Le Chai
The old chai is where the wine was stored in oak barrels to mature. The sunny patio overlooks the vines, is quite private and also benefits from the sunsets.
Downstairs, Le Chai is very spacious and being on the north side, stays cooler than most, helped by the beautiful thick old stone walls. It is heavily beamed.
- The raised kitchen area, open to the dining room, has all the comforts from home and is a great space to use.
- The bedroom is magnificently beamed, with a 1.6 metre bed. The windows overlook the vines with far reaching views over rolling farmland, the goldfish ponds and old roofs.
- The bathroom has a w.c., bath with hand shower attachment, bidet and hand basin.
The 14m x 7m swimming pool has a deep end of 2.2M and a shallow end of 0.9m with roman steps. It is near the edge of a gentle grass slope and benefits from pastoral views and inspiring sunsets. Plenty of sun beds are provided around the pool.
The surrounding gardens are mostly laid to lawn with several trees for shade. Some are cherries which you can help yourselves to in June, also we have figs and grapes which are ready in September. We also have three ponds, stocked with goldfish greedy for your stale bread. A word of warning – from April until June the frogs croak happily, they can be quite noisy!
Each property has its own private courtyard area with a table and chairs provided for four people so you can share a barbecue, aperitifs or a meal with your neighbours. Also for each house is a gas BBQ, sun beds and a set of boules for those of you with a competitive edge (or the energy).
Domaine de Fumel is well situated for all the tourist attractions such as the famous cave paintings at Lascaux, the Neanderthal and Cro-Magnon habitats around Les Eyzies, the magnificent châteaux at Monbazillac & Beynac, cloisters at Cadouin, Beaumont and Villeréal Bastide towns, ancient churches, ruined chateaux, beautiful views, walks and river trips and local arts and crafts.
- Issigeac the local village has a thriving, large Sunday market and small supermarket for supplies. The village has numerous fine examples of mediaeval architecture and several excellent restaurants. There is plenty of parking in the centre of the village, a tourist office and at least three cafes to enjoy a morning coffee and slice of cake. Be sure to ask us for things to do and see locally especially if you enjoy a glass of wine!
- Bergerac has many historically interesting places to visit, jazz on Wednesday evenings and on the first Sunday of every month the colourful “Flea Market” bursts with activity and (occasional!) antique bargains.
- Golf is available at three different courses all within 30 minutes drive. There is a choice of lakes within 20 minutes drive, offering wind surfing, fishing and swimming. An absolute must is canoeing, with swimming & fishing on the beautiful Dordogne river.
- There is a riding stable close by at Boisse with horse-drawn painted wagons for hire by the day and stables north of Bergerac with organised night rides through the woodlands.
- Balloon flights from Duras and microlight flights from Cavarc, whilst at Issigeac, bicycles can be hired by the day and two tennis courts are available by the hour to start the day off properly!!
- Changeover day can be Wednesday or Saturday
- A hand towel and tea cloths are provided for the kitchen, along with a cleaning sponge, washing up liquid, washing powder and dishwasher tablets.
- Bed will be made for your arrival with bed linen, pillows and duvets or blankets provided. The linen is changed weekly, hairdryers, soap and toilet paper supplied.
- Towels for personal and pool use can be rented, these are the only extra that we charge.