Domaine Claria

About this property

This 17th century French château and renovated stables are set within vast grounds with two swimming pools, located in the Lot-et-Garonne only 1.5km from a medieval village with an impressive castle and pretty lake.

The history of the main château dates back to the late 1600s when it is said that a local duke built the house for the woman he loved (and later married), the cousin of King Louis XIV. The rich heritage of the château remains this day with high ceilings, spacious rooms and many traditional features. It feels like an authentic family home, furnished and styled simply yet comfortably with six pretty bedrooms sleeping 16 guests. Arrange a cook to prepare meals for you as you relax in the salon and children play upstairs in the large games room with toys, ping-pong, board games and a little puppet theatre.  

The château terrace is a grand spot to gather for al-fresco meals whilst the 16m long swimming pool sits proudly in the garden below. The open countryside vistas of the Lot-et-Garonne landscapes are wonderful.

The neighbouring 17th century stables have been charmingly restored to sleep a further 16 guests across three dwellings. In an L-shape, each of the three stables has its own open-plan lounge, dining and small kitchen area. Stables I and II each have three bedrooms and two bathrooms (one en suite) whilst Stables III has two bedrooms and a bathroom. They all exude character, charm and an air of simplicity with rustic décor and furnishings alongside a restful ambience.

What’s more, there is a second swimming pool set close to the stables, and each stable dwelling has its own terrace and barbecue. Look out for splashes of summer colour, trees and lavender across the glorious open grounds.

The domaine is set on a country road leading to a picturesque village only 1.5km away. It’s such a pretty place to discover with half-timbered houses, medieval lanes, a weekly Farmer’s market and a handful of restaurants and shops. Admire the village’s Renaissance castle before taking a walk by the gorgeous lake with picnic benches.   

Appreciate the beauty of the Lot-et-Garonne as you visit bastide market towns such as Castillonnès, Miramont-de-Guyenne, Villeréal and Monflanquin, for example. Canoe or kayak along the Dropt and Lot rivers and potter around atmospheric markets looking out for a range of delicious local produce (tomatoes from Marmande, Tonneins ham, Agen prunes steeped in Armagnac and so on).

Wine-lovers should head to the vineyards of Duras, Château de Monbazillac and even Saint-Émilion or spend time exploring the Dordogne with nearby Eymet only 9km away as well as idyllic Issigeac and Monpazier within easy reach. Soak up the splendour of Bergerac’s old town and beautiful architecture before taking a traditional gabarre vessel along the Dordogne for a truly relaxing day out. 

Domaine Claria enjoys a rural setting bordering farmland and countryside landscapes in the beautiful Lot-et-Garonne, close to the Dordogne border around half an hour south of Bergerac.  

The château and its converted stables are set within vast unenclosed grounds just off a country road leading to a picturesque village. You can drive or walk (no pavement) to the village in around 1.5km where you will find a handful of useful shops (grocery store, bakery, pharmacy), restaurants, an impressive Renaissance castle and a charming Farmer’s market on a Saturday morning. Take a stroll along the medieval lanes admiring half-timbered houses then stop off on a bench by the pretty lake popular with nature lovers and fishing enthusiasts (a permit is needed).

Bike hire can be arranged in the village, there are tennis courts there too whilst canoeing and kayaking can be found along the Dropt River near La Sauvetat-du-Dropt (13km)/ Allemans-du-Dropt (17km) or along the Dordogne and Lot rivers.

There are good sized supermarkets near the local historic towns of Miramont-de-Guyenne (11km) and Castillonnès (13km) as well as bustling markets (Tuesday morning for Castillonnès and Monday morning for Miramont-de-Guyenne). Close to Miramont-de-Guyenne, find more fishing opportunities at Lac du Saut du Loup as well as nature walks and a play area.

Driving north to the Dordogne department, Eymet (9km) is an attractive bastide village near the Dropt River with an atmospheric Thursday morning market. Other gorgeous villages across the Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne include Issigeac (20km), home to an especially lovely market on a Sunday morning alongside Villeréal (26km) and the famous bastide towns of Monflanquin (31km) and Monpazier (40km), both classified as two of France’s ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.

Discover wine-tasting around Duras (28km), Bergerac (30km) and Château de Monbazillac (23km) or venture further afield to the unesco World Heritage vineyards of Saint-Émilion (72km), an enchanting hilltop top with a rich heritage. Meanwhile, the grand city of Bordeaux (120km), so famed for its wines and history, is less than two hours away by car.

This location is also ideal for keen gastronomes with wonderful restaurants, delightful markets and even summer night markets all showcasing the best produce of this region. Larger markets take place in Marmande, Sainte-Foy-la-Grande and Bergerac, all within a 40-minute drive. Depending on the season, look out for Agen prunes, truffles, cepes, tomatoes, strawberries, asparagus, melons, walnuts, ham and of course the country’s iconic foie gras.

Accommodation

Château Interiors (700m2, two storeys, 16 guests)

-    Hallway
-    Living room (58m2)
-    Dining room
-    Kitchen, well-equipped including Nespresso machine, kettle, toaster, electric oven, gas hob, dishwasher and fridge
-    Billiard room (with steps to cellar)
-    Library/study
-    3 x bedrooms with double bed and single bed
-    2 x bedrooms with double bed
-    Bedroom with three single beds
-    4 x bathrooms (two en suite) with bath and/or shower
-    Large upstairs games room/lounge (250m2)
Two of the bedrooms are en suite and on the ground floor.
Château Outside Grounds

-    Swimming pool (16x6m, depth: 0.9-2.8m) with safety fencing. Open approximately April to October
-    Large elevated terrace with dining table and chairs (low stone walls)
-    Barbecue
-    Large garden/grounds (unenclosed)
-    Badminton set
-    Driveway and parking (shared with the stables)

Château Facilities

-    High-speed Wi-Fi
-    Fireplace
-    Portable fans
-    TV 
-    Board games and toys
-    Puppet theatre
-    Books
-    Badminton set
-    Table tennis
-    Security cameras
-    Hairdryer
-    Washing machine and dryer (in cellar)
Écuries Interiors (three separate dwellings)

-    Entrance hallway leading to Stables I and Stables II
Stables I Interiors (6 guests, 125m2, single storey)

-    Open-plan lounge and dining area
-    Open-plan small kitchen including Nespresso machine
-    Terrace and barbecue
-    Bedroom with double bed and en suite bathroom with shower 
-    Bedroom with double bed
-    Bedroom with twin beds
-    Bathroom with bath, shower, sink and WC
-    Separate WC
Stables II Interiors (6 guests, 135m2, two storeys)
-    Open-plan living and dining area (can be connected to Stables II)
-    Open-plan small kitchen including Nespresso machine
-    Terrace and barbecue
-    Bedroom with double bed and en suite bathroom with shower 
-    Bedroom with double bed
-    Bathroom with bath, shower, sink and WC
-    Bedroom with twin beds (upstairs)
-    Separate WC
Stables III (4 guests, 100m2, two storeys)

-    Open-plan lounge and dining area
-    Open-plan small kitchen including Nespresso machine
-    Terrace and barbecue
-    Bedroom with double bed
-    Bathroom with shower and sink
-    Separate WC
-    Bedroom with twin beds (upstairs)

Écuries Outside Grounds

-    Swimming pool (10x5m, depth: 1.5m) with safety fencing. Open approximately April to October
-    Poolside terrace with sun loungers
-    Individual terraces with table and chairs
-    Barbecues
-    Large garden/grounds (unenclosed)
-    Driveway and parking (shared with the château)
Écuries Facilities
-    Wi-Fi
-    Security cameras (outward facing)