This is where stylish families can enjoy the good life...& lots of fun. A beautiful eco-friendly organic farm in idyllic surroundings.
This is certainly not your regular farm. Le Manoir is a fabulous environmentally and family-friendly restored Manor House where children can immerse themselves in safe country surroundings while the grown-ups enjoy the finer things in life.
Nestled in 100 acres of picture-perfect organic pasture and woodland, Le Manoir offers something for everyone to enjoy.
The garden and grounds feature a heated salt-water pool, wooden play area for older children and a smaller one for tiny tots, a trampoline, table-tennis, badminton, ball games, cricket, grazing ponies and snoozing cats.
This wonderful holiday home really is a hidden gem - outstanding accommodation, set in stunning rural surroundings, yet only a short hop from a host of amenities and fabulous family days out.
Close by you can go for a leisurely lunch or dinner at the village restaurant or pamper yourself at the local spa not forgetting there's always a game of golf game at the nearby course.
Inside
Le Manoir is a beautiful L-shaped building dating from the 17th century and boasting a wealth of period features. It is one of the most imposing houses in the village and marked on the map as a property of distinction.
The farmhouse has been extensively restored, combining contemporary and luxurious furnishings with ancient exposed beams, fireplaces and 'lavebos', stone sinks in the walls.
Le Manoir's main entrance is at the end of a path, through the central courtyard terrace lined with topiary box hedging planters.
The elegant entrance hallway features a classic stone staircase and a useful downstairs loo with stone lavebo.
Through double glazed doors is the salon, which typifies the clever combination of rustic charm accessorised perfectly with chic touches evident throughout the house.
The room has a high wooden beamed ceiling and exposed floorboards, an 18th century fireplace (no longer in use), and two big comfy sofas - ideal if you fancy a night snuggled up watching a movie on the 42-inch LCD television and DVD, which also has UK Freeview channels. Two sets of French windows look out onto rolling pasture where you can spot cows, birds of prey and deer while those on the opposite side overlook the sun-trap courtyard terrace.
Through another set of double glazed doors, is the music room housing a 100-year-old ebonised grand piano, with lockable lid, and another striking fireplace (no longer in use) this time dating from the 19th century.
The fully-equipped kitchen boasts fabulous exposed beams and stone walls and, in its centre, a huge oak table with contrasting modern chairs to seat eight.
Once again old and new sit beautifully together, with an antique butcher's block and traditional freestanding kitchen cupboards combined with ultra-modern polished work surfaces, light fittings, a dual-fuel double range style cooker and dishwasher. The walk-in pantry is home to an American-style fridge freezer dispensing cold filtered water and ice cubes at the push of a button. A separate laundry area has a washing machine.
At the front of the house is the 'entrée', with a huge glazed panel and door, extremely efficient log burner and leather armchairs. Doors lead out onto the courtyard at the front of the house so the children can pop in and out of the sunshine.
Also on the ground floor is a bedroom suite, accessed from the entrée via two stone steps, created from the former wine press. This is the perfect hide-away for grandparents as it is separate from the other bedrooms.
The huge, beautifully-decorated bedroom boasts an original fireplace, oak floor, exposed beams, stone lavebo and is completed by an antique wrought-iron double bed. French doors open onto the courtyard terrace. The stylish en-suite/dressing room has a shower, basin, loo and fitted wardrobes.
Upstairs the large landing has a French window with Juliet balcony overlooking the courtyard and the fields beyond.
The master bedroom is accessed along a corridor with a pretty en-suite shower room. This spacious and elegant bedroom is in Le Manoir's tower, the oldest part of the farmhouse, and has an impressive vaulted ceiling with exposed beams, large dual aspect windows with lovely views over the estate, plus a quirky toughened glass floor panel looking down to the entrée below. Drifting off to sleep in the beautiful king size, antique cast-iron four-poster bed will be a pleasure.
There are also two spacious twin bedrooms, one of which can easily be converted into a double with a specially-designed bed. Both have high ceilings and big windows looking out across the countryside and are brimming with playthings for children, including lots of role-play toys accessories.
Between the two twin bedrooms is a deluxe family bathroom with a contemporary freestanding bath, twin sinks, separate shower, loo, and lavebo.
Dining alfresco is all part and parcel of a relaxing holiday in the sun and Le Manoir offers no less than three furnished courtyards and terraces. The front, south-facing, courtyard seats up to eight and the second is accessed from the kitchen, also with seating for eight, and perfect for evening meals watching while the sun sets. Off the salon is a tiny east-facing terrace, which catches the early morning sunshine, and is ideal for breakfast 'à deux'.
Outside
Le Manoir's extensive outdoor space is an outstanding feature of this wonderful countryside idyll.
At the heart of the courtyard, under the shade of huge trees, you'll find a swings and slide set for smaller children. This is in full view of both terraces, making it the perfect spot for younger children to play safely.
At the far end of the courtyard is the fully-enclosed 11m x 5m salt-water, heated swimming pool, with Roman steps for easy access, enclosed by fencing and a self-locking gate and featuring two splash alarms.
A covered veranda provides poolside shade and there are plenty of sun loungers for relaxing
.
Next to the pool is a large, netted trampoline and, a little further up a gentle slope towards the woods, sits the second very large timber play set for older children.
Designed by British company Treetops, and constructed with wood from sustainable managed forests, this includes play houses, a swing, slide, climbing wall and climbing net, and is bound to provide hours of enjoyment and creative play.
Cleverly, the pool area affords a view of much of the play equipment. It's a perfect, well thought-out setting, giving grown-ups opportunity to while away the hours on the loungers by the pool while the little ones play to their hearts' content.
Wander further from the farmhouse and the family can enjoy a picnic in a specially-created space in the estate's woodland, take a walk along well-signposted paths, or even hitch a ride on a real tractor with the farmer.
The farm also has plenty of friendly animals to see and stroke, from pigs to cows, rabbits to guinea pigs, ponies to doves.
Or you can see the rare breed chickens - and maybe even collect some eggs - which share their stone-built home with the farm's resident ducks.
There's also an orchard of apple, cherry, pear, plum, fig and walnut trees and a medieval-designed vegetable garden, complete with sundial.
The possibilities for family fun are endless.
We can provide the following for babies and children:
• Cot/travel cot at least one that meets EU Standards
• Cot linen, fitted cot sheet, top sheet, blanket
• High Chair
• Booster seat
• Baby Monitor
• Changing mat and/or changing table
• Steriliser
• Stairgates (where needed)
• Potty
• Child's Loo seat
• Child's step
• Plastic cups, crockery and cutlery including weaning spoons
• Bath Toys and non-slip mat
• Hand held blender
• Bed Guard
• Blackout blinds/curtains/shutters in child's bedrooms
• A range of age appropriate outdoor toys
• A range of age appropriate indoor toys and books
• DVD player, screen and children's DVD – on request
• Microwave
• Night lights in children's bedrooms
For the Children
• Heated swimming pool
• Safe, indoor play area with an array of toys
• Plenty of outdoor play equipment for all ages
• Woodland walks and picnic area
• Friendly farm animals
For the Parents
• Beautifully renovated farmhouse with lots of room for the whole family to relax
• Peaceful, rural surroundings, yet only a short drive from local amenities and family attractions
• Safe indoor play area
• Fantastic outdoor space with heated swimming pool, extensive gardens, dining and relaxing areas
For the Environment
Le Manoir is a fabulous example of an environmentally-friendly farm achieved through:
Recycling
Composting
Water recycling
Wood (coppiced from the estate) fuelled heating system for the house and pool
Solar panels for the pool pump
Loos that drain into a 'fosse septique'
Ecologically-approved cleaning and washing materials
Solar powered external lighting
Energy saving bulbs
And Beyond
The Dordogne is an area of outstanding natural beauty and boasts unspoilt countryside dotted with farms, lovely wooded hillsides and gently winding rivers - rural France at its very best.
As one of the gastronomic centres of France, it is famous for foie gras, duck, truffles, mushrooms and seafood and there are many excellent and inexpensive restaurants in the local area featuring traditional regional recipes.
The area is also well known for its wines. The Pecharmant region is right on the doorstep, the world-famous vineyards of St Emilion are close by, and the local wines of Bergerac, Monbazillac, Monpazier and Cahors are also excellent.
For a memorable family experience, two fetes are held in the neighbouring villages in June and July, where there are fireworks, food, wine, singing and dancing - sometimes around a huge bonfire.
Every weeknight during the summer months the surrounding towns and villages hold markets - once again an experience not to be missed with lots of food stalls and music.
Les Jardins de Marqueyssac
A fabulous place to visit is Les Jardins de Marqueyssac, less than an hour's drive from Le Manoir. Listed as a National Historical Monument, the gardens feature more than 6km of shaded paths, edged with 150,000 hand-pruned 100-year-old boxwood shrubs. There is an amazing Easter trail, candlelit walks in summer, children's crafts activities and a lovely cafe and a maze, play area and small climbing wall.
Water Parks
If you fancy some water park fun why not try Aux Etangs du Bos, about a 50 minute journey? Here you'll find challenging inflatables for older children and a toddler pool perfect for little ones, as well as slides and activities for all ages. It's a great day out for families with children spanning several age ranges.
Closer still, at a 40-minute drive, is another great park, Jacquou Parc. Especially good for younger children this has more gentle rides and water park area, plus the added bonus of animals.
Bergerac
Bergerac, the second largest town in the Dordogne, is the capital of southwest Périgord and only 20 minutes from Le Manoir. This is a town bustling with life and vitality, especially in the pedestrianised area of the old quarter, where there is an abundance of cafés, restaurants, markets, boutiques and antique shops.
The town is also home to a number of excellent museums, fabulous markets with extensive produce and wonderful aromas, exquisite cuisine and wines and wonderfully warm and welcoming residents. And if the children need somewhere to let off steam, there is an indoor soft play area.
Bergerac is famous for its stunning firework display on July 14th - Bastille Day - a tremendous explosion of light and colour set to music. It is a truly unforgettable night with a very special atmosphere.
Limeuil
A 45-minute drive from Bergerac, Limeuil is a beautiful old town oozing atmosphere and style with a great location on the confluence of the Dordogne and Vézère rivers. There is a pleasant, but steep walk, to the top of the old town where there are beautiful formal gardens, with free admission for children. It is worth a visit to Limeuil for the stunning scenery and, if you're feeling energetic, canoeing from the riverbank.
Beaches
No sunshine family holiday would be complete without a trip to the seaside and the nearest, Arcachon, is a two hour's drive from Le Manoir.
Arcachon boasts superb sandy beaches, a picturesque sea-front promenade, plenty of shops, bars and eateries. The resort is also home to the fun-packed Aqualand water park with rides and slides for all ages and is open from June to September.
Grown-Up Time
If you fancy a bit of 'me time', then there is a fabulous spa with beauty treatments in Lalinde, just 10 minutes from Le Manoir, or at Chateau Les Merles, four minutes away, where there is also a nine-hole golf course and a great restaurant.
Further details
Change over in high season is Friday but at other times please contact us
Further details indoors
The Manor house at Rigal is a beautifully restored historic French ' Manoir' . Dating from the 18th Century and with a wealth of period features it is one of the most imposing houses in Cause-de-Clerans.It is marked on the map as a property of distinction.
The 'Manoir' is nestled in a beautiful courtyard amongst 116 acres of organic pasture and woodland.
The house has been extensively restored combining contemporary and luxurious furnishings with ancient
exposed beams, fireplaces and 'lavebos' ( stone sinks in the walls). There is even an arrow slot in the kitchen
with far reaching views to spot enemy attack! The rooms are on a grand scale. There are four large bedrooms (three upstairs and one downstairs with huge en-suite /shower room, ideal for reduced mobility guests)
Downstairs there is a salon with 18th century fireplace, chandelier and comfy sofas. Two sets of French windows look out onto rolling pasture where by day you can spot the cows, calves and birds of prey and at dusk you may see deer if you are lucky. There is a 32inch LCD television, CD player/radio and DVD player.
The main entrance of the house is via a double fronted door leading to a substantial hallway with cloakroom
(toilet and basin) and stone staircase leading up to the first floor.
The kitchen is fully equipped with a range style cooker with fabulous exposed beams, a magnificent hand crafted oak table capable of seating 8, antique butchers block and traditional freestanding kitchen cupboards standing side by side with the latest contemporary polished work surfaces, Philippe Stark light fittings and a modern dual fuel double range style cooker. Leading from the kitchen to the front of the house is the 'entrée' with comfy leather club chairs and huge glazed panel overlooking the courtyard from where there is access out to the front of the house. The entrée is a perfect place to sit and chill out whilst enjoying a glass of wine . Leading from the entree is the new west wing suite. A beautiful downstairs double bedroom with French windows leading to the courtyard. It has it's own dressing room, en-suite toilet, basin and shower room.
There are various patios/ terraces adjacent to the house where you can sit outside to eat, BBQ ( weber, provided), drink or relax and of course the 116 acres are at your disposal. To the left of the hallway is the music room housing a one
hundred year old ebonised grand piano, originally supplied by Harrods, London. There is another stunning fireplace dating from the 19th century. The master bedroom, with en-suite shower room and toilet, is over 3m high and with other antique furniture you immediately feel as though you have been transported into another world.It boasts, of course, its own en-suite and is the height of decadence.
There are two other large bedrooms upstairs, one with a twin which can be made into a double if required and the other with 2 single beds, a cot is available if required. These two rooms lead out onto a huge landing with a French window 'Juliet' balcony overlooking the courtyard. The bathroom is luxurious with a contemporary free standing bath, twin sinks, shower and toilet. Here you will find one of the ancient stone sinks in the wall. It is a wonderful place to stay to enjoy the stunning Dordgone area and all that the region has to offer.
Further details outdoors
At the far end of the courtyard you will find the swimming pool, an 11 x 5.5m salt water pool. The pool is secure and tastefully fenced and has two alarms to comply with current regulations. There is a verandah and roman steps lead down into the pool which has a depth of 2m at the deep end. The wifi extends to the pool area if you wish to surf whilst relaxing under the shade of the verandah.There is a large trampoline with safety net, swings and slide for smaller children and a sandpit and baby swing for little tots. Rigal is a working farm and there are always cattle and calves to be seen. The pastures are cut for hay during June or July and we have a small flock of rare breed hens who provide us with eggs. There is a small shop selling eggs when there are surplus . Other animals include ponies, rabbits, guinea pigs, cats and our sheepdog Misty. Exciting and fun timber play equipment for children.
Designed by British company 'Treetops' the new play
area for older children will provide hours of enjoyment
and creative play. Naturally, it is made with wood from
sustainable managed forests ( bearing CE mark and
strictly tested to European safety standards).
