some 300m away (with her Alsatian dog) and will personally welcome visitors here. A charming, secluded base for touring both the Dordogne valley and some of the nearby, picturesque bastide villages of the Guyenne.

Accommodation: Ground floor: kitchen/dining room, shower room, separate wc. First floor: living room with convertible settee. Second floor: 1 double-bedded room.

Activities:  Swimming-pool, tennis, bicycle hire and horse riding at Lalinde (5km). Tennis and mini-golf at Badefols. Fishing in the Dordogne at 2km. River bathing at 10km. Golf at Siorac (9 holes – 30km) and at Château des Merles (9 holes, 12km). Club de Loisirs (pool, sauna, restaurant) at Naussannes (17km). Canoeing at Limeuil.

Services:  Baker and restaurant at Badefols. All shops and services at Lalinde. Market on Thursdays and Saturdays at Lalinde, on Tuesdays at Le Bugue (21km) and on Saturdays at Bergerac (35km), on Sunday mornings at Pontours (3km). Parking at the property.

Location
In a rural location, 1.5km from Badefols (Dordogne) with 150 inhabitants 5km from Lalinde, 10km W of Le Buisson, 28km E of Bergerac. Michelin map: 525
 
Activities
Swimming-pool, tennis, bicycle hire and horse riding at Lalinde (5km). Tennis and mini-golf at Badefols. Fishing in the Dordogne at 2km. River bathing at 10km. Golf at Siorac (9 holes – 30km) and at Château des Merles (9 holes, 12km). Club de Loisirs (pool, sauna, restaurant) at Naussannes (17km). Canoeing at Limeuil.
 
Services
Baker and restaurant at Badefols. All shops and services at Lalinde. Market on Thursdays and Saturdays at Lalinde, on Tuesdays at Le Bugue (21km) and on Saturdays at Bergerac (35km), on Sunday mornings at Pontours (3km). Parking at the property.
 
Description
This is an imaginative conversion of an 18th-century pigeonnier set by itself in the grounds of a 260 acre estate, where the owner and her son raise geese (some 500m away) and produce their own foie gras and pâtés. Constructed in the local Périgord stone, the property enjoys lovely extensive views in all directions over rolling, partly cultivated farmland and woods; a gravelled terrace and large grassy garden area with shrubs and acacia trees enable one to appreciate the peaceful rural location to the full, while at first floor level, there is another spacious terrace ideal for watching the sunsets. All rooms are comfortable, simply and tastefully furnished with much use of pine and cane, and rustic character is lent by the presence of the original exposed timbers and fine stonework, a particular feature of this cottage - the old pigeon holes can still be seen in the bedrooms! The owner and her son live some 300m away (with her Alsatian dog) and will personally welcome visitors here. A charming, secluded base for touring both the Dordogne valley and some of the nearby, picturesque bastide villages of the Guyenne. Featured by VFB since 1989.
 
Accommodation
Ground floor: access from outside into kitchen/dining-room (½ step up).
 
·     Kitchen/dining-room (4m x 4m) with gas cooker (4 rings and oven), fridge, tiled floor with rug. Steep spiral stairs with narrow tread to first floor. Door to inner hall.

Inner hall (5m x 5m) with doors to:
 
·     Shower room with shower cubicle. Tiled floor.
·     Separate wc.
 
First floor (narrow, spiral staircase with open treads and no handrail):
 
·     Living-room (4m x 4m) with convertible settee (sleeps 1 - 1m20). Rush matting on the floor. Steep ladder to bedroom 1. Door to terrace – 1 step up (5m x 5m).
 
Second floor: (Steep ladder type stair)
 
·     Bedroom (4m x 4m) with 1 double bed (1m40). Carpeted floor with rug.
 
Note: Spiral staircase to first and steep ladder to second floor make this property unsuitable for those of limited mobility. We regret that for security reasons no children are accepted at this property.
 
Gas for cooking and water heating included – Electricity not included (2 electric radiators and 2 mobile electric heaters) – Bed linen included – Household linen available.
 
Where household linen is available, payment should be made direct to the owner (one set will cost 20€ for two people and each additional person staying at the property pays 5€).
 
Breakage Deposit: 100€   Sleeps: 2
 
A local taxe de séjour is payable at this property at a cost of 0.48€ per day, per guest. This should be paid directly to the owner.

Comments
“A dream holiday come true - perfect weather, tranquil location, unique dwelling, a myriad of possibilities for walks and car trips to all sorts of fascinating sites.” “We spent our honeymoon here and I can’t imagine there could be a more perfect place.” “Saw all of the resident wildlife; pheasants, lizards, rabbits, woodpeckers and a red deer.” “Our 8th visit and a spot we have come to regard as a second home. We appreciate the warm welcome from the Kuster family.” “We definitely intend to return. This has to be the most romantic of all the VFB cottages – a truly special place.” "Lovely rural setting."

Description updated June 2009