La Fortonie is a large old farmhouse built around 1770 over two floors and surrounded by vineyards. This house is a classic French building with terracotta roof tiles and white wooden shutters at every window. It is not the place for those requiring urban sophistication in any way, but caters perfectly for a couple of families looking for an easygoing base from which to explore the best of the Dordogne. It is very child-friendly, and many of the owners’ children’s books and toys are kept in the house for guests’ use.
There’s lots of space to run around, no priceless antiques to worry about, a good size pool (now with the obligatory fence) and, on the first floor, a big play area with a table tennis table and seating (in addition to the living room downstairs). The windows up here have good views across the vines.
Guests always make full use of the three freshwater lakes with wonderful sandy beaches which are twenty minutes away, ideal for children and teenagers. There is also the river Dordogne nearby which, again, has sandy beaches at various points along it.
There are plenty of cheap restaurants on hand where you can try local delicacies and atmosphere. At the village café, for example, it costs €11 (around £7.50) for a four course meal including half a litre of wine!
The house is decorated in simple but cosy country farmhouse style. The kitchen is whitewashed and fully equipped with the usual dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, gas cooker etc.
There is an open fire in the sitting room though it is obviously not necessary between May and October.
The six bedrooms have pine beds, country linens and bedside tables. There are two full bathrooms, one with a separate shower. There is also a further shower room and a loo.
The kitchen table has extensions that can easily accommodate 12 people.
The crockery, cutlery and other utensils all cater for far more than 12. There is also a high chair.
The garden has a barbecue, boules pitch and badminton set.
Just over a mile from the nearest village of Gensac, where you’ll find cafes, shops and a small weekly market. The house is very private, well off the main road in the middle of vineyards – a car is essential. Allow eight hours to drive here from Calais; alternatively it is about 11/2 hour flight from southern UK airports (Southampton, Bournemouth, Exeter).
Airports: Bergerac (30 kms miles); Bordeaux (45kms miles).
Station: Libourne 20kms
There is plenty to do around Gensac and you can have a very active holiday here. Tennis can be played in the village by arrangement, there are riding stables nearby and there’s frequent swimming in the river Dordogne as well as canoeing. Sailing, surfing and kite surfing are all available on the Atlantic beaches which is a half-day expedition. You can climb the Dune de Pila which is the highest sand dune in Europe near Arcachon.
This is one of the premier wine-growing regions of France, with various viticultural villages on the doorstep. The beautiful village of St Emilion, for example, is 20 minutes away and an absolute must-see while you’re here. Every village in this area has its own colourful market. The two main ones near La Fortonie are St Foy la Grande and Castillon la Bataille. Bordeaux, with its new tram system, is also well worth a visit.
There are many restaurants, both smart and more local – an updated list of suggestions is kept in the house.
If you come in July/August you may catch the huge production of a son-et-lumiere, with a cast of over 300, depicting the last battle of the Hundred Years’ War, which took place locally. It is held every year, about three performances a week for five high season weeks.
Low season(May, June, Sept, Oct): £850 per week
High season (July and August): £2,500 per week
Minimum booking: one week.