If you had to pick just one place that brings together all the most enticing elements of a French country holiday, then you might well go for this delightful one. Located in the heart of gourmet Dordogne yet comfortably removed from the visitor hot-spots, Maison Chamenon sits in 10,000m2 of fenced, private gardens which are exclusively yours to enjoy. The house has an elevated position on the Côte de Jor, a celebrated local beauty spot that overlooks the full splendour of the UNESCO-protected Vézère valley. The views from the terrace are superb, whether you’re waking up with a morning coffee, lost in a novel or toasting the end of another idyllic day. With lush greenery all around, there’s a wonderful feeling of privacy and escape, where you can enjoy the relaxing power of nature alongside the pleasures of an elegant holiday retreat.

The house has three bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom and therefore ideal for two or three couples or a family. There’s a large and inviting living/dining space which opens directly onto the terrace with its panoramic views. Just below is the 12-metre swimming pool, helpfully heatable by arrangement, so you can enjoy a dip even in the early or late season. The owners live in the house in the winter months, so you’ll find it very well equipped with all the comforts of home, including a Smart TV, workspace with printer and a Sonos sound system. The kitchen is particularly well supplied for any culinary action, however you may find little incentive to cook: the beautiful little village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère (1km) punches well above its weight in terms of restaurants, including the acclaimed Le Petit Léon. For foodie friends, Francophile couples or an active family, Maison Chamenon makes a blissful base for discovering the Dordogne.

Local Area

Picturesque Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère is listed as one of France’s ‘most beautiful villages’ and Maison Chamenon sits just a 15-minute walk away. It’s a film-set sort of a place, with sleepy narrow streets, medieval buildings and a river running through it, plus those all-important holiday amenities including a bakery, eight restaurants and even a cocktail bar. The entire Vézère valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site on account of the abundance of prehistoric shelters and painted caves. Lascaux, known as the Sistine Chapel of Prehistoric Art, is within easy reach; other days out include the troglodyte caves of La Roque St Christophe, the Maison Forte de Reignac and the Prehisto Park. For outdoor enthusiasts there is fishing, kayaking and canoeing on the Vézère River below the property. For a gentler day out, you’ll find a range of shops, bars and excellent restaurants in Montignac or Les Eyzies, which is also home to the Michelin-starred Le 1862 restaurant. Sarlat, the foodie mecca and medieval gem of the Périgord Noir, is around 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.