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Stunning Dordogne riverside villa with heated salt pool, 10min walk to Tremolat

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Le Chabrol
Our Kiftsgate Roses in Bloom, May-June
Huge space to prepare, chat, quaff and cook and look to the river
Our living area - you're VERY unlikely to need TV!!
Gorgeous dining table - extends to accommodate 12 in style

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 61550.0 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Calès, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
  • Cingle de Tremolat Panoramic View
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Cadouin Abbey
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Parc le Bournat
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Bergerac (EGC-Bergerac - Perigord - Dordogne)
    ‪34 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Stunning Dordogne riverside villa with heated salt pool, 10min walk to Tremolat

Le Chabrol is unique - an extraordinarily beautiful and serene property, deceptively simple on the outside but exquisite and sophisticated inside. It has everything the most discerning guest could wish for.
Situated on the banks of one of the most beautiful rivers in the world, and in a quieter part of the Dordogne, Le Chabrol is just across the river from the lovely village of Tremolat, with it's Michelin-starred Vieux Logis but within easy reach of the busy tourist towns like Sarlat, Domme, Beynac and Le Roque Gageac.

Since we took ownership of this Le Chabrol in 2014, every single one of over 50 reviews has been 5-star. We can find no other property with a similar record.

That just about says it all but there is more:

Le Chabrol was FEATURED AS #12 OF THE "TOP 50 HOLIDAY VILLAS IN SPAIN, FRANCE AND PORTUGAL" in the (UK) Times April 2009 and AGAIN 28 Feb 2010.

A little detail:
Le Chabrol, sits in a prime location in walking distance to the gorgeous village of Tremolat, under mature trees, by a vast open meadow running out to the riverbank beyond, with a private jetty for river swimming, absolute river frontage and the exquisite Tremolat bridge in full view, and an easy 100m swim!

The open yet separate spacious gourmet kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances and almost every conceivable gadget, will please the most demanding cook. Shop every day in a different farmers' market, then enjoy your treasures under the cherry tree by the pool, at the table on the riverbank, informally under the grapevines on the terrace, or get out the candelabras and dine indoors at a fine oak table seating 6 to 10 in comfort.
The gardens are full of cutting flowers for you to pick, plus snackables like strawberries, cherry tomatoes, cherries, figs, pears, grapes and physalis, each in its season.
Elegant 'American' bathrooms with strong spacious showers and unlimited hot water. Enjoy hot air ballooning, cliff-top castles, antique markets, the Bergerac and Bordeaux vineyards, canoeing, Cro-Magnon caves, fine dining and much more. 8-speaker BOSE surround sound, TV, high speed WiFi internet and free calls within France.

More About the House:
Passionate about French countryside, style, food and wine, we take great pride in this place and love spending time here with friends and family. To have a beautiful home here is a long-standing dream come true: a tranquil, romantic spot located on the banks of the Dordogne in what we believe to be the loveliest corner of France. This is an area of exceptional natural beauty, steeped in history, glowing with sun and fine weather, with outstanding cuisine at every turn. The former owners had superb taste. They designed the renovation of this 300 year old stone barn to be in harmony with the region's architectural heritage, and decorated the house in muted colors, with subtly elegant fabrics and authentic French country antiques.

We love a bit of luxury, which you will find aplenty inside this house, and we love outdoor living!

We feel that the house is intimate yet expansive, cheerful but calm. In summer we live by the sparkling salt-water heated swimming pool, lunching under the cherry tree with a great bottle of the local Bergerac wine and gorgeous local produce on the BBQ. In winter, we love that big fireplace!

The Restaurants: There's a list of our current favourites in the comprehensive house booklet, and you'll surely have done some research on your own. Tempting though it is to eat at home every night, there is fantastic food to be had here at every price range.
Trémolat alone has its renowned Michelin-starred Le Vieux Logis AND the best pizza restaurant in the region.
A second Michelin-starred restaurant, our favourite, Le Petit Leon in St Leon sur Vezere, is barely an hour away. With NZ chef Nick Honeyman, this is beyond excellent and several of our discerning guests have described this as their best restaurant experience ever.
You will also find strawberries, walnuts, truffles, Bergerac wines and the elegant Sauternes-like Monbazillac.
In summer, don't miss the night markets, where you dine outdoors on regional specialities in rustic village squares throughout the region - live music, locally-prepared delicacies cooked on-site, long, long trestle tables, happy, chatting and laughing French locals and visitors from all around the world .

Enjoying the River:
The Dordogne, shallow in summer and rather slow-moving in many spots, is considerably warmer than you might expect, and a delight to swim in. There are many beaches along the roads from which swimming is fun, quiet and easy. Our own bit of the riverbank is protected for the blue herons, wild swans and ducks that have adopted it. It's very scenic and we love swimming from our little jetty with the beautiful Tremolat bridge just 50 metres upstream.
Canoe rentals are available throughout the region so you can enjoy any number of leisurely hour-long scenic spectaculars. Waterskiing and pedalos are available at the Trémolat Bassin Nautique, where you can also hire a canoe or kayak for a few hours, or for your entire stay -- there are locking rings on our little boat dock so you can keep it secure during your stay.
The pool is heated in the summer months (June to August).

Short barge trips can be booked in the fantastic carved-into-the-cliffsides village of La Roque Gageac on the road to Sarlat. Rent a bike and cycle the tranquil towpaths beside the local canals which skirt the occasional rapids which made it rough sailing when goods from the region drifted downriver to Bordeaux two centuries ago. Climb Richard the Lionheart's spectacular fortified castle in Beynac.
The exquisitely-painted Lascaux caves are just an hour away, driving along the beautiful Vezere valley, with many pre-historic caves and troglodyte remnants.

Property manager

Donald Collie
Premier Host

Languages

English, French, Italian
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Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:30 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Room to run fields to play in
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
NEVER leave the pool uncovered if you are not at home or have gone to bed. France imposes extremely heavy fines if an unattended pool is uncovered.
Please do not change the settings on the automated irrigation system. If there is a leak, kindly advise Brian or Cheri, our managers.
Strictly NO SMOKING or animals in the house. Please remove all your rubbish and clean the BBQ at the end of your stay.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
Property Registration Number 8104199230014

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed GBP 1000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using the information in the booking confirmation
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Cales

Located in Cales, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Vezere Valley and Bac de Sors, while Moulin de la Rouzique and Parc le Bournat are cultural highlights. Jardins Panoramiques de Limeuil and Planbuisson Bamboo Garden are also worth visiting. Waterskiing and canoeing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and horse riding nearby.
Map
Calès, Nouvelle-Aquitaine

What's nearby

  • Cingle de Tremolat Panoramic View - 5 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Jardins Panoramiques de Limeuil - 12 min drive - 9.3 km
  • Cadouin Abbey - 13 min drive - 11.8 km
  • Parc le Bournat - 17 min drive - 14.4 km
  • Proumeyssac Chasm - 18 min drive - 15.5 km

Getting around

  • Trémolat Station - 2 min drive
  • Bergerac (EGC-Bergerac - Perigord - Dordogne) - 34 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Le Bistrot de la Place - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Auberge l'Esperance - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Banana - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Le Coulobre - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Garden Party - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Stunning Dordogne riverside villa with heated salt pool, 10min walk to Tremolat have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is Stunning Dordogne riverside villa with heated salt pool, 10min walk to Tremolat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Stunning Dordogne riverside villa with heated salt pool, 10min walk to Tremolat?

Check-in begins at 3:30 PM.

What time is check-out at Stunning Dordogne riverside villa with heated salt pool, 10min walk to Tremolat?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Stunning Dordogne riverside villa with heated salt pool, 10min walk to Tremolat located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 2.1 mi (3.4 km) from Cingle de Tremolat Panoramic View and within 6 miles (10 km) of Jardins Panoramiques de Limeuil and Vezere Valley. Cadouin Abbey and Planbuisson Bamboo Garden are also within 9 miles (15 km). Trémolat Station is 24 minutes by foot.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 81 out of 81 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 81 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 81 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 81 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 81 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tony G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely home, great pool and gardens to river

The property was very comfortable and well equipped, a 15 minute walk to the centre of Tremolat across the bridge. The garden and field between the house and river are lovely -lots of birds and butterflies. The tables inside and in the garden were great for our party of 5 and would be fine for 6 to 8. We wound recommended to anyone😊
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cristina V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely stunning

Thank you so much for another amazing stay. This is our second visit to Le Chabrol and it was just as stunning as I remembered. The house is in such a brilliant location, close enough to Trémolat that you can stroll in and the river is just at the end of the garden. It really is an amazingly idyllic spot. Le Chabrol is a beautiful house with everything you could possibly need. Eating in is easy as literally everything you could need is in the kitchen- no blunt knives or lack of saucepans here! Trémolat is a quiet village and never feels crowded but has everything you could need. There’s a bakery for your morning croissants and a great choice of restaurants. There’s a great choice of restaurants too: a pizzeria, a wine bar (you have to try the duck burgers), a bistro (we loved the confit de canard) and a stunning Michelin star restaurant. The village gets a mention on Rick Stein’s Secret France. We had a great time exploring all the beautiful villages and towns nearby and this time made it to the beautiful Marqueyssac Gardens. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing home!
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sue & Elliott N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Le Chabrol is the vacation you’ve been dreaming of!

Le Chabrol is exquisite. The villa is clean, perfectly appointed in the way a home would be, with every comfort and need you could imagine. The location is perfect for exploring the area with the promise of peace and quiet at the end of the day. Donald, as well as Cheri and Brian, were so kind, responsive and prompt. The house is perfect for a group of friends, some couples or a family, especially if you love cooking together. The kitchen is amazing and if you don’t take advantage of it and the many local markets, you are missing out. The bedrooms have lovely linens and all the touches that make for a comfortable stay: gorgeous views, plump pillows, plenty of lighting, ceiling fans, lots of storage and hangers, modern bathrooms, the works. The pool is lovely and cool on a warm day with sturdy wooden loungers and thick cushions poolside. Towels are provided. There’s even an herb garden! One thing to keep in mind that has nothing to do with the house: this is a rural, riverside location so bring your bug spray! Mosquitoes are abundant and will likely get indoors, so it’s something to consider and prepare for. We bought some repellent locally and took it everywhere with us for outdoor restaurant dining, sightseeing, etc. But after the first frost, I bet this is not an issue. We would love to book again in another season just to see how gorgeous the valley and river must be in fall, spring, even winter. Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Greg G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

An excellent property

This is the second year that we have stayed at Le Chabrol. Last year everything was excellent, this year our stay was even better. It's a first class property in a lovely location, managed by and looked after by kind and caring people who are eager to ensure that your stay is really first class. The heated pool is fantastic particularly for the youngsters. The area is very interesting and there are lots of things to keep all the family busy. There are daily markets in villages or towns within easy reach and these are always useful and exciting. We managed a number of antique markets in addition to the normal fruit and veg markets, plus an evening at the local marché gourmande. Great atmosphere and a wide variety of food available. If you go to Le Chabrol you are certain to have a wonderful time.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Samantha E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect!

Our stay at the house was perfect! Such a beautiful house that was spotlessly clean. We felt so at home within minutes of arriving. Communications were great with the owner. We are already planning our return visit!!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kay M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Retirement holiday

Wonderful , relaxing holiday ,evenings at the picnic area by the river at sunset we’re sublime. Best equipped kitchen we have ever had ( my husband is international cook ) so some credit indeed ! Very comfy beds , quiet home .Very helpful introductory guide to house environs and surrounding area . Good Wi fi. Connection , Lovely home - Great holiday !
Stayed 21 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rhodri L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

An amazing place to stay!

Fantastically appointed and in a great location. Spotless and an amazing ‘user’s guide’ provided with plenty of suggestions as to what to do in the area. Shame we could only stay a week!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Greg G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Excellent Le Chabrol

I have rated all of the attributes of Le Chabrol as 5 star as there was no higher rating available. It was a wonderful stay in a wonderful property managed very effectively by Donald and his local team. We have stayed in properties in France, mainly the Dordogne area, for many years and Le Chabrol is the best we have stayed in. The house has everything that is needed and the surrounding area is full of interesting places to visit, restaurants, villages and local markets. Le Chabrol was a 100% success with grandparents, children and grandchildren which made for a completely successful holiday for our family. Thank you Donald and team.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Andrew C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A week of tranquility

Beautiful place to stay! Very well equipped and therefore enjoyable for a relaxed night in dining at home and simply watching the sun go down. Also close to town for a good meal out. The river at the end of the garden was also an amazing addition with two teenage boys as we took our own inflatable paddle boards. One of the nicest places we have stayed in 20 years of this type of holiday.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sarah A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolute perfection!

Thank you for a wonderfully relaxing week in your picture perfect home. Everything we needed was here and the setting is truly stunning. We hired canoes and loved pottering about on the river - what a treat to be able to do this at the bottom of "our garden"! The location of the property is ideal - so many gorgeous little towns to explore, although given the current "situation" we were content on this occasion to keep ourselves to ourselves and luxuriate in Le Chabrol! Thanks once again for a perfect stay.

10/10 Excellent

Didier V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A perfect family holiday

Our stay at Le Chabrol was wonderful. The house is charming, comfortable and cosy. The big garden is really beautiful, full of flowers, strawberries, walnut trees and a clear blue swimming pool that’s always warm and perfectly sized for children and families to have fun together. It’s lovely to walk through the garden and arrive to the magnificent view of the river and the bridge. Such a special and peaceful spot to read, have a picnic or simply contemplate nature and the numerous birds flying around. Cheri and Brian, the property managers, were very welcoming, helpful and responsive. And the very thorough guide prepared by the owners is so thoughtful and full of good ideas and tips to enjoy the house and the area. All in all, a dream place, perfect to share great family moments and enjoy a perfect holiday.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Mark A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfection!

What a wonderful property to stay in. Everything is to a very high standard. The armchairs and sofa were comfortable which is not always the case, and the superbly equipped kitchen even has sharp knives - unique in our experience! The kitchen area is large and really has everything you could want to make the most of the produce from the local markets and the garden. A bottle of good local vin blanc waiting for us in the fridge was a nice welcome. Most of the bounty from the garden has gone by October, when we stayed, but we were delighted by the herb beds! Bedrooms, bathrooms... super comfortable. This property is probably at it's best in the summer, making the most of the thick walls and open doors and windows to provide a cool base for the amazing pool, field and river; which we didn't really use. However the underfloor heating, efficient radiators and cosy furnishings also made the couple of chilly days we had very comfortable. If you are staying here you will want to explore and enjoy the area with it's town markets and tourist sights; and this is a very well located base from which to do so. Cherie and Brian were always available if needed and promptly answered the occasional question. They really have local knowledge and suggested places to visit. They and the owners put every care and effort into welcoming you to a five star property for your holiday.
Stayed 14 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Cristina V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stunning house

Le Chabrol more than lived up to expectations. The hours spent trawling the net were certainly worth it. Donald and Maureen have created a truly magical home and we feel so lucky to have had the chance to stay. The house is beautifully furnished and absolutely spotless. We love cooking and the kitchen certainly didn’t disappoint with everything you could need. The garden is simply stunning- we never tired of the view. Our boys had hours of fun swimming in the pool. The view out over the river at the bottom of the garden was also magical. The guide to the house and area that Donald and Maureen have put together proved invaluable. We visited plenty of the nearby towns and villages. Visiting in August we did find the larger food markets overwhelmingly busy but everywhere else felt very relaxed. We loved that we were so close to Tremolat. It’s a lovely village and great to have places to eat out without getting into the car every time. Brian’s and Cheri were on hand and really helpful whenever we needed them. We will certainly be back!
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Andy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful!!

This is an amazing rental property which I can only say positive things about! My family and I stayed at Le Chabrol for a week during July 2019 and simply loved our experience. On arrival the check in process was super easy, which really helped us as we were travelling with two young children (7 and 2) and therefore weren’t sure what time we’d arrive. The owner had left us a comprehensive brochure about the property which after a 10 minute read told us everything we needed to know about how everything worked - super clear and helpful, with great tips on restaurants, places to visit, things to do. The house itself is wonderful. Large open plan downstairs with huge kitchen, large dining space and really cosy lounge area with Tv and all the entertainment needed! The kitchen was superb, all the equipment you could need, coffee machines x3!, large fridge/freezer and really well equipped with everything you’d need to cook and prepare food for a feast! Upstairs there are three beautifully presented double bedrooms with an en suite to one and good sized bathroom also. For the four of us there was ample space! And I can imagine plenty of space for 6 also. Outside the gardens and pool area are fantastic. Gorgeous pool with easy to use cover. Loads of space for lounging by the pool on lazy warm days (it was 42 degrees Celsius for three days during our stay so was very well used!!). A huge bonus is that the Dordogne river is directly at he end of the garden with private steps into the river. We loved our swims in the river and look forward to hiring Kayaks to explore the river direct from the property when our kids are a bit older. This doesn’t feel like a rental property at all, it truly feels like you have everything you need at the house as if it were yours. A particular highlight of mine was using the owners bikes to cycle to Trémolat ( a 5 minute ride) to the boulangerie each morning for fresh pain and croissants. Cycling over the dordogne bridge each morning - a delight. Couldn’t have been happier with our stay, and we’ve rented a number of properties in the dordogne over the last 5 years. This one was the best we’ve had so far! We’ll definitely be back.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jane L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful House and Location Not to be Missed

Le Chabrol provides everything you need in this beautiful, old building without losing character. Three good sized bedrooms with extremely comfortable beds, a well equipped and very functional kitchen, plenty of space inside and out. However, where Le Chabrol excels is outside. The pool is wonderful. Perfect temperature and size. The trees by the pool now give welcome shade if you need it. Eating outside is a delight, though you do have to decide; big table, small table or by the river. Such tough decisions! The location by this most beautiful part of the Dordogne is incredible and it really is only a 15 minute walk across the Dordogne to a very good bistro, a pizzeria or the more upmarket La Vielle Logis. Cycling to the bakery for the croissants and baguette was great fun too. There are some good shortish and very peaceful walks along the river or up to the "Cingle" viewpoint. The Tourist Information was really helpful and friendly. It really is a wonderful spot and a rare opportunity to find somewhere that is walkable to a village but still feels very rural. Unfortunately, there was no longer a shop in the village but the bakery did stock one or two very basic products. That said, there is a superb Intermarche only 15 minutes drive away in Le Bugue. Nothing holds me back from giving Le Chabrol a five star rating. It really deserves it. The wifi was excellent, the facilities were all good quality and worked perfectly but if you do have a problem, Brian and Cheri were there to help. We enjoyed the privacy of the pool and swam everyday but also appreciated being on the bank of the river. It is a very special place. Donald had left loads of information about things to do and places to eat but experiences not to be missed are canoeing down the Dordogne under the castles, going to at least one night market and (if finances allow) taking a balloon trip over Castelnaud and Beynac. Unforgettable. If I were to hunt for a negative, perhaps I ought to mention that the road behind Le Chabrol was busier than I had expected. My expectation was probably unrealistic!! Perhaps one tractor a day - but the reality is that it is a well used road. Not busy and certainly not an A road and it in no way distracts from the beautiful setting.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

julie b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

beautiful house in quiet area with lots to do

this is a stunning property. The house is in a lovely location on the banks of the Dordogne with a mooring and picnic area overlooking the river. The grounds are extensive and beautifully kept, and the house comfortably furnished and well-equipped (the best selection of sharp kitchen knives we have ever found ). Perhaps the easiest description is that this is not a rental property but a second home, it is equipped and furnished as such with lovely linens, selections of books, and a very good kitchen, with everything needed to fully self-cater. The roads were quiet in May and the driving no problem. There are a number of local restaurants for those not wanting to cook. The care taken by the owners is outstanding, the house has details of everything, from how to work appliances to lists of local amenities. We especially appreciated the list of local food markets and enjoyed trying local produce. We had one issue which arose shortly before departure and the owners did everything they could to resolve this, going to a lot of trouble to ensure we had the best holiday. The local contacts were brilliant, friendly and could not have been more helpful. There are many attractions within an easy drive, but the house is so lovely that we could happily have stayed there all the time.

10/10 Excellent

Martha S., Toronto , Canada

Perfection!!!

Another dreamy month at Le Chabrol ! What a wonderful experience ....the house and local are beyond spectacular and first rate . We could not have been happier returning now for our 5th month in total at the house. We and our family loved every single moment in this darling place. We so hope we can return for another perfect holiday in the Dordogne at Le Chabrol that we love beyond words! Martha and David
Stayed 27 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Steve B.

Two Weeks at Le Chabrol August 2018

We had a lovely two weeks stay at Le Chabrol. The property and outside facilities are of a very high quality and the maintenence and care is excellent. The house feels like a home rather than just a rental. It is very well equipped and the furnishings are of a very good standard. As well as the heated swimming pool, the garden leads to the Dordogne river and has its own landing and a ladder down to the water to enable swimming in the river as well. Tremolat is a great location from which to explore the Dordogne Valley. The owner (Donald) and the property managers (Brian & Cheri) have been extremely helpful and welcoming. For anyone who is considering a holiday in this location we would have no hesitation in recommending this property for your stay. Steve, Sarah and family.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Chris W.

Fabulous!

Le Chabrol is just a fabulous place to stay. A beautiful property with a fantastic location and extremely well appointed. We spent 3 weeks here and couldn't fault it!
Stayed 20 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Craig and Belinda L.

Absolutely stunning property and fantastic location.

This property is exceptional. It is beautifully decorated and luxurious and has all that you need for your visit to the Dordogne. Tremolat is a beautiful village just across the bridge. Our morning bike ride for our breakfast baguette was a real treat for our teenage daughters.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Darren B.

Beautiful

This house is probably the most beautiful place we have ever stayed in. The thought and love that has gone into the décor is amazing - everything we needed was there (and more). We left with the best memories. Eating lunch under the cherry tree, swimming in the crystal clear waters of the pool, picking herbs, grapes and tomatoes from the vine. Evenings spent by the river, enjoying a glass of wine accompanied by freshly picked pears and the best French cheese. The 10 minute pretty walk into Tremolat to buy fresh bread, eat pizza and just chill. I only wish we could have stayed for more than a week. This place is an absolute gem and we would have no hesitation in staying again and again and again. Thank you for sharing your home with us Donald - fantastic!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Clare J.

Fabulous stay in the heart of the French countryside

We've rented many great holiday homes across France and Italy in the last 15 years but this was by far and away our best experience yet. When we got our first friendly email from Donald straight after we made our booking, we knew we were on to a winner. The location was perfect, the house luxurious with an impressively well-equipped kitchen and the garden and river incredibly tranquil. Cheri and Brian were on hand to provide useful advice and we felt very well looked after. We would happily return in the summer but (not surprisingly) this house is fully booked, so will look for dates for 2018.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Malcolm F., Milnathort, Scotland UK

Wonderful family holiday

The home is as good as the reviews say with everything you could want but this did make the week go too fast! We hired canoes which we moored at the end of the garden and we were fortunate in having great weather. The area is perfect for enjoying the dordogne region and we visited the three restaurants Donald recommended, all an experience. The gite is looked after my the wonderful Brian and Cherie which we did not know until we booked. Why was this a surprise? Well they have a guest house overlooking the Dordogne in Lalinde, Maison Porte del Marty which we stayed at last year. So if your flights don't quite match up then you can stay a night or two here before or after Tremolat. It was quality time with our children and their partners and none of us would say no to returning, in fact we would all jump at the chance. Time to check the diaries......
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sally A.

Nothing beats Le Chabrol

From the moment Steve and I arrived at Le Chabrol we felt completely at home and very relaxed after our easy 15 minute drive from the airport at Bergerac. We loved being right on the Dordogne River and in close proximity to the beautiful village of Tremolat. Our daily walk into town was a lovely ritual and bikes were provided to explore a little further afield. We loved it that there were so many villages nearby with markets, restaurants and wonderful bakeries. The river provided many activities - canoeing, swimming and beautiful views whilst walking along the banks and all at our doorstep! The area is know for its agriculture, friendly people and historic villages with beautiful churches and homes. We spent quite a bit of time sourcing somewhere to stay in this area and we were so pleased we chose Le Chabrol which really was a standout. The house has three large double bedrooms, two bathrooms and a powder room which was perfect for our group. The sitting and dining areas downstairs were complimented by an open fireplace and an excellent kitchen which was wonderful when we decided to stay home for dinner. The barbecue was in pristine condition and we enjoyed many barbecue lunches outside whilst relaxing by the pool. The house, pool and garden were all beautifully maintained and we felt very comfortable knowing that we could contact the owner and the manager if needed however we did not have to do this. We are very much looking forward to making our way back to Le Chabrol in the future and in the mean time we have been encouraging our friends to discover this little pocket of South West France using Le Chabrol as their base.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gary G.

HEAVEN !!

Even in the dead of winter, reading by the fire, cooking in this great kitchen, we are totally happy here. Having built this house, then sold it to Donald Collie just a few weeks ago, we’re delighted to be renting it back and enjoying some quiet, happy days here. Donald bought the house entirely furnished, and kept on all our staff here in the Dordogne. Life at Le Chabrol is exactly as it was when we were running our own ad on HomeAway, and renting the place out to travelers like you. As a new advertiser, Donald isn’t allowed to show any of our old reviews, but as the owners who got thirty-four unanimous 5-star reviews during our tenure here, we still keep them on our old website, www.GibsonSquareProperties.com. On Donald’s behalf, I invite you to check out that link and see what people have had to say about their experiences here. You’ll find that he’s managing the place just as we did, and so the reviews are still entirely relevant. Book a week here, and enjoy Donald’s swell new house!

About the host

Hosted by Donald Collie

Host profile image
My love for France began when, as a young Australian doctor, I was lucky enough to work at L’Hopital Americain de Paris in Neuilly, suburban Paris. The experience changed my life. I came to appreciate the 'joie de vivre' of the French, I learnt to love the French culture, style, food, wine and countryside. I travelled to the Dordogne in that first year, 1978, and was spell-bound by the beauty of the region, the river and all that it encompassed.

After my time at the L'Hopital Americain, I returned to Melbourne, completed my training as an eye surgeon, had further specialist training in Holland, the UK and in Cleveland, Ohio in the USA and then set up practice in both private and public hospitals in Melbourne. For many years, I was involved with Aid trips to treat blindness in the Pacific Islands – Vanuatu, Solomons, Kiribati, Tonga and Tuvalu.

Wonderful people, simple lives, beautiful places, bountiful natural supplies. These are the things I love and in its own way, the Dordogne embodies all of them.

In April 2014, I travelled to the Dordogne and met Gary Gunas who, with his partner Billy Rosenfield, had restored this magnificent 300 year old barn on the riverbank, now known as Le Chabrol, just a stone’s throw from one of the loveliest villages in the region.

Gary and Billy were reluctantly selling the property to purchase an apartment in Paris and we were able to purchase Le Chabrol with all their beautiful, original art, superb furnishings, a fully equipped kitchen.
We also have Paula Lopez as a wonderful manager, Corinne Jammet to keep the house spotless, Simon Batt to keep the lawns perfect and Benjamin Escarment to maintain fine gardens.

Why they chose this property

We love this property for the way it addresses that great rule of Location, Location, Location.
Location #1: The Dordogne itself. We've vacationed in this region since the late 1970's and we believe it's the loveliest corner of France. This is an area of exceptional natural beauty, steeped in history, glowing with sun and fine weather, with outstanding cuisine at every turn. Our fellow expats here claim, and we agree, that for certain people there's a definite magnetism here that draws you in and just doesn't let go - kind of a mystical, visceral pull, in fact.
Location #2: Our little corner of the Dordogne. The Périgord Noir, as it's called, is the heart of the heart of the region, known for its indigenous black truffles and the black shade of the pine forests that still stand in many areas, however open to farming and scenic vistas it may be today. We have far less of the tourist-jammed traffic of the Sarlat area, 40 minutes to our east, and far more of the sumptuous tranquility which is the region's greatest asset.
Location #3: Our own plot of land. Turning our backs on our quiet little road, we overlook our own pool and gardens, and beyond that the open fields and river, with our own land blending into the neighbours' as far as the eye can see. Giant sky, total privacy. Sweet.

When our now good friends, Gary and Billy bought this property, it was a very tired working barn - cows were still living on its mud floor! They designed the renovation to be in harmony with the region's architectural heritage. From the street, it still looks rather like the barn always was - large-scale louvers around the front door reflect the house's original heritage as a tobacco-drying barn. But from the back - the side facing the river - it's clearly more like the 'Relais et Chateau' properties that inspired its design. More than one friend has called our house a Tardis - a seemingly-modest box by the road, with a whole other UNIVERSE inside and out back.

What makes this property unique

We love to cook -- elaborate meals, for lots of friends and the kitchen was designed to suit this joy. It's got everything you could possibly want in terms of equipment -- fish poachers, cherry pitters, cake and tart pans of all sizes, the works. And given the quality of even the most basic foodstuffs here -- from the daily farmers' markets or the superb Grand Frais shop in Bergerac and other specialty shops like Arvouet Foie Gras in Le Buisson -- well, you can cook the same recipes you use at home and come up with flavours you never thought possible! But you can also use our many French cookbooks (all in English) and cook like you've never cooked before.
What sets us apart from most other rental houses in the area is that it's really a HOME, and not a calculated, Ikea-furnished rental property. The house was designed and furnished with basic calm and good taste and decorated in muted colors, with subtly elegant fabrics and authentic French country antiques. When you compare ours to many other properties, you won't find 'that' sofa here (as one of our guests recently exclaimed with relief)!
Further, while it's indeed our home, we always de-clutter it completely before any guests arrive, so that you're never living with any of our 'stuff' -- every closet and cupboard is completely empty and sparkling clean. No clothes, photos or toys. You're not working around us; the house is all yours when you're here. We rent HomeAway homes on our own holidays, and a key factor for us is just this -- not feeling like we're bunking in with strangers!

We want this to be your very own home away from home.

Languages:

English, French, Italian

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