Chestnut Cottage gallery Gallery
Chestnut Cottage
Fleurac,
Dordogne
Self-catering
+33 (0)5 53 07 06 27
£183 - £521
per night
£1380 - £3875
per week
Immerse yourself in 50 acres of peaceful countryside and the fine pool. Generous owners are on hand, Les Eyzies is just a few minutes' drive
6 beds
4 bedrooms
Sleeps 8
Children welcome
Babies welcome
Your dates are available!
2 Guests 27 Dec 24 - 27 Dec 24
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What part does Sawday’s play?
£183 - £521 per night
£1380 - £3875 per week
The Experience
This comfortable 300-year-old farmhouse has uninterrupted views over its stream, lake, meadows and woods. With wildlife everywhere and miles of trails on the doorstep, it’s a delight for nature lovers.
Arrive to a sumptuous welcome hamper of Victoria’s brownies, honey from the estate, eggs, walnuts, wine and more, and get cooking in the large, well-equipped, kitchen. The local area has a whole range of restaurants, from simple to starred, and food markets to inspire. Do make time for one of Victoria’s pool-side buffet lunches or dinners too, together with the excellent Bergerac wines.
Fill your days with fun: there’s table tennis, a trampoline, badminton net and a huge heated pool surrounded by lawns. Wander antiques markets and overfill the boot; talk to Harris about a châteaux wine tour and some of Les Plus Beaux Villages such as Sarlat and Limeuil; visit the estate’s own prehistoric caves, used by the resistance during the war.
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We think you'll love
- Splashing in the heated swimming pool (14 x 7m and chlorine-free)
- Being surrounded by 50 peaceful, wildlife-rich acres
- Meeting the Raphaels and their dog, chickens and ducks
You should know
- The nearest shops are a short drive, or perhaps a cycle-ride away
Essentials
- EV charger
- Self check-in
- Swimming pool
- Hot tub
- Garden
- Open fire / woodburner
- Breakfast included
- Breakfast available
- Meals available
- Vegetarian meals
- Oven
- Parking on premises
- Free parking nearby
- Accessible by public transport
- WiFi
- Television
- Central heating
- Limited mobility
- Wheelchair access
- Mobile reception
- Hob
- Barbecue
- Paid parking nearby
- Air conditioning
- Relaxation areas
- Washing machine
- Tennis court
- Microwave oven
- No smoking
- Credit cards
- Working farm
- Owner has pets
- Electricity included
- Dishwasher
- Pets welcome
Family friendly
- Baby monitor
- Books and toys
- Children welcome
- Babies welcome
- Stair gates
- High chair
- Fire guard
- Cot available
Nearby
- Pub/bar within 3 miles
- Restaurant within 3 miles
- Shop within 3 miles
Activities
- Bikes available
- Food courses
- Kayaking
- Other courses
- Sailing
- Surfing
- Wild swimming
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Pricing
- Nightly price
- from £183
- Weekly price
- from £1380
- Damage deposit
- £450
- 1 House for 8
- From £1836 beds4 bedrooms
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Information
Booking information
- Check in
- From 4.30pm
- Check out
- By 9.30am
- Other details
- Additional ground-floor double (en suite) available to sleep 2 more guests (up to 10 in total), w/ private access from rose garden - by prior arrangement, pro rata cost. Minimum stay: 7 nights.
- Closed
- Never.
- No smoking
- Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
- Owner has pets
- Animals living on the property
- Meals
- Gourmet poolside lunches, dinner and wine available, €25-€38.
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Reviews
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We had a wonderful week at Chestnut Cottage with Harris and Victoria on hand when needed. The house was beautifully kept and the garden and pool huge. Lots of space for two families. The location is very private but only a short drive to many of the local attractions- caves, river, markets etc. Would definitely recommend!
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We have enjoyed a wonderful week at Chestnut Cottage. The property is very spacious and comfortable, situated in fantastic grounds with an amazing swimming pool that the children would have spent all day every day in given the choice! Chestnut Cottage is well situated for exploring the Dordogne - with easy trips out to caves, chateaux, gardens and markets. Harris and Victoria were lovely and very welcoming hosts. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.
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I can not recommend Chestnut Cottage highly enough, set in the most stunning location, cloaked in tranquillity, buzzing with bees and the sounds of nature. Harris and Victoria are superb hosts, warm, engaging, and hospitable. We have been before, and will come again.
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Wonderful hosts - Harris and Victoria made us feel most welcome and provided lots of useful advice about local amenities, restaurants and markets. The house has all the facilities that you need and one of the best swimming pools we have ever had in a holiday rental.
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Chestnut Cottage is a delightful find in the heart of Dordogne. Completely remote and peaceful, but not too far from all that the area has to offer. The cottage keeps lovely and cool, due to being made of stone, the lounge is really comfy with lovely large sofas. The kitchen is really well equipped, if you love to cook, you will be in your element. Outside, there is a terrace, dining table & chairs with an electric canopy for when it gets too hot. The swimming pool is huge, lots of loungers and chairs, not to mention darts, table football & table tennis. Huge grounds too wander in too!
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Much like your favourite beach, or restaurant, where you are reluctant to tell too many people lest it get 'found out' and mobbed, booked up, the talk of the sun loungers; I am vexed at sharing too much. Chestnut Cottage is a gem. Well appointed, tranquil, surrounded by nature with a pool to dream of in winter months. And Harris and Victoria are terrific. I'll stop there, it really is that good.
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Chestnut Cottage is an absolutely wonderful find, secluded but also conveniently close to lots of small villages and the picturesque Les Eyzies which boasts many restaurants. The house itself is an original stone building with thick stone walls which keep it cool even when it is very hot outside. The facilities are modern and convenient. The pool is absolutely fantastic, it is large and kept at a constant very pleasant temperature. The owners, whose house is next door, are delightful - extremely helpful but not intrusive. Highly recommended!
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What a fabulous place to stay for a very relaxing holiday. Charming hosts Harris and Victoria and their two lovely dogs were there to greet us and show us the house and the pool. The house is very well equipped with comfortable furnishings and the heated pool is superb, the largest we have ever had. The location in its own valley surrounded by trees is so peaceful, yet only 10 minutes away are restaurants and supermarket. We were able to enjoy one of Victoria's dinners, which I can highly recommend. I can highly recommend the cottage and the area.
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What a great place to stay for a wind down. Harris and Victoria are great hosts, the cottage is lovely and the location really makes it a peaceful and tranquil place to relax and unwind and the amazing pool is the icing on the cake. Lots to do in the local vicinity from the markets to canoeing. We particularly enjoyed Sarlat (but get there early on market day!).
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We were a family of 10, 6 adults and 4 children aged 2,3,6,9. We travelled in 3cars and there was plenty of parking on site. We needed to book the 5th bedroom, which is only accessible from outside the main house which was not a problem and it meant we were not woken early by grandchildren👍Main house very well appointed and clean, grounds lovely lots of space for kids to roam safely,pool was brilliant highlight of the holiday for them,Harris and Victoria excellent hosts, 2friendly dogs who always knew when food was around but never a problem, very good with the children. Recommed
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Our 3 generation family visit was extremely enjoyable. The large swimming pool was a great hit as was Victoria's poolside lunch and evening dinners, especially the Lamb Tagine. The area is packed with a wide selection of attractions and activities for all ages and well worth a visit.
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What a find! We had a wonderful week-long family holiday in Chestnut Cottage. The setting in a quiet secluded valley is idyllic. The charming cottage is comfortable, well-appointed and equipped and was spotless and well maintained. The excellent large heated pool was the icing on the cake - it became the focus of activities every day. Le Ruisseau is situated in a lovely part of France. Local amenities with everything that you need are a short drive away and there are lots of interesting places and fun things to do in the area – Ancient towns, spectacular cliffs and caves, rivers to can
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Well, when you return to the wonderful Chestnut Cottage for a fourth time it really is confirmation of what a beautiful and beguiling place this is. And, yet again, we had another truly memorable holiday. Because of the school holiday just my wife and I were there for the first week feeling rather like millionaires as we sipped gin and tonics by the pool. Then the whole family of (10 of us in total) were there for the second week. Yes more frenetic but the young ones absolutely loved it with the big heated pool and wonderful grounds to let off steam. Thank you so much Harris and Victoria.
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We first came to Chestnut Cottage nine years ago and have spent a fortnight here almost every summer since. We fell in love with the idyllic surroundings, the beautiful local towns and villages and the friendly and charming welcome from Harris and Victoria - now our dear friends. The cottage is comfortable and most attractive, nestling into the charming 50 acres of landscaped grounds. A big draw for us is the stunning pool which we have never seen equalled in any holiday property we have visited in France. We cannot praise this property and hosts (and livestock) more highly. Bon Vacances!
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We had a wonderful holiday in this beautifully maintained oasis. The children loved the space and the large pool and we enjoyed the scenery and seclusion whilst still being able to access all the nearby sights easily. Harris and Victoria were wonderful hosts and the dogs were happily integrated into our family for the duration of the holiday. What a wonderful place to live and we fully enjoyed our short time there!
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Chestnut Cottage is absolutely heavenly and we spent a very enjoyable two weeks there. The house and grounds are beautifully maintained by the lovely hosts and our children loved the acres of land and large, heated pool! Guests are spoilt for choice with the surrounding area - gorgeous family bike routes, caves, quaint and cultural nearby villages and towns packed with great restaurants. We’ll certainly be back!
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Just back from our third consecutive holiday at Chestnut Cottage which confirms just how much how much we (a three generation family) love the place. If you want a beguiling, serene and totally absorbing environment then Le Ruisseau is it. We view our holidays here as a form of spiritual renewal, amongst the deer, kingfishers, dippers, wagtails and the myriad of beautiful butterflies by the stream and lake. The whole secluded valley is all yours and the largest (heated!) swimming pool we have ever enjoyed, a cottage full of character with two very helpful owners and their adorable dogs.
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We have recently returned from a wonderful week at Chestnut Cottage and only wish we had stayed longer. We have kids of 4, 6 and 8 and they loved playing in the pool, with the dogs and around the lake. Harris and Victoria are great hosts and the tranquility and proximity to numerous pretty French towns is also perfect. Would highly recommend.
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A real treat to be so close to a wide range of activities and sites, especially wonderful caves, yet hidden away in total comfort in a verdant valley.
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Location
The neighbourhood
Chestnut Cottage sits in a 50-acre valley estate with a stream, lake, ruins and caves. It's between the villages of Manaurie and Fleurac; a two-minute drive to the nearest restaurant, five to the shops, restos and Monday market of Les Eyzies, 'the centre of prehistory in the Dordogne' (with a train station). The Rouffignac cave is a 10-minute drive; Le Bugue 15, with its aquarium and wild boar farm; Sarlat is 25 minutes.
Local points of interest from Harris & Victoria Raphael
- Very close to all the main tourist sites, Chateaux, rivers and market towns: SARLAT; LES EYZIES; MONTIGNAC ; DOMME; MONPAZIER; LIMEUIL and many more. Various marvellous Chateaux are close to us: Milande; Beynac; Castlenaud; Hautefort; Campagne and more.
- We are in the gastronomic heart of France. Wonderful and varied restaurants, food shops and farm producers abound within with 5 -25 minutes of Chestnut Cottage. Our local 'Auberge Sauvage' - 7 courses of fabulous local produce - is only 5 minutes away
- Superb daily and night markets - visit a different one every day if you want - all within 5 -30 minutes drive.And, of course, the areas renowned WINE Chateaux and Vineyards are also within easy reach - and we can arrange a wine tour for you!
- Tired of our lovely 15x7 metre heated pool and activities complex? There are always the enchanting Dorodgne and Vezere rivers to enjoy. And along these rivers are all the lovely honey-coloured stone villages - LIMEUIL, BEYNAC, ROQUE GAGEAC, etc.
- Our area's history is exceptional - a world heritage site. Many of the most famous sites are within half an hour: Font de Gaume; Lascaux; Gouffre de Proumeyssac; Grotte de Grand Roc. We even have have prehistoric caves on our land, used by resistance!
- Miles and miles of exquisite woodland and stream walks right on our door-step...and you probably won't see another soul on the trails. Keep and eye out for the multitude of deer, wild boar, beavers, geese ducks and other wildlife.
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Introducing
Harris & Victoria Raphael
Friendly hosts, the Raphaels, moved to their Domaine Le Ruisseau estate in 2002. Having them on hand is a boon for advice, lunches and evening meals if you wish. Harris is an English barrister and Dordogne property specialist, and Victoria’s background is hotel management. She’s a keen cook and gardener and is an ESL teacher.
We had a fantastic two week holiday at Chestnut Cottage. There was plenty of room for the 5 of us and we loved the pool area. The house had all the amenities that we needed and Victoria and Harris were great hosts. We loved the additional touches that they provided- whether homemade chocolate brownies or a bowlful of local walnuts. There was so much to do in the area and the location was a great base to explore the Dordogne. I am sure we will return! Highly recommended.