AQUITANE
SOUTHWEST FRANCE
This region of France is one of the very few that offers residents seaside (the Atlantic Ocean), mountains (the Pyrenees) and a foreign country (Spain) at its borders. And at the heart of Aquitane, you’ll find the Dordogne probably the most beautiful pastoral area of France, with its rolling hills, ancient forests and sparkling rivers. Through the ages, man has enhanced this landscape with quaint villages, golden citadels and fairy-tale châteaux. It’s an area of quiet abundance, where time seems to go more slowly. But the region is also renowned for its unique tradition of great food, good living, and traditional local festivals. Here, the romantic countryside ideal really can come true.
CHÂTEAU LAGUT
Dating back to the 12th century, Château Lagut is a country château set in 16 hectares of attractive grounds and woodland. The residence consists of a variety of unique buildings grouped around a central courtyard. These include an impressive main house, a 16th-century chapel, a large 18th century wine barn, and a separate guest suite and cottage. All have been refurbished in a way that preserves the château’s exclusive character while integrating all modern conveniences, including a tennis court and a heated swimming pool.
DOMAINE DE
BONNEFOND
This maison forte (‘strong house’) is full of historic character and traditional features: the lovely walled courtyard at the front contains stone pillars that are the remains of 12th-century medieval cloisters. Rooms are located on three levels surrounding a magnificent central staircase carved from one block of white stone and all have been fully restored to modern standards of comfort. A full 50 hectares of meadows, woodland and hills belong to the maison, including a private lake near the house reached by a grand avenue of oak trees.
LE JARDIN
DE ST JEAN
Situated on the beautiful village square of St Jean de Côle, this 19th-century ‘maison de maître’ has an exterior and interior that are both graceful and impressive. Traditional period features, such as beamed ceilings and wooden floors, have been restored and integrated with modern interior design to maximize its unique character and comfort. The more than 3,500m2 of private grounds that create an oasis in the middle of the ancient village have also been completely refurbished to include a covered terrace, a walled garden, and sweeping lawns with flowering shrubs, mature trees and a swimming pool.
INCOMBAS
Located near the medieval city of Brantôme, this classic cottage is set within 13 hectares of private grounds hedged by natural woodland. The property is unique in that all rooms are located on one, easily accessible level. Recent restoration has preserved the traditional period features such as beautiful beamed ceilings and stone fireplace while adding the luxury and convenience of modern facilities such as a fully-fitted modern kitchen, terrace and swimming pool. Adjacent to the main house is also a spacious barn annex which has great potential to be repurposed into a recreation room, hobby studio or guest quarters.
LA VIEILLE
CHAPELLE
Tucked away from the nearby byroads, this rustic, vine-covered stone cottage was built in the traditional style of the Périgord region. The property was restored with great care and respect for its original features to create the perfect mixture of character and comfort, including open fireplaces, a heated swimming pool and luxuriously equipped bathrooms and kitchen. The cottage’s setting, along the meandering River Côle, is peaceful and beautiful, making it a perfect countryside retreat.
MOULIN DE
COUTILLE
Perfectly integrated into a sloping hillside, this property is particularly unusual – it was once a traditional watermill. The accommodation is spread over two buildings: the main house and La Grange, a self-contained guest cottage. All have been completely refurbished to offer an ideal combination of comfort, luxury and oldworld atmosphere. Appealing features include beamed ceilings, French doors and a raised terrace with sweeping views over the surrounding woods and countryside. Moulin de Coutille’s six hectares of ground are dotted with willow trees and bordered by the gently flowing River Le Lavaud.
PUYCHADIER
Built in the ancient style of the region, this country house is made of smooth, weathered stone with a traditional red-tiled roof. A small outbuilding located next to the house forms a small, charming courtyard. The original beamed ceilings and wooden staircase have been carefully renovated along with the rest of the property, maintaining the authentic period feel while adding all the comforts of luxurious living. The grounds include numerous opportunities for exercise and relaxation, including a tennis court, swimming pool, and a chemin rural to the nearby woods.
CHÂTEAU
DE LA JARTHE
Located near the city of Périgueux, the Château de La Jarthe was once a seat of the Knights of the Order of the Templar. The entrance gates lead to a classic central courtyard surrounded by crenulated ramparts and ivy-covered towers. The classically medieval impression is equally strong indoors, which features several large fireplaces, flagstone floors, beamed ceilings, stained-glass details, and rooms of a size you rarely see in buildings today. Set in a 120-hectare estate, the château occupies a commanding hilltop position with sweeping panoramic views of the French countryside.
CHÂTEAU
DE THEOBON
Château de Theobon dates back to the 15th century, and is built in a U-shape around a large courtyard on top of a gently rising hilltop plateau. The building was built on the remnants of a strategic Roman fort and is bursting with authentic architectural details. Although the château was partially destroyed during the French Revolution, it was carefully restored afterwards with unusually large windows for the period, providing views out on to the rolling fields of the estate and the surrounding countryside.
CHÂTEAU
DE PUYCHARNAUD
Located near the ancient city of Angoulême, Château de Puycharnaud – which dates from the late 1800s – once belonged to Jacques de La Ramière, adviser to Napoleon III. It features dozens of lavish rooms and several private apartments, a large dining and conference hall, numerous large fireplaces, a grand old oak library and an atmospheric chapel in the castle’s cellar. Situated on 30 hectares of land, Château Puycharnaud is surrounded by exquisite gardens with majestic trees and its own private lake. There are already a variety of recreational facilities on the grounds, including tennis courts and a swimming pool.
DOMAINE DE PAULIAC
(PLANNING PHASE)
Near Mirepoix, a medieval gem of a town, you’ll find Domaine de Pauliac – a 69-hectare property parcel. Aside from a manor house, two pools and a few small outbuildings, the property consists completely of large, terraced hillside slopes with expansive views. Although punctuated by beautiful mature trees, these slopes are primarily grass covered, making them extremely ready and suitable for development
