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La Maison du Lac

Nontron, South West France

  • 6
  • 3
  • 2

Accommodation

At a glance

  1. Sleeps 6
  2. 2 Double Bedrooms
  3. 1 Twin Bedroom
  4. 2 Bathrooms
  5. Fenced & Heated Pool*
  6. Table Tennis
  • Ground Floor: Open plan living room (TV/DVD) and kitchen (oven, microwave, dishwasher). Dining room/conservatory with patio doors to swimming pool terrace.
  • Upper Ground Floor: Double bedroom with en suite shower room (no WC). Double bedroom. Twin bedroom. Bathroom (no WC). Two cloakrooms.
  • Outside: Dining terrace. Private lake and extensive lawned gardens. Barbecue. Games/utility room with table tennis (washing machine). Parking for 2 cars.
  • Private heated* fenced swimming pool (10m x 5m) open May to end September.

This unpretentious house is located in a rural idyll with its own lake and peaceful grounds. Nature lovers will appreciate the surrounding woodlands for walks whilst fishing is welcomed in the well-stocked lake. Located in a relatively undiscovered part of the Dordogne, 6km from the town of Nontron and within the protected Périgord-Limousin Regional National Park, this house offers a tranquil setting from which to explore this delightful part of France.

Set within the large open grounds of the discreet owner’s residence, this simple yet inviting property offers guests the opportunity to roam the surrounding woodlands, which are a bird watcher's paradise. Alternatively, relax around the fenced private pool and neat terrace, adorned with colourful pot plants and overlooking a large lake which is well stocked with carp. Enthusiasts are welcome to fish during their stay as long as the catch is returned! Steps lead down from the swimming pool area to a basement games room with table tennis for further entertainment.

Upon entrance to the house, guests will be struck by the sense of light and airiness and will appreciate the neat interiors throughout. A large open plan kitchen/living area with comfortable sofas and fireplace leads through to a bright and airy conservatory room overlooking the pool and lake. A large dining table and patio doors open to the terrace creating a lovely cool, dining space.

From here steps lead up to the bedrooms. One of the double rooms and the twin room have French doors to the garden. A further double bedroom with en-suite facilities completes the sleeping arrangements. Each room is simply furnished with its own colour scheme and views over the garden.

Of course no holiday in this gastronomic region would be complete without some exploration of the local area. Aside from the ample opportunities for walking and hiking, the town of Nontron (7km) provides all amenities for provisions, along with restaurants and cafés. Nontron is the largest town in the 'Périgord Vert' which is a vast area of lush valleys and trickling streams. Brantome (25km) is a well-known pilgrimage town with a fascinating Abbey and complex network of waterways aligned with cafés, restaurants and boutiques. We’re sure you’ll spend at least a day here soaking up the history, weekly market, architecture and lazy atmosphere. Other towns worthy of a visit are the village of Saint-Jean-de-Cole (31km) labelled one of ‘the most beautiful villages in France’ and the caves in Villars (Grottes-de-Villars 28km) are perfect for escaping the heat of summer. Finally don’t forget that the region is famous for its foie gras and truffles!

  • The owner lives in a separate house on the grounds and your privacy will be respected at all times.
  • *The pool can be heated (payable locally 90€ per week).  Please request in advance.
  • Please note that there is a local tourist tax to pay: £3.00 per night for guests aged 18 and over.

Pricing & Availability

Additional Pricing Information

All Prices are per property, not per person.

Please note that all visitors to France aged 18 and over are required to pay a Tourist Tax. We collect this tax prior to your holiday and remit it on your behalf. The notes above specify the amount per person per night which will be added to your booking.

Location of La Maison du Lac

Locality

Great Things to Do Near La Maison du Lac

Discover Perigueux

Explore the ancient city with its Gallo-Roman villa crowned by a glass roof by Jean Nouvel on one side of the town and the medieval and Renaissance district on the other. In the summer it is possible to do a tour of Roman or Medieval and Renaissance Perigueux with the tourist office. There is also a bike tour of the gardens and on Monday nights torchlit tours of the city.

Explore the Grotte de Villars caves

During a visit you will explore about 500m of this incredible underground network but in fact it extends over more than 13km and is the largest in the Perigord region.As you meander through the channel carved out by the river you can admire literally thousands of stalactites and stalagmites. Various chambers have also been hollowed out and at one of these you can enjoy a sound and light show where groups of stalactites and stalagmites are illuminated.

Vélorail du Périgord

Starting at Corgnac sur l'Isle, try these 5 passenger bikes that travel along the old railway track and experience a different view of the beautiful Périgord countryside passing valleys and streams on the 11km pedal-powered journey to Thiviers.

Thiviers and the history of Foie Gras

Known as the 'Foie Gras Capital of Green Perigord', Thiviers has a museum in the town dedicated to foie gras production. Visit on a Saturday and enjoy the lively market as well.

Saint-Jean-de-Cole

St Jean de Cole has been officially classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France (les plus beaux villages de France). A charming village with ochre coloured houses, perched on the River Cole and with it's own little river beach to enjoy. At the beginning of May the village holds an annual flower fair with more than one hundred exhibitors displaying and selling their products. This mass display of plants and flowers against the backdrop of this beautiful village is not to be missed.

See Brantôme

Just 25 minutes drive from La Maison du Lac, this delightful small town on the banks of the River Dronne is known locally as the 'Venice of the Périgord'. On a walk you can see various examples of medieval and renaissance architecture; Brantôme also boasts a selection of good restaurants including the Michelin-starred Moulin de l'Abbaye.

For anyone who enjoys a game of golf,

there is a course at Domaine de Saltgourde near Périgueux

Garden Lovers

Visit the Jardin Liliane in St Laurent sur Gorre, which is recognised by the ministry of culture as a remarkable garden. Tended just by Liliane herself, it has a slightly wild quality rather than the traditional formal French garden style. Maintained without the use of chemicals and with a very minimal amount of watering, many of the plants arrived by accident - seeded by the wind or birds, providing an interesting display of plant combinations. The garden is open daily during July and August, from 14.30 to 18.00 and on Sunday afternoons in September. Other local gardens include the Jardin Botanique d’Alaije in Brantôme or the Jardin des Moines in Pont-Coudé, Les Jardins d'Au Delà in Brantôme.

Chateau de Puyguilhem

Built in the 16th century Puyguilhem is a fine example of a Renaissance castle. In a lovely setting, a walk around the grounds will reward you with a sweeping view of the open valley of meadows in front of the castle and oak forests typical of the perigord region to the rear.

Nontron

Famed for its knife industry, Nontron commands excellent views over the valley of the river Bandiat. The town centres around a large open square with a fountain and displays a variety of architecture, from the colombage (half-timbered) buildings along the Rue Picaud to the Renaissance style of the Hotel d'Albret on the Rue Camille-Chabaneau. On Place Albert is the workshop and boutique of the famous Nontron knives and this can be visited throughout the year.

Take the children for a day out at the Parc Jacquou

a three-in-one amusement park. An animal farm, a funfair and a water paradise with swimming pools and toboggans. The park is located a few km's north of Le Bugue (1hr 30min drive), where you will also find a park with wild boar.

Spend a day near Thenon

(75km) in the park called L'Appel de la Fôret - a huge forest where you can climb trees, swing on the zipwires and walk along bridges that are suspended from ancient oak to ancient oak. Picnic areas are provided under the trees for a spot of lunch afterwards.

Take a Cognac tour

of one – or more! – of the many cognac producers to learn the history of cognac, how it is made plus enjoy a tasting or two. It’s also worth asking the tourist office about tours of the surrounding vineyards and smaller producers where you can also buy direct. (1hr 30mins drive)

Explore the town of Cognac

On the banks of the Charente River, this famous town has lots to discover. Take a walk around the narrow streets of the old town with its mix of medieval timber worker's houses and wealthy merchant mansions. Then head to the river where the blackened chais (warehouses) that still store barrels of cognac sit, their discoloured state caused by the alcohol evaporating into the surrounding air. The locals call this ‘the angels taking their share’. Or take a cruise along the Charente on a gabarre: the traditional flat-bottomed oak boat that was once used to transport cognac, salt and other produce – a great way to see the town.

At Hautefort (65km)

you will find the impressive Château of Hautefort which has beautiful formal gardens. Go on a guided tour around the castle and its gardens. Open to the public at weekends and bank holidays; in July and August there are evening shows every Wednesday (buy tickets in advance).

There are many churches and chapels to see

such as the Roman churches of Mareuil or Agonac, Villars, St Julien-de-Bourdeilles, etc. and the abbeys: Abbaye de Boschaud in Villars and the Abbaye Saint-Pierre in Brantôme.

Nearby

Towns/Villages

Nontron 10 mins 
Brantôme 20 mins 
Saint-Jean-de-Côle 35 mins 
Thiviers 40 mins 
Périgueux 50 mins 

Airports

Limoges 1 Hr 15 mins 
Bergerac 1 Hr 30 mins 
Brive 1 Hr 45 mins 
Bordeaux 2 Hrs  

Train Stations

Angouleme 55 mins 

ports

Caen 5 Hrs 30 mins 
St Malo 5 Hrs 35 mins 
Le Havre 6 Hrs 15 mins 
Cherbourg 6 Hrs 30 mins 
Santander 6 Hrs 40 mins 
Dieppe 6 Hrs 45 mins 
Roscoff 7 Hrs 15 mins 
Calais 8 Hrs  
Bilbao 8 Hrs 30 mins 
Times are approximate

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