Maison de la Meuliere

We invite your group of up to 18 to experience the idyllic France profonde, the beautiful French countryside of the Perigord Poupre, the wine growing region of the Dordogne. Your home is an elegantly restored 18th century farmhouse and Grange with 9 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms.

Maison de la Meuliere sits amidst rows of grapevines and fields of sunflowers, just minutes from bustling Eymet, a 12th century bastide with bistros, boulangeries and a lively, weekly farmers market.

The property is in the countryside, but not remote - a half hour stroll along a pastoral country road or a quick drive, takes you to the closest village of Eymet - a medieval bastide town with a lively Farmers Market that has been held every Thursday since 1270. In July and August, you can enjoy the weekly Night Market, too.

During the season (June - August), a variety of activities keep locals and visitors happy - brocantes, vides greniers, flower shows, and in August, the Medieval fair replete with costumed dancers, acrobats, and strolling musicians, to name just a few. The house is located in the Perigord Poupre (wine growing region), so be prepared to indulge yourself in the wide range of excellent wines from sweet white Monbazillac to robust red, Pecharment.

Smaller groups of up to 10 can rent the farmhouse only at a reduced rate. Please enquire. Please note that the property is only ever rented to one group at a time so you have exclusive access to the house, the pool and the grounds.

Summary
- Two storey 18th century Farmhouse with 5 bedrooms, kitchen, dining area, salon (living room) with library, dining terraces.
- Grange with 4 bedrooms and gourmet kitchen with dining room & terrace.
- Swimming pool, gardens with fruit trees.
- Salon with well stocked library.
- Dining area with farmhouse country table.
- Covered terrace for reading, relaxing, refreshing.
- Large grange dining room seats 18.
- Covered grange terrace for al fresco dining.
- Traditional French country fabrics.
- Antiques and charming bibelots.
- Exposed 18th century beams.
- Three speed ceiling fans with remotes.
- Private modern bathrooms.

Farmhouse
The Pigeonnier (dovecote) and the bedroom behind it were built well before the French Revolution, the rest of the Farmhouse was completed in 1817, the date displayed on the Pigeonnier tower. The small tiles in the salon (living room) and hallway are called ‘Ancien Gironde’ and are original to the house. As you enter the farmhouse, the Salon is the first room on the right with comfortable sofas and a well stocked library.

To the left is the Writing/Game Room with writing desk and game table. Beyond the Salon is an open Kitchen and Dining Room with French doors opening onto the outdoor covered Dining Terrace. The swimming pool, two more terraces and the gardens are just beyond.

Behind the Game Room you find the largest bedroom (originally two bedrooms) with two twin beds and private bathroom. A door leads out to the garden.

Upstairs are four individually decorated and comfortably sized bedrooms, each with two twin beds and private ensuite bathroom. A second sink, tucked into a corner of each bedroom makes getting ready for each day's adventure quick and easy for you and your partner.

Windows in each bedroom open out onto the property in a different direction. One of the rooms has a large velux and on clear nights, sleep under a canopy of stars; another room, the pigeonnier has superb timber framing and charming windows through which the former occupants (pigeons!) arrived. The other two bedrooms each boast magnificent ancient beams and fabulous stone walls. All bedrooms have 5 speed ceiling fans controlled by remotes.
 
Grange
The centerpiece of the grange is the double height Gourmet Kitchen and Dining Area, with ample seating for 18. A covered terrace comfortably seats 18 people as well. On either side of the Grange Kitchen/Dining Area are two bedrooms (for a total of four) each with a private entrance opening onto the garden.

All bedrooms have two twin beds, each with private ensuite. Here, as in the farmhouse, a second sink tucked into a corner of each bedroom makes getting ready each morning much more relaxed. All bedrooms have five speed ceiling fans controlled by remotes.

Stroll through the garden filled with lavender, red and pink roses and wild flowers in a dizzying array of hues from majestic purple to sunny yellow. Wander through the fruit trees where ripe fruit waits patiently for your tug. Pop a sun kissed cherry into your mouth, sweet, red and warm. Try a honey coloured apricot, bursting with nectar. Late summer brings figs, green and black, plump and luscious. Early fall, mighty walnut trees rain nuts on unsuspecting passers by.

Take the plunge into the private pool and refresh in the cool, clear water. Also within the grounds is a 19th century corn husker resting against an ancient well and a millstone overwhelmed by huge white blossoms and a once loved sink silently keeping vigil. Stake out a shaded spot on one of the terraces or under a parasol, read or snooze and enjoy a glass of wine.

Pluck a book from the library shelf and plop onto a red sofa in the salon. Find a pal and play a friendly game of chess. Catch up on your email on the farmhouse dining room table. As you wander, you'll find bugles and copper weights; lavender sticks and ancient coffee grinders - tools for cooking and tools for the garden that now sit idle, reminders of an era long ago.

*If accomodation is needed for an extra guest there is an additional room that can accomodate a single bed and a 10th bathroom with a toile, sink and shower.

*Please note, locations shown on the maps are approximations only

Our medieval village, Eymet, has all the amenities that make country living so relaxing - boulangeries (bakeries), maison de la presse (English newspapers, magazines & books for sale), post-office, etc.

There are also quite a few dining options - from a modest but delicious pizzeria to an elegant and exquisitely delicious restaurant. Preparing food at home is a wonderful option, too - especially each Thursday when you come home with bags heavy laden with the ripest of fruits and freshest of produce. Easy shopping on non-market days with nearby supermarkets. The closest  is only 10 minutes away by car, others are slightly farther away (15 minutes either north or south).

The house is 20 minutes from the closest airport (Bergerac) and train station (Bergerac). The closest TGV (fast train) stop is Libourne (90 minutes from farmhouse).

Twenty minutes by car and you’re at the fairy tale castle of Monbazillac, touring the Chateau or sipping the sweet white wine of the same name, which the locals drink with dessert or more often with another specialty of the region, foie gras. One of our favorite restaurants is in Monbazillac and the food is as good as the scenery is: spectacular.

Another 10 minutes farther north will find you at the capital of the Perigord Poupre, Bergerac, made famous by the Musketeer, Cyrano de Bergerac. Don't miss the twice weekly Farmer’s Market which engulfs the Church with fresh, local produce or the Maison des Vins, where you may taste and sniff as many local wines are you are able. At Bergerac, you can explore Old Town by foot or take a relaxing gabarre (flat bottom boat) ride and travel lazily along the Dordogne River.

Within an hour radius, grand chateaux and simple wineries welcome you and offer you samples of their Bergerac sec (white wine), Pecharment (red wine) and of course Monbazillac wine. If you enjoy Farmer’s Markets, you can find one everyday and depending upon the season, you can gorge on white asparagus, wild strawberries or perfectly ripened peaches. If you like antiquing or searching for bargains, then the brocantes (antique fairs) and vide greniers (literally empty the attic) held in different villages and towns each weekend throughout the summer, are for you.

Sightseeing too is easy with the house as your base. Within an hour or so drive, you’ll be touring beautifully preserved medieval hilltowns like Beynac and Castelnaud with their fabulous fortress chateaux, medieval bastides (planned towns) created by English and French rivals during the 100 Years Wars, of which nearby Monpazier is the best preserved. Then there are Sarlat and Brantome and their nearby Renaissance pleasure chateaux.

And of course, there are the caves with prehistoric paintings from Lascaux to Font de Gaume and Rouffignac (where you visit the cave by electric train) that are not to be missed. From late July through mid-August, medieval fairs abound - with actors, dancers and musicians all in period costume, you'll be transported back in time.

- We are happy to arrange for our chef to cater for your group's meals.
- We are happy to organize visits to wineries, chateaux, caves with prehistoric paintings, truffle farm, duck farm, walnut mill, etc.
- We can book a coach.
- We can provide guides.
- We can arrange for painting, photography teachers, etc.

Atelier (optional)
Bring a bunch of white asparagus back from the market, set it on a table, then take out your watercolors and paint a still life. Learn what to look for when taking photos of the countryside, then grab your camera, go for a stroll and experiment with what you’ve learned. Learn how to plot a a mystery or begin to write your memoir. Take yoga classes or wine and cheese pairing ones. Your imagination is the limit and the possibilities are limitless!

The Atelier (Studio) which you have the option to rent (please enquire) - for painting classes, photography classes, writing classes, cooking classes, yoga classes. We can book teachers for you if you wish.
- Spacious Light-filled Atelier (Studio)
- Comfortably Seats up to 18 at large tables for art, photography & craft projects
- Ideal for lectures, seats up to 40 people
- For standing events, Atelier comfortably accommodates 80 people.

Indoor Reception Capacity
Stand up reception:
- Farmhouse: 50
- Grange: 70
- Atelier: 80

Sit-down meal:
- Farmhouse: 30
- Grange: 40
- Atelier: 40

Outdoor Reception Capacity: 150

- We can rent a marquee, hire a florist, book a caterer - prices depend upon size of marquee, types of flowers, meal selection.
- We can hire a coach for transportation.
- Church Ceremony: Two local churches - one within walking distance, the other is a 5 minute drive.

- Capacity: 19.
- Security deposit: €500. This is paid prior to arrival and will be refunded in full after departure subject to damage inspection.
- Linen & towels: All linen and bath towels are included in the rental price.
- Energy costs: Included in the rental price. There may be a charge for the low seasons (May & October).
- End of stay cleaning: €100 for farmhouse and €100 for grange.
- Arrival time: 4pm onwards.
- Departure time: 10am.
- Changeover: Saturday
- Pets: No.
- Smoking: No smoking in the property.
- Other: The Atelier is not included in the rental price but can be rented based upon needs of groups.
- It is recommended that all guests take out insurance to cover against potential cancellation and any accidental damage caused during your stay at the property.

Our thanks to you and your daughter for making this a more than delightful stay.

Gwen & Randolph Bragg

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We certainly appreciated your hospitality, your beautiful home and your thoughtful and informative historical overviews. Thank you for a wonderful stay.

Martha H.

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The second time around was just as wonderful as the first. Many thanks.

Jane Jordan

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What a lovely place and warm hospitality and good humor in a crisis! Thanks for the good memories.

Sue & Jim

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I love this place…and all your arrangements for our stay in Arles and day trips here… evening homilies… etc. !!!

Mary Andrews

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We really enjoyed the wonderful stay with you and both of you added so much. It was great and thanks for a splendid week. It has been a wonderful time with a lot of learning from you. Thank you

Mariam

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The second time was better than the first. Is that really possible? Bob and I both have enjoyed all this beautiful place has to offer.

Dawn Glass

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I think I have found heaven! Memories of places I only have dreamed of. Thank you for your hospitality.

Judie Gray

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When I beheld the Dordogne, I discovered the world’s most beautiful countryside. And most charming “farmhouse.” The side trips were all great, especially the cave!! Thanks for all of your efforts to make our stay delightful. I hope we will return. Love,

Marian

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Your hospitality reigns in everything you do and provide. The only think wrong is that we have to leave all too soon. Thanks for making a dream vacation come true, right down to sharing your daughter.

Peggy Wagner

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