About the House

A small rural lane climbs through the woods and at the ridge top opens onto a meadow and the three hundred year old Gaurenne. Arranged around a courtyard in the traditional manner of French farms, the buildings of golden limestone are a fine example of Périgordine architecture. The steeply pitched, highly prized “lauze” roofs made of stone slabs are typical of this region and give the local architecture its fairytale quality. Entering the gate, climbing roses, jasmine, and lavender fill the courtyard with fragrance, and the herb garden by the door is intended for your use. The house has been restored in a way that combines contemporary sophistication and rustic authenticity.

The interior includes walls of exposed stone and beamed ceilings. The main floor is comprised of an eat-in kitchen, a living room/dining room, a utility room, and a half-bath. The chef’s kitchen, recently totally remodeled, is of generous size and includes a wonderful Lacanche stove, a dishwasher, espresso maker and all you will need to prepare beautiful meals. From the kitchen table, a lovely stone window looks out into the meadow. The living room is large and includes a comfortable sitting area as well as a long farm table for dining. Upstairs, there are two bedrooms, one with a queen-sized bed and the other with two single beds that can be joined to make a king-sized bed. Both rooms have large, French casement windows, antique armoires, and generous dressers. The bathroom includes a tub and rain shower, a heated towel rack, and a sink set into a tile counter. The WC is separate. The house is equipped with central heating, a washing machine, and high-speed wireless internet access.

Note: Victoria Abbott Riccardi, a food writer for the Boston Globe, stayed at Gaurenne several years ago and wrote this article about local cuisine and about her stay at Gaurenne.

Outdoor Space

Guests arriving at Gaurenne enter a gate leading into flower-filled courtyard and partially shaded by a giant plane tree. At the far side of the courtyard, a covered terrace adjacent to the kitchen holds a long teak table and chairs for outdoor dining or for relaxing in the heat of the day. On the north side of the house is a fruit orchard; the fruit is yours for the taking if you happen to be there when it’s ripe. There is also a walnut orchard, and a kitchen herb garden near the terrace will add fresh flavors to your meals. On the south side of the house, the generous-size swimming pool is hidden from view but is open to the meadow and the hills beyond. This is a favorite spot for guests and is a welcome pleasure at the end of a day of sightseeing. Lounge chairs, beach towels and mats are provided, as are kickboards and some water toys for children. Gaurenne’s 42 acres are yours to explore, and the trails that you can pick up on the property can be followed for miles through the countryside through hamlets and villages, either on foot or on bicycle. Five minutes away is a village where you will find a post office, a restaurant, and a grocery store/bar/café. Just as close is a lake with a public beach and tennis courts. Fifteen minutes away, the medieval town of Sarlat has everything you might need, including shops, restaurants, movie theatre, hospital, summer festivals, and, twice a week, wonderful outdoor market that winds through the streets.