Stone and wood home with fireplaces and a fully equipped kitchen, windows opening to undeveloped hills and grassy fields, no urban noise, no cars passing by, just frogs at night croaking in the pond below and birds chirping in the morning. A new and fantastic heated (!) swimming pool has been added - 4 meters x 13 meters, ideal for laps or just playing. It is protected by an electric sliding cover which is invisible (submerged) when opened. Enjoy it after your stops at historical chateaux in the vicinity. or hiking in the countryside of Dordogne Perigord Vert.

Our country house Le Puy Chapon is a family home full of history. It is part of a hamlet of four stone houses perched atop a hill overlooking a valley watered by a stream, the Ravillou. Long ago Le Puy Chapon housed the farm manager for the local land owner living a few hundred metres away. It is renovated for comfort but retains it's charm and offers an exceptional view. Many acres of pastures surround the property making it a quiet and secluded heaven troubled only by the daily passage of the postman! Do note that there is NO plasterboard or 'modern' building materials used in the house. It is an authentic farm house with beams galore. The swimming pool, on the other hand, is top of the line and extremely high tech. It is surrounded by a wide terrace covered with natural stone.

A master bedroom overlooking the valley, a quiet bedroom on the same floor, two upstairs bedrooms with overhead beams and unencumbered views over the hillsides. Slightly downstairs is a fully equipped kitchen and stairs leading to a large living area and patio. Thick stone walls. There is a washer and dryer, large outbuilding for your car and smaller undeveloped house for kids to explore. Sheets and towels are provided.

The kitchen is stocked with starter coffee (ground), tea bags (if you like loose tea, do bring a supply), olive oil and balsamic vinegar as well as a bottle of rose wine to get you off to a good start ! There is a small store in the village (3km) and a major supermarket in Excideuil (8km).

My cousin lives in a village 3 km away above Saint Germain des Pres, there is an English family in the hameau nearby, a Belgian gentleman and a French couple. That's the circle - unencumbered but not totally isolated. Corinne, a local caretaker, will welcome you and help you get started.