Situated on its own private grounds, this renovated barn is the perfect place for your vacation in the country. It has a bright and spacious open plan interior. Bedrooms 1 and 2 share a bathroom and, bedroom 3 on the ground floor has an en suite bathroom. Entering the barn through the French windows into the hall on the ground floor you notice the original oak beams above and the banisters edging the dining room, landing and living room on the upper floor. On the right is the door to the ensuite bedroom which, together with the hall, has a view of the garden to the south. Ahead of you, the stairs rise to the upper floor reaching the landing which leads right to the kitchen & dining room and left to the living room, bedrooms and bathroom. French windows from the dining room lead to a patio and the upper garden.
The large garden and oak wood are fully fenced. Some areas are mown whilst others are left to grow in summer to encourage wild life. There is a small fenced off pond and some hedgehog refuges dotted around. I do not use pesticides.
Close to St Aulaye, the tiny hamlet of La Ganetie is on a hill above the Dronne valley with countryside views across the valley. The river Dronne and local lakes are great for fishing. In summer both Aubeterre and St Aulaye create riverside beaches with restaurants and river swimming. You may hire canoes and paddle down the rivers having great fun when you hit the unexpected shutes! There are sign posted walks along the river and through the forests all around. After a busy day exploring the vin yards, historical sites, Art galleries and beautiful countryside of the Perigord vert.
The garden is very pretty in Spring with cherry, apple and plum blossom and the song of the nightingales, In summer and autumn the cherries, apples, plums and figs are ripe to eat.
'Katy's barn' is divided into two apartments in the same building. I and my dogs live permanently in another part of the barn so that when you come to stay we will share the garden. As the garden is so big and includes different areas and levels, you will have space to relax and play.
Local Area: Close by, the historic Market town of St Aulaye has amenities such as a bank, restaurants, Art galleries and shops including a good sized Carrefour Contact supermarket which stays open till 7pm. (except Sunday when it closes at 1pm) In the summer enjoy the beach and the swimming in the River Dronne where there is a playground and café/restaurant which frequently hosts live music and entertainment. You may stroll from the barn to Chenaud where you can see the Chateau and Mill beside the river and there are plenty of woodland and riverside walks close by. Riberac, Chalais and Aubeterre are all within twenty minutes drive and provide further opportunities for exploration, marketing and shopping.
Activities:
This is a good base for day trips to interesting places in the region including west to the coast or inland to Lascaux, and the many historic towns and cities of the Dordogne.
Walking and cycling - there are many way-marked trails in the area. The little winding lanes and white roads provide good routes along the river and through the forests and hills.
Horse riding. (It is best to book this before you arrive as the stables get very busy in the summer)
Cycling: There are a number of bike hire companies which will deliver the bikes to your door step.
Bird watching. A variety of birds of prey live and breed in the area. Buzzards are the most common but I frequently see Black kites, hen harriers, kestrels and merlins.
Wild animals such as deer and wild boar are common in the forests. The garden has a number of refuges for hedgehogs and other small animals such as the green speckled lizard.
There are lakes and rivers for fishing, canoeing or swimming.
Visit historical sites including Roman villas, Romanesque churches, pre-historic cave paintings and carvings, the Museum of Pre-history.
Suitable flights from UK. (These have probably changed due to Covid 19)
Easy jet flies to Bordeaux from Liverpool, Gatwick and Bristol
Jet2.com: Leeds Bradford to Bergerac.
Ryanair: Bristol to Bergerac. East midlands and Stansted to La Rochelle. Leeds Bradford and Liverpool to Limoges.
