Guests say
Guests consistently praise Chateau Guygaudie for its impeccable service, comfortable and immaculate accommodation, and child-friendly environment. The property's catering service, led by Laura, receives special mention for delicious, homemade meals that accommodate guests' schedules. The beautiful garden with a pool and the arrangement of activities like wine tasting add to the memorable experience. The property is highly recommended by visitors for both family holidays and special occasions.
Reviews frequently highlight the immaculate condition of the accommodation, suggesting a high standard of cleanliness throughout the property.
While guests enjoyed local activities like kayaking and markets, there is insufficient detail to accurately assess the location in relation to other amenities or attractions.
Numerous guests describe the accommodation as comfortable and quiet, indicating a high level of comfort for both adults and children.
The property boasts a range of facilities including a pool, trampoline, swings, and a function hall. Despite adverse weather, guests had a memorable stay, suggesting well-maintained facilities.
The hosts' thoughtfulness is commended, especially in organising events and meals. While gifts like a birthday cake are mentioned, it is noted that such personal touches, though delightful, are not guaranteed.
About this property
Flanked by a sunflower meadow and three acres of wonderful walled grounds, Château Guygaudie radiates old-world French grandeur with a family-friendly spirit. From the moment you step through its imposing oak doors, the rich heritage of this elegant château unfolds, where antiques, silk furnishings and ancestral portraits speak of a fascinating past. Once home to Guy de Larigaudie, famed explorer and co-founder of the French scout movement, the château’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of its design.
Inside, seven spacious bedrooms and five bathrooms, including four beautiful en-suite bedrooms with four-poster doubles, offer classic and stylish comfort for up to 12 guests. Across the château, period features have been carefully preserved, from antique French furnishings and rolltop baths to the Louis XIV card table in the drawing room. Families will appreciate thoughtful touches for little ones including a playroom, dressing-up box, games and DVDs alongside a variety of baby equipment to help you truly relax during your stay.
Outdoors, the heated swimming pool awaits (within a gated, walled terrace) alongside tropical-style plants and pergolas for warm summer evenings dining al-fresco. As you stroll across the mature landscaped garden, admire hundreds of flowers and shrubs before finding a peaceful corner for a morning coffee or evening apéritif. Meanwhile, the wooded area is perfect for family den building.
To enhance your stay even more, chef or cook services are available at an additional cost, from fresh pastries at breakfast to lunchtime buffets and high quality French dinners. Evening babysitting can be requested and you can pre-book mid-stay cleaning and laundry. Furthermore, wine tastings and other activities such as horse-riding, tennis, canoeing and sight-seeing can all be arranged via the on-site concierge.
Set just 4km from the historic market town of Ribérac, the château enjoys a picturesque position in the northern Dordogne’s countryside. Ribérac’s bustling Friday market is a sensory delight, bursting with local produce, artisan crafts and summertime street performances. Beyond, the Dronne River offers canoeing just minutes away by car, while Lac Jemaye’s sandy beach, summer swimming and nature walks lie within a short drive.
Whether celebrating a special occasion or escaping with your family, Château Guygaudie is a place to reconnect, relax and spend quality time together in a stunning Dordogne setting.
In the rural heart of the northern Dordogne, Château Guygaudie offers guests a welcoming countryside retreat just 4km from the charming market town of Ribérac, perfect for families and friends seeking historic charm, relaxation and adventure. The château was once the home of Guy de Larigaudie, an explorer and co-founder of the French scout movement – there’s a museum in the local village dedicated to his life’s work.
A short drive or cycle ride brings you to Ribérac (4km), a historic market town famed for its vibrant Friday morning market, one of the largest and most colourful in the region. Here, stalls brim with local produce, artisan cheeses, fresh-baked goods and handmade crafts. During the summer months, the market comes alive with family-friendly entertainment, from jugglers and balloon artists to re-enactments of medieval crusades. The town also offers municipal tennis courts, a seasonal watersports centre by the river, a choice of supermarkets and a good selection of restaurants.
Adventurers of all ages will delight in the wealth of outdoor activities close to the château. Just five minutes away, you can enjoy canoeing on the Dronne River, horse riding from a nearby equestrian centre or cycling through scenic lanes. For lakeside fun, head to the beautiful beach at Le Grand Étang La Jemaye (14km) with shaded picnic spots, supervised summer swimming, canoe and paddleboard hire as well as walking trails.
For leisurely day trips, the surrounding region offers rich cultural and natural discoveries. Explore the hilltop village of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne (21km), home to a dramatic monolithic cathedral and pretty riverside beach with summer canoeing. Discover the magical riverside town of Brantôme en Périgord (35km), often dubbed the ‘Venice of the Dordogne’, where you can wander beneath rock-hewn abbeys, sample gourmet cuisine or enjoy a leisurely boat trip. Or venture to Périgueux (35km), the Dordogne’s capital, with its Roman ruins, bustling shops, atmospheric markets and elegant old quarter.
Whether it’s swimming in forest-fringed lakes, cycling through sunflower-strewn fields or dining al fresco under the stars, Château Guygaudie promises a quintessential French escape full of charm, activity and characterful beauty.
Accommodation
Château Interiors
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Grand sitting/drawing room with sofas, chairs and Louis XIV card table
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Music room/library with music centre and book collection (in French and English)
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Children’s sitting/playroom with pirate/princess seats, dressing-up box, large flat-screen high resolution satellite TV, DVD player, DVD collection and PlayStation (with games)
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Grand dining room
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Traditional kitchen and breakfast room (partly attached to kitchen) with table for 8 guests, highchairs and seat boosters
Upstairs
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Bedroom with four-poster double bed and en suite bathroom
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Bedroom with four-poster double bed and en suite bathroom
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Bedroom with four-poster double bed and en suite bathroom
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Bedroom with four-poster double bed and en suite bathroom
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Bedroom with three single beds
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Bedroom with three single beds
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Family bathroom and WC
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Bedroom with two single beds
Adult beds feature orthopaedic mattresses and children’s beds can have roll-out guards.
Outside Grounds
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Heated salt-water swimming pool (10x3m) within a walled and gated area with lock (key provided)
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Large terrace with pergolas for al-fresco dining with subdued lighting, outdoor lounge and tropical planting
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Other dining/seating areas across the grounds
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Portable barbecue
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Two historic wells (one with original 19th century pump, the other with 16th century stone)
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Three acres of walled grounds including garden with shrubs and roses, lawned areas, woodland and bamboo forest
Other Facilities
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Video/audio monitoring of pool area (relayed on flatscreen in kitchen area, can be switched off if necessary)
Reviews (13)
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Naomi, Ed, Raynor, Gabriella and Toby
Thank the owner for a wonderful month. For the endless small and not so small times they have gone above and beyond to make our days enjoyable and memorable. Children off on their adventures in the garden and the local beach was such a joy for all.
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Rob, Sambai and Mel
Thank you so much for a lovely holiday the food was fantastic! The house amazing and of course the hosting was fabulous. Nothing was a problem. Thank the host for all the times they helped organise to make the holiday run smoothly. The holiday was perfect and memorable!
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Rob, Sambai and Mel
Thank you so much for a lovely holiday the food was fantastic! The house amazing and of course the hosting was fabulous. Nothing was a problem. Thank the host for all the times they helped organise to make the holiday run smoothly. The holiday was perfect and memorable!