Domaine de Colombat
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- Price
- Availability
- Map
- Local Area
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- Shared pool
- Table Tennis
- BBQ
- Wi-Fi
- Satellite TV
- Woodland walks
- Fishing lake
- Private off road parking
- Tennis courts nearby
- Golf courses nearby
- Cycle hire available
- Cafe/bar 4km
- Restaurants and shops 6km
Domaine de Colombat, a charming one bedroom cottage in a peaceful location with shared use of the owners swimming pool. A quiet location surrounded by countryside and woodland walks. Set in the Perigord, Dordogne, near Mussidan south west France
One bedroom with either twin beds or a large king double with a “zip and link” mattress. The cottage allows 2 guests in total.
This pretty gite, part of the 16th century “Chartreuse” Domaine de Colombat, was built in 1594 by King Henri IV of France and has the benefit of being all on one floor. Attached to the owners’ house and has its own private entrance, this is the only rented part of the property. The owners, a retired couple and very keen gardeners welcome you to their idyllic and peaceful setting, a large estate surrounded by mature gardens and its own countryside and woodland.
There are walks around the property and woodland, a path takes you down to the large lake which is a beautiful spot for sitting and watching the visiting wildlife. The house is set at the end of a long private tree-lined carriage driveway, there is plenty of space for parking; including undercover if you wish.
You have full access to the estate which consists of 110 acres of grassland, oak, chestnut and pine woods with a well-maintained woodland walk, a fishing lake and lovely gardens.
The nearest village is St Front de Pradoux (4km / 5-minute drive) which has an Artisan Boulangerie with super bread and a supermarket. Mussidan with restaurants (6km), a mix of shops and a small high street and holds a traditional French market every Saturday morning.
Sitting room
This charming room is flanked with original thick stone walls. A comfortable sofa and armchair are set around the wood burner and there is a small table with two chairs with views over the gardens and the owners vegetable garden. TV with French and English channels, a DVD player and a selection of DVD’s to watch and plenty of books to read.
Kitchen
Modern country kitchen with lots of cupboard space and a dining table. Facilities include; Dishwasher Refrigerator with freezer compartment Electric oven Gas hob Microwave Kettle Toaster Cafetiere
Utility room
Washing machine, iron, ironing board, hoover etc. shared with the owner, both guests and the owner have separate access. Additional shared freezers in the barn with nearby direct access.
Bedroom
The bed can be either a king-size double or can be split into two singles if required (zip and link). Lots of built-in wardrobe space and drawers. Mosquito net. There is a TV with a DVD player for watching films (no TV channels). A fan and hairdryer are provided.
Bathroom
Modern en-suite bathroom with a feature bath, separate walk-in shower, wc and washbasin.
Cleaning, towels and linen
Bed linen and bath towels are provided and included in the price.
Garden, woodlands and lake
Walkout from the sitting room onto your own private covered terrace with table, chairs and lounger chairs with views over the paddock. Charcoal BBQ. Southwest facing for stunning sunsets.
The estate consists of 110 acres of grassland, oak, chestnut and pine woods, explore the well-maintained woodland walks crisscross each other with benches for a rest. The “secrete garden”, an open glade in the forest with a picnic bench is a lovely quiet spot for a picnic. There is also a lake where you can watch the wildlife or do some fishing, fish include Carp to a few pounds and Zander.
If you love nature you will feel at home here, there are many types of wildlife including deer, wild boar, birds of all kinds including kingfishers on the lake. Beautiful well kept mature gardens surround the property. Driveway and parking area.
Swimming pool
The pool (shared with the owners) is situated in front of the owners’ side of the property. The owners are quite private and generally, rarely use the pool themselves. The pool measures 10m x 5m and is 1.5m deep throughout. The pool is open throughout the year. A large sun terrace surrounds the pool with beautiful garden views.
Locally
The nearest village is St Front de Pradoux (4km / 5 minute drive) which has an Artisan Boulanger with super bread and a supermarket. This could be walked or cycled to via a quieter road (3.8km), 50 minutes to walk or around 18 minutes to cycle.
Cycle hire is available delivered to the property.
Mussidan (6km) with restaurants, a mix of shops and a small high street. There are many towns and villages within easy striking distance to explore; Bergerac 30km, Riberac 23km, Brantome 50km, Perigueux 40km, Saint Émilion 57km, Bordeaux 108km, Verteillac 30km, Aubeterre 35km, Sainte Foy la Grande 36km, Castillon la Bataille 48km.
Market days: Montpon is Wednesday. Riberac is Friday. Bergerac is Wednesday and Saturday. Perigueux is Wednesday Mussidan is Saturday.
For more information on the area and the region please click on the ‘Local Area‘ tab above.
History of the estate
Colombat in its present Chartreuse style was built in 1594 on the site of an 11th-century religious refuge. Many references state that the house was built by Henry IV, King of France and Navarre as a hunting lodge and resting place on his journeys between Pau and Paris. Henry decreed that every family in France should be able to eat chicken once a week (Poule au Pot) and legend have it that this idea came about whilst he was enjoying the wonderful food and hospitality of the Perigord here in the Foret de la Double. In those days Colombat lands went down to the river Isle and the Port of Mussidan, from where produce from the estate would have been shipped downriver to Libourne and Bordeaux.
After the revolution, Napoleon gifted Colombat to one of his Generals, Joseph Morand, who following his death in the battle of Lunebourg on April 2nd 1813 was buried here on the estate. After the second world war, his body was exhumed and reburied in the St. Etienne cemetery.
Colombat was occupied during the war by the resistance and was the HQ of the 4mme Battalion Group Francoise, Brigade Demorney. Resistance supply drops were made by the RAF into the field behind the house and on one occasion a parachutist was caught up by his parachute on the roof of the barn opposite. Not for long as the ladies of St Front liberated him to have the silk from his parachute to make underwear! (The current owner was fortunate to meet these formidable ladies at a resistance lunch not long after they moved to the house).
The house was attacked by Nazi troops on two occasions and one of the house restorations was to strip off all the concrete that had been covering the external walls to cover the damage. About the above, visitors interested in the history of the resistance and the Marquis can visit the memorial at Camp Virole and the resistance museum at St Etienne Marie.
The 15th Century church nearby is well worth a visit too. Visitors can also see a Nazi troop carrier still in the woods, which has been traced back to an order placed by the Wermacht with Citroen in 1942. This vehicle was captured by the Maquis and used in the attack on Montpon station in 1944 and other raids on the retreating Nazis, namely the much-feared “DAS Reich” 11th Panzer division responsible for the massacre at Oradur sur Glame and over 50 hostages in Mussidan.
Travel
Airports
- Bergerac 40 km (40 minutes drive)
- Bordeaux 115km
- Limoges 135km
- Brive Souillac 127km
Train
- Périgueux (Paris line) 43km
- Bergerac (Bordeaux line) 31km
- Bordeaux (TGV). Bordeaux station 106km
Car Approximate driving distances from north French ferry ports: Calais 506 miles Le Havre 395 miles St-Malo 338 miles Use of car essential. Car hire quote with the best price guarantee, click here.
Dates | Price for 7 nights from | ||||||||||
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2 persons | Shortbreaks from | ||||||||||
01 Oct 2024 - 03 Jan 2025 | €1,015.00 | €725.00 | |||||||||
04 Jan 2025 - 30 Apr 2025 | €1,050.00 | €750.00 | |||||||||
01 May 2025 - 30 Sep 2025 | €1,050.00 | €1,050.00 | |||||||||
01 Oct 2025 - 02 Jan 2026 | €1,050.00 | €750.00 |
Changeover day:
Flexible throughout the year, short stays are subject to a minimum price.
Reservation Information:
No booking fee.
A 25% deposit secures a reservation with the balance payable 8 weeks before rental commencement.
A security bond of 250€ is pre-authorised against a credit card 7 – 10 days before arrival and will be cancelled subject to satisfactory inspection after departure.
Our full booking terms and conditions can be viewed here.
Arrival from: 4 pm
Departure by: 10 am
Included in the price:
Bed linen, bath towels and pool towels are provided. A complimentary extra supply of bed linen and bath towels will be provided for bookings of 2 weeks or more.
Additional charges:
Taxe de Sejour (Tourism Tax) of 1,80€ (2024 price) per adult per night is payable in cash on arrival.
Heating can be added as an extra if required and is charged at 50€ per week, paid locally directly to the owner.
Pool information:
The pool is shared with the owners and is open from the beginning of April to the end of October subject to weather conditions.
What to do locally near Ribérac in the Dordogne region
The nearest village is St Front de Pradoux (4km / 5 minute drive) which has an Artisan Boulanger with super bread and a supermarket. Mussidan (6km) with restaurants, a mix of shops with a small high street. Market day is Saturday. Lou Marmitou
Saint Émilion 57km, Bergerac 30km, Bordeaux 108km, Riberac 23km, Verteillac 30km, Brantome 50km, Perigueux 40km, Aubeterre 35km, Sainte Foy la Grande 36km, Castillon la Bataille 48km.
Riberac hosts many musical events during the summer, ranging from classical Baroque to blues, jazz, rock and folk.
There is good walking in and around Ribérac and for those who love old buildings, a superb circuit of Romanesque churches is on the doorstep. Mushrooms of various types love it here and there are guided outings for those who wish to find and cook with them. The Dordogne has attracted countless artists, professional and less so and one could do no better for a subject than the very attractive view of Ribérac and its churches.
There is canoe hire at Ribérac, where you can hire a kayak or canoe for the day or a few hours and explore the river Dronne. Take a picnic lunch and look out for the wildlife.
Verteillac (with public tennis courts) 30km.
Aubeterre is another fascinating place where you can also canoe and it has a monolithic church and quaint lanes overlooked by a lovely chateau. Restaurants can be found in all of these beautiful places.
Aubeterre is 35km, things to do Aubeterre Tripadvisor, Canoe hire, town information and also a Monolithic church.
Bergerac 30km. Markets Saturday and Wednesday. Boat trips on the Dordogne river.
Monbazillac chateau (famous for its gorgeous sweet white wine) nearby is also worth a visit.
Bordeaux 108km. Beautiful major city with an abundance of things to do including; museums, opera house, shopping, wine museum and antique quarter.
Abbey at Echourgnac ” Vespers” has a choir practice between 5;00 – 5;45 pm, shop closes 5-30 pm. (20mins away) Chateau Milandes with falcon display (1 hr).
Issigeac one of the most beautiful villages in France, artisan market on Sunday mornings Lascaux Prehistoric caves and new museum Lascaux Gouffre de Proumeyssac (underground caves).
Audrix Hautefort chateau Maison forte de Reignac Roque St. Christophe.
Visit Bourdeilles and Brantôme, the monolithic church of Aubeterre and the very pretty town of Verteillac – home of night markets, music and good eating places.
Périgueux, the region’s capital, is half an hour away by car and well worth a visit so that you can see its cathedral and wander through cobbled streets and squares that would grace any film set. It has a first-class Roman museum, a Wednesday and Saturday market and a museum of the Périgord region, housed in a magnificent building with parking nearby.
Saint Émilion 57km. World-famous medieval town with cobbled streets, monolithic church, stunning architecture and wine caves.
Brantome 50km. A “must-do” with its abbey and lovely river – canoeing there is very good. Known as the French ‘Little Venice’.
Perigueux 40km. The Citadel and the Cathedral St Front markets Wednesday and Saturdays.
Sainte Foy la Grande 36km. Set on the Dordogne river and has a famous weekly Saturday morning market.
If you wish to view the area from the sky, there are very reasonably-priced flights in small aircraft from the flying club at Périgueux or you could even try hot-air ballooning. There is an excellent lake with a man-made beach, two restaurants and pleasant woodland walks and bike trails, just 20 minutes away (19km) at La Jemaye.
Cycle hire, Bike hire
The countryside around our properties is popular for cycling, whether it’s just a gentle ride around to explore or, if you are a keen cyclist, a long training ride on fantastic stretches of road to get the blood pumping whilst taking in the fantastic views. Bring your own bike or bike hire is available, we recommend booking in advance. The Dordogne guide and information Gironde bike information or Dordogne bike information Bike hire can be delivered to your door, view prices and book – click here for details. Bike Hire Direct, cycle hire
Thank you Carelle and Stephen for such an amazing holiday. It’s been so peaceful and restorative, we’ve loved your beautiful house, grounds and pool, it’s a really special place. We had a lovely day out in Bergerac and we had a swim at the Lac, which was lovely. We also had a nice evening in Perigeux with a lovely meal.
Mostly though, we’ve just enjoyed relaxing on the terrace by the pool!
We enjoyed the treats provided on arrival.
Thanks so much, we hope to return.
Best wishes for the future.
Thank you Carelle and Stephen for being such thoughtful and generous hosts. We had a very relaxing stay at Colombat, lots of waling, reading and floating in your lovely pool.
Nous sommes extrêmement ravis de ce séjour passé chez Carelle et Stephen, qui ont été d’une extrême gentillesse. Tout était parfait, nous n’avons manqué de rien. Le domaine est un endroit charmant à visiter, avec de très belles balades à faire. Nous avons pu bénéficier de leurs conseils quant aux activités, et points d’attractions à proximité. La piscine constitue un plus. La maison disposait de tous les équipements dont nous pouvions avoir besoin, la literie très confortable, la cuisine fonctionnelle… Merci beaucoup pour votre accueil !
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Thanks a lot Carelle and Stephen for your hospitality and your kindness.
We really had a wonderful stay at your domain, we are fully rested before the arrival of our baby girl.
We will definitely remember our 2 weeks here.
Big kisses.
Le temps semble s’être arrêté pendant ces 10 jours. Et pourtant qu’il a passé vite. Un cadre idyllique, un calme de tout instant, 2 hôtes charmants et attentionnés. Nous avons adorés notre séjour chez Carelle & Stephen.
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Thank you Carelle and Stephen for welcoming us on this little piece of heaven that is Domaine de Colombat and for being such lovely hosts.
We loved the magically quiet evenings that we spent stargazing on the terrace, the owl singing in the trees nearby every night.
Thank you for the lovely recommendations.
It was a pleasure to meet you and chat with you.
We are also very proud of ourselves for resting the temptation of feeding the sweetest dogs.
We hope to visit you again soon.
Thank you Carelle and Stephen for your warm welcome and kindness.
We’ve had an amazing time enjoying your beautiful gite set in the beautiful surroundings.
Thank you too for all the tips and recommendations. We had a great time exploring the markets at Bergerac, Riberac, Perigueux and st Astier.
Lastly enjoying the sunshine on the terrace with a glass of wine and a good book (with visits from the lovely dogs!) Perfect.
We have lived on the porch watching incredible sunsets and a rainbow. Steadfastly denying treats to the luckiest dogs on earth.
Have thoroughly enjoyed your beautiful historic property and chats with you.
Many thanks.
We would like to thank you both for a wonderful stay in your beautiful house.
Thanks Carelle and Stephen for a very enjoyable stay. We were cirtainly lucky with the weather and enjoyed the use of both table tennis and pool. We’ll miss the dogs. Al a prochaine.
Thank you Carelle and Stephen for a very comfortable stay. Well miss the peace and quiet and of course we’ll miss the dogs.
Never felt so home at a new place. The moment we arrived it was like a fairy tale. This place has something magical. It’s also very peaceful. Carelle and Stephen were very helpful and kind. They gave us a nice tour in the house and into the woods. We will definitely come back. Everything was just perfect.
This trip was like a romantic movie you wanna watch over and over again. Everything was perfect. It’s all you need when you’re looking for rest, peace, nature and amazing weather. Carelle and Steven are the best hosts we could wish for. We definitely want to go back.
My friend and I stayed at Domaine de Colombat and loved every moment of it! The appartement was very beautiful and it had everything that we needed. The area is very quiet, peaceful and the perfect place to get some rest.
We really liked the pool area, that was well maintained and could enjoy to sun all day!
Stephen and Carelle were the best hostess we could have wished for. They were very welcoming, sweet, kind and helpful. If we had any questions or needed something they were right there to help us.
We definitely recommend this lovely place and we be coming back ourself in the future!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Wonderful time in this wonderful place. The house is just so romantic and well equipped, the domaine is really beautiful and you feel so calm. Not one noise to disturb you, maybe just the bees and birds ! Stephen and Carelle are wonderful host they showed us around and brought us to a wine tasting and always were available for help. It’s great cause the house is quite private but you can also enjoy the company of your hosts.
Will come back !
Le domaine de Colombat est un coin de paradis pour les amateurs de nature et de calme. Les propriétaires sont très accueillants. Le jardin et la piscine sont conformes aux photos et entretenus avec beaucoup de soin. Nous avons passé un superbe séjour !
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The Domaine de Colombat is a corner of paradise for lovers of nature and calm. The owners are very welcoming. The garden and the swimming pool conform to the photos and are maintained with great care. We had a wonderful stay!
A perfect escape
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Domaine de Colombat is a stunning property with a fascinating history. The setting is idyllic, secluded and so peaceful with beautiful fruit trees, acres of forestry and boasting its own private fishing lake.
The property itself exudes french charm with subtle hints to the owners’ country living roots in rural England.
The gite was perfectly equipped and of an exceptionally high standard, designed in such a way to give you complete privacy.
Carelle and Stephen were so charismatic that we found ourselves entertained for hours by intriguing stories of Domaine de Colombat’s occupation by the resistance during WWII, their life in rural Hampshire and subsequent stories of renovating the property to its present glory.
Their knowledge of the nearby towns of Bergerac and Périgueux not forgetting the local Artisan boulangeries was invaluable.
Colombat would make a superb base for sightseeing and exploring the famous vineyards or if like us, you just wish to relax by the pool and savour the peace and tranquility, then this would be the perfect retreat.
From the moment we arrived, we felt welcome. Our hosts made sure we had everything we needed and the gite was impeccably clean with beautiful bed linen and towels. If you struggle to detach yourself from life or business back home, then WIFI coverage was good.
A short drive away, you have Intermarche and SuperU for beautifully fresh produce. Le Perigord is most famous for its duck and particularly, pate de foie gras.
The evenings sat on the west facing verandah were heavenly, watching the sun go down with a glass of wine. It doesn’t get much better than this!
The flat is a magic island in the countryside, in a wonderful rural and remote atmosphere. The size and the comfort are just perfect. I loved the morning runs in nature and the breakfasts on the Terrasse. Carelle and her husband are warm and supportive landlords. The three dogs show up from time to time as friendly guests. A great experience.
This is a spacious gite for a couple and very well equipped with newly fitted kitchen and bed/bathrooms to high spec. The pool is a good size and available for use throughout your stay.There are good local restaurants, both quirky and classy, and many places of interest to visit. We played golf on three occasions, suitable for beginners. Stephen and Carelle were perfect hosts with interesting and authentic stories of the role of the Resistance in the area. Great stay – thank you.
Absolutely Perfect
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We enjoyed every moment of our stay here Carille and Stephen are the perfect host. Nothing was too much trouble. They are both very interesting people who passed on their local knowledge to enable us to seek out places to suit us. The house is perfect for a couple with everything that we required, comfortable bed especially. Stephen set up my husband with fishing equipment, this kept him content. The lake on the estate has good fishing. We were offered the use of the pool unfortunately we found ourselves too busy to enjoy this facility. To sit on the veranda and enjoy the peace of the countryside and enjoy the wild life was so relaxing. But we had to come home.
Nous avons passé un trés bon séjour au calme et en plein nature dans une domaine plein de charmes. C’est un endroit idéal pour se reposer et se ressourcer et aussi découvrir cette belle région. Nos hôtes ont été très accueillants et disponibles. Nous recommandons cet endroit !
Nous avons passé un merveilleux séjour dans le magnifique domaine Carelle et Stephen. Il avons profité du calme, de la nature et de beauté des lieux. Carelle et Stephen sont des hôtes attentionnés. Nous recommandons vivement.
Amazing stay on the country side! A very beautiful house and property. The hosts are very welcoming and helpful and are british so they speak both french and english which is a plus. Since the guest house is located on the side of the main house you’ll also have privacy when you wish. The guest house is wonderfully decorated in typical french/british style. A big kitchen, grand bedroom with very comfortable bed and modern bathroom with tub and shower. You have your own terrace where you can start the day with breakfast and an amazing view over the garden and the horses 🙂 The host helped us with tips and also took us on a ride into the forrest where we had a night cap. They helped us find a concert and also lended us their grill and let us use the washing machine. We would definetly recommend, and would love to come back. Thank you
A lovely place in the country with wonderful hosts. An amazing stay in a wonderfully renovated 15th century house. Our hosts, Stephen and Carelle, went above and beyond to show us their beautiful home and the forests and gardens around it. It was a peaceful interlude we enjoyed immensely during our travelling around in France.
Beautiful time of year to visit
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We had a 3 day break at Colombat. The accommodation has everything you need, bed is amazingly comfortable and shower brilliant. Being in the countryside the birdsong was fabulous. We heard cuckoos, Golden Orioles and Hoopoe. Boulangerie about 10mins drive away. St Emilion worth a visit (about an hours drive away). We also had some lovely walks from the house. If you want a quiet relaxing break in beautiful surroundings with great hosts then book Colombat. Only half hour from Bergerac airport.
Outstanding place in a wonderful area.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
What a joy. We came to be at this exceptional place through a friend of a friend, and were so grateful they had encouraged us.
In a gorgeous park setting, but surrounded by forest, Domaine de Colombat has been restored by the charming and friendly owners themselves – and it is beautiful. Whether you want to walk around the estate or tour the area, there is something for everybody. Nearby is Mussidan which has plenty of shopping opportunities; the vineyards of Bergerac are close by, and Bordeaux is only a short drive. For fans of genuine unspoilt markets, you could go to a different one each day. Périgueux is worth a visit, and there are the ‘bastide’ walled towns like Sarlat and Rocamadour to marvel at, and explore. And, of course, there are many restaurants nearby to try.
The accommodation itself is very comfortable and tastefully furnished, and there is access to laundry facilities, and a deep freeze.
We felt the Dordogne has a lot more for us to experience (for example the picturesque Brantôme) and we will certainly be returning – we felt very comfortable.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Stayed in this beautiful apartment on our trip through France. A real gem. Spacious and high quality furnishings throughout. Uninterrupted view from the sunny patio over the fields. The whole ambiance is delightful, very peaceful but not far from restaurants and places to visit. The English owners are charming and happy to help make your stay memorable. Easy drive to world famous St Emilion. We will be returning!