Presbytere in the country near St Foy la Grande

French luxury holiday rentals in the Gironde. Houses with private pool in South West France. Self catering farmhouses in Aquitaine. Beautiful, large 18th century Presbytery restored . . . . .

French luxury holiday rentals in the Gironde. Houses with private pool in South West France. Self catering farmhouses in Aquitaine.

Beautiful, large 18th century Presbytery restored in 2001. Marvelous setting with superb views over River Dordogne. 8 en-suite bedrooms, (9th optional).

100 m2 4-aspect salon, large luxury kitchen with American Fridge, twin dishwashers and ovens, large dining room, snooker room, cinema room, study/library, music room. 50 m2 balcony with bbq.

Entertainment: Surround sound cinema, hi-fi, satellite 32 inch widescreen TV, Yamaha C3 baby grand piano, snooker, billiards.

Full central heating, washing machine, drier, all linen and towels provided.

Outside: Securitised Pool, 10m x 5 m, boules, badminton, swing/slide. 1 acre garden, parking for 10 cars, 16 sunloungers, parasols

The Setting: A beautifully restored 18th century presbytery, substantially enlarged by integrating the original chai. Located in a truly stunning setting, 4kms from the market town of Ste.Foy-la-Grande which offers many restaurants and shopping. The house is situated next to its church (one Sunday service every two months) and is surrounded on three sides by a vast plum orchard. The house looks down through its two ancient cedar trees and the orchard to a spectacular view of the Dordogne River to Ste.Foy. The view and location are truly breathtaking.

The House The restoration of the Presbytère has created a truly exceptional and spacious holiday home.

It is well set back from a country lane and the drive takes you past the small country church which is on the Ste. Compostelle pilgrimage trail. The house is L-shaped with a large entrance drive and plenty of parking space. Upon entering the house, you are in the main hallway which runs through the house to the garden and pool and provides access to the bedrooms and living rooms on the ground floor. Stone staircases take you up to the first floor or down into the original underground vaulted wine cellar.

8 bedrooms (4 double-queen and 4 twin-bedded), all with fully-equipped modern bathrooms or shower-rooms, are located on the ground floor. All rooms are designed and decorated to a high standard for comfortable holiday living. All towels (including pool) and linen are provided.

Other rooms on the ground floor include a large-screen cinema room with video-projector and Denon amplifier and a set of award-winning KEF speakers for maximum viewing and listening enjoyment. A selection of DVDs is offered. There is also a computer/reading room offering Internet access, plus telephone/fax and a music room equipped with an excellent ARCAM hi-fi system, CD player and KEF speakers. The music room also includes a sofa bed, providing a ninth bedroom if needed, upon request at additional cost.

On the first floor is found an exceptionally large vaulted and beamed kitchen (50 m2), designed with large groups in mind. It is fully equipped with twin ovens, large ceramic hob, twin dishwashers, microwave, large stone double sink, an American Fridge with ice-maker - essential for hot days in the Gironde, and a washer and drier. Beyond the kitchen lies the beamed dining-room (45 m2), with its unique, antique monastery table, seating 16 comfortably. Through the dining room lies the games room with a ¾ size snooker-table.

Off the kitchen, double patio doors open onto a truly exceptional terrace/balcony (60 m2). It has magnificent views to the west (the sunset is as late as you can get) and to the north over the river Dordogne. There are tables, parasols, chairs and a barbecue on the balcony. Also on the first floor is the grand salon, 100m2, with its original beams and an imposing open fireplace at the far end. The salon is laid out in three areas. First, the home-entertainment area, with a 32 in.wide-screen satellite TV, with CD and DVD player. In the middle is an exceptional Yamaha C3 grand piano, available by prior arrangement to competent pianists. At the far end is a conversation area around the fireplace. The room is tastefully furnished with large sofas and armchairs and enjoys near panoramic views.

Housecleaning, babysitting, musicians and a chef are available as optional extras at separate cost upon request. Please ask us about Orpheus and Bacchus Gourmet which offers a live-in chef.

The house is fully centrally heated; the cost of heating is a separate charge between 15th September and 15th May. The pool may also be heated upon request and at a separate charge.

Outside: The securitised pool sits in about two acres of landscaped garden and lawns. Boules and table-tennis table are provided. There are 16 sunloungers around the pool. An attractive covered well is set in the terrace on the north of the house.

The Difference: All our houses are designed to the highest standards to provide you with a first-class and carefree holiday experience. We do our best to make it easy for you to have fun, rare rain or normal shine. We also invite you to consider some of the other activites offered by Orpheus and Bacchus Experiences, such as our Music Festival, Celebrations and Special Events, Cooking and Art School, and Conferences.

We look forward to welcoming you. www.specialvillas.com, 07808 727735.

CLIENTS’ COMMENTS

“The most beautiful place I've ever stayed in.”.June Walton, Deputy Editor, Good Housekeeping.

'What a fabulous place this is. We voted this the best accommodation we have ever had in France.' Duffy/McCaffery families

'Almost incomparable, an excellent place to stay - it's almost too nice since we've been quite happy to stay at the house for long stretches. ' N.Skevington.

'A wonderful house and very well equipped. It is hard to think of realistic improvement.' O'Donnell family

'Just to say what a marvellous two weeks we had at the Presbytere. It really is the most beautiful house we've ever stayed in; and I'm missing the view terribly.' K. Paul

'Everything you could possibly want or even hope for in a near perfect holiday ... I can't think of anything else you could put on.' S. Collis