Le Clauzel (ROG.24)

Le Clauzel is a 3-bedroomed cottage, sleeping 7 (+ baby), just outside St-Cirq-du-Bugue (Dordogne), 28km W of Sarlat, 41km S of Périgueux (Michelin map: 525). VFB is delighted to have featured this property since 1996. Saturday arrival.

Built on a hill with fine wide-ranging views over pastures, woodland, and the hamlet of St Cirq-du-Bugue, this is a remarkable conversion of a 17th-century priory. Imaginative restoration has resulted in accommodation with enormous appeal; extra large ground floor rooms, exposed pitch and beams upstairs and many original features such as deeply recessed windows, large stone fireplaces, cobble stone floor in living room and a stone commode (purely ornamental!) in the kitchen wall, create character and a château-like ambience. The traditional feel is further emphasised on the ground floor by the mixture of rustic furnishings and agricultural items which make up a large part of the décor. Outside, a gravel area leads to a large expanse of grass (approx 2000m² altogether), beyond are the owners’ 12 hectares, which include wooded areas and farmland. Alongside the house, four steps lead up to the private and enclosed pool (9m x 4m, depth : 0m90 - 2m10) which, like the garden, offers very good seclusion. The owners, who are farmers, live some 50m away (with their dog) and will personally welcome their visitors. Most of the area’s best-known sites are close at hand, including the prehistoric caves of the Vézère valley, castles such as Beynac and Castelnaud, and the mediaeval masterpiece, Sarlat. Something very special, an extremely spacious property of exceptional character and a very good overall standard, in the rural heart of the Dordogne.

Accommodation: Ground floor: kitchen/dining room, living room, shower room with wc (accessed from outside). First floor: 1 triple and 2 double-bedded rooms, cot, shower room, separate wc.

Activities: Private swimming pool on the spot (available May - September). Tennis and bicycle hire at le Bugue (4km). Canoeing in Les Eyzies (7km). Horse riding at Campagne (4km) and St-Félix-de-Reillac (10km). Golf (18 holes) at Mortemart (15km).

Services: All essential shops and services in Le Bugue. Market in Les Eyzies (7km) every morning, Le Bugue on Tuesday mornings and Saturdays, in Sarlat on Wednesdays and Saturdays and in St-Cyprien (15km) on Sundays. Covered parking at the property for two cars.

Location
Just outside the small village of St-Cirq-du-Bugue (Dordogne) - with 113 inhabitants - 28km W of Sarlat, 41km S of Périgueux. Michelin map: 525.
 
Activities
Private swimming pool on the spot (available May - September). Tennis and bicycle hire at le Bugue (4km). Canoeing in Les Eyzies (7km). Horse riding at Campagne (4km) and St-Félix-de-Reillac (10km). Golf (18 holes) at Mortemart (15km).
 
Services
All essential shops and services in Le Bugue. Market in Les Eyzies (7km) every morning, Le Bugue on Tuesday mornings and Saturdays, in Sarlat on Wednesdays and Saturdays and in St-Cyprien (15km) on Sundays. Covered parking at the property for two cars.
 
Description
Built on a hill with fine wide-ranging views over pastures, woodland, and the hamlet of St Cirq-du-Bugue, this is a remarkable conversion of a 17th-century priory. Imaginative restoration has resulted in accommodation with enormous appeal; extra large ground floor rooms, exposed pitch and beams upstairs and many original features such as deeply recessed windows, large stone fireplaces, cobble stone floor in living room and a stone commode (purely ornamental!) in the kitchen wall, create character and a château-like ambience. The traditional feel is further emphasised on the ground floor by the mixture of rustic furnishings and agricultural items which make up a large part of the décor. Outside, a gravel area leads to a large expanse of grass (approx 2000m² altogether), beyond are the owners’ 12 hectares, which include wooded areas and farmland. Alongside the house, four steps lead up to the private and enclosed pool (9m x 4m, depth : 0m90 - 2m10) which, like the garden, offers very good seclusion. The owners, who are farmers, live some 50m away (with their dog) and will personally welcome their visitors. Most of the area’s best-known sites are close at hand, including the prehistoric caves of the Vézère valley, castles such as Beynac and Castelnaud, and the mediaeval masterpiece, Sarlat. Something very special, an extremely spacious property of exceptional character and a very good overall standard, in the rural heart of the Dordogne. Featured by VFB since 1996.
 
Accommodation
Ground floor: access from outside (up 4 steps) into living room.
 
·          Kitchen/dining room (5m60 x 6m) with gas cooker (4 rings and electric oven), fridge, microwave oven, washing machine (in cellar), mobile barbecue. Opening to living room (down 5 steps)
 
·          Living room (7m70 x 6m) with television, DVD player, Hifi with Ipod compatibility, cast iron wood-burning stove in fireplace. Cobble stone floor. Open-tread stairs to first floor
 
·          Shower room with shower and wc (alongside pool, accessed via cellar (low headroom and 3 steps down) - no internal communication with house)
 
First floor: landing (one low beam) with doors to:
 
·          Bedroom 1 (L-shaped 4m20 x 2m60 x 2m20) with 3 single beds (2 x 1m20 - 1 x 0m90)
 
·          Bedroom 2 (5m x 3m) with 1 double bed (1m40), Sloping exposed pitch and timber ceiling
 
·          Bedroom 3 (3m50 x 3m) with 1 double bed (1m40), Sloping exposed pitch and timber ceiling
 
·          Shower room with shower, tiled floor (up ½ step)
 
·          Separate wc (up ½ step)
 
Gas for cooking included – Electricity not included (electric radiators in every room) – Bed linen included, household linen not available
 
Breakage Deposit:  125€  Sleeps: 7 + baby MAXIMUM (travel cot available on request).
 
NOTE: The drive to the property is short and steep and vehicles with low suspension or a long wheelbase should take care when entering the driveway.
 
Comments
 “A great week in this lovely house – M et Mme Rougier couldn’t have been kinder.” “This is a lovely house set in beautiful countryside … it is central to most of the tourist locations in the Western Dordogne/Vezere.” “We hope that those who follow us have as good a time as we have!” “ Excellent cottage, very friendly owners. We have all greatly enjoyed the sun and the pool.”
 
Description updated May 2009