This gorgeous barn conversion would make a wonderfully romantic retreat for a couple or a small family, nestled into unspoilt Lot-et-Garonne countryside with glorious views from the house, the garden and the pool. Seasoned Francophiles know that the Lot-et-Garonne offers all the charm of the neighbouring Dordogne, but with rather fewer visitors, so you’ll find the pace of life altogether gentler in amongst its sunflower fields, fruit orchards and meandering waterways.

Maison de la Combe is one of the smartest restorations we’ve come across, carefully preserving its original features and double-height spaces for maximum impact. The décor is tastefully 21st century, turning the two double bedrooms into elegant modern retreats that would look quite at home in a chic little country hotel. The atmosphere throughout is thoroughly relaxing however: just pull up a sunbed, pour yourself a drink and feast all your senses on the peaceful countryside views. And once you’ve wound down into holiday mode, you can take your time discovering the vineyards, medieval villages and bastide towns that give this region its timeless beauty and character. Your only near neighbours are the owners, who have a house near to Maison de la Combe, but the pool and grounds remain private to our guests.

The local area

The area is rich in natural beauty, and activities on offer including walking, cycling, horse riding, canoeing and fishing. Highlights include Villeneuve sur Lot (27km), a lively town overlooking the Lot River with a pleasant pedestrian shopping area leading to a beautiful square. Pujols (25km) is a charming fortified town classified as one of France’s 'most beautiful villages', while riverside Agen (40km) is a gastronomic centre renowned for its famous prunes. For a longer day out, Bergerac and Bordeaux are 60 and 90 minutes away by car respectively. Wine lovers are spoilt for choice with the celebrated Bordeaux, Duras and Cahors regions all within easy reach.

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.