Converted stone barn in superb position near Brantôme

What to do: Once you have explored Bourdeilles with its château (well worth a visit) and Brantôme, you are still spoilt for choice. In the immediate vicinity, apart from the wonderful scenery and delightful towns and villages, there are several châteaux that can be visited and lots of caves, including the 'Grotte de Villars' with its prehistoric cave paintings; there is a very good visitors' centre and guides.

If you don't fancy canoeing you can take a boat trip on the Dronne from Brantôme and get a different perspective of the town.

Although you'll see lots of small vineyards around us, these are all for private consumption and you have to go down towards Bergerac or Saint Emilion (about an hour) to find serious wine country. Cognac is a similar distance to the north east. We have a range of bicycles that you are also welcome to use at your own risk. Please look after them!

Local facilities and getting there: There is a bar and restaurant within walking distance (you have to book in advance for the restaurant). Although travelling shops call in St Julien, the nearest shops, bars and restaurants are in Bourdeilles (3.5 miles), where there is a swimming pool and tennis courts in the summer. Brantôme (5 miles) has a full range of shops and a market on Friday as well as an ever-growing number of restaurants. There are banks with cash dispensers and a post office. Périgueux (about 18 miles) has everything you would expect in a city, including hypermarkets and some very attractive shops in the old quarter. St Julien is about 500 miles from Calais/Dunkerque and about 350 from Caen. Driving times are 7 to 8 hours from Calais via Paris using the (expensive) péage, 7 hours from Caen. I can supply suggested routes that seem to work, including how to get round Paris avoiding the dreaded Boulevard Périphérique and a route via Rouen (about 9 hours) which is the route we normally use ourselves.

Finally: Please note that we live in the house for several months a year ourselves and it is equipped it with everything we need to live comfortably.

Canoeing (we have 3 canoes). The bikes include a tandem!