Built of pale golden stone, shuttered in white and flanked by dark cypress trees, the Manoir de St Christophe looks like an artist’s impression of the perfect French manor house, tucked away in the heart of the Dordogne countryside. Unashamedly romantic and tastefully practical, this is a beautiful base for one or two families looking to indulge in a week or two of fine French living.

The house is set in two acres of private grounds, with lawns for playing on and lots of lovely outdoor spaces for eating, drinking and chatting long into the mellow stillness of evening. Solar lanterns and fairy lights enhance the romance, and the gardens are equally appealing by day, whether you seek the shade of the vine-covered gazebo or follow the sun across the sky beside the south-facing private swimming pool. The three main bedrooms are decorated with Renaissance-inspired fabrics and local antiques, and the effect is somehow sumptuous without being remotely stuffy. The five bathrooms are appropriately modern, and there are three further bedrooms on the top floor suitable for older children or teenagers looking for a little private space. And as if all of this delightful décor and space was not enough to seduce you, the Manoir is just a five-minute walk from Peyzac-Le-Moustier, where you’ll find the essential boulangerie, shop, bar and restaurant.

The local area

The house lies in the Vézère valley, and has much to explore within just a few kilometres of the front door. Peyzac-Le-Moustier village is a five-minute stroll, and you can easily drive or even walk to visit the troglodyte caves of La Roque St Christophe (1km), the Maison Forte de Reignac (3km) and the Prehisto Park (3.5km). Le Moustier was the site of the discovery of the first Neanderthal skeleton in 1908 and gave its name to the Mousterian Era of prehistory, characterised by use of tools. Neighbouring St Léon-sur-Vézère is classified as one of the ‘most beautiful villages in France’ and the entire Vallée de la Vézère is a UNESCO World Heritage on account of the abundance of prehistoric shelters and painted caves. Lascaux, known as the Sistine Chapel of Prehistoric Art, is located 15 minutes away. For outdoor enthusiasts there is fishing, kayaking and canoeing on the Vézère River below the property. For a lazier day out you’ll find a range of shops, bars and excellent restaurants in Montignac or Les Eyzies (15-minute drive from the house), while Sarlat, the medieval gem of the Périgord Noir, is a 30-minute drive.

Our choice of France properties is diverse, ranging from simple charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal.

To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.