Design Du Damier
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Overview
Set in five hectares of grounds and woodland scenery, surrounded by the rural landscapes of the Lot-et-Garonne, this eco-designed villa exudes contemporary flair alongside traditional French charm.
Design Du Damier offers so much room across its modern interiors having undergone an extensive renovation in recent years. The open-plan living and dining space is impressive with sliding doors opening out to the vast terrace allowing seamless indoor-outdoor living. The chic contemporary kitchen features a breakfast bar for sociable cooking and we love the corner wooden bar beside the long dining table. Families will especially appreciate the home’s table-tennis and table-football (as well as the fabulous swimming pool of course).
Up to 12 guests can stay across the villa’s five attractive bedrooms with queen-size double beds – all three doubles on the ground floor have en suite showers (some open-plan) including one en suite bedroom which has been designed to be accessible to wheelchair users. A spiral staircase leads to the final two bedrooms (and shared bathroom), one with a balcony overlooking the glorious grounds, the other with two additional single beds beneath the eaves.
Gaze out towards the woodland as you dine al-fresco on the stylish tiled terrace overlooking the huge grounds with so much space for children to play. Cool off in the elegant 10m long swimming pool made from natural stone – it’s design right next to the house is quite unique. Relax on the poolside decked terrace in the shade or sunshine and soak up the peaceful environment.
In a rural setting of countryside and farmland so typical of this part of south-western France, there is lots to explore nearby. Pick up regional delights at the twice-weekly market in Casteljaloux (8km), a historic town known for its thermal waters and close to Lac de Clarens for golf, tree-top adventures, horse-riding and seasonal water-based activities.
The region is loved by cyclists too, especially with the Canal des Deux Mers’ fantastic towpath passing south of Marmande. Spend time in Marmande itself with its historic architecture and weekly market. Try Côtes du Marmandais wine at local vineyards and delicious Marmande tomatoes in restaurants across the region.
Further afield, venture to pretty villages across the Dropt valley (Eymet, Lauzun) alongside bastide towns (Monpazier and Monflanquin) and riverside spots along the Dordogne including Bergerac and Sainte-Foy-la-Grande. Even the grand city of Bordeaux can be reached in just over an hour.
Heading south instead, experience the beautiful landscapes of the Gers with Fourcès, Larressingle and Montréal all less than an hour away. Bring back a bottle of Armagnac to enjoy on your terrace as evening falls and the stars light up the clear skies above you.
What you should know…
- The villa sleeps 12 guests across five bedrooms (one including a double bed and two single beds beneath the eaves). All three bedrooms downstairs have en suite shower rooms (some open-plan).
- One of the bedrooms has been designed for wheelchair users and there is a wheelchair-accesible path from the parking area to the villa - please ask for further details.
- Please note that outside of approximately mid-July and mid-August, extra charges will apply for bookings of more than four people. Please enquire for an accurate quote.
- When minimum occupancy is booked, some rooms may not be accessible and this remains at the owner's discretion. Please enquire should you require details.
- Please note that published rates are only valid for the current year. Any bookings for subsequent years will be on request only and correct rates will be confirmed at the time of booking.
- Please note that your booking will only be confirmed once we have checked availability with the owner or their property manager.
This home is a part of our Great Value Collection!
Our great value homes:
- may be traditionally styled for a laid back feeling
- may have some simple amenities and features
- mean that you can enjoy top holiday destinations for less!
Property Features
Maison Interiors (260m2)
Ground Floor
- Open-plan living room with doors sliding open to terrace
- Open-plan kitchen and dining area, well-equipped including oven, dishwasher, fridge, freezer, microwave, coffee machine, toaster, kettle, wooden dining table and corner bar
- Bedroom with double bed (160x200cm) and en suite bathroom with walk-in shower (bedroom suitable for wheelchair users)
- Bedroom with double bed (160x200cm) and en suite bathroom with walk-in shower
- Bedroom with double bed (160x200cm) and en suite bathroom with walk-in shower
Some of the en suite shower rooms are open-plan to the bedrooms
Upstairs (via open-tread spiral stairs)
- Mezzanine hallway
- Bedroom with double bed (160x200cm) and balcony
- Bedroom (sloping ceiling) with double bed (160x200cm) and two single beds (90x190cm each)
- Shared bathroom
There are three WCs in total across the villa
Outside Grounds (50,000m2)
- Heated swimming pool (10x6m, depth: 1.5m) with safety alarm
- Poolside terrace with sun loungers
- Pool house
- Terrace with al-fresco dining table
- Barbecue
- Private land (five hectares)
- Parking (for several cars) with wheelchair friendly path to house
- EV charging point
- Paddock for horses (additional fee to bring your horse)
Location
About the surrounding area of Design Du DamierIn the Lot-et-Garonne countryside, not far from the Gironde border, Design Du Damier enjoys a rural setting surrounded by vast grounds and woodland, around a 20-minute drive south-west of the riverside town of Marmande. With the Dordogne region to the north and the Gers landscapes to the south, this is a great base for exploring this part of south-western France.
Bordeaux Airport (96km) and Bergerac Airport (73km) are both just over an hour away by car whilst the nearest train station is in Marmande (17km) – if arriving by TGV from Paris, change at Bordeaux. Otherwise it is 6 to 7-hour drive from St Malo, Caen and Le Havre ferry ports.
There is a pharmacy, petrol station, épicerie (with bar) and bank around 3km away and supermarkets and restaurants can be found in and around Casteljaloux (8km), a small historic town with a twice-weekly market. Casteljaloux is also known for its thermal waters and the picturesque Lac de Clarens just south of the town, home to a range of seasonal activities including an inflatable water course, pedalo hire, stand-up paddle boarding and canoeing alongside a horse-riding centre, tree-top activity centre and 18-hole golf course.
In the other direction is Marmande (17km) by the banks of the Garonne, an attractive market town surrounded by agricultural landscapes, farmland and vineyards producing Côtes du Marmandais. Visit on a Saturday morning for its weekly market showcasing a wealth of regional produce including seasonal Marmande tomatoes! After exploring the historic town, take time to stroll around Parc De La Filhole by the banks of the river.
There are so many wonderful day trips in every direction. Visit pretty villages across the Dropt Valley such as Eymet (50km) and Lauzun (50km) or some of France’s bastide towns including Monflanquin (71km), Castillonnès (61km) and Monpazier (87km). Spend time exploring historic Bergerac or soak up the ambience of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande’s Saturday morning market, both towns by the banks of the Dordogne. Even Bordeaux (92km) can be reached in just over an hour by car or take the train from Marmande.
Heading south instead, venture towards the Gascony region starting off in Nérac (39km) by the Baise River or continue south to the trio of idyllic Gers villages – Fourcès, Larressingle and Montréal, all within an hours drive. Agen (59km) is another fine day out, famed for its riverside setting, historic architecture, atmospheric markets and Agen prunes steeped in Armagnac.
| Local Amenities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest Airport |
Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport
(73km) |
||
| Nearest Airport 2 |
Bordeaux Airport
(96km) |
||
| Nearest Train Station |
Gare Marmande
(17km) |
||
| Nearest Village |
Small village
(2km) |
||
| Nearest Restaurant |
Local area
(Within 5km) |
||
| Nearest Supermarket |
(7km) |
||
| Nearest Town |
Casteljaloux
(8km) |
||
| Nearest Tennis |
Casteljaloux Tennis Club
(9km) |
||
| Nearest Golf |
Golf Casteljaloux
(10km) |
||
| Nearest Beach |
Arcachon
(125km) |
||
Region
Aquitaine’s reputation as a varied and enchanting destination is well-earned – whether you’re looking for relaxation or excitement, this beautiful part of south-western France is a feast for every one of the senses. To make sure you’re getting the very best of your holiday (and to clue you up if you’re thinking of going) check out our wonderful travel guide – it’s full of tips, info and the things you really shouldn’t miss when you visit unforgettable Aquitaine.
Kids
Best Suited For: All AgesFamilies will enjoy the villa’s vast beautiful grounds with plenty of space to play – children can also enjoy table-tennis and table football. A cot and highchair can be requested if needed.
Just south of the local town, Lac de Clarens is home to a horse-riding centre, tree-top activity centre as well as seasonal water-based activities including pedalo boats, canoe hire, stand-up paddle boarding and supervised swimming. There is also a huge inflatable course on the lake in the height of the summer. Out of the summer season it remains a pretty spot for nature walks and picnics.
By the banks of the Garonne, Fous de Garonne (20km) is a family attraction where you can learn all about the river and valley (including boat trips in July and August).
Animal lovers will enjoy spending time at Parc du Griffon, around half an hour away, with its many animals and activities including inflatables, a playground, zip-line and an area for summer waterplay.
Meanwhile, if you love cycling then head out and explore the trails of the Lot-et-Garonne including a tow path by the Canal des Deux Mers which passes just south of Marmande.
Baby and Toddler Equipment
- Cot(s)
- High Chair(s)
Kids Activities Close-by
- Forest park/High-rope course
- Watersports
- Canoeing/Kayaking
- Tennis Nearby
- Cycling
- Horse Riding
- Fishing
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
- Historical Sites
Onsite Facilities
- Child-Safe Pool
- Heated Pool
- Table Tennis
- Table Football
Extras
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport pick-up/drop-off
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!
Oliver's Travels Chef Service: A Gourmet Dining Experience
Make hosting a memorable dinner party at your villa an absolute breeze with our superb Chef Service. Our chefs will take care of everything for you from start to finish so you can just sit back and enjoy the gastronomic experience. They will bring all the necessary ingredients, cook and serve the food and even clean up afterwards. To find out more visit www.oliverstravels.com/chefs
| Security deposit | €500 charged to client's credit card as a pre-authorisation at least 2 weeks prior to arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 5.00 p.m. |
| Departure time | 9.00 a.m. |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
| Security deposit | €500 charged to client's credit card as a pre-authorisation at least 2 weeks prior to arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | 5.00 p.m. |
| Departure time | 9.00 a.m. |
| Minimum stay | 7 nights - all other durations on request. |
| Changeover day | Saturday. All other changeover days on request. |
| End of stay cleaning included? | No. €150, payable to Oliver's Travels at the time of balance payment. This is for a standard changeover clean. Guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. |
| Energy costs included? | Energy use over above 150kw/week is an extra cost, payable locally. |
| Linen & towels included? | Extra €12.50 per person, payable to Oliver's Travels at the time of balance payment. |
| Pool towels included? | No. |
| Tax | French Visitors Tax payable locally in cash (typically costs €1-€10 per adult per night - please enquire if exact amount is required). |
| Pool heating charge? | No, energy use over above 150kw/week is an extra cost. Please note that like all heated pools, pool heating and water temperature are reliant on weather and outside temperatures. |
| Pool opening dates? | Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming. |
| Pets welcome? | On request only and with prior agreement with the owner. If accepted, a pet supplement of €50 per pet will apply (payable to OT with balance). |
| Smoking Allowed? | Not allowed. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are not allowed. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Please note that published rates are only valid for the current year. Any bookings for subsequent years will be on request only and correct rates will be confirmed at the time of booking. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Please note that your booking will only be confirmed once we have checked availability with the owner or their property manager. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Please note that outside of approximately mid-July and mid-August, extra charges will apply for bookings of more than four people. Please enquire for an accurate quote. |
| Other Ts and Cs | When minimum occupancy is booked, some rooms may not be accessible and this remains at the owner's discretion. Please enquire should you require details. |
| Other Ts and Cs | The owner has informed us that this property has wheelchair access. However, please contact us before booking so we can discuss individual accessibility requirements with the owner to ensure that this property is suited to your specific needs. |
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 4 people:
| Rental period | Weekly |
|---|---|
| Nov 26th 2024 - Mar 29th 2025 | £1,426 |
| Mar 29th 2025 - Apr 19th 2025 | £1,663 |
| Apr 19th 2025 - May 3rd 2025 | £2,079 |
| May 3rd 2025 - May 17th 2025 | £1,663 |
| May 17th 2025 - Jun 7th 2025 | £1,782 |
| Jun 7th 2025 - Jun 21st 2025 | £2,138 |
| Jun 21st 2025 - Jun 28th 2025 | £2,376 |
| Jun 28th 2025 - Jul 5th 2025 | £2,969 |
| Jul 5th 2025 - Aug 23rd 2025 | £4,157 |
| Aug 23rd 2025 - Aug 30th 2025 | £3,563 |
| Aug 30th 2025 - Sep 20th 2025 | £2,079 |
| Sep 20th 2025 - Oct 25th 2025 | £1,782 |
| Oct 25th 2025 - May 30th 2026 | £1,426 |
Prices based on an occupancy of 12 people:
| Rental period | Weekly |
|---|---|
| Nov 26th 2024 - Mar 29th 2025 | £2,376 |
| Mar 29th 2025 - Apr 19th 2025 | £2,613 |
| Apr 19th 2025 - May 3rd 2025 | £3,029 |
| May 3rd 2025 - May 17th 2025 | £2,613 |
| May 17th 2025 - Jun 7th 2025 | £2,732 |
| Jun 7th 2025 - Jun 21st 2025 | £3,088 |
| Jun 21st 2025 - Jun 28th 2025 | £3,326 |
| Jun 28th 2025 - Jul 5th 2025 | £3,919 |
| Jul 5th 2025 - Jul 12th 2025 | £5,107 |
| Jul 12th 2025 - Aug 23rd 2025 | £5,344 |
| Aug 23rd 2025 - Aug 30th 2025 | £4,513 |
| Aug 30th 2025 - Sep 20th 2025 | £3,029 |
| Sep 20th 2025 - Oct 25th 2025 | £2,732 |
| Oct 25th 2025 - May 30th 2026 | £2,376 |
Please note that these prices/rates are a guide only and may not be correct at the current date. For an accurate quote, please enquire.
Reviews
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Fantastic
We had a fantastic time. The house was lovely and the hosts, wonderful people.
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Absolutely perfect stay!
Absolutely perfect stay! The house is very well designed, very comfortable. Very nice services (heated swimming pool, ping pong, table football, barbecue, perfect bedding…. Etc) Nothing is missing, everything is perfect Our hosts were lovely Thank you for everything!
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Beautiful House
Our 2 weeks of holiday at Design Du Damier went very well, a very beautiful house and a sunny week!
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What a fantastic holiday home!
We had a great time and were lucky with the weather, not too hot in any case. What a fantastic holiday home! This is the most luxurious and complete house we have ever stayed in. Plenty of space, well-equipped kitchen, beautifully decorated, completely contemporary and the bedrooms / bathrooms are all equally beautiful. The interior has been well thought out here. Outside it is also nice to relax at the heated swimming pool and plenty of (reclining) chairs. We made good use of the table tennis table :) Many compliments to the friendly and attentive owners. The area is quiet, green and rural, exactly what we needed this holiday, but you are also at a bakery within 5 minutes and at a Leclerc (with even a McDonald's) in less than 15 minutes in the nice town of Casteljaloux. As beautiful as on the pictures on your site, it certainly is in real life.
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A beautiful house in a beautiful setting.
A beautiful house in a beautiful setting. We were allowed to stay here with 12 people, from young to old, we had a great time and were fully equipped.
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We really enjoyed your house!
We really enjoyed your house! Everything we could think of was there and everything was also in tip-top order. Thank you for the nice welcome and the clear tour.
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Beautiful
We really enjoyed our stay in your beautiful house.
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Already looking for next year!
It was all very well organized and the house was great, clean, in short, perfect as described on your website, we are already looking for next year.
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Beautifully decorated
Congratulations on your house. Beautifully decorated and equipped with every comfort. We had a fantastic cycling week in this region that is ideal for that.
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Wonderful
How we enjoyed our holiday. The house was wonderfully clean when we arrived from our long drive and did not miss anything during our stay.
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Fantastic House
We have enjoyed your fantastic house. And also the area that we have already explored by bike which has shown us the beautiful nature. Thanks for everything.
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Awesome!
Thank you very much for this week in your nice house. You have made it completely suitable for people in a wheelchair, including shower stretcher and high / low bed. Awesome!
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We love it!
What a wonderful place you have created here. Peace, space and luxury. We love it! Wonderful choices in materials, design and styling. Our compliments. We really enjoyed 'our' temporary home and would love to come back. But for a week longer.
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We loved it!
When we arrived we were warmly welcomed by you. We felt at home. You have a beautiful house in which we were fully equipped. We loved it! Thank you for your hospitality.
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Beautiful
We had a lovely week with beautiful weather. Your house is beautiful and very well done. It will be a pleasure to come back to you. Good luck to you and see you soon.
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Highly recommend
We had a perfect stay. There is absolutely nothing to complain about the villa. Owners were very helpful and visibly made an effort to make our stay as pleasant as possible. Highly recommended.
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Very Nice
Our holiday went very well, the house is very nice.
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Lovely House
Lovely luxury house in a quiet area. Fully equipped. We stayed overnight with two families (4 children) and it went well.
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Delighted!
Very nice quiet house. Delighted family!
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A Wonderful Holiday
What a wonderful holiday we had in your house. When you walk through the front door, the holiday starts right away. What a beautiful spacious house and superb decoration.
The owner's personal greeting, menu, bottle of rosé and fresh fruit, basket in bed. All this immediately gives a welcoming feeling of warm welcome.
We had a week with extremely hot weather up to 41 degrees. The pool was 'rescued' us. We will miss it most when we return home. Such a beautiful pool at your fingertips. We are sure that you will please many more people with this house.
Thank you for your hospitality and maybe see you another year. -
Beautiful Home
The eight of us have greatly enjoyed your beautiful home.
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We had a great time.
We had a great time. The house was very nice and our holiday started well with your warm welcome. Thank you for the good care.
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We'll be back for sure.
After 2 to 3 corona years, we as a family were looking forward to going on holiday. You have received us very well and the house is really fantastic. It was taken care of down to the last detail. We made extensive use of the pool, in various aquagym sessions, swimming laps and 'Olympic' water games. The environment has also pleasantly surprised us. The total package is highly recommended. We'll be back for sure.
Don't miss out! Reserve now and get a full refund if you change your mind within 48hrs.
