Villa Du Fleuve
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Overview
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Villa Du Fleuve is a centuries-old authentic stone villa set romantically on the banks of the Dordogne river, 15 minutes east of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Saint-Émilion, which has been producing some of the world's best wine since Roman times.
Just outside a tiny village with a boulangerie, a little lane cuts through Bordeaux vineyards. Head down it and through the sun-dappled vines and trees and soon you'll find yourself at this oasis of beauty and tranquility in the middle of Aquitaine.
The villa has been recently renovated to a very high standard with many authentic details such as thick stone walls, exposed brick and beams providing guests with rustic charm and a character that invites you to do nothing but relax and indulge (only not necessarily in that order).
You’ll find four bedrooms and three bathrooms, it’s incredibly cosy and has a wonderful home-from-home feel that typifies everything that's great about a villa rental. The owner has great style too, so you can be assured of some beautiful and tasteful decor!
It’s ideal for couples or a small family group to kick back, relax and enjoy the peaceful views and gentle countryside on the banks of the Dordogne, with canoes and kayaks for guests to use as well as a couple of bikes.
Once you feel refreshed and ready for a little exploration, head to the world-famous vineyards of the region and prepare to discover your brand new favourite bottle – take some home to enjoy on your terrace overlooking the Dordogne river. If there's one bit of advice we can give you, make sure there's room in your bags to take a few bottles back!
What you should know…
- The four bedrooms sleep up to eight guests and a further two guests could sleep in the den on a pull-out couch and day bed
- If you're staying on the upper floor, mind your head!
- The beautiful gardens lead to the river front
- Due to thick stone walls and the countryside location, Wi-Fi signal may be weak in some rooms
Property Features
Villa Interiors
- Living room with a sofa and two club chairs, wood-burning stove and iPod dock and library. Formal table for four guests
- Open-plan kitchen, well-equipped including gas range oven with 5 hobs, two-door fridge, dishwasher, microwave, toaster, oven, coffee maker and kettle. Table for six guests. Door leads to small side terrace with river views
- Bedroom with air-conditioning, queen-size bed and window overlooking garden
- Bedroom with air-conditioning, king-size bed (can be made into twin) and French doors opening up to garden (also can be an independent entrance)
- Bathroom at the end of the hall with bath, hand-held shower and WC
- Guest WC
- Den/TV room or office with pull-out couch and space for a day bed
- Utility room with washing machine and dryer
Wheelchair access may be possible via the back door into the den - please enquire
Upper Level (via staircase from den, low ceilings in the room)
- Loft-style bedroom with air-conditioning, queen-size bed and vineyard views. En suite shower room and separate WC
Upper Level (via staircase from living room)
- Master bedroom with air-conditioning, king-size bed, satellite TV and river view. En suite shower room and WC
Outside Grounds
- Salt-water swimming pool (5x10m) with alarm system and fenced
- Al-fresco dining area
- Handmade iron BBQ and rotisserie
- Gardens
- River access
- Shed (with canoes and kayaks)
- Two bikes
- Ping-pong table
Facilities
- High-speed Starlink Wi-Fi
- Air-conditioning in bedrooms
- Satellite TV (inc. English channels)
- iPod dock
- Library including English books and local guides
- Board games
- Bikes (x2)
- Ping-pong
- Canoes and kayaks
- Washing machine and dryer
Location
About the surrounding area of Villa Du FleuveThe villa is an ideal vacation spot for wine lovers or those in search of a relaxing and memorable holiday in the tranquil countryside of the Bordeaux region.
Whether arriving in Bordeaux by air or train, you are less than an hour away from the Villa. Guests can reduce the drive to half an hour by taking the TGV from Paris to Libourne. The quaint town of Saint-Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site and obligatory stop for oenophiles (aka wine lovers!), is only fifteen minutes by car.
The fête du vin, held every other June in Saint-Emilion and Bordeaux, is reason alone to visit! The lively town of Castillon-la-Bataille, with twice-weekly markets and larger stores, is only a ten-minute drive away. The region is rich in wine and history, with dozens of medieval chateaux and thousand-year old churches dotting the hillsides. Restaurants running from the basic and hearty to high-end also abound in the area, with a nice mix of family-run establishments serving traditional fare and newer chefs putting a modern spin into their menus.
The quiet riverside village is just a few minutes on foot, with a bakery, small grocery store and post office, whilst restaurants and a supermarket are within a short drive. A spectacular Bastille Day celebration, annual flea market and myriad of special events take place in the village, including a special Christmas market. During the summer months are three evening markets, where local goods, wine and gifts are for sale - you'll also find some long picnic tables where the community gathers to celebrate well into the night! Luckily, you can just stroll home from the festivities if you're starting to feel the strain of too much food and excellent wine!
| Local Amenities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest Airport |
Bordeaux or Bergerac
(60 km) |
||
| Nearest Ferry Port |
St. Malo
(570 km) |
||
| Nearest Village |
(500 m) |
||
| Nearest Town/City |
Castillon-la-Bataille
(8 km) |
||
| Nearest Bar/Pub |
(4km) |
||
| Nearest Beach |
Cap Ferret
(129 km) |
||
| Nearest Restaurant |
(6km) |
||
| Nearest Supermarket |
Castillon-la-Bataille
(8km) |
||
Region
One of France’s most iconic hilltop towns, Saint-Émilion is waiting to enchant wine enthusiasts, gastronomes, keen historians and Francophiles in so many different ways. With its UNESCO World Heritage vineyards, visitors will have the opportunity to sample AOC wines from one of the most famous and historic wine-growing regions in the world.
Start off by exploring the cobbled lanes of Saint-Émilion as you admire its beautiful architecture and churches – its origins date back to the 8th century. One of the most impressive sites is the 12th century stone-carved Monolithic church, the largest of its kind in Europe, a truly astonishing masterpiece – a guided tour of the church and catacombs is a must.
As well as the town’s famous Merlot, try Crémant de Bordeaux at Les Cordeliers, once a monastery that was brought by a winemaker in the 19th century – enjoy a glass of sparkling wine overlooking the cloister garden. Food lovers note there are several excellent restaurants including Michelin star establishments (Logis de la Cadène and La Table de Pavie are two famous names). Look out for French macarons as well - Saint-Émilion claims to be the birthplace of this delicious sweet treat.
Of course, wine tours and tastings can be arranged across the Saint-Émilion wine-growing region. There are so many to choose from, from small family-run vineyards to prestigious wine châteaux, and it’s fantastic to be able to buy such excellent wines directly from local producers. Wine connoisseurs note that the neighbouring Pomerol wine appellation should also be included on your itinerary for longer stays.
Meanwhile, explore the idyllic landscapes by bike, a wonderful way to appreciate the beauty of Saint-Émilion’s vineyards, or enjoy a hot-air balloon ride to capture the scenery below. A little further afield, canoe or kayak along the Dordogne near Castillon-la-Bataille, experience the vibrant markets of Libourne and travel to the great wine city of Bordeaux for another amazing day out in this captivating part of southwestern France.
Kids
Best Suited For: All AgesLittle history lovers will love exploring the underground catacombs in Saint-Émilion, only 21km away, or just admiring the incredible architecture across this historic village. Impress them with a tour in a Tuk-Tuk or even a prestige motor vehicle!
Teens may also appreciate the many activities available across the region such as canoeing on the nearby Dordogne river and horse-riding, walking or cycling across enchanting landscapes.
Visit some great lakes in the area such as Lac des Dagueys, 32km away, with its summer inflatable water park and also at Blasimon,17km away, where there are outdoor sports, fishing, swimming during certain periods in the summer as well as gentle walks in picturesque surroundings.
Then of course there is the great city of Bordeaux, on the banks of the Garonne, only 1hr away, with its magnificent buildings (look out for the summer splash fountains at the Miroir d’Eau) and brilliant museums (including Cap Sciences and the Natural History Museum). Tired legs can tour the city via the little road train that takes you past some of the city’s major sights.
Beach lovers don’t have to travel too far to reach the Atlantic coast – within 2 hours by car you can reach the great long beaches around Arcachon or visit the stunning and famous Dune du Pyla.
Baby and Toddler Equipment
- Stair gates
- Cot(s)
- High Chair(s)
Kids Activities Close-by
- Walk to Village
- Fishing
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
Onsite Facilities
- Bikes
- Board games
- Pool inflatables
- Child-Safe Pool
- Bicycles Provided
- Indoor Games
- Outdoor Games
- Table Tennis
- DVD
- Fenced Grounds
- Waterfront
Services Available
- Chef/Cook Available
- Maid Service Available
- Babysitting Available
Extras
Oliver's Extras
- Chef/Cook Available
- Maid Service Available
- Babysitting Available
- Complimentary Welcome Pack inc. Wine
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
- Babysitting/childcare services
Extras available at this property (payable locally unless stated):
- A welcome pack is provided with basics such as cheese, eggs, bread, tea, coffee, olives, sausages and wine
- The helpful and pleasant English-speaking caretakers live nearby and can be engaged to prepare one or more meals
- Wine tours and tastings can be organized as well
- Additional cleaning and babysitting can be arranged for a small fee.
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
Event information
| Security deposit | €750 charged to client's credit card by Oliver’s Travels 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. onwards. |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
| Security deposit | €750 charged to client's credit card by Oliver’s Travels 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. onwards. |
| Departure time | 10.00 a.m. |
| Energy costs included? | Yes. |
| Linen & towels included? | Yes, including pool towels. |
| Pets welcome? | Small dogs on request only and with prior agreement with the owner. If accepted, an additional €500 security deposit is payable. |
| End of stay cleaning included? | Extra €275, paid to Oliver's Travels at time of balance payment. However, 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 garbage disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. |
| Changeover day | Saturday from May to October, flexible during all other periods. |
| Smoking Allowed? | Outside only. |
| Insurance | It is recommended that all guests take out insurance to cover against potential cancellation and any accidental damage caused during your stay at the property. |
| Other Ts and Cs | Weddings, stag/hen parties and any special events are not allowed. |
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 10 people:
| Rental period | Weekly |
|---|---|
| Dec 20th 2024 - Jan 4th 2025 | £4,706 |
| Jan 4th 2025 - May 17th 2025 | £4,201 |
| May 17th 2025 - Oct 18th 2025 | £5,311 |
| Oct 18th 2025 - Jun 23rd 2026 | £4,201 |
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.
How long have you owned the property?
7 years, moved in in December of 2009 right before Christmas.
What was it about the property that you first fell in love ...
Owner Profile
How long have you owned the property?
7 years, moved in in December of 2009 right before Christmas.
What was it about the property that you first fell in love with?
The river, getting a place directly on the river with direct access to it, the cleanest and one of the most beautiful in France, was a coupe de grace!
Are there any interesting stories in its history?
Yes – the place was built in the late 1700’s as a priory for monks, the nuns lived next door at my neighbor’s, Pat, house. After that it was owned by a series of armers and then finally a Belgian sailor and his wife whom I bought it from. Legend has it that the monks buried a bunch of money or perhaps gold somewhere in the house or yard. One of the farming families dug up the entire floor and 1/2 of the garden and never found it….is it still there? We’ll never know.
Have you ever had any famous guests staying?
Not that I know of, but we do have a lot of guests who come and stay who attend weddings at the nearby Chateau which is owned by a famous ballet dancer Darcy Bussell from the UK. Oh and we did have our friends come stay with us one summer, he directed the well known children’s movie Ice Age, the animated one and went on to produce an entire series of them. He’s an Oscar winner, but they are friends so I’m not sure if that counts really.
What’s the strangest or most difficult guest request you’ve ever received? Nothing too odd really, we’ve had absolutely wonderful guests. One family really wanted a cruise on the river but apparently didn’t want to do it themselves, as we have kayaks and a canoe but I did find them something closer to Bordeaux to try out on the Gironde river. We’ve set up a lot of wine tastings of course and once a visit to a local goat cheese farm.
For anyone coming to stay is there anything in the surrounding area they should…
Really do?
One must go wine tasting at several different Chateaux in the area, I recommend a family owned small one like my friend Claire’s vineyard Font Vidal, a medium sized and a large fancy really tasty one. Each are uniquely enjoyable.
Really eat?
For Haute, we love Les Giron’Dines in St. Emilion or L’Huiterie Pie, but for everyday we also adore the family owned Bar a Voyagers in Castillon just 7 minutes away. Its like something out of a Peter Mayle novel.
Really see?
St. Emilion and the city of Bordeaux – both are absolutely stunning, close by and Unesco World Heritage sites.
Reviews
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Beautiful and peaceful setting
Beautiful location bordering the river, peaceful. Great family restaurant within walking distance.
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So Nice!
We were very pleased with the property!
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A gorgeous villa
We loved our gorgeous villa from Oliver's Travels called Villa Le Priotlet in the Dordogne. Kayaking every day!
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Wonderful place
Your home felt like ours for a week and we treated it as such.
Went with my brother in law and wife. 2 of our older kids and boyfriends plus the youngest (who enjoyed the pool)
We particularly enjoyed the kayaking and cycling along the Dordogne. Peter said he had had the bikes serviced but one was in a pretty bad state and one of our party fell off when the the front wheel buckled.
Suggested restaurants all good. Red Table was our favourite
Clarie a sweetie she did a fabulous job showing us around her chateau and the family vaults. And she sorted out the electricity when it failed for the day
Wonderfully relaxing. Couldnt fault it. -
French Paradise
Two memorable weeks at this beautiful home. Although the photos are nice, they really do not do the place justice. The owners have renovated and decorated the house to the highest standards and one can really feel how much of their heart and soul went into it.
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Location Location Location
This is a really charming apartment and extremely comfortable, but its perfect location is what made it so ideal for our visit. We were able to walk almost anywhere, and the metro is an easy walk for when we needed it. We loved being so close to Notre Dame and could relax at a cafe at the end of the street soaking up the sights. Plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby - the location made the trip really easy. The apartment is nice and roomy and has the charm of an older building but with everything we needed. The concierge doesn't speak English but sign language was very effective!
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Didn't want to leave this cool flat
Thanks, Jenn, The trip was just about everything we wanted except for more time. So maybe soon again
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Lovely Stay in the Heart of Paris!
It was my great pleasure to stay here in August. This beautiful apartment is roomy, bright, and decorated in a warm and welcoming eclectic style. So chic! Everything a traveler could want was thoughtfully provided by the owners, and I truly felt as if I were coming back to my Parisian "home" at the end of a long day of seeing the sights. As if all that weren't enough, the location is truly out of this world, on the historic and charming Ile St. Louis, a short walk to Notre Dame and other sights and close to many little boutiques and restaurants. We loved sitting at the cafe at the end of the island and gazing upon Notre Dame while sipping our morning coffee - does is get any better than that? I would wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful apartment to any of my friends.
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Sophisticated stay
Our stay at the chateau was great. The perfect mix of elegance and comfort. The chateau is beautifully decorated and so much better than the pictures!
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Glorious French getaway
We had such a relaxing stay reading on the patio, taking the canoe down the river and eating the fresh fruit from the garden. Not to mention the stunning chateau interior! All in all Villa Le Priolet offered an exception stay.
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Wonderful stay, perfect house and lovely food!
The chateau is nicely renovated, The grounds are spacious and perfect for a morning or early evening stroll.
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The farmhouse was fabulous!
The farmhouse offered more than i could have dream of. The house is large and as described. After visting with my hubby I’ve fallen in love with the area – the vineyards, the wines and the charming vendors at the marché here in town. There is a quiet beauty about life here.
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Gorgeous location a very special holiday
lovely house which can be enjoyed by all ages. It's a beautiful house that has been a labour of love by owners and made a very special holiday for us.
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Villa Le Priotlet
This fetching house sits upon the bank of the Dordogne River in the tiny town of Flaujagues. It is charming, splendid yet simple, and has a feeling of old world allure mixed with clean modern convenience. We breakfasted outside on crossaints, jam, butter, bread, and fresh wild strawberries all from the nearby market. Just 15 minutes away is St. Emilion, the World Heritage Site of wine, medieval churches, and history. St. Emilion looks as if it materialized straight from the frontispiece of an antique book of fairy tales. We were giddy after a wonderful tour of Clos Jacobins and then a tasting in the wine cellar of one of the many wine shops in the village. The Villa is a true get-away where you can pretend you have your own place in the French country side. S'il vous plat allez et appciez !
Don't miss out! Reserve now and get a full refund if you change your mind within 48hrs.
