This charming hideaway holiday cottage is situated in the heart of the most productive wine growing area of France. You will love the amazing views of the surrounding vineyards and rural landscapes that make this holiday home special.
The cottage has one spacious bedroom that has beautiful, old oak beams, a king sized bed and a small single bed that doubles up as a comfortable, cushioned sofa where you can relax and unwind. There is also a mirrored, traditional, art nouveau wardrobe and antique marble topped dressing table. Freshly laundered bed linen is provided and can be changed if guests are staying for more than one week. From the bedroom window you can see the surrounding hillsides covered in vines and woodland and, from time to time, the deer that wander through the gardens.
The generously sized bath room is fully tiled and modern with a large walk in shower and modern sanitary ware with a fully tiled floor and heated towel rail. Egyptian cotton towels are provided, as well as pool towels. We also provide White Company shower gel, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner.
Downstairs the living area is airy and light with french doors leading out to the decked dining and outdoor seating spaces. The living room boasts a large, stone French fireplace and this houses a log burner which keeps the place warm and cosy during any spring, autumn or winter breaks. The sofa and large armchair have been chosen with comfort in mind so that you can read your holiday novel, watch the satellite TV or a DVD in peace.
The living space also includes a dining table that can be extended, together with four chairs. There is also an under stair storage space that is used to hideaway the ironing board, laundry equipment and of course, the traditional French basket to take on your market and shopping trips.
Your kitchen area is modern and very well equipped and you will find a large fridge freezer, electric fan oven, gas hob, extractor fan, microwave, washing machine, Dolce Gusto coffee machine, kettle, toaster and dishwasher here. The cupboards, as well as the large, French art nouveau dresser in the living area, contain all the glasses, plates, pots and pans you could wish for, not forgetting the all important corkscrew and fixed bottle opener. We provide condiments, olive oil, tea, coffee and your welcome pack will include wine, pastries, bread, jam, fruit, yoghurt and other goodies to see you through your first evening and/or morning.
Outside you will find a decked area with a dining table and chairs, an awning for shade when needed and another small table and chairs to move in and out of the sun depending on your needs. Dotted about the grounds and garden is a range of comfortable cushioned sofas, armchairs and tables. There is also a BBQ for outdoor eating.
The gardens are extremely spacious and there are shaded and sunny areas to sit, as well as a hammock under our beautiful mulberry tree. Finally, the swimming pool invites you to have a refreshing dip every now and then. You can also sit and relax around the pool on sun loungers which are provided with soft mattresses. Large parasols can also be found at the poolside so that you can choose when, or, when not to have some shade.
If you love wine this is a great place to visit - there are 7,375 wine producing châteaux in the region, producing over 10,000 different wines each vintage and 900 million bottles of the stuff. We know some of the local wine growers and can arrange vineyard tours and wine tastings if you would like us to. Otherwise, you can drive around the area and pop in to châteaux for your own bit of fun.
We are very close to Saint Émilion, an area renowned worldwide for its wine as well as the fact that it is a spectacular UNESCO world heritage site. You will love visiting this beautiful village with its amazing views, fantastic bars and restaurants and of course food and wine shops.
Bordeaux, the second most visited French city after Paris, is only an hour away and this is our favourite city. It boasts some superb architecture, the largest reflecting pool in the world (the water mirror) and the Cité du Vin, which, apart from being an amazing architectural feat is the most interesting wine museum you could ever wish to visit and you can top your visit off with a free wine tasting on the top floor whilst looking out over the Garonne River.
If you love French food, wine and other local wares, you can visit a nearby market every single morning of the week. These include the largest regional market at Sainte-Foy-La-Grande, which boasts art work during the spring and summer, and the medieval village market at Issigeac. Whether large or small, the markets are a real treat for all your senses and it's difficult to come away empty handed.
On the Atlantic coast, about 1.5 hours away, is the Dune du Pilat - the tallest and biggest dune in Europe. It is definitely worth the trip because the views from the top are unbeatable with thick, green forests on one side of the dune and blue Atlantic Ocean on the other. You can enjoy a picnic here with French bread and cheese or pop into one of the cafés at the bottom of the dune.
Finally, there are many other activities to enjoy nearby such as hiring a canoe to glide gently up or down the Dordogne River which is only 10 minutes away. Or, there are plenty of fishing spots if that's what takes your fancy, as well as the Château de Vigiers golf course which is also famous for its Michelin starred restaurant.
Of course, there are plenty of local restaurants and glorious food shops and stalls selling macarons, canelés (a local Bordeaux speciality), cheese, chocolate, sausages and other meats and locally grown fresh vegetables and fruit. You are in for such treats if you stay at Le Peuplier!