Maison Jospin

The villa

A short stroll from the banks of the Dordogne, experience the joy of French family holidays or wine - tasting vacations with friends at this charming estate almost entirely surrounded by vineyards, located between Bergerac and Saint - Émilion.

Reached via a tree - lined driveway, Maison Jospin is set within a 14 - acre domaine with glorious grounds and ample space to play boules, football and badminton as well relax beside the newly installed heated swimming pool with its pool house and bar. There is a 1km running trail for the more energetic of guests or you may prefer to simply sit back with a glass of local wine produced from one of the wineries within walking distance.

There are two houses next to each other within the estate, starting off with the Maison de maître with seven bedrooms (some of them en suite), then the farmhouse which features four additional bedrooms. One of the double bedrooms is part of a wonderful spa suite with a hot tub and 4x2m long resistance pool! There is also the option just to rent the main house alone (the 12 - person rate) without the farmhouse, outside of peak season.

The interiors of both homes allow you to soak up the authentic character of the France of yesteryear with original features and period furnishings alongside modern additions such as some of the newly renovated bathrooms. As you explore both houses, come across hidden wings, various living areas and tranquil terraces - it’s a great place for an extended family or group of friends with a range of sleeping arrangements across the eleven bedrooms.

You can stroll down to a river beach by the banks of the Dordogne in the summer months whilst there is canoeing and kayaking nearby. Within a very short drive, the local riverside village is home to a small restaurant - bar and there are further places to eat in Pessac - sur - Dordogne and medieval Gensac. The historic riverside town of Sainte - Foy - la - Grande, just over 9km by car, hosts one of the region’s best and biggest markets on a Saturday morning.

You are also fortunate enough to be around half an hour from the vineyards and historic charm of Bergerac and Saint - Émilion whilst the grand city of Bordeaux can be reached in just over an hour by car or train.

Closer to home, enjoy wonderful walks and cycling routes passing vineyards, apple orchards, walnut groves, woodland and old châteaux as you come across restaurants serving locally produced food and good wine. Here you can truly embrace the beauty of the Dordogne and Gironde’s gorgeous countryside.

Set within a 14 - acre estate surrounded by vineyards, Maison Jospin is in the Gironde department between Bergerac and Saint - Émilion, close to the banks of the Dordogne River. This is the ideal location for relaxing in the French countryside whilst being within easy reach of locally produced food and wine alongside charming villages and historic towns.

Bergerac Airport is just over half an hour by car whilst Bordeaux Airport is 80km away. The nearest train station is Gare Sainte - Foy - la - Grande (10km) with trains towards Bergerac, Sarlat and Bordeaux (with onwards TGV connections to Paris).

Almost the entire estate is surrounded by working vineyards that produce the region’s well - known wine - you can walk to local wineries for tastings. It’s also just a 1.5km stroll down to the banks of the Dordogne where there is a pretty riverside beach in the summer months. The nearby village is by the banks of the Dordogne, around 2km away, and home to a small restaurant - bar and a boat ramp where kayaking is popular.

Gensac (7km) is a characterful Gironde village in the Durèze valley with useful amenities (a bar - restaurant, supermarket/bakery, bank and pharmacy), a small Friday morning fruit and vegetable market as well as summer festivities and occasional night market. Pessac - sur - Dordogne (5.5km) has a canoeing/kayaking centre for sailing along the Dordogne alongside a couple of restaurants nearby.

There are wonderful walks and cycling trails through the local countryside passing vineyards, walnut groves, apple orchards, woodland, verdant valleys and historic châteaux. Come across authentic restaurants serving locally produced food and delightful markets, the biggest and best of the region taking place in the picturesque riverside town of Sainte - Foy - la - Grande (9.5km) on a Saturday morning.

Castillon - la - Bataille (18km) is another historic market town by the Dordogne which hosts a bustling market on a Monday morning alongside spectacular re - enactments of the Battle of Castillon in the height of the summer on Friday and Saturday evenings (it’s a ticketed event just outside the village).

Wine and history - lovers alike note that the exquisite hilltop town of Saint - Émilion (30km) is a must - visit during your stay with its Romanesque architecture, fascinating catacombs and surrounding vineyards which are classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Furthermore, Bordeaux (66km) can be reached in just over an hour by car or take the 60 - minute train journey from Gare Sainte - Foy - la - Grande.