Introducing Maison de l'olivier:
A relaxing rural retreat in the heart of the Dordogne's Périgord Natural Park, with a lakeside setting and close to family activities, amenities, tourist attractions and towns.
Our 3-bedroom stone house was built in the 1800's. With exposed oak beams, it provides a quiet and calming environment with ample space for our guests, as well as outside areas to roam and relax... and maybe to fish or swim!
The city of Limoges, with its airport and various travel links, is only a 45-minute drive away.
The House:
The house is stone built with exposed oak beams in most rooms and two vaulted ceilings located on the upstairs landing / 'librarette' and in the master bedroom.
To compliment the warm colours of the natural oak beams, most of the rooms are decorated in a clean and fresh white finish; the large fully equipped kitchen / dining room has a theme of pastel colours with subtle lemon walls and storage cupboards finished in gentle green. At the heart of this room is a large and beautiful 2.80-meter solid elm dining table, complete with matching benches. In the kitchen, guests have easy access to a First Aid kit and a both a Fire Blanket and Fire Extinguisher in the event of an emergency.
Downstairs, the open plan living area provides ample space and yet still offers three distinct areas to entertain or relax in: a cosy corner TV area with two 2-seater sofas, a calm 'snug' area with a 2-seater sofa and two comfortable tub chairs, and an open area in front of the large wood burner (a smoke / carbon monoxide alarm is fitted here). Free Wi-Fi is available to our guests and the TV area is equipped with a Blu-Ray / DVD player, Freesat box (with access to UK TV channels and Netflix (Note: currently, there is no access to French terrestrial TV channels)) and a Media hub (with access to various apps). This level is complete with a downstairs washroom / WC, which also houses the washing machine available to our guests.
Upstairs, the first thing guests will see is the 'librarette' on the landing area, complete with a small but varied collection of books (fiction and non-fiction), local area guides, maps and various board games (DVDs and Blu-Ray discs are kept downstairs in the TV area). Take a look up and note the beautiful, vaulted ceiling with its array of exposed oak beams. Guests will find a second First Aid kit and, as in the kitchen, both a Fire Blanket and Fire Extinguisher. The top of the stairs is fitted with a safety stair gate and a second smoke / carbon monoxide alarm is fitted on this level.
Off the landing / 'librarette' are three bedrooms and the main bathroom. The master bedroom has a lovely, vaulted ceiling with exposed oak beams and contains a king size bed, two bedside cabinets, built-in quadruple wardrobe and a Juliet balcony with lovely views down to the lake, land and trees beyond.
The second twin bedroom also has exposed oak beams and contains two single beds (each with a bedside cabinet), an en-suite bathroom, large built-in wardrobe with storage cupboard, oak dressing table / stool, tallboy chest of drawers and a remote-controlled Velux window.
The third bedroom has exposed oak beams and contains a large and strong industrial style bunk bed, built-in wardrobe with two hanging rails, tallboy chest of drawers, small games / work desk and a remote-controlled Velux window.
Guest Access:
Guests have access to the entire house and grounds (top level garden, lake, meadow and the small perimeter woodland walks).
The attached barn is currently only used for storage and is therefore out of bounds (guests will notice a green door to the rear of the kitchen which will remain locked).
The Area & Community:
The commune of Champniers-et-Reilhac is located at the northern end of the department of Dordogne (24), nearest to the neighbouring departments of Charente (16) and Haute Vienne (87). It is approximately 55 km north of Périgueux and equidistant to Angouleme (45 km west) and Limoges (45 km northeast), the latter having an international airport with regular flights to and from the UK.
Champniers-et-Reilhac is a rural commune found on the first heights of the Limousin (although it is of course in the Dordogne department) with an area of 2040 hectares, much of which is blessed with beautiful scenery, sparkling water landscapes and impressive architecture.
Directly from the house, there are several walks that guests can take, all of which are quiet, relaxing and safe. The village is easily accessible on foot and has the luxury of having a café (Suis Ton Coeur, owned by Jane and Andy) and an Irish Pub (La Harpe, owned by Amy). Both do a number of snacks, meals and refreshments to whet the appetite, including full English / Irish breakfasts! There is also a fishing lake, small library, postal service point, a baguette vending machine and recycling / waste disposal points at two sites on the perimeter of the village.
With a range of produce, services and fuel, there are two supermarkets a short distance away: Casino supermarché in Saint-Mathieu (8-minute drive north) and Intermarché in Piegut-Pluviers (10-minute drive south).
For more 'things-to-do' options further afield of Champniers-et-Reilhac, please see the 'Getting Around' section below. Guests will also have access to brochures, guides and information packs in the house and an online house guide is available to guests after the booking process.
Getting Around:
A vehicle is essential to get to the house, whether travelling direct from home or hiring one from a rental service at Limoges airport.
Once arrived and settled at the house, there are numerous things to do and see during your stay, both at the house and off-site.
Towns / Cities to Explore:
Angoulême, Brantôme (our favourite), Limoges (known for its decorated porcelain), Nontron, Périgueux (Roman Villa and lovely cobbled streets), Rochechouart (impressive hilltop château, with museum) and Saint-Junien. Others are beautiful / interesting too but are further afield.
Châteaux:
Château de Châlus-Chabrol, Château de Dirac, Château de Jumilhac (and Gardens), Château de Lavauguyon, Château de La Rochefoucauld, Château de Montbron, Château de Puycharnaud, Château de Puyguilhem, Château de Richemont, Château de Rochebrune, Château De Rochechouart, Château Rocher, Château de Varaignes and Château de Villebois-Lavalette (there are plenty more!).
Children & Families:
Aiga Bluia Pool Blue Water (Aquatic Centre), Saint-Junien; Aventure Parc® Lacs de Haute Charente (near Angoulême); Feeriland Theme Park, Veyrac (near Limoges); Parc Bellevue Amusement Park (near Limoges); Périgord Vert Aventures (Family Park & Gardens), Nontron.
Sports:
Étang de Pouyol, Fishing Lake in Champniers-et-Reilhac; Golf du Genêt 9-Hole Golf Course, Le Genêt (8 minute drive); Golf International de la Prèze, La Prèze (boasts an 18-hole / 9-hole course and a separate 18-Hole Pitch-n-Putt course).
Local Lakes with Sandy Beaches (Fishing / Swimming / Water Sports):
St. Estephe and Saint-Mathieu
Local Market:
Piegut-Pluviers - Every Wednesday morning the very popular market is open in Piegut. You will find local produce, such as cheese, cold meats, fruit and vegetables at the market, as well as clothing, trinkets and livestock!
Other Things to Note:
The lake can be used for daytime fishing or swimming but, for safety reasons, those activities must not take place at the same time or at night-time.
More information regarding the do's and don'ts for these activities are in our 'Policies & Rules' section.
