Relaxing retreat in the heart of rural France - perfect for Tour de France 2020
Situated in small hamlet near a 13th century church and overlooking the river, the River House Limousin is the perfect location to recharge the batteries and explore this beautiful part of France, which offers an array of activities and attractions. The River House Limousin has been totally refurbished throughout, but still retains its old charm and features including beamed ceilings and original stonework. The house was orginally built into the ancient rockface, which also provides a stunning backdrop for the garden - reached from the first level. The River House Limousin has all the modern facilities you need including wifi, bluetooth speaker and TV/DVD. The front bed room is tastefully decorated and furnished, comes with a kingsize bed, hairdryer, and unspoilt views of the river. The rear bedroom, which is bright and airy, is set up as a twin room. It can be made into a double bed - but please request when booking. There is also a cosy snug on the upstairs level, which has an armchair and chaise longue to chill out anytime of the year. The kitchen includes washing machine, dishwasher, hob and oven, coffee machine, toaster, integrated fridge and freezer and all the equipment needed for self-catering. The living space, which has the former fireplace as a central feature, has a dining table, a comfortable sofa and Poang-style chair as well as TV/DVD. A selection of DVDs and games are also available for guests. The room also has excellent views of the river. Externally, make the most of the location on the terrace. Reclining chairs and sunloungers are provided. There is also a large dining table and chairs to eat al fresco, while a BBQ and free charcoal is also provided. If you want to bring bikes there is external storage space, or you can hire them (ask us for details). Parking is available outside the house for a maximum of two vehicles.
** Due to the design and location of the house and the rocky rear terrrain, we advise that the gite is suitable for children aged four and above.
***Unfortunately, the River House is unsuitable for persons who have mobility difficulties due to stairs and the rocky terrain.
*** Please be aware there are low beams in the upstairs rooms.
***All towels and bed linen is provided.
The area
The beautiful Haute Vienne has no shortage of places to visit or things to do. For the more active, it is ideal for cycling, walking, horse riding and water sports with lots of places to enjoy the French countryside. Lac St Pardoux (30 mins drive) is a popular destination for families. It has an indoor and outdoor swimming pools (including slides), lake swimming, water sports, trails and a tree-climbing centre. The nearest main town is Bellac, which is just 10 minute drive and has restaurants (including a wonderful creperie), supermarkets and a good array of shops to pick up any essentials, a cinema and an outdoor swimming pool with slides, which is open from early July to late September. Nearby Le Dorat, is the place to go to sample one of the best night markets in the region during the summer. It also has a horse racing course, which has three meetings during the summer - mid June, July 14 and August 15. The area is steeped in history with an array of chateaux and picturesque medieval villages to discover, while there is no shortage of festivals to go to - including the Confolens Dance and Music festival in August. The gite is ideally located to visit Oradour-sur-Glane's World War Two martyr village, the Monts of Blond, as well as Mortmart - a Plus Beau Village - and the quaint Montrol Senard. Further afield, the historic city of Limoges is 45 minutes away which has an abundance of shops, excellent museums, children's attractions and restaurants for all tastes and pockets, while Poitiers and the Futuroscope theme park is approximately one hour away. See the 2020 Tour de France. Stage 11 ends in Poitiers (1 hour away). Stage 12 starts at Chauvigny (45 mins away) and passes through the area including Le Dorat (10 minutes drive from the gite). For motorsport fans the gite is only 30 minutes from the Val de Vienne circuit which hosts events throughout the year.
The gite is 45 minutes from Limoges airport; 1 hour from Poitiers airport. It is about a 5 hour drive from the ports of Le Havre & Dieppe and 6 and half hours from Calais.
***The property will be cleaned in adherance with the measures for Covid-19***
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties
Matrimonial suite in the Château des Ducs de Mortemart
Mortemart
Matrimonial suite in the Château des Ducs de Mortemart
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
About the area
Saint-Bonnet-de-Bellac
Located in Saint-Bonnet-de-Bellac, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a river. Plage de Fréaudour and Lake Saint-Pardoux reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Centre Culturel Municipal and La Sabline Prehistory Museum. Fishing and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and horse riding nearby.
Centre Culturel Municipal - 13 min drive - 14.5 km
Collegiate Church Saint-Pierre du Dorat - 14 min drive - 14.0 km
Golf Club de Mortemart - 24 min drive - 26.7 km
Circuit du Val de Vienne - 37 min drive - 40.4 km
Center of the Memory of Oradour sur Glane - 38 min drive - 45.4 km
Getting around
Bellac Station - 12 min drive
Limoges (LIG-Limoges Intl.) - 46 min drive
Restaurants
Le Night - 7 min drive
Maison Bussiere - 8 min drive
Le Hangar 87 - 9 min drive
Brasserie le Bel Air - 5 min drive
Restaurant la Gartempe - 7 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Relaxing retreat in the heart of rural France - perfect for Tour de France 2020 have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Relaxing retreat in the heart of rural France - perfect for Tour de France 2020?
As of 12 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Relaxing retreat in the heart of rural France - perfect for Tour de France 2020 on 28 June 2020 start from NZ$161, 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.
Is Relaxing retreat in the heart of rural France - perfect for Tour de France 2020 pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Relaxing retreat in the heart of rural France - perfect for Tour de France 2020?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Relaxing retreat in the heart of rural France - perfect for Tour de France 2020?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Relaxing retreat in the heart of rural France - perfect for Tour de France 2020?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Relaxing retreat in the heart of rural France - perfect for Tour de France 2020 located?
Situated on a river, this holiday home is 7.9 mi (12.8 km) from Collegiate Church Saint-Pierre du Dorat and 8 mi (12.9 km) from Centre Culturel Municipal. La Sabline Prehistory Museum and Lussac les Châteaux Bridge Ruins are also within 20 miles (32 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Great experience booking arrival and check out with owners. Good advice and some essential groceries when we arrived. Lovely decor, perfect position on the river bank where we drank wine and watched the sunset. The rear terrace and hot tub were a bonus. Very quiet area but within 30/40 mins of lots of beautiful villages, lakes and forests. Highly recommended.
John W.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019
About the host
Hosted by Jennie McLaughlan
Took the plunge and moved to France in 2018 from the UK, two years after buying our own holiday home. The lifestyle, weather and location we're just too irrestible. Previously was a maths teacher at a high school and now use my experience with some tutoring and exam marking. I live here with my husband, who runs his own PR business, my teenage son, who goes to lycee plus two cats (Lois and Monty) and English setter Harley.
Why they chose this property
We love the Haute Vienne, its charming villages, its slow pace of life, the beautiful scenery and the whole community feel with its fetes, markets and events. The food and wine is also amazing. So, we wanted a location that could enable guests to experience this as well but in a stunning location, when we found this house right on the river Gartempe, in a hamlet with a quaint church. It was so peaceful and beautiful. Since buying it, we have renovated it from top to bottom and added our unique eye for detail. We want it to be cosy and relaxing which is why we created a snug (that used to be the old bathroom!) and added a terrace to enjoy the stunning rockface that overlooks the garden.
What makes this property unique
The views of the river and the garden with the stunning rockface were alluring, while inside the house retained character with its wooden beamed ceilings. It has a quaintness that made ideal place to relax.