Manoir Hermione

The landscapes of the Lot-et-Garonne conjure up idyllic images of unspoilt France – rolling fields, summer sunflowers, orchards and vineyards alongside meandering rivers, picture-perfect villages and bastide towns. At Manoir Hermione you can experience all of this from your 19th century village residence set within a beautiful garden with a swimming pool, just a short stroll from the banks of the Lot River.

Dating back to the late 1800s, this Maison de Maître exudes traditional charm and modern-day comfort with its elegant double aspect drawing and dining room featuring a carved fireplace and large mahogany table alongside satellite TV and a DVD player. This leads through to the spacious and contemporary kitchen with its stylish breakfast bar, American fridge-freezer, wine fridge, coffee station and other high-end appliances. Open the French windows and sit out on the bistro table by the lavender with your morning coffee.

The original curved staircase winds itself up to the first floor where there are four inviting bedrooms and another three on the upper floor, some beneath the vaulted ceilings. Thanks to a range of bedrooms from doubles to pretty twins, Manoir Hermione comfortably accepts a maximum of 10 guests.

The garden is so picturesque with lawns, shady trees and colourful plants as well as a covered gazebo for al-fresco dining, atmospherically lit up in the evening. The wonderful swimming pool area is reassuringly accessed via a safety gate. Step through and appreciate the L-shaped pool, sun loungers, parasols and summer kitchen and bar with a barbecue, plancha, dishwasher and fridge. The electric awning provides shade for warm summer days relaxing by the pool.

Just stroll out of your front gate and walk through the small, authentic village, passing a traditional French restaurant, and within 350m you will be by the banks of the Lot River. If staying in the height of the summer you may be fortunate enough to visit the marché nocturne where good food is enjoyed on the village square accompanied by local wine and music.

Hire bikes to explore the surrounding landscapes of orchards and rolling hills. Pop into nearby vineyards and farms or come across gastronomic delights of the region at local markets in villages and bastide towns. Visit gorgeous places such as Villeneuve-sur-Lot, Pujols and Penne-d'Agenais or venture slightly further afield to the likes of Monflanquin, Duras, Cahors and even the Dordogne’s Monpazier, Issigeac and Bergerac.

Closer to home, cycle or drive to the small riverside town of Castelmoron-sur-Lot, just 4km away, for seasonal boat hire, canoeing, kayaking and summer swimming from its beach as you soak up the tranquil environment of this beautiful part of south-western France.

Features:

Manoir Interiors

Ground Floor

- Double aspect living and dining room with fireplace, satellite TV, DVD player and large table for 12 guests
- Kitchen and breakfast room, fully-equipped including American fridge-freezer, dual fuel range cooker, dishwasher, wine fridge, microwave, coffee station, toaster and breakfast island
- WC

First Floor (via original curved staircase from living room)

- Bedroom 1 with king-size double bed and fireplace (see below re. access to family bathroom)
- Bedroom 2 with small sleigh French double bed, fireplace and sink
- Bedroom 3 with king-size double bed and en suite bathroom with shower and sink
- Bedroom 4 with double bed and sink
- Family bathroom with bath tub (with shower), two sinks and WC. Bathroom can be accessed via king-size double bedroom and hallway
- Separate WC and sink

Second Floor

- Bedroom 5 with king-size double bed
- Bedroom 6 with double bed and vaulted beamed ceiling
- Bedroom 7 with twin beds and vaulted beamed ceiling
- Family bathroom with bath tub (with shower), sink and WC

Outside Grounds

- L-shaped swimming pool (10x12x5m, depth: 1.08-2.2m) with safety alarm and safety gate. Open approximately end-April to end-September
- Poolside terrace with sun loungers and parasols
- Poolside summer kitchen, bar and dining area with barbecue, plancha, dishwasher and fridge
- Poolside shower room and WC
- Covered gazebo for al-fresco dining
- Bistro table and chairs
- Garden (1.5 acre) with lawn, shrubs and trees

Facilities

- Wi-Fi
- Heating
- Satellite TV
- DVD player
- Board games
- Table tennis

Location:

Stay in a late-19th century Manoir in a pretty riverside village in the idyllic Lot-et-Garonne region of south-western France.

The authentic small village has a traditional French restaurant (usually open five days a week), a school, a historic church and pretty stone houses along the main street that leads down to the banks of the river. In the height of the summer an atmospheric marché nocturne takes place on the village square overlooking the river where you can enjoy local food and good wine often accompanied by live music.

Castelmoron-sur-Lot (4km) is a short drive away where you will find the nearest supermarket, a small handful of restaurants and other shops as well as a summer beach from June to August with an area designated for river swimming. Seasonal water-based activities include canoeing, kayaking, pedaloes and motorboat hire.

Hire bikes locally or drive through the beautiful landscapes of rolling hills, sunflower fields and orchards of delicious fruit sold in nearby farms and markets. There are some wonderful cycling trails through the Lot valley passing farmland and scenic countryside alongside riverside villages and historic towns.

The bastide town of Villeneuve-sur-Lot (15km) has a charming medieval centre where a bustling market takes place on a Tuesday and Saturday morning whilst there is usually a marché nocturne on Friday evenings in late July and August. There’s a lovely walk from Villeneuve-sur-Lot to the hilltop village of Pujols, classified as one of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.

Other picture-perfect villages perched above the Lot River include Penne-d'Agenais (25km) and Puy-l'Évêque (60km) or you could venture as far as the handsome town of Cahors (85km) and its Malbec-producing vineyards. Wine-lovers should also visit the attractive wine-town of Duras (48km) and the beautiful vineyards of southern Dordogne south of Bergerac (60km), around an hour away. Closer to home, take a guided tour of a local winery near the riverside village of Casseneuil (11km).

Another fine trip out is Le Jardin Des Nénuphars (8km), a waterlily garden which is especially wonderful in July. Now a classified ‘Jardin Remarquable’, you can learn how Monet was inspired by these waterlilies in the late 19th century which led to the creation of his own waterlily pond in Giverny.

Further afield, discover the handsome city of Agen (33km) on the Garonne River, famous for its delicious prunes steeped in Armagnac, or head north to some of south-western France’s famous bastide towns such as Monflanquin (32km), Villeréal (38km) and Monpazier (52km). Gastronomes will adore the picturesque village of Issigeac (45km) in the Dordogne, especially on a Sunday morning when its charming market takes place.

In terms of travelling to Manoir Hermione, Bergerac Airport is under an hour away by car whilst Bordeaux and Toulouse Airports are also options to consider. If arriving by train, there are TGV services into Agen (33km) from Paris Montparnasse or the nearest train station, Tonneins (21km), has arrivals from Bordeaux and Agen.

Terms & Conditions:

Security deposit?
€1000/£1000 paid via bank transfer to the owner one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection.

Arrival time?
5.30 p.m.

Departure time?
10.00 a.m.

Energy costs included?
Yes.

Heating costs included?
Yes.

Linen & towels included?
Yes, changed once for stays of over 9 nights.

Pool towels included?
Yes.

End of stay cleaning included?
Yes and mid-stay cleaning for stays of more than 9 nights also included. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit.

Tax?
French Visitors Tax is included.

Changeover day?
Saturday. All other changeover days on request.

Minimum stay?
7 nights or 5 nights in low season (early September to late May).

Pets welcome?
One dog may be permitted, on request only and with prior agreement with the owner.

Smoking Allowed?
No.

Pool opening dates?
The pool is open approximately late April to late September. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming.

Other Ts and Cs?
Please note that while there are 3 double beds, 3 king beds, and 2 single beds available to guests, the maximum occupancy is 10.