Belle Etoile

Belle Etoile, our ‘beautiful star’, consists of a stylishly converted 19th century farmhouse and loft apartment combining rustic charm and contemporary chic. Set in an unspoilt, peaceful hamlet it is surrounded by stunning views. Located on the Charente/Dordogne border in the ancient hamlet of Isle, where hollyhocks abound from June to September, just 3 kilometres from the historic village of Villebois Lavalette, with its Knights Templar chateau and medieval, covered market square.

During the peak summer season the house and gite can only be let together, so guests have exclusive use of the exceptional solar heated pool, which extends to 20 metres for lane swimming, and the courtyard with its pergola for alfresco dining, chimenea barbecue, fire-pit & grill, floodlit boulodrome (boules/petanque court), and exceptionally equipped games barn.

The pool, with its infinity-view across rolling countryside, is securely enclosed by child-proof fencing, and accessed by a self-closing gate. The adjoining sun terrace is furnished with two large parasols, 8x cushioned sun-loungers, and a large rattan corner sofa – the perfect spot to watch the sun go down.

The surrounding private garden, with children’s swings, and a hammock chair hanging from the signature walnut tree, is adjoined by a paddock where children can kick a football about or organise a game of family cricket.

The property has wi-fi internet connection and the house and gite each have English FreeSat satellite television and BluRay players with an assortment of DVDs and BluRay discs.

Belle Etoile is suitable for year-round use. Its deep stone walls keep it cool in summer and warm in winter. A wood burner in the living room, and oil-fired central heating heats the house, while the gite has its own wood-burner and very effective electric radiators.

The Farmhouse:

• The living room is furnished with two large four-man sofas and a leather wingback armchair. The coffee table contains a large selection of board games. A 42” LED HD television has access to UK Freesat TV channels as well as a collection of DVDs and BluRay discs and surround-sound BluRay player. For you to play your music collection an iPod docking station is also provided. The writing desk houses the Orange internet router and wi-fi is available throughout the house.
• The fully fitted farmhouse kitchen is furnished with every necessity including a kitchen table to seat 10. Please see below a full list of equipment and facilities.
• Bedroom 1: The master bedroom has the original wooden floors. A six-foot square mahogany sledge bed offers more room than you can imagine for a good night’s sleep. Double wardrobe. The view from the window, across the courtyard and pergola, is of rolling countryside to the horizon.
• Bedroom 2: One metal-frame double bed. Double wardrobe. The metal-frame single day-bed, with pull-out trundle bed, offers versatile accommodation for families with very young children. The view from the window, across the courtyard, pergola and boulodrome, is of rolling countryside to the horizon.
• Bathroom 1: Washbasin. Lavatory. Roll-top enamelled cast-iron bathtub. Walk-in double shower.
• Bedroom 3: The larger of the two loft bedrooms, Bedroom 3 is ideal for children. 2x single beds. Metal-frame single day-bed, with pull-out trundle bed.
• Bedroom 4: is ideal for children with 3x single beds.
• Bathroom 2: Washbasin. Lavatory. Walk-in corner shower.

The Gite:

• Living Room: The first-floor open plan apartment, in a converted barn with its high pitched roof, is a fabulous studio space that has been tastefully renovated with retained original features such as oak beams and exposed stonework.
• The fully fitted kitchenette is furnished with every necessity including a kitchen table to seat 6. Please see below a full list of equipment and facilities.
• Bedroom 1 – The main bedroom in the gite has the wooden floors throughout. A king-size mahogany sledge bed offers luxurious comfort for a good night’s sleep. The half-height feature window incorporates the original barn door archway and offers a view across the garden, pool and rolling countryside.
• En-suite – Bedroom 1 enjoys en-suite facilities including: washbasin, lavatory, enamelled cast-iron bathtub and walk-in shower. The south-facing window offers views across the garden and pool, and rolling countryside towards the Dordogne.
• Bedroom 2 – The second bedroom in the gite has wooden floors throughout. Three single beds provide comfortable accommodation for adults or children.
• En-suite – Bedroom 2 enjoys en-suite facilities including: washbasin, lavatory and walk-in shower.

The Garden Room:

• Bedroom: The ground-floor self-contained bedroom, in the converted barn, is a beautifully refurbished quiet room with double bed.
• En-suite – The Garden Room enjoys en-suite facilities including: washbasin, lavatory, and walk-in shower. The west-facing window offers views across the courtyard.