Two Charming Cottages with Pool Amongst the Vineyards
Nestling in a Farming Hamlet, 15 minutes from Bergerac Airport
2 Bedroom Cottage and 3 Bedroom Cottage
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Two converted 17th century cottages, each with private terraces and gardens but sharing a pool in a quiet hamlet. One with 3 bedrooms, sleeping up to 7, and one with three bedrooms, sleeping 6, available separately or as a pair. Refurbished to a high standard but maintaining their traditional features of stone walls and exposed oak beams. A very comfortable and tranquil living space each with private gardens and terraces to enjoy outside, plus (protected by its own fencing to ensure child safety) is a large pool in the garden of Chez Norma, shared by guests. Enjoy the local wines, foie gras and confit from the neighbouring farms in the heart of the Duras countryside without having to worry about drinking and driving. Visit the chateaus of nearby Monbazillac, Duras and Biron or the history of nearby Bergerac or take your children to swimming lakes within driving distance.
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Prices Currency Conversion
| Rental periods | Les Bertins | Chez Norma | Rented as a pair |
| 5 September - December 2009 | £370 | £390 | £725 |
| January - March 2010 | £370 | £390 | £725 |
| April - June 2010 | £550 | £550 | £1050 |
| July - September 2010 | £695 | £725 | £1350 |
| October - December 2010 | £375 | £395 | £725 |
Notes on prices
Prices shown are for the property(s) per week in UK Pounds.
A refundable security deposit of £100 per property per rental is also required at time of final payment.
Changeover day
Saturday, departure by 11.00am, arrivals after 3.00pm.
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Chez Norma (3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 6)
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Master en-suite bedroom with double bed, wardrobe and furnishings in traditional style with french doors leading onto decking overlooking pool and gardens. Second bedroom with double bed and wardrobe furnished in bright traditional style. Third bedroom with two single beds, wardrobe and chest of draws. Second large bathroom opening off pool patio with shower and wc. Living room, warm and inviting living/dining room open plan to kitchen and opening to small front terrace which is a natural sun trap. Wood burning stove, pantry and plenty of comfortable seating as well as the modern dining table. Dining area off kitchen with patio doors opening onto private terrace above the pool. Kitchen has stainless steel range with large oven, fridge freezer, dishwasher, full complement of tools, pans and accessories. |
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Notes on accommodation
Thick stone walls and terracotta tiled floors keep the cottages cool in summer and warm in winter, both have electric radiators and wood burning stoves. The gardens are both fenced as is the pool area so the houses are very kid friendly, in the barn there are also bikes and a table tennis table.
Outside
Les Bertins has a small walled garden off the terrace with half to grass and flowering shrubs and trees and half to gravel. The tiled terrace has a large built in barbeque. There is a large dining table, bench and chairs for enjoying meals outside. Chez Norma has a large garden and a tiled terrace to also enjoy meals on. The garden is mostly to grass and is a half an acre in size with several mature fruit trees along one side.
There is a shared pool which is 40' by 20' and 5' deep at the deep end; the pool has a child proof fence surrounding the pool and the tiled sunbathing area.
Golf
Chateau Des Vigiers,one of the most upmarket courses in the region is only 5 kms away, an 18 hole par 72 course set in the vineyards of Bergerac. Two restaurants and luxury health suite make it more resort like than the competition, and the course itself is a challenge for any golfer.
Golf De Casteljaloux, a 18 hole par 72, within 30 kms of “Chez Maison” Villeneuve sur lot Golf and Country club, (approx 30kms) an 18 hole championship course as well as a 9 hole par 3 course, PGA teaching pros and video aids available.
Golf De Bordeaux-Cameyrac is approx 50 kms away and is an 18 hole championship course as well as a 9 hole par 3 course.
Other championship courses within driving distance include Bourdeaux-lac and Gujan Pessac.
9 hole courses include Golf de Marmande, Golf Chateau des Merles, Golf de Barthe, all within easy driving distance.
Travel
Bergerac airport, 15 mins away, is served daily by Ryan Air from Stansted and FlyBe from Southampton at very reasonable prices, car rental is available at the airport and a car is necessary in such a rural location. Bordeaux is 45 minutes and has a major airport served by British Airways, Easy Jet and Air-France. Driving by car from the western ferry ports is easy with good motorway connections only 20 km away at Ste Foye la Grande, with early afternoon arrival possible after an overnight ferry.
Distances
Duras 9 Km, Bergerac 15 km, Bordeaux 60 km.
Further details
Local farmer's markets occur 5 days a week in local towns which provide anything and everything you could want to eat and drink but there are also good supermarkets in Duras, Ste Foye and Bergerac. The area is well served with restaurants but the wine is the real treat locally.
The wines that the region was previously renowned for were predominantly sweet whites using the semillion and muscat grapes but as people's tastes changed more red wine grapes were planted after the second world war.
When we first visited the area in the 1970's the reds were rustic, very tannic and cheap, Brits used at that time to overpriced Clarets found the local 'plonk' a bargain and endured the shortcomings in the spirit of a true holidaymaker.
Over time the reds took over the acreage planted. The grapes, similar to the more prestigious neighbours to the West, are predominantly cabernet sauvignon and blended with some merlot or cabernet franc.
Tastes demanded better and so the old concrete vats and rotting wood barrels were replaced with stainless steel tanks and real quality control, the wines improved over the last 10 years dramatically. Durand and others starting making wines that actually would improve over age.
Now all the wines are reaching good standards with a dry sauvignon blanc 'Domaine de Laulan cuvee Emile Chariot' becoming a house wine at Le Manoir aux Quatre Saisons nr Oxford.
The really good news for those staying at Les Bertins or Chez Norma is that you can walk across the road to Domaine les Bertins where Monsieur Manfe will sell you both red and white 'en vrac' by the jug or his bottled A.C. varietals including his sweet sauterne style white which is of course a perfect accompaniment to the fois gras which he will also sell you. He is also oaking his reds (merlot/ cab sav mix) in recent vintages which gives them a degree of sophistication missing in earlier efforts.
Booking notes
The rental rates are for each property individually but we do offer discounts for both booked together, please email for full details. Rental rates are all inclusive of gas, electricity, bed linen and towels (we suggest however that guests bring their own pool towels). 30% deposit confirms the booking, balance due 45 days prior to arrival. £150 refundable security deposit.
Owner profile
About the owner
The two properties are owned by Kate and Tim Britton (Les Bertins) and Sue and Rob Edwards (Chez Norma). Tim, Sue and Rob all attended what was Frome Grammar School many years ago. Tim and Kate live in California now and Rob and Sue live near Oxford. We have visited this area and these houses since Rob's mother and father bought Les Bertins in 1972.
Year purchased: 1970's
Why the owner chose a home in this location
The area is very rural and slow moving, a great change of pace from the hurly burly of modern life. The weather is hot in summer and mild except for deep winter, it even snows occasionally. Even in the hottest of summers though it can rain though as you are close to the Atlantic in relative terms, although Mr Manfe, the neighbour and mayor of St Astier says we get 40% less rain than St Emilion which is 30 miles to the west.
Fields full of sunflowers intersperse the vines and the woods in the rolling hills far from the madding crowd.
Unique benefits of the property
You can walk across the road to Domaine Les Bertins to stock up on great wine, confit and foie gras so the last thing to worry about is drinking and driving.
For booking and further information
Property Ref FR508
Tim Britton
Tel: (USA) + 1 805 784 0203
Fax: (USA) + 1 888 850 0666
Mob: (USA) + 1 805 234 6684
Owners Website: Click here
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Property Ref FR508
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