Le Mas. Hilltop views, Heated secure salt pool. In the Dordogne near Bergerac SW France
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- Private heated 10m x 5m pool
- Electric pool security cover
- Summer kitchen
- Table tennis
- Petanque court
- Outdoor games
- Nespresso coffee machine
- Large Weber Gas BBQ
- Wi-Fi
- TV with UK and French channels
- Netflix/DVD player
- Bluetooth speaker
- Travel cots (2), highchair (2)
- Shops/restaurants 10 mins
- Cycle hire available
- Private off-road parking
- Wheelchair friendly
- Private chef available
- Concierge service
- Bergerac Airport 35 mins
Le Mas is a gorgeous farmhouse with a heated saltwater pool with an electric cover. 5 bedrooms, stone fireplaces with wood burning stoves, thick stone walls, exposed beams and superb far-reaching hilltop views of the glorious Dordogne countryside.
Situated in the south of the Dordogne, a region famous for its history, cuisine and incredible landscapes. The area offers so much to explore: châteaux, bastide (medieval fortified) towns, markets, brocantes, wine tours, prehistoric caves and much more besides.
A winding private driveway leads you through a wood and fields to the golden stone 16th-century property. Roses, jasmine, wisteria and lavender scent the air.
Loving transformed by the attentive owners into an award-winning “luxurious rural retreat” (The Telegraph), the houses have bags of character and history. Completely renovated whilst respecting the historical character of the building, Le Mas has been brought into the 21st century offering stylish understatement and discreet luxury. Well-equipped and well-maintained, it’s a place to fall in love with. Bask by the pool, have a siesta in a shady spot, enjoy the tranquillity, play ping-pong or sit by a roaring fire. We have a feeling you won’t want to leave this rural idyll.
Le Mas is perfect to explore the best of the Dordogne: castles, vineyards, markets, prehistoric caves, truffles and stunning scenery. The bastide towns of Monpazier and Beaumont with their cafés and markets are 10 minutes away.
Le Mas comfortably accommodates up to 10 guests or can be rented together with Le Mazet; a separate 1-bedroom property, which together can accommodate up to 13 guests over 6 bedrooms with 6 bathrooms. It’s a great house for families and groups of friends. To view both properties please view Le Mas Mazet.
A few steps away from Le Mas is the covered summer kitchen. Gather at the long dining table and fire up the large barbecue. A jasmine-scented terrace overlooks the private, heated, saltwater swimming pool and the stunning Dordogne countryside.
A house for all seasons, there’s a spacious family kitchen and comfortable sitting room, both with large fireplaces with wood burners (firewood included). 5 bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, are spread over the ground and first floors.
Le Mas has been awarded 5 stars by the Ministry of Tourism and is described by The Telegraph as a “luxurious rural retreat…superb”. To help ensure a great holiday the owners offer a concierge service including, a private chef service, wine tasting, morning deliveries from the baker and lots more.
Bedrooms
Three double bedrooms, two twin bedrooms.
All bedrooms are equipped with a fan in the summer months, and have their own en-suite bathroom and WC.
Three double bedrooms (first floor):
The three double bedrooms are all on the first floor, accessed via two staircases from the kitchen. The main staircase leads up from the kitchen to the two large master bedrooms, Bedroom 1 (33m²) and Bedroom 2 (23m²). Their en suite bathrooms have freestanding baths and walk-in showers. The second staircase leads from the kitchen to a dual-aspect double Bedroom 3 and en suite bathroom with shower.
These three bedrooms are all light and bright and have wooden floors, exposed beams and stone walls. They have views over the fields and woods on one side, and the summer kitchen and the pool on the other. The hotel-quality beds are all 180 cm x 200cm and have Egyptian cotton sheets.
Two twin bedrooms (ground floor):
At opposite ends of the ground floor are the two twin bedrooms. They both have two single beds and en suite bathrooms with showers. Bedroom 4 (near the kitchen) is wheelchair accessible, as is the majority of the rest of the ground floor and outside area. The hotel-quality single beds are 90 x 200cm and have Egyptian cotton sheets.
All five bathrooms have complimentary toiletries from The White Company and a hairdryer.
There are two travel cots available for infants under 2 years old.
Cleaning, towels and linen
End-of-stay clean: When you leave, all we ask is that you tidy up, The team will clean to ensure it’s as perfect as it was when you arrived, but we would appreciate all the games, toys, books etc. being put back.
Toiletries: You’ll find The White Company’s Noir range in the bathrooms (hand soaps, hand and body lotion, shower gel, shampoo and conditioner) and in the kitchens (cleansing hand soap and hand lotion). Compliments of the house!
There are goose-down duvets on the beds in the double bedrooms, but there are also anti-allergy duvets available. All the bed linen is 100% Egyptian cotton, and the towels are also pure cotton. Pool towels are also provided. For longer stays the bed linen and towels are changed weekly.
Baby and toddler facilities
Two travel cots with mattresses, two high chairs in both the kitchen and summer kitchen, children’s cutlery, plates and bowls, anti-slip mats for the baths, and some books, indoor and outdoor games.
The sitting room
The terracotta tiles in the kitchen continue into the sitting room (44m²), which has its own fireplace with a wood burner (firewood provided), exposed beams and doors leading outside to the pool and summer kitchen.
The huge comfy sofas make it the perfect place to relax, and the entertainment cupboard has hundreds of books, and lots of games and DVDs. The flat-screen TV has UK and French channels, the Netflix app and a DVD player.
Heating: Le Mas has central heating throughout. There is also a wood burner in Le Mazet and two in Le Mas, which are effective and cosy. Firewood is provided in the cooler months, sourced locally from the neighbour’s woods!
Kitchen
The hub of the farmhouse is the large kitchen (55m²), which leads to the other rooms and two staircases. There is a long kitchen table and transparent Pedrali chairs in front of the wood burner, and the kitchen area has a big concrete worktop.
Chefs will love the well-equipped kitchen which includes a Smeg range cooker, dishwasher, washing machine, fridge, freezer, microwave, Nespresso coffee machine, Aeroccino milk frother, Siemens Porsche Design filter coffee maker, toaster, blender, and kettle. The kitchen’s history and character is evident in the large stone fireplace with a wood burner, terracotta tiled floor, and the old larder and évier (sink) set into the one-metre thick stone walls.
Cleaning products: Dishwasher tablets, washing-up liquid, detergents, bin bags, loo paper and other cleaning products are all provided for your use.
The summer kitchen
Opposite the kitchen is the covered summer kitchen (65m²). It was originally a barn for housing animals and drying tobacco. It’s now partly open on three sides, offering a breeze, shade and fantastic views over the pool and rolling hills. As well as a dining area, there is also a kitchen area with a large Weber gas barbecue (gas provided).
The summer kitchen is where you’ll gather for meals, games, or to admire the view and relish the peace and quiet. Atmospheric lighting makes the summer kitchen and gardens magical at night.
Private heated swimming pool
Le Mas’ private heated pool is open from April to October. It measures 10 x 5 metres and has a maximum depth of 1.7 m, and has a large terrace with sun loungers, deck chairs and parasols. The pool has an electric cover, which keeps the pool both secure and warm. It’s a saltwater pool which means softer water and fewer risks for allergies and irritation to your eyes and skin. Saltwater pools have about 10% of the salinity of the ocean.
The pool is positioned to be close to the house and the summer kitchen, and to take in the stunning views.
The garden and games
The garden is well-maintained and references Le Mas’ past as a farm. There are nut trees (which the deer love!) and fruit trees, including medlar, quince and sorb from which jellies are traditionally made. The air is scented with lavender, rosemary, jasmine, wisteria and roses.
There is a mulberry tree in the middle of the meadow with a bench around it, it’s gently lit by bulbs when the sun has gone down. There are other benches dotted about the garden, several of which are made from a fallen walnut tree. They are the perfect spots from which you can enjoy the far-reaching views.
Garden produce: Please help yourselves to the walnuts, hazelnuts, chestnuts, apples, pears, plums and mirabelles, cherries, peaches, medlars, quince, sorb, blackberries and sloes. There are also herbs – rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano and mint planted for you.
The neighbours below Le Mas have an organic permaculture farm, from whom you can buy season vegetables or order a veg box.
Games barn
Two outbuildings have been converted into a covered pétanque court and a covered table tennis area. There are games to play outside such as table tennis, football, rugby, archery, darts, badminton, children’s croquet and more.
Information for wheelchair users
There is one downstairs bedroom (Bedroom 4) in Le Mas with widened doorways and a large bathroom so that guests who are either in a wheelchair or are less mobile are able to stay. There is an external door to the room (82cm wide), which has two single beds, and an en suite bathroom (92cm door width) and then an internal door to the kitchen (87cm wide) and sitting room (84cm wide) which are all on the same level.
The bathroom for Bedroom 4 is not 100% wheelchair friendly but hopefully, it could work for you. There are hold bars next to the loo and in the shower (which is big enough to wheel into) and a shower chair, but the sink has shelves underneath and the toilet is not raised. There is a step from the sitting room to Bedroom 5, and two staircases to Bedroom 1, 2 and 3.
Outside there is a gravelled drive where guests park and between Le Mas and the summer kitchen. From the summer kitchen there is a gap in a low wall (84cm wide) which leads to a lawn with a gentle slope down to the pool area. The pool has 3 internal steps (the middle one is extra wide for guests to sit on in the water) which run the width of the pool but there are no handrails.
Your stay at Le Mas
The extremely welcoming and attentive owners, Rupert and Franck live on-site in a converted tobacco barn. They are respectful of guests’ privacy but are on hand to help you with advice on where to go and what to do during your holiday and are always happy to advise.
Private chef
A fantastic French private chef who had his own Michelin-star can cook for you at Le Mas, bringing the restaurant to you. As a group, choose one from his selection of menus and he’ll arrange the date with you. He’ll arrive early to prepare and to lay the table. He’ll serve you and clear everything away, leaving you to enjoy the delicious food and great company!
Food on arrival
You can order a dinner package from a local traiteur for you to warm up. The duck lasagna and homemade quiches are delicious! This can be arranged for your arrival day so that you don’t have to worry about shopping and cooking. You might like to go to the Sunday morning market at Issigeac (25 km) to stock up – and supermarkets are open until lunchtime on Sunday mornings.
Wine-tasting
If you want to taste and learn about Bergerac and French wines without getting in the car, it can be arranged for a wine expert to give you a fantastic wine-tasting session in the comfort of Le Mas.
Bakery delivery
A local artisan baker delivers straight to the door 3 mornings a week. Just text your order the day before to enjoy fresh bread, croissants and chocolatines in the morning.
Massages, pilates and yoga
If you are not relaxed enough (difficult to imagine), a holistic massage under the trees or in your room, or a tailor-made yoga or pilates session can be arranged.
What to do in the area and beyond
There are many towns, villages and castles to explore on your doorstep. Local towns and villages host weekly markets as well as summer night markets and various festivals throughout the year. More information on what’s on locally can be viewed in the “Local Area” tab above.
Travel
Airports
- Bergerac 35km
- Brive–Souillac 88km
- Bordeaux 170km
- Toulouse 161km
Train
- Bergerac 37km
- Lalinde (Bergerac line) 22km
- Bordeaux station (TGV) 150km
Car
- Calais 900km
- Le Havre 700km
Use of car essential. Car hire quote with the best price guarantee, click here.
Dates | Price for 7 nights from | ||||||||||
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10 persons | Shortbreaks from | ||||||||||
02 Nov 2024 - 13 Dec 2024 | €3,675.00 | €3,675.00 | |||||||||
14 Dec 2024 - 05 Jan 2025 | €4,550.00 | €3,250.00 | |||||||||
24 Mar 2025 - 04 Apr 2025 | €3,941.00 | €3,378.00 | |||||||||
05 Apr 2025 - 18 Apr 2025 | €3,900.00 | ||||||||||
19 Apr 2025 - 23 May 2025 | €4,350.00 | ||||||||||
30 Aug 2025 - 03 Oct 2025 | €4,950.00 | ||||||||||
04 Oct 2025 - 31 Oct 2025 | €3,850.00 | ||||||||||
01 Nov 2025 - 17 Dec 2025 | €3,885.00 | €3,885.00 | |||||||||
18 Dec 2025 - 05 Jan 2026 | €4,865.00 | €3,475.00 |
Please select your dates on the Availability calendar for a price
Changeover day
The changeover day is Saturday during the peak season.
Short breaks with flexible arrival/departure dates are available, please see the Availability calendar.
Le Mas is available to rent outside the peak summer months (from the end of August to the end of May). During the peak season it is only rented in conjunction with ‘Le Mazet’, an additional 1 bedroom separate property. Please click the link to view Le Mas Mazet.
Reservation Information:
Le Mas is booked with the owners who have their own booking terms and conditions.
A deposit payment of 40% is required to confirm your booking and the balance is due 3 months before your arrival.
If you are booking within 3 months before your arrival then the full payment is required at the time of booking.
If you need to cancel, every effort will be made to re-let the property, and if successful the owners will refund your payment less any expense or loss incurred.
A security bond of €500 is payable, which is returned within 48 hours of your departure unless there is any major damage to the property.
Tourist Tax is calculated per adult per night, approximately €10 per adult per week payable in cash during your stay.
Arrival from 4 pm
Departure by 10 am
Included in the price:
Bed and table linen, bath and pool towels, Pool heating April – October, Complimentary White Company toiletries, Cleaning products and detergents, End-of-stay clean, Firewood, Wi-Fi.
Utilities: water, gas, electricity, Gas for the barbecue.
Concierge service
Other services such as a private chef are an extra cost, we can discuss further your requirements.
Pool information:
The pool is heated from April – October.
Please note specific temperatures can not be guaranteed as pool heating is influenced by weather conditions and other factors.
Le Mas is not available during the peak summer months May 25th – August 30th 2024, though it is available as ‘Le Mas Mazet’ with the additional 1 bedroom separate property, view this property Le Mas Mazet
While at Le Mas, what to do locally and places to visit.
Bastide villages
There are four beautiful bastide villages within a 12-minute drive of Le Mas & Le Mazet which are well worth a visit, especially when the markets are on. Monpazier is one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, founded by Edward I of England, as was Beaumont du Périgord which has an amazing quincaillerie or hardware shop that sells anything and everything! Saint-Avit-Sénieur and the remains of its abbey are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela.
For 800 years pilgrims came to Cadouin to see the Shroud which Jesus was reportedly wrapped in after his crucifixion. That is, until 1932 when a Jewish scholar realised that the shroud was an Islamic fabric from the 11th century. Cadouin’s cloisters are stunning and the restaurant opposite serves delicious pizza.
Chateaux
There are reported to be 1001 châteaux in the Dordogne, so you’ll see them dotted all over the countryside. Château de Biron changed allegiance countless times during the Hundred Years’ War and is worth visiting just for the views. Towering above the Dordogne River are the two medieval castles of Beynac and Castelnaud. Milandes was once the home of Josephine Baker which now hosts falconry in its gardens.
Markets
You can’t go to France without going to a market! The best one is on Sunday morning in Issigeac. There are local markets in Beaumont on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and in Monpazier on Thursdays. In the winter there are truffle markets, and evening markets in the summer where you can buy food from stalls and sit at trestle tables in the town squares. Villeréal has a monthly antiques market and Beaumont has a large brocante several times a year.
Gastronomy
The Dordogne is perhaps best known for black truffles which can be found in winter and summer. The owners can arrange for you to go truffle hunting with Mokka the dog to find and taste some truffles. The region is also known for duck and walnuts and hazelnuts grow in abundance here, and in the summer the markets are full of strawberries (considered some of the best in France) and in the autumn cep mushrooms.
Wine
The Romans planted vineyards around Bergerac, which now boasts some award-winning vineyards. A tour of different vineyards can be arranged on request. If you don’t want to drive, then a wine-tasting at Le Mas can be arranged, learning about the best of the local wines. If you’re going to Bordeaux, stop off at Saint-Émilion whose vineyards surrounding the town are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walks
Enjoy walks right on your doorstep, either through woodland and across fields to the pretty medieval village of Montferrand or to the 12th Century church at Sainte Croix. There are nearby trails to suit everyone, from the Grand Randonnées such as GR36 and GR6, to circular walks (5km to 40km) around Monpazier.
Cycling
Le Mas is just off cycle route 26, a 70km loop to Monpazier, Cadouin and back. There are many other cycle routes nearby bringing you to the hidden gems of the Dordogne, away from the tourists. If you’re not bringing your own bike, they can be hired from AquitaineBike.com who deliver the bikes, helmets and locks here and also collect them.
The Dordogne river
There are two majestic rivers, the Dordogne and the Vézère, which meet up in Limeuil (one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France), and is a great place for swimming. You can also swim at Le Buisson.
You can rent canoes in different locations, in the Dordogne or Vézère valleys. The rental company will meet take you to a point in the river and then you canoe back to where you parked. We recommend Vitrac to Beynac, where you pass some amazing riverscapes, chateaux and villages.
Sarlat and neighbouring villages
Often described as the pearl of the Dordogne, Sarlat is a town of exceptional beauty with its narrow winding streets, stone roofs & open squares. It is one of the most important undamaged medieval city centres of the world. Thousands of tourists visit this small town yearly, so plan your trip well!
On your way there, stop off at the villages of La Roque-Gageac and Domme (one of the most popular villages in France) where you will get spectacular views across the Dordogne countryside.
Gardens
There are three magical gardens worth visiting. The classical Jardins du Manoir d’Eyrignac near Sarlat with an alley of hornbeam and flower meadows is stunning. The hanging gardens of Marqueyssac were planted on a rocky spur south of La Roque-Gageac in the 19th century. Some 150,000 vintage boxwoods, trimmed twice a year by hand, blaze a symmetrical riot of swirls, whirls and curvaceous patterns. Latour Marliac is a water garden with waterlilies and lotuses founded in 1875 when M. Latour Marliac created fantastic hybrid-coloured waterlilies never seen before in Europe. They were so modern that he exhibited them at the Paris Exhibition in 1889 alongside the new Eiffel Tower. Monet was so amazed that he ordered all his waterlilies from Latour Marliac, which he famously went on to paint.
Prehistory
The Dordogne is famous for the caves and rock shelters, settlements and burial sites which have been discovered. Lascaux IV is the Sistine Chapel of prehistory, a cave discovered by 4 boys in 1940 while out walking their dog. The cave paintings date from around 18,000 BC. In order to preserve the paintings, an exact copy of the cave has been made which you can visit. There is a museum at Les Eyzies and troglodyte (cave) dwellings underneath Belvès main square.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Rupert & Franck have created holiday heaven! Their property is on-site but they manage the balance of being available (they are a mine of local info!) & allowing privacy for total relaxation. The weather wasn’t great for us, although thunderstorms watched from the fabulous outdoor kitchen have their own appeal! The accommodation is perfect for a group of adults as only one room is more suitable for children and there is plenty of space for everyone to do their own thing. We loved visiting Millie to pick organic veg (some of which was included in our welcome goodies) and we enjoyed long lunches & dinners outside every day. The local area is beautiful with lots to do but you will want to get back to this special place as soon as you can to squeeze every drop out of your time there!
We very much hope to return.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Having stayed for the first time in 2022, we had no hesitation in booking again for 2023. This time we took 10 people so had both properties and, just like last time, everything was perfect. Franck and Rupert are excellent hosts, and nothing is too much trouble. A wonderful week was spent lying by the pool during the day followed by eating and drinking in the outdoor kitchen in the evenings. The kids loved the pool and all the toys and games, whilst the adults appreciated the variety of places and spaces to find some much needed peace and quiet. Both properties have everything you could possibly need to make it a true home-from-home. I have no doubt we will be back again, as long as we can find some availability.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
This marked our second visit to Le Mas, having celebrated my 40th birthday there with friends five years ago. On this occasion the party was a little different as we brought three little girls with us, who loved the house and grounds as much as we do! They were overjoyed with the pool and were in there every day for most of the day! It was wonderful to see Rupert, Franck and Plum again. Rupert is a source of brilliant local knowledge (restaurants, places to visit etc), and we also enjoyed a historical tour of the house and grounds. Such a special place that I want to keep it a secret as it is hard enough to book as it is! If you get the chance to go and stay, grab it with both hands. You won’t be disappointed.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We love staying at Le Mas – it’s great for families, with the beautifully-kept surroundings, house, and pool. The owners are terrific, very responsive to any queries ,and always ready with suggestions of where to go and what to do. We look forward to our time there each year!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A once in a lifetime (or hopefully not) vacation rental! Our stay was even better than the pictures and writeup promised – truly a one of a kind opportunity you have to experience for yourself. The hosts have thought of everything, creating an inviting, beautiful, and welcoming stay for you and your guests. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect fall getaway – book now!
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
We had the most glorious week at Le Mas. The house is gorgeous in a most amazing location. The kitchen was so well equipped it was a pleasure to prepare and enjoy all the delicious food from surrounding markets. Rupert and Franck are generous and kind hosts. Highly recommend for a family or group of friends who want to really relax and enjoy the simple pleasures of the French countryside.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Le Mas is a gem. The house was somehow more beautiful than the pictures. The owners have thought of everything and were gracious and accommodating. We were a group of artists and found tremendous inspiration in the grounds and local sites. 10s across the board! Would definitely like to return in the future.