Les Pins Du Morilhou

The villa

Set within beautiful grounds, Les Pins Du Morilhou offers space, privacy and a wonderful corner of the Dordogne countryside. Mature pine and oak trees surround generous lawns, where children can play freely and wildlife regularly makes an appearance. Look out for robins, hoopoes and golden orioles among the trees, black kites circling overhead and, occasionally, small deer and hares wandering through the grounds.

Recently upgraded to a high standard, this traditional yet stylish house has been designed for relaxed stays with family and friends. The open plan living and dining room opens directly onto the south facing terrace, while the well equipped kitchen includes a bean to cup coffee machine. Four flexible double bedrooms feature generous 180cm beds that can be divided into singles if required. Upstairs, a mezzanine with pool table, sofa, television and games station creates a sociable retreat, complemented by a dedicated office and a selection of books.

Outside, summer days unfold at an easy pace. The swimming pool has a shallow end and ledge for children, with sunbeds, parasols and pool towels for everyone. The covered dining area makes eating outdoors a pleasure whatever the weather, complete with lighting, a built - in barbecue and wine cooler. Evenings here are made for leisurely dinners accompanied by the unmistakable chorus of cicadas on warm nights.

Despite its sense of privacy, Les Pins Du Morilhou is just ten minutes by car from Montignac Lascaux, with its restaurants, cafés, supermarket and popular canoeing along the river. The house lies within the Vézère Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its prehistoric caves, while the château filled landscapes of the Dordogne Valley are less than an hour away to the south. Closer to home, Auriac is within walking distance and, on Thursday evenings during July and August, its lively night market brings local food and live music beneath the plane trees.

For families and friends seeking generous space, abundant nature and easy access to the treasures of the Dordogne, Les Pins Du Morilhou offers an idyllic base in the mesmerising Vézère Valley.

Les Pins Du Morilhou enjoys a picturesque setting in the Vézère valley. Despite being set within vast private grounds featuring oak trees, pines, occasional passing deer and other wildlife, it does not feel too remote with easy access by car to attractive towns and pretty villages.

Auriac - du - Périgord (1km) is within a short drive or leisurely walk along country roads (no pavements), with tennis, boules and croquet available in the village. Although there are currently no restaurants or shops in the village, summer brings a wonderful sense of occasion: on most Thursday evenings in July and August, the popular night market fills with local food stalls, communal tables beneath the plane trees and live music.

For everyday amenities, Montignac - Lascaux (7km) is around a 10 - minute drive away, offering restaurants, cafés, bars, a supermarket, bank and post office. Set beside the Vézère, it is also an excellent starting point for canoeing, with several routes available along this peaceful stretch of river. Alternatively, Thenon (8km), also around ten minutes away, is a more functional little town with a small supermarket.

Montignac lies at the heart of the remarkable Vézère Valley, whose prehistoric sites and decorated caves are inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The celebrated Lascaux cave is among these treasures, while the valley contains an extraordinary concentration of Palaeolithic sites. Attractive nearby villages include Coly - Saint - Amand, Condat - sur - Vézère and Saint - Léon - sur - Vézère, all around a 20 - minute drive away.

A little further afield, Sarlat - la - Canéda (33km) is a must - see for its beautifully preserved historic centre, while Les Eyzies (29km), home to the National Prehistory Museum, offers another fascinating window into the area’s ancient past. Meanwhile, Le Bugue (39km) provides a choice of family attractions.

To the south, the scenery shifts towards the Dordogne River and its celebrated château - dotted landscapes, less than an hour away. Visit the picturesque villages of Limeuil (44km), where the Vézère meets the Dordogne, and hilltop Domme (45km), combining days out with canoeing, boat trips and visits to the many castles scattered along the valley.