Le Bastion

About this property

Above the Dordogne valley, Le Bastion offers the rare pleasure of staying in a beautifully restored French home while being part of everyday village life. Set in pretty Gensac, with cobbled lanes, village amenities and local events just a stroll away, this handsome Maison de Maître is particularly well suited to families and groups spanning the generations. Here, days can move at everyone’s pace, from splashing in the pool or working out in the gym to leisurely lunches and glasses of local wine as the sun goes down.

The restoration of Le Bastion has been a true labour of love. Original stone walls, oak beams, flagstone floors and Louis XV fireplaces celebrate the character of the house, while thoughtful contemporary touches make it wonderfully comfortable for modern stays. In the lounge, generous seating creates a relaxed gathering place, complemented by a 65 inch satellite TV and views across the valley. The atmospheric dining room leads through a stone archway to the bespoke Neptune style kitchen, complete with two ovens, a large island with bar seating, Sonos music system and everything needed for long lunches and convivial evenings together.

Upstairs, four bedrooms each have their own bathroom, alongside quality linen, Sonos speakers and USB charging. Three feature super king-size beds, while the beautifully finished bathrooms include rain showers and, in two rooms, roll top baths. The house works especially well when different generations holiday together, giving everyone space to follow their own interests before gathering again for meals and evenings. Younger guests will especially appreciate the games room for table tennis, board games and puzzles. 

Across the quiet village lane, a private courtyard becomes the focus of summer days and a natural gathering place for all ages. Spend hours dipping in and out of the pool or you may prefer to linger over lunch, read in the sunshine or settle in with a cool drink as the scent of lavender fills the air. Later, everyone can come together for a barbecue before heading to the west facing terrace as evening light falls across the Durèze valley. With so much to enjoy at home, some of the best days may be those with no plans at all.

Gensac is far more than a beautiful backdrop to a stay at Le Bastion. It is a village that has stolen the hearts of guests, offering the chance to experience what it really feels like to live in a French village for a week or two. Wander along its cobbled lanes, stroll out for dinner or a glass of wine, browse the annual brocante, and enjoy occasional marchés nocturnes on warm summer evenings. There is a wonderful sense of becoming part of the rhythm of the place. Thoughtful local recommendations add a personal touch, making it easier to discover the restaurants, vineyards and experiences that suit your group. 

Beyond Gensac, there is plenty to fill your days. Browse the colourful stalls of Sainte Foy la Grande’s Saturday market, visit surrounding vineyards, explore Saint Émilion and Bergerac, or take to the Dordogne river by canoe. From châteaux and markets to restaurants and wine tasting, the variety makes it easy for every generation to find something they enjoy, with plenty of time left for long afternoons back at the pool.

Le Bastion brings together the pleasures of a high-end French house, space to relax, village life within walking distance and memorable experiences throughout the surrounding countryside. It is a place to explore when the mood takes you, slow down when it does not, and simply enjoy being with family and friends. 

Le Bastion is set in the heart of the a beautiful Gironde village, 2km south of the Dordogne river and around 16km from the much-loved market town of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande. Perfectly located between Bordeaux and Bergerac, it’s ideal for guests wishing to immerse themselves in French village life whilst also exploring the wonderful regions of Dordogne, Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne.

If arriving by air, both Bordeaux (76km) and Bergerac Airports (42km) are within easy reach whilst TGV train services take approximately 3 hours from Paris Montparnasse to Libourne (32km).  

A five minute leisurely stroll takes you to the pretty village centre where you will find all the amenities for your stay including a supermarket with in-house bakery, newsagent, bank, pharmacy, medical centre with English-speaking doctor, bar and restaurant. Next to Le Bastion there is a public play area for children, including a slide, outdoor table tennis table and pétanque court, and on the other side of the village you will find two tennis courts managed by the Town Hall.

The village is home to different local events and festivities throughout the summer, such as classical concerts performed by the Gironde Orchestra in late July, the annual brocante (flea market) in early August, and occasional night markets for the warmer evenings. A walking tour from the tourist office is a lovely way to explore the village and learn about its history and the 19th century church is well worth a visit.

Furthermore, there is nearly two acres of private woodland to be explored just a short walk from the house. The owner is keen to establish a wildlife area in this area and has a multi-year project underway to encourage birds, bats and bees!

Drive to the next village just 2km away and hire canoes or kayaks to paddle along the Dordogne river for a wonderful experience. Cycling is another great way to admire the scenery of this region and visit historic châteaux, charming brocantes, pretty villages and undulating landscapes of woodland and vineyards. Le Bastion has a couple of bikes that may be borrowed but they may also be hired locally for your stay.

Discover the Grands Chateaux such as the Chateau de Montaigne, 14km away, where a great French philosopher spent his days. Or, the Chateau de Duras, 19km, in the town of Duras where you can also find Guinguet, a chocolate factory open to visit. Heading east along the Dordogne, drive to Sainte-Foy-la-Grande (15km) on a Saturday morning for its bustling market, one of the region’s biggest and best, or spend time discovering the town with its historic architecture and picturesque riverside setting. Almost all towns and villages have their own morning markets and look out for Marchés Nocturnes taking place on warm summer evenings.  

A little closer to home, 13km by car, Castillon-la-Bataille’s market is on a Monday but the town can be visited any day for its shops, restaurants and riverside setting. In late July and August a superb sound and light show takes place on Friday and Saturday evenings depicting the battle of Castillon, ending the Hundred Years’ war in 1453 between the English and the French!

Wine-tasting opportunities can be found at wine-châteaux close to the village or you may choose to explore further afield towards Bergerac (40km) and Bordeaux (62km). Not forgetting the enchanting hilltop town of Saint-Émilion, around half an hour away, and its glorious surrounding landscapes of historic vineyards, now classified as a unesco World Heritage site.

For a fantastic day out for all ages, drive west towards the shores of the Atlantic coast and spend the day in or around Arcachon or Cap Ferret, under two hours away, whether sampling oysters and white wine overlooking the bay or running down huge sand dunes, such as the Dune du Pilat, and admiring the vast beaches of this magnificent coastline. The peaceful and gently-shelving shores of Étang de Lacanau, France’s largest lake, are also waiting to be explored, just 110km by car.

Accommodation

Maison Interiors

Ground Floor

-    Living room (25m2) with three sofas, wood burning stove, 65" satellite TV, DVD, Sonos and two large windows with valley views
-    Dining room (35m2) with decorative fireplace
-    Kitchen, fully-equipped including American fridge-freezer with water/ice machine, two neff ovens, induction hob, dishwasher, microwave, coffee maker, kitchen island with bar seating, Sonos and satellite English TV
-    Utility room with washing machine/dryer
-    Guest WC
-    Gym (adults only) with rowing machine and Multi-Gym with 90kg weight stack

Please note there are other rooms on the ground floor which are closed off to guests.

Upstairs (via main staircase)

-    Master bedroom with super king-size double bed, decorative fireplace, valley views and en suite bathroom with roll-top bath, walk-in shower, sink and WC
-    Bedroom with super king-size double bed, decorative fireplace, valley/village views and en suite bathroom with shower, sink and WC
-    Bedroom with super king-size double bed, decorative stone fireplace, courtyard/village views and en suite bathroom with shower, sink and WC
-    Bedroom with twin beds and en suite bathroom with roll-top bath, sink and WC

Upstairs (via second staircase)

-    Large games room with sofa, wood burning stove, fridge, table tennis, board games/puzzles

Outside Grounds

-    Swimming pool (8x4m, depth: max 1.5m) open 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m approximately April to September. Access via safety gate (pool situated in courtyard across the road from the villa)
-    Outdoor shower
-    Changing room with WC
-    Small room with drinks fridge, freezer compartment (for ice-cubes)
-    Covered poolside patio with al-fresco dining table and barbecue
-    West-facing terrace with table, chairs and valley views
-    Free parking for several cars adjacent to the property

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi
-    Underfloor heating (downstairs)
-    Central heating (upstairs)
-    Wood-burning stove (downstairs)
-    Satellite TV - French & English
-    Smart TV with Netflix
-    DVD/Blu-ray player
-    Film library
-    Sonos speakers (bedrooms, gym, dining room, kitchen, lounge)
-    Bluetooth speaker (poolside)
-    USB plugs (bedrooms and kitchen)
-    Gas barbeque
-    Table tennis
-    Table Football
-    Board games
-    Safe
-    Stair gate
-    Washing machine and dryer
-    Ample free car parking
-    Electric car charger
-    Bikes
-    cctv