Hidden from view by a kilometre long drive through oak wood, Castel Merle is a beautiful, small chateau in the Dordogne. It has a distinctive round tower and is only two miles from the historic medieval town of Monpazier, a French National Heritage Site.
The house was built by the de Merle family in the 14th century, later added to in the 1650s. Fast forward to the 21st century where, under the current owners, the whole property has been completely and lovingly restored and available for big group holiday hire. The renovation has included beautiful stone and wooden floors, a geothermal heating system, new electrics and plumbing, and lovingly restored monumental beamed ceilings, window frames and fireplaces. In the tower there is a magnificent bar underneath the timber frames of the turret on the top floor, as well as a library in the floor below. This includes hand crafted walnut library cabinets and bar units and Italian leather armchairs.
The house also has a large heated pool, measuring 46 x 23 feet, with wonderful stone terracing. It has an automatic cover and can be lit at night.
Upon entering the oak-studded doors, one enters the front hall which leads to the original wide stone staircase flanked by large limestone blocks. On the ground floor there is a 33-foot grand salon with a floor-to-ceiling chimney piece and a wonderful collection of antique oil paintings and furniture. Also on the ground floor is a TV room, study, dining room and modern kitchen. All these rooms are very light with windows on both sides and south facing French windows and all benefit from monumental oak ceilings. There are fireplaces in the TV room and dining room as well as the salon, and all the rooms are decorated with period landscape oil paintings and antique furniture.
The kitchen was finished in 2006 and includes black granite counter tops, a granite central island, six contemporary bar stools, a large gas cooking range, a microwave and dishwasher.
The house is rented to groups of 12 on a self-catering basis, but if guests would like any meals cooked for them, outside caterers can be arranged with prior notice. Everyone can eat together in the dining room, the kitchen or at the teak dining table in the garden.
The sleeping arrangements comprise six bedrooms with ensuite bath/shower rooms – two superking size four-poster rooms, three king size doubles and one twin. The 33-foot master bedroom, for example, has a hand carved, linen fold four-poster bed, a dressing table, desk, sofa and two arm chairs. The ensuite bathroom has contemporary French fixtures and fittings. At the other end of the first floor is a large four-poster suite with its own sitting room and bathroom. The remaining bedrooms are on the second floor. There is lift access to all three floors.
The house has excellent cooking equipment and laundry facilities.
There is a Sky TV system in the TV room and two other rooms, which includes access to all the UK Sky channels as well as the Sky plus recording capability. There’s also a B&O stereo system.
At the base of the tower is a utility room, which houses a large Whirlpool washer and dryer and the two geothermal heat exchangers.
The pool is situated just to the side of the front lawn, is heated, nad has a salt water filtration system. It has steps the full length of the pool and is child-friendly. It’s surrounded by a Cahors stone terrace. Guests can swim night or day, enjoying in-pool lighting and four teak sun loungers.
Standing in some 30 acres of private land, incorporating a large meadow in front of the house and oak woods. The nearest shops and other facilities are two miles away in Monpazier.
Airport: Bergerac (45 mins). Direct services from UK main and regional airports.
Castel Merle is in the southern part of the Dordogne, only a couple of miles outside Monpazier. This 13th century town is probably the most beautiful of the bastide towns, founded by Edward I of England in 1284. The town has a very attractive square which includes an old covered market on Thursday mornings, as well as numerous restaurants, shops and summer events.
Close to Monpazier are attractions such as Chateau de Biron, Cadouin, horse riding and rope climbing at Parc en Ciel. Also within easy reach are all the popular attractions of the Perigord Noir, including Chateau de Beynac, canoeing on the Dordogne river, Sarlat, Chateau de Milandes and many other caves and castles.
From £1600 (low season) to £3,950 (high season) per week, self-catering.
Short breaks from £995 to £1,975.
Christmas/New year: £3,950 per week