Domaine de Colombat — Dordogne Cottage with Shared Pool, Woodland Walks & Fishing near Bergerac
- Information
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- Price
- Availability
- Map
- Local Area
- Reviews
- Shared 10m x 5m pool
- 110-acre private estate
- Woodland walks
- Fishing lake
- Private covered terrace
- Ground-floor accommodation
- Wi-Fi
Domaine de Colombat, a charming one-bedroom cottage in a peaceful location with shared use of the owners’ swimming pool, surrounded by countryside and woodland walks in the Périgord, Dordogne, near Mussidan in South West France.
Domaine de Colombat is a charming one-bedroom cottage in a peaceful countryside setting in the Périgord, Dordogne, near Mussidan in South West France. Set within a historic 110-acre estate, guests have shared use of the owners’ swimming pool and access to beautiful gardens, woodland walks and a fishing lake.
Part of the 16th-century Chartreuse Domaine de Colombat, the cottage is entirely on one level and adjoins the discreet owners’ home while retaining its own private entrance and covered terrace.
The owners, a retired couple and keen gardeners, welcome guests to their peaceful estate, surrounded by mature gardens, grassland and oak, chestnut and pine woodland.
Guests have full access to the estate, with walks directly from the property and through the woods. A path leads to the large lake, a peaceful place to sit and watch the visiting wildlife.
The house is approached along a long, private, tree-lined driveway, with plenty of parking and undercover parking available.
The nearest village is Saint-Front-de-Pradoux, approximately 4 km away, with an artisan bakery and supermarket. Mussidan, approximately 6 km away, has restaurants, shops and a traditional French market every Saturday morning.
Sitting room
Original thick stone walls give this comfortable room plenty of character. A sofa and armchair are arranged around the wood burner, while a small table and two chairs overlook the gardens and the owners’ vegetable garden.
TV with French and English channels, DVD player, a selection of DVDs and books.
Kitchen
Modern country-style kitchen with plenty of cupboard space and a dining table.
Facilities include dishwasher, refrigerator with freezer compartment, electric oven, gas hob, microwave, kettle, toaster and cafetière.
Utility room
Washing machine, iron, ironing board and vacuum cleaner are available in a utility room shared with the owners. Guests and owners have separate access.
Additional shared freezer space is available in the nearby barn.
Bedroom
The bed can be arranged as either a king-size double or two single beds using a zip-and-link system.
There is plenty of built-in wardrobe and drawer space, together with a mosquito net, fan and hairdryer.
A TV and DVD player are provided for watching films; there are no TV channels in the bedroom.
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
The sitting room opens onto a private covered terrace with table, chairs and loungers overlooking the paddock. The terrace is south-west facing and a lovely place to enjoy the evening sunsets. A charcoal BBQ is provided.
The 110-acre estate comprises grassland and oak, chestnut and pine woodland, with a network of well-maintained woodland walks and benches along the way.
Hidden within the woods is the ‘secret garden’, an open glade with a picnic bench providing a peaceful spot for a picnic.
The estate also has a lake where guests can watch wildlife or fish. Fish include carp and zander.
Nature and wildlife are an important part of the setting, with deer, wild boar and numerous species of birds found around the estate, including kingfishers at the lake.
Beautiful, mature gardens surround the property.
Driveway and private parking area.
Swimming pool
The 10m x 5m swimming pool is shared with the discreet owners and is situated in front of their side of the property.
The owners are very private and generally make little use of the pool themselves. They respect guests’ privacy and will not use the pool while guests are using it.
The pool is 1.5m deep throughout and is open year-round.
A large sun terrace surrounds the pool and enjoys attractive views across the gardens.
Locally
The nearest village is Saint-Front-de-Pradoux, approximately 4 km away, with an artisan bakery and supermarket. The village can also be reached by a quieter 3.8 km route, taking approximately 50 minutes on foot or 20 minutes by bicycle.
Mussidan, approximately 6 km away, has restaurants, shops and a traditional French market every Saturday morning.
There are numerous towns and villages within easy driving distance, including Bergerac (30 km), Ribérac (23 km), Brantôme (50 km), Périgueux (40 km), Saint-Émilion (57 km), Verteillac (30 km), Aubeterre-sur-Dronne (35 km), Sainte-Foy-la-Grande (36 km), Castillon-la-Bataille (48 km) and Bordeaux (108 km).
Local market days include Montpon on Wednesday, Ribérac on Friday, Bergerac on Wednesday and Saturday, Périgueux on Wednesday and Mussidan on Saturday.
For more information about places to visit and things to do, please see 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. Historical references state that the house was built by Henri IV, King of France and Navarre, as a hunting lodge and resting place on his journeys between Pau and Paris.
Henri IV famously wished that every family in France should be able to eat chicken once a week – the origin of the expression Poule au Pot – and local legend has it that the idea arose while he was enjoying the food and hospitality of the Périgord here in the Forêt de la Double.
At that time, the Colombat estate extended to the River Isle and the port of Mussidan, from where produce from the estate would have been transported downstream towards Libourne and Bordeaux.
Following the French Revolution, Colombat was gifted by Napoleon to General Joseph Morand. After his death at the Battle of Lüneburg on 2 April 1813, he was buried on the estate. Following the Second World War, his body was exhumed and reburied in the Saint-Étienne cemetery.
During the Second World War, Colombat was occupied by the French Resistance and served as headquarters of the 4th Battalion, Groupe François, Brigade Demorny.
The RAF made Resistance supply drops into the field behind the house. On one occasion, a parachutist became caught by his parachute on the roof of the barn opposite. Local ladies reportedly quickly liberated him from his parachute so that its silk could be used to make underwear – a story subsequently recounted to the current owner by some of the women involved.
German troops attacked the house on two occasions. During later restoration work, concrete covering the exterior walls was removed, revealing damage from this period.
Visitors interested in the history of the Resistance and the Maquis can visit the memorial at Camp Virole and the Resistance museum at Saint-Étienne-de-Puycorbier.
The nearby 15th-century church is also well worth visiting.
A German military vehicle remains in the woods on the estate. It has been traced to an order placed by the Wehrmacht with Citroën in 1942 and was subsequently captured by the Maquis. It was used in the attack on Montpon railway station in 1944 and in other operations against retreating German forces.
Travel
Airports
- Bergerac – 40 km, approximately 40 minutes
- Bordeaux – 115 km
- Brive-Souillac – 127 km
- Limoges – 135 km
Train
- Bergerac – 31 km, with connections towards Bordeaux
- Périgueux – 43 km
- Bordeaux Saint-Jean – 106 km, with TGV services
Car
Use of a car is essential for a stay at Domaine de Colombat.
Approximate driving distances from northern French ferry ports: Calais 506 miles, Le Havre 395 miles and Saint-Malo 338 miles.
For car hire and practical travel information, see our Car Hire & Travel Guide.
| Dates | Price for 7 nights from | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 persons | Shortbreaks from | ||||||||||
| 01 Jun 2026 - 30 Sep 2026 | £1,152.00 | £1,152.00 | |||||||||
| 01 Oct 2026 - 18 Dec 2026 | £1,152.00 | £823.00 | |||||||||
Changeover Day
Flexible throughout the year. Short stays are subject to a minimum price.
Reservation Information
Book direct with confidence: Every property is personally selected and its ownership verified by us.
No booking fee.
A 25% deposit secures a reservation, with the balance payable 8 weeks before rental commencement.
A £250 security bond is pre-authorised against a credit card 7–10 days before arrival and released after departure, subject to a satisfactory inspection.
Our full booking terms and conditions can be viewed here.
Included in the Price
Bed linen, bath towels and pool towels are provided.
A complimentary additional supply of bed linen and bath towels is provided for bookings of 2 weeks or more.
Additional Charges
Taxe de Séjour (Tourism Tax): €4.40 per adult, per night (2025 rate), payable with the balance.
House heating can be added if required at €50 per week, payable locally directly to the owner.
Pool Information
The pool is shared with the owners and is open from the beginning of April until the end of October, subject to weather conditions.
Please note: Charging electric vehicles from the property’s electricity supply is not permitted.
Arrival: from 4pm. Departure: by 10am.
What to do locally near Ribérac in the Dordogne
Domaine de Colombat is well placed for exploring the Dordogne, with market towns, historic villages, rivers, castles and countryside all within easy reach.
The nearest village is Saint-Front-de-Pradoux, approximately 4 km away, with an artisan bakery and supermarket. Mussidan, around 6 km away, has restaurants, shops and a traditional market every Saturday morning.
Ribérac
Ribérac is approximately 23 km away and is known for its lively Friday market, summer musical events and attractive surrounding countryside.
There is good walking in and around the town, while the wider area is particularly rich in Romanesque churches. Canoes and kayaks can also be hired locally for exploring the River Dronne.
During the summer, Ribérac hosts a variety of musical events ranging from classical and Baroque performances to blues, jazz, rock and folk.
Aubeterre-sur-Dronne
Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, approximately 35 km away, is one of the most attractive villages in the area, with narrow streets, restaurants, a château and its remarkable monolithic church.
Canoe and kayak hire is also available here, making it a lovely place to combine sightseeing with time on the River Dronne.
Bergerac & Monbazillac
Bergerac is approximately 30 km away and has an excellent selection of shops, restaurants and cafés, together with markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Boat trips operate on the Dordogne River, while nearby Château de Monbazillac is well worth visiting for its beautiful setting and its famous sweet white wine.
Périgueux
Périgueux, approximately 40 km away, is the historic capital of the Dordogne and a rewarding place to spend the day.
Its cathedral, cobbled streets and elegant squares are complemented by museums, including an important Roman museum and a museum dedicated to the history of the Périgord.
Markets are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Brantôme
Brantôme is approximately 50 km away and is often referred to as the ‘Venice of the Périgord’ because of its beautiful riverside setting.
The town is known for its abbey, attractive streets and excellent canoeing on the River Dronne.
Saint-Émilion
Saint-Émilion is approximately 57 km away and makes an excellent day trip.
This world-famous medieval wine town is known for its cobbled streets, historic architecture, monolithic church, wine caves and surrounding vineyards.
Sainte-Foy-la-Grande
Sainte-Foy-la-Grande is approximately 36 km away, set on the Dordogne River and known for its large Saturday morning market.
Verteillac
Verteillac is approximately 30 km away and has public tennis courts, summer events, night markets and a selection of restaurants.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is approximately 108 km away and offers a very different day out, with museums, shopping, historic architecture, restaurants, the opera house, antique districts and the Cité du Vin.
Markets
Local market days include:
- Montpon – Wednesday
- Bergerac – Wednesday and Saturday
- Ribérac – Friday
- Périgueux – Wednesday and Saturday
- Mussidan – Saturday
- Sainte-Foy-la-Grande – Saturday
Walking, cycling & nature
The countryside around Domaine de Colombat is ideal for walking and cycling, with quiet lanes, forests and river valleys throughout the region.
La Jemaye, approximately 19 km away, has a large recreational lake with a man-made beach, woodland walks, cycling trails and restaurants.
The area is also known for its wildlife, forests and seasonal mushrooms, with guided mushroom-foraging outings sometimes available locally.
Canoeing
Canoeing and kayaking are popular throughout the region, particularly around Ribérac, Aubeterre-sur-Dronne and Brantôme.
Hiring a canoe for a few hours or a full day is a wonderful way to explore the rivers and enjoy the countryside at a slower pace.
Castles, caves & historic sites
There are many historic sites within day-trip distance, including Château des Milandes, Château de Hautefort, Maison Forte de Reignac and La Roque Saint-Christophe.
The region is also famous for its prehistoric caves, including Lascaux and the Gouffre de Proumeyssac.
Issigeac is another attractive village to visit, particularly for its popular Sunday morning market.
Abbeys & churches
The nearby region is rich in churches, abbeys and religious heritage.
The Abbey of Échourgnac is around 20 minutes away and is worth visiting for its peaceful setting and shop.
Bourdeilles, Brantôme and Aubeterre-sur-Dronne also offer particularly interesting historic churches and abbeys.
See the Dordogne from above
For a different view of the countryside, scenic flights are available from the flying club at Périgueux, while hot-air ballooning is another memorable way to experience the Dordogne landscape.
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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!