Château du Lac, nr Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne

Sleeps 10

£9,375 per week

Château du Lac, situated in the Dordogne region of the South West of France, is a 15th century fairytale Château hideaway set in idyllic grounds and providing the ultimate getaway from which to explore everything that the region has to offer.  (In fact there has been a château on the site for around 800 years).  Within ten kilometers are many other châteaux, fortresses, churches and villages that typify the rich past of this part of the Dordogne valley.  A particular feature is the proximity of no less than six of the well-known “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”.

The Château was owned by Les Comtes de Ferriers from the 17th century until the Rev0lution.  It was then acquired around 1930 by a Scottish couple, Diarmid Campbell-Johnston, who made extensive restorations including the rebuilding of the Gatehouse and the creation of a large terrace above the entrance courtyard. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor were their guests on several occasions.  During the Second World War, the castle was used by the French Resistance to welcome fugitives, especially airmen.

In 2003 it was sold again and completely renovated by the new English owner who fell in love with the honey-stone, “witch’s hat” turrets, spiral staircases, stunning 18th century panelling and chapel set in 35 acres of gorgeous private and secure grounds.

Overlooking an ornamental swimming lake fed by the bubbling waters of the Menoire river, the Château has been completely renovated and now provides accommodation on three floors (with a self contained guardian’s apartment on the top floor), accessed by the large stone internal staircase and another spiral one at the other end of the château. The terrace was constructed at the beginning of the 20th century after removing a large part of the servants’ quarters and stables.

The rooms are furnished with a stunning collection of priceless antique furniture ranging from a Jacobean dining table to Elizabethan Italian portraits.  The dining hall has a beamed ceiling, rough stone walls and a fireplace – in fact there are fireplaces in most of the rooms!

Of particular note is the wonderful Grand Salon on the first floor which has access to the large terrace built by the famous American architect, Barry Dierks.   On this same floor is the Master Bedroom and the red Four Poster room where Marechal Ney stayed.

There are three further double ensuite Bedrooms on the second floor, two of which overlook the lake and the other overlooks the terrace outside the kitchen.  These are approached by the long top landing with walls lined with books (and some gym equipment if people should be so inclined!)

Accommodation & Pricing

Price Guide 2021:   

£9,375 per week
£6,500 for 4 nights

Sleeps:  10

Ground Floor:

Kitchen with access to outside terrace
Morning Room with small tower, huge working fireplace and double doors to lakeside
Dining Room with double doors to garden
Cloakroom

First Floor:

Grand Salon leading out to terrace
Ante-Chamber with boudoir grand piano
“Upstairs” Drawing Room
Master Bedroom
Bathroom
Four Poster Bedroom

Second Floor:

3 Double Bedrooms with ensuite Bathrooms

Third Floor:

Guardian’s Apartment

Services

  • Maid service 3 hrs, four times per week on the basis of a weekly rental
  • Maid service each morning on the basis of a four night rental
  • Additional housekeeping on request
  • A welcome hamper of local delicacies including wine and seasonal fruits
  • Fresh flowers
  • Barbecue and barbecue fuel
  • Logs for the fire

Facilities

  • Private terrace overlooking swimming lake
  • Sunbathing terrace, sun beds
  • Gym equipment on second floor landing
  • Large stone barbecue
  • ‘Chelsea’ summer house
  • Smart TV, sky digital, DVD’s & player, iPod dock music system
  • WiFi

There are a number of different activities within the château available to guests but under supervised instruction.  These include:

  • Archery –a professional target range, a selection of composite bows and arrows and a resident toxophilite.  Tuition available at €30 per hour.
  • Shooting – a professional target range and a number of 0.22 rifles.  Tuition available at €50 per hour.
  • Croquet –a well-kept croquet lawn within the grounds and a championship croquet set which is available for use.
  • Hot Air Ballooning – the château’s grounds have been used for numerous hot air balloon flights and, weather permitting, a flight could be arranged for your stay.
  • Canoeing and horse riding can be arranged locally or discover the many places for wild swimming.
  • Massage services.

6 of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France within easy reach:

  • Curemonte (where Les Noyers is located), Turenne, Collognes-la-Rouge, Autoire, Loubressac and Carennac

Shopping:

  • There is a small village shop within walking distance of the Château.
  • Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne  is a beautiful Roman village which is five kilometres away – many shops, supermarket petrol, and restaurants, lively markets

Location

By Air:

  • Brive la Gaillarde airport 25 minutes drive.
  • Limoges 90 minutes drive.
  • Bergerac 90 minutes drive.
  • Toulouse airport 2.5 hours drive.

By Train:

  • High-speed SNCF rail service to Brive la Gaillarde from Paris Austerlitz.

By Car:

  • From Paris via the A20 Autoroute, Château du Lac is about 5 hours.

Please note that the map is only a general indicator of location

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What Sarah thinks:

I spent a very comfortable and spoiling night in this stunning chateau.  It really is what fairy tales are made of!  If you would like to treat your friends or family to a wonderful week for a celebration or just a get together, this is the place to go.

Client Reviews: