Domaine Claria

The villa

This 17th - century French château and renovated stables sit in vast grounds with two swimming pools, in the Lot - et - Garonne, only 1.5km from a medieval village with an impressive castle and pretty lake.

Dating back to the late 1600s, the main château is said to have been built by a local duke for the woman he loved (and later married), a cousin of King Louis XIV. Its rich heritage remains with high ceilings, spacious rooms and many original features. It feels like an authentic family home, simply yet comfortably furnished, with six pretty bedrooms sleeping up to 16 guests. Arrange a cook to prepare meals as you relax in the salon while children play upstairs in the large games room with toys, ping - pong, board games and a little puppet theatre. The château terrace is a grand spot for al - fresco meals, whilst the 16m swimming pool sits proudly in the garden below with wonderful open views of the Lot - et - Garonne countryside. The neighbouring 17th - century stables have been charmingly restored to sleep a further 16 guests across three dwellings. In an L - shape, each has its own open - plan lounge, dining and small kitchen area. Stables I and II each have three bedrooms and two bathrooms (one en suite) whilst Stables III has two bedrooms and a bathroom. All exude rustic charm and simplicity with characterful décor, furnishings and a restful ambience. There is a second swimming pool near the stables, and each stable dwelling has its own terrace and barbecue. Look out for splashes of summer colour, trees and lavender across the glorious open grounds. The domaine sits on a country road leading to a picturesque village just 1.5km away. Discover half - timbered houses, medieval lanes, a weekly Farmer’s market and a handful of restaurants and shops. Admire the Renaissance castle before strolling by the gorgeous lake with picnic benches. Appreciate the beauty of the Lot - et - Garonne as you visit bastide market towns such as Castillonnès, Miramont - de - Guyenne, Villeréal and Monflanquin. Canoe or kayak along the Dropt and Lot rivers and browse atmospheric markets for delicious local produce (tomatoes from Marmande, Tonneins ham, Agen prunes steeped in Armagnac and more). Wine - lovers can head to the vineyards of Duras, Château de Monbazillac and even Saint - Émilion, or spend time exploring the Dordogne with nearby Eymet only 9km away alongside idyllic Issigeac and Monpazier. Finally, soak up the splendour of Bergerac’s old town and architecture before taking a traditional gabarre vessel along the Dordogne for a truly relaxing day out.

Domaine Claria enjoys a rural setting bordering farmland and countryside landscapes in the beautiful Lot - et - Garonne, close to the Dordogne border around half an hour south of Bergerac.  

The château and its converted stables are set within vast unenclosed grounds just off a country road leading to a picturesque village. You can drive or walk (no pavement) to the village in around 1.5km where you will find a handful of useful shops (grocery store, bakery, pharmacy), restaurants, an impressive Renaissance castle and a charming Farmer’s market on a Saturday morning. Take a stroll along the medieval lanes admiring half - timbered houses then stop off on a bench by the pretty lake popular with nature lovers and fishing enthusiasts (a permit is needed).

Bike hire can be arranged in the village, there are tennis courts there too whilst canoeing and kayaking can be found along the Dropt River near La Sauvetat - du - Dropt (13km)/ Allemans - du - Dropt (17km) or along the Dordogne and Lot rivers.

There are good sized supermarkets near the local historic towns of Miramont - de - Guyenne (11km) and Castillonnès (13km) as well as bustling markets (Tuesday morning for Castillonnès and Monday morning for Miramont - de - Guyenne). Close to Miramont - de - Guyenne, find more fishing opportunities at Lac du Saut du Loup as well as nature walks and a play area.

Driving north to the Dordogne department, Eymet (9km) is an attractive bastide village near the Dropt River with an atmospheric Thursday morning market. Other gorgeous villages across the Dordogne and Lot - et - Garonne include Issigeac (20km), home to an especially lovely market on a Sunday morning alongside Villeréal (26km) and the famous bastide towns of Monflanquin (31km) and Monpazier (40km), both classified as two of France’s ‘ Plus Beaux Villages ’.

Discover wine - tasting around Duras (28km), Bergerac (30km) and Château de Monbazillac (23km) or venture further afield to the UNESCO World Heritage vineyards of Saint - Émilion (72km), an enchanting hilltop top with a rich heritage. Meanwhile, the grand city of Bordeaux (120km), so famed for its wines and history, is less than two hours away by car.

This location is also ideal for keen gastronomes with wonderful restaurants, delightful markets and even summer night markets all showcasing the best produce of this region. Larger markets take place in Marmande, Sainte - Foy - la - Grande and Bergerac, all within a 40 - minute drive. Depending on the season, look out for Agen prunes, truffles, cepes, tomatoes, strawberries, asparagus, melons, walnuts, ham and of course the country’s iconic foie gras .