The house is just outside Turenne in the Corrèze department. Turenne is divided into two parts: the lower area which is 1km from the house and which has a local restaurant called Le Vieux Séchoir; 2.5km from here is the upper area being the hilltop village – this is full of narrow streets, medieval houses plus a few shops, bars and resaturants including ‘Restaurant Vicomte’ which is recommended. A castle used to be there; now there remains only the grounds which have been made into a beautiful and flowery French garden full of exotic plants.

The nearby villages of Curemonte and Collonges la Rouge are also worth a visit. Curemonte has lovely architecture and its Roman St Genest church is decorated with paintings from the 15th century. Collonges is even more fantastic as the whole town is coloured in red and pink and its wealthy history is reflected in its impressive mansions and towers. The famous sites of Rocamadour, Gouffre de Padirac and Grotte de Lascaux are all within an hour’s drive.

Sleeps 8/9

A small track of nearly 1km coming off the road leads you up to the house which is in a high position with views from the garden over the valley. You enter from the courtyard to the main living area which is in a L shape. On your right is the sitting area with sofa and armchairs, TV, VHS, DVD and CD player. Then in the dining area, which opens into the garden, is a large dining table to seat 8; this is open-plan to the kitchen which is equipped with dishwasher, microwave and normal oven. There is a washing machine and a dryer in the utility room, and a separate WC. A games room with table tennis opens onto a terrace which has views over countryside and is ideal for evening meals.

Upstairs are four simple bedrooms: two double bedrooms, one with an en-suite bathroom (with a small bath); one bedroom with a double bed and a child bed; one twin bedroom; a bathroom and a separate WC.

The garden is 1500m2 and has a 10.5m x 4m swimming pool with nice views towards the countryside.