Located in Loubressac, this holiday home is in a rural area. Insectopia and Musée de l'Homme de Néandertal are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Espace Patrimoine and Animal Park of Gramat. Rocher des Aigles and Reptiland are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and water tubing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and cave exploring.
Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park - 9 min drive - 5.5 km
Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux - 12 min drive - 7.1 km
Autoire Valley - 12 min drive - 8.5 km
Insectopia - 12 min drive - 7.8 km
Padirac Cave - 13 min drive - 8.2 km
Getting around
Betaille Station - 13 min drive
Brive-la-Gaillarde (BVE-Brive - Vallee de la Dordogne) - 58 min drive
Restaurants
Hôtel Le Cantou 354 - 3 min drive
L'Ardoise - 11 min drive
Mama Cafe - 13 min drive
McDonald's - 12 min drive
Brasserie Les Visiteurs - 10 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Writer Retreat, Tranquil Stone Farmhouse, Views, Ancient Barns, Rose Garden pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).
How much does it cost to stay at Writer Retreat, Tranquil Stone Farmhouse, Views, Ancient Barns, Rose Garden?
As of 1 November 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Writer Retreat, Tranquil Stone Farmhouse, Views, Ancient Barns, Rose Garden on 25 April 2027 start from NZ$1,375, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at Writer Retreat, Tranquil Stone Farmhouse, Views, Ancient Barns, Rose Garden?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Writer Retreat, Tranquil Stone Farmhouse, Views, Ancient Barns, Rose Garden?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Writer Retreat, Tranquil Stone Farmhouse, Views, Ancient Barns, Rose Garden?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Writer Retreat, Tranquil Stone Farmhouse, Views, Ancient Barns, Rose Garden located?
Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is 2.5 mi (4.1 km) from Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park and within 6 miles (10 km) of Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux and Autoire Valley. Espace Patrimoine and Église Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul d'Autoire are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This was our third time staying at this lovely and unique property. This farmhouse is for those who cherish history and atmosphere- the house is full of both. It is both simple and beautiful. The photos and description are accurate. The real age and genuine patina of the house have kept it in an authentic state of preservation. The terraces and views are ravishing, the serenity is a gift. It is very special and the owners and managers of the property are wonderful care-takers. We are so glad that it has been opened for visitors!Amy and Mick
A stay at the farmhouse in Lacam is a memory to savor for a lifetime. It is the perfect place for a poet’s retreat.The stunning views from the balcony are a feast for the eyes, while the well appointed kitchen has every amenity for my wife who is an avid cook, including cookbooks from the region. We were able to pick fresh plums, chestnuts and herbs from the well maintained grounds. There are nearby markets where you can buy fresh produce, and you are right in the heart of the district that contains the most beautiful villages and vineyards in the mountains of southern France. As we stayed in early autumn, a drive for a dip in the Dordogne was magical.To wake up in a comfortable bed in the loft, to a view of the valley, is an unforgettable experience. Every spare corner on both floors has a comfortable chair with adjacent bookshelves and a reading light. The bathroom facilities are modern with excellent water pressure and the entire house is well maintained to very high standards of cleanliness.Our hosts communicated very clearly, and their hospitality and that of the grounds keepers was much appreciated. So, if your dream is to experience a peaceful and private retreat far from the tourist gaze in southern France, this rustic traditional farmhouse will exceed your wildest dreams.
I’ve stayed here many times and hope to do so again and again. It’s a magical place, filled with history and character. Perfect for unwinding, disconnecting and taking in all the Dordogne has to offer.
Very much enjoyed our stay at Writers retreat and the surrounds. Particularly the rustic character and sereneness. Beautiful little estate with nooks and crannies to explore the animals that live there, including foxes, badgers, bats, roe deer and a multitude of birds and insects. The dormouse ocassionly creating some havoc.
We would love to come again.
Off the usual tourist routes, the area was a pleasant trip back in time. Dips in the refreshing Dordogne, shopping in markets, treks along quiet country lanes. The house itself is charming, comfortable, romantic... a throw-back to a gentler era. My week there was invigorating and inspiring. I lucked out as the plums were ripe but a little too early for the figs!
The house and surroundings are enchanting and imbued with the wonderful work and philosophy of WS Merwin, Views from every window are a poem in themselves. I will definitely come back.The house was very clean and extremely well organized for visitors. Everything was above and beyond what I expected. Feeling thankful
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review
8/10 Good
Olivier P.
20 July 2025
Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful old house in an idyllic location close to many stunning villages.The house would benefit from a really deep clean, especially the kitchen, not helped by the constant invasion of flies.There is a fine line between shabby chic and just plain dirty and this comes too close to the latter.
Characterful old farmhouse typical of the area with the added interest of being the former home of the late poet William Merwin and much as he left it, books and all. No shortage of reading matter. The views are wonderful and we had plums and figs in the large garden not to mention donkeys. The stairs to the bedroom are very steep and there are steep drops in the garden which people with mobility issues or small children should be aware of.
Enjoyed the books, art, building, and grounds. Quiet. I felt I was staying in an elder relative home. The stairs were near parcour . Comfortable temperature. Meg was helpful. Picture a 67 year old woman coming to your door in the rain volunteering to use a chainsaw to cut you some firewood. Sheep running down road. Put the house number on your location description.
A homecoming, as always. For the second time we chose spring rather than September, and while the ripe fruits and grapes have their allure, the incredibly green landscape and the birdsongs more than made up for it. It was our first visit without dog (alas), which made trips to the fantastic Gouffre de Padirac and to the towns and villages in the neighborhood possible. Very enjoyable.
We wish that the railing around the terrace could be lowered so that the hillcrest across the valley would remain in full view. But on the whole a wonderful place for people wanting to immerse themselves in the physical environment (including the old furniture) of a famous writer.
I have traveled widely, and this is one of the most beautiful places I have ever known. My husband and I first discovered the house, its gardens and barns, and the surrounding region in September 2016; ever since, I had wanted to return. I now count myself incalculably lucky that I could.
Inside the ancient stone walls of the farmhouse, we stayed cool (with the help of a few electric fans) even as the temperature climbed into the nineties some afternoons. Mornings and early evenings, we were able to take long walks exploring once again this area rich in history, both natural and human, and prehistory. For ten days we slept and cooked and ate and read and breathed deep in a way that is hard to replicate in the rest of our usually urban lives.
Great Location, dated house, beware of the squirrel.
The property is as described, but it fails to make clear that the interior and its furnishings are largely dating from the 1950's or earlier and much used. The setting is excellent, as is the view and the historic outbuildings.
However our holiday was ruined by the night time activities of the house's resident squirrel. For the first two nights we we were very concerned by the strange noises of activity, movement, scratchings and the thump of "feet" down the stairs. On day three we saw a squirrel running down the stairs. It woke us up several times every night, particularly around 3.30am and could be heard running and gnawing from behind the ceiling and wall plaster work above our bed. The climax came when my wife woke up one morning to find the squirrel in our bedroom looking at her from just 2 meters way.
To our reporting this frightening scenario to our hosts, they merely gave us an old rusty rat trap cage to "do it yourself". We left after seven exhausting nights. J & C, England.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 18 September 2024
Dear John. We are sorry you did not fully understand all the references in the property description to the house being deliberately traditionally furnished, which was done in the 1990s with frequent updates since then. As you will see from the other reviews, most visitors come expecting this and find these furnishings to be one of the things they love about the house. We are also sorry that you were disturbed by the sound of rodents, although we note that no other guests before or after you have mentioned this issue. Nonetheless, we called in a professional exterminator. He found no evidence of rodents in residence. In conclusion: we agree this house is not a good match for you and hope you find another more modern house to your liking.
This cottage is set in a pretty small village. It has a rambling garden with lots of fruit trees and flowers and a terrace overlooking the Dordogne Valley.
It is more than just a 300 year old cottage with lots of character and memorabilia. It was the home of the wonderful American writer W S Merwin.
We were totally ignorant of this inspiring artist when we booked the house but over the eight days of our stay we read some of his works in the house and soon began to understand his relationship to this place and realise his significance in American literature.
It became apparent that the house is revered as a source of his inspiration and looked after for its cultural heritage. This may explain some of its eccentricities and the sensitivity to changing and modernising it too much.
The house is comfortable, has good wifi, is quiet and is close to so many beautiful sites in the region.
We loved our experience here, learned a lot about Merwin's association with the house and region, gained an appreciation of his work and felt privileged to stay here. Provided you can negotiate the steps up to the bedrooms, this is the kind of house that one can hang out in for weeks, sipping wine on the terrace or in the garden, or investigating the prehistoric and medieval history of the area.
I traveled solo and had a very lovely one week stay in this rustic cottage! I spent my mornings driving around to nearby towns and sights and my afternoons relaxing on the terrace or at the writing desk. I recommend this cottage to anyone who is looking for a quiet retreat with beautiful views. The cottage is well equipped with all the cooking implements you could need. The main bedroom and modern en suite bathroom are very comfortable and greatly appreciated. I think the kitchen was my favourite room it was so incredibly charming! Staying here reminded me of when we would rent a lake cottage from a family friend when I was a kid.. truly like I was spending the week at a friend's place. I will say that if you have any mobility issues this is probably not the house for you. It is a rustic country cottage that is very old - the stairs are steep and the floors are uneven. I was fine but I know people in my life who would have struggled so just wanted to call that out. One other point is that while everything is clean, do note that this is again an old, rustic cottage. The windows don't have screens so of course flies are going to get in. There are lots of little spiders and cobwebs in the corners but they are harmless I just scootched a few away if they were bothersome.
The sweeping view from the house is stunning. The kitchen has a table for four and a lovely view of the valley. The master bedroom is large and the newly installed bathroom with shower is very good. There are layers of history in the landscape and in the house itself. The surrounding gardens are a delight to wander. On our first day we plucked black cherries from an old tree. The close by town of Loubressac is ringed with stone houses and contains a few restaurants and a small store with baguettes, cheese, wine and other necessaries. Time slows down here.
Magnifique maison, meubles anciens et déco pleine de charme. Ambiance romantique et chaleureuse.
Les livres sont partout et avec eux, nous avons découvert un écrivain (ancien propriétaire) merveilleux et attachant.
Vue formidable sur la vallée. Le jardin est plein de surprises et vaste, petits salons extérieurs très sympa et différents.
Les villages alentour sont tous plus extraordinaires les uns que les autres.
Accueil très agréable.
Les + :Terrasse protégée par une rambarde (contrairement à ce que dit l’annonce), wifi (top / fibre) et micro-ondes
Une belle expérience en campagne, dans une maison ancienne, laissée dans son "jus" - voiture indispensable - conforme au descriptif - découverte du propriétaire d'origine, homme littéraire - déconseillée aux personnes en mobilité délicate ou difficile - bel espace, très tranquille -