Château with pool to rent in the Dordogne

Chateau Heart of Dordogne - Charming property for rent in the south-west of France

A castle classified as a historic monument

This exquisite French chateau is an exceptional property. Now a family home, it comes with an illustrious past. It started out as a Gallo-Roman observatory and a Roman garrison, with the added advantage of being built on a troglodyte site which enabled it to withstand the Barbarian invasions. This rental chateau in the Dordogne is listed as a historical monument and is an original mediaeval construction. The rampart walls date back to the 12th and 13th centuries and include a former moat, while the buildings inside were built between the 14th and 18th centuries.

The castle has been lovingly restored by the current owners who are passionate about history and have gone to great lengths to retain its authentic charm. The furnishings too contain some extraordinary original features including the chair that French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte sat in at the Assembly. Although he never actually stayed there himself, the chateau boasts other illustrious guests, such as Zita of Bourbon-Parma, who was the last Austrian Empress and the Queen of Hungary, and her eight children, including Otto van Hasburg who died in 2011.Stepping into this exquisite property is like stepping back in time!

A rental amongst nature

However, a fascinating past isn’t the only appeal of this castle in the Perigord region. The location is stunning. It is accessed by a little road and stands proudly overlooking the surrounding area, offering fabulous panoramic views. It lies in a secluded spot among 15 hectares of sprawling grounds with a large swimming pool, perfect for getting away from it all and truly switching off.

The interior is hallmarked by lavish French elegance, while catering to the needs of modern guests in terms of comfort and convenience. Rooms are spacious with high ceilings and ornamental mouldings, and include a 70m² dining hall which can seat up to 22 people. Housekeeping services are included in the price of the stay, and a chef can be brought in upon request.

Discover the Perigord

The Dordogne is reputed for its beauty and quintessential art de vivre and offers the ultimate French experience. The Perigord region is divided into four different areas, each of which is named after a colour and has its own particular features. Chateau Heart of Dordogne is ideally situated between White Perigord, Purple Perigord and Black Perigord. White Perigord gets its name from the chalky ground and abounds with rivers running along the feet of steep cliffs. Purple Perigord is best known for its wine production; local wines include Bergerac and Monbazillac, and its name comes from the grapes that grow on the vines. Finally, Black Perigord is named in honour of the dark leaves that grow on the local oak trees and its history of mining. 

Along your travels in the region, we recommend taking in the prehistoric sites like the village of Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, with its prehistory museum; La Roque Saint-Christophe, a sheer cliff overhanging La Vézère; or the Lascaux 4 cave which is an extraordinarily realistic replica of the original cave famous for its prehistoric wall paintings. 

Castle lovers will enjoy visiting the many monuments in the region, ranging from mediaeval fortresses to fairytale Renaissance castles, and visitors can also discover some of the Most Beautiful Villages of France – there are over ten of them within easy reach including Belvès, Beynac-et-Cazenac, Monpazier and La Roque Gageac. 

Naturally, with a reputation for authentic French living, the Dordogne has plenty to offer in terms of food and wine. The excellent local wares include Monbazillac and Côte de Bergerac wines, foie gras, walnuts, truffles, and cheese – all the essentials of the best of French cuisine! One of the traditional dishes is confit de canard served with pommes de terre salardaises – duck thigh and sautéed potatoes cooked in goose fat. And what better way to digest such a flavoursome and filling meal than strolling through the scenic countryside? Outdoor activities include long uplifting walks, canoeing on the Dordogne river, rock climbing on the limestone cliffs and potholing.

This chateau can comfortably accommodate three to four families or five couples.

Your rental chateau in France with a pool:

Indoors:

Ground floor
- Kitchen (22 m²) with a range cooker
- Grand dining room (70 m²) with a fireplace which can seat up to 22 people
- Large lounge/reception room (50m²)
- Living room (25 m²) with French billiards table
- Music lounge (25 m2) with a grand piano
- Study
- Bedroom 1: 13 m², double bed 1.40 m wide, bathroom, toilet
- Bedroom 2: 23 m², double bed 1.40 m wide, shower room, toilet
- Bedroom 3: 16 m², double bed 1.40 m wide, bathroom shared with bedroom 4
- Bedroom 4: 20 m², queen-size double bed 1.60 m wide, bathroom shared with bedroom 3
- Separate toilet for bedrooms 3 and 4

First floor
- Family lounge 61 m² with TV and upright piano
- Library 35 m²
- Bedroom 5: 16 m², double bed 1.40 m wide, bathroom and toilet shared with bedroom 6
- Bedroom 6: 16 m², two single beds (2 x 0.90 m wide) and a cot, bathroom and toilet shared with bedroom 5
- Bedroom 7: 45 m², queen-size double bed 1.60 m wide, bathroom with bath and shower, toilet
- Bedroom 8: single bed (1 m wide) and a pull-out bed, shower room and toilet
- Bedroom 9 : 22 m², queen-size double bed 1.60 m wide, single bed 1 m wide and a pull-out bed, shower room, toilet
- Bedroom 10: 26 m², 2 beds (2 x 1.30 m wide) and a spare bed, bathroom, toilet 

Outdoors:
- 15 hectares of grounds
- Terraces
- 15 x 6 m swimming pool with a semi-rigid cover, non heated
- Gas barbecue
- Tennis table

Housekeeping included. Chef services available upon request.

Chateau to rent in the Périgord, things to see and do nearby:

- Castles to visit (Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, Beynac)
- Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
- La Roque Saint-Christophe
- Lascaux 4
- Belvès, Beynac-et-Cazenac, Monpazier, La Roque Gageac and 6 other villages officially named as the Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages in France)
- Food and wine (wines, foie gras, duck, truffles, cheeses)
- Outdoor activities (canoeing, climbing, etc.)

Getting to your rental chateau in the Dordogne:

- Bergerac-Dordogne-Périgord airport 15 km
- Bergerac train station 10 km
- Périgueux-Bassillac airport 50 km
- Bordeaux-Merignac aiport 120 km

Location of the rental Chateau Heart of Dordogne (Dordogne and South West France)

Location, for information purposes only

Guest review about Chateau Heart of Dordogne