La Maison des Sarrasins

The place was so beautiful it completely surprised us. We originally came for the air conditioning, but loved the setting and the family’s wonderful work restoring the old buildings. With the castle above and the Dordogne flowing peacefully below, it feels magical.

The views over the river and countryside are the finishing touch, with a huge cliff rising above the property. Outside, the grounds seem to go on forever, with plenty of lawn, shady spots, and a gorgeous pool area. Inside, that plain-looking entrance opens into something straight out of a fairytale. The house feels like stepping back in time and living in a castle, while still having modern conveniences. It was stunning at every turn and went well beyond what I expected. This is the best place we’ve ever stayed, and probably ever will. It’s worth every cent. I could write pages about it, but I’ll let the photos speak.

Being right in the village made it easy for everyone to walk to bars and restaurants, and to get to activities like canoeing and hot-air ballooning. We had 17 family members here for a wonderful holiday. There was room for the whole group, with spacious, comfortable bedrooms and lots of different places to sit, inside and out. The gardens were lovely, and the large pool came with spectacular views across the Dordogne. I’d highly recommend it.

The pool was great, and the views were incredible. It’s a stunning, comfortable place with everything well appointed. Getting there by car can be tricky, though, and watch out for Google Maps, which may send you through the castle even though that way is closed.