Pure Tranquility - a beautiful place to relax and explore the countryside

This is rural France, perfect for walkers and ramblers, cyclists, artists and those wishing to explore the region by car or bike. The tiny hamlet of La Croix, is situated high on a hilltop in the commune of Bouteilles St Sebastien, in the Perigord Vert. It is to the South of Angouleme and North West of Perigueux. The nearest villages are St.Severin, (10 mins), just over the border in the Charente and Verteillac (10 mins) in the Dordogne. The thriving, popular market town of Riberac is 20 min away to the south, en route to Perigueux.

The ports of Le Havre St. Malo and Caen are now an easy, fast drive, on modern autoroutes.

Bergerac (1 h.) is the nearest airport, Bordeaux (1h.30) is a little further, but your journey could include a visit to this wonderful city. Both have car hire.

Angouleme station is some 40 min away, with very fast TGV trains to/from Paris and car hire offices.

The hamlet and surroundings:

Surrounded by farmland, La Croix sits on a ridge overlooking a beautiful valley. The view is predominately undulating meadows with mixed fields of corn and sunflowers. A quiet lane leads to the property, which is set amongst a few other homes in the hamlet of La Croix, in the commune of Bouteilles St. Sebastien.

The region is well known for its antiquities, art, Romanesque architecture and of course its cuisine. In addition to the wine and cognac, foods include foie gras, walnuts, strawberries, truffles, pates and cheeses. There are many attractive restaurants in the area.

Over the border in the Charente is the beautiful medieval village of Aubeterre sur Dronne (25mins), famous for its monolithic underground church. The tree-lined square is full of cafes and quirky shops, perfect for browsing. There is also a river beach, kayaking and many other tourist attractions. There is a good 9-hole golf course nearby.

The Grand Etang at La Jemaye is a lovely place to visit for those with children; a sheltered lake (with lifeguard) on a lovely sandy beach surrounded by pine trees. This popular pôle loisirs also offers a playground, fishing area, restaurant, snack bar and graded fitness trails.

Brantôme, the ‘Venice of the Périgord’, is just 40 mins drive away, on the banks of the Drone. A delightfully picturesque town with independent shops, superb restaurants and a wealth of riverside cafés. Guided boat trips run hourly during the summer months and Friday night sees the weekly ‘river joust’ - great fun to watch!

The historic cities of Périgueux and Angoulême are both within 40 mins drive. Périgueux, the ‘capital’ of the Dordogne dominated by the magnificent Cathedrale de St Front, offers hidden delights within its winding, cobbled streets. Angoulême is an ancient fortified town, and the world cartoon capital. In September the walled streets are closed for the Circuit des Remparts, the annual vintage car race.

The fabulous roman town of St Emilion is a must for wine enthusiasts and gourmets. For those who prefer brandy, the chais of Rémy Martin, Hennessy and Courvoisier are just an hour away at Cognac.

With so much to do and see, it’s impossible to list everything here! For additional ideas and visitor information during your stay, you’ll find a wide selection of leaflets and local guides in the property.