Just 5km from the market village of St Cyprien, 7km from the ‘prehistoric capital’ of Les Eyzies and 17km from the medieval town of Sarlat, our accomodation provides the perfect location from which to explore the castles, rockart, caves and medieval villages which make up the vivid and diverse history of this region or simply to enjoy a peaceful and relaxing holiday.

Le Chèvrefeuille Gites

Le Chèvrefeuille has three Gites, or self catering accommodation.

La Petite Maison is our one bedroom gite, contained on the upper floor, it has one bedroom, living area which includes a small kitchette, bathroom and seperate toilet. It has a private terrace area set in its own cottage garden with furniture and BBQ.

Grapevine & Passiflore are our two bedroom gites, located in our 19th century barn. They are identical in dimensions and layout, each with an individual private terrace over looking our beautiful meadow garden.They are on two floors with the bedrooms on the first floor & living area on the ground floor.

Grapevine plus Breadroom can be combined to create a three bedroom gite. The breadroom is our superior bed and breakfast room connected to the grapevine gite by their terrace areas and offers an additional bedroom en-suite for extended family, parents and friends whilst offering a degree of privacy.

Outside area and Facilities

Le Chevrefeuille has large gardens with open and shaded areas ideal for relaxation and play. The large meadow garden is for the exclusive use of guests staying in the gites Passiflore, Grapevine, & the Breadroom, who all have immediate access from their individual terraces. In the meadow garden, large walnut trees offer splendid shaded areas for eating or reading and from this garden you gain a beautiful view over Pechboutier and its woodland which provides a delightful spot for bird watching. A children’s play area located at the bottom of the garden provides entertainment for children in a safe environment that can be viewed from the terraces for the comfort and relaxation of the parents with total peace of mind.

We offer an indoor children’s playroom including toys and for those who wish to explore the stunning countryside of the immediate area we have bikes available, including a child’s bike seat.

Baby equipment is available, which includes cot, bedding, changing mat, toys, highchair, soft chair and stair gate.

Washing machine, ironing facilities and washing line are provided for the use of our guests.

There is ample car parking facilities

B&B Rooms

Le Chèvrefeuille has five chambre d’hote or bed and breakfast rooms all of which are en-suite. We have two standard double rooms, two family rooms and the “bread room” which is our superior double room and is located outside in our beautiful courtyard.

Rooms

All our bed and breakfast rooms are all of a good size, all with European king size beds (with exception of the garden room which has a standard double bed and breakfast ) and shower en-suites.

Breakfast

The price of the room includes breakfast which consists of fresh croissants, a selection of fresh breads and pastries, fruit, yoghurt, cereals, juice and tea/coffee.

Dining

In addition to the varied local restaurants we are able to offer beautifully cooked evening meals using only the best fresh local produce. Dinner consists of a table d’hote menu of four courses plus coffee for Euros 23.50 per adult, 10 for children and is served in our magnificent courtyard.

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Read what people have to say about Le Chèvrefeuille 

For more info please visit : www.lechevrefeuille.com

Belves is a lovely and lively medieval town, it stands on a rocky spur above the Nauze valley on the skirts of the Bessede forest with a typical bastide layout and centre, and a preserved 15th century covered market hall. The town is well worth a visit.

History

Two hundred and fifty years BC it was inhabited by a celtic tribe the Bellovaques, who gave the city its name. The 11th century AD made it a fortified city because of its strategic position. In its most ancient part you find the castrum (fortified village) with its old keep (the “Tour de l’Auditeur”, 11th century), the Hôtel Bontemps (12th century, with its renaissance front), the ramparts, which used to encircle the city with a fortified gate and a tower later to be raised into a belfry (15th century). It towers above the Place d’Armes, nowadays used as a market-place every Saturday morning, with its five hundred years old 23 pillars and the pillori-irons to which the prisoners used to be chained.

In the hollow of the medieval ditch you can see the entrance to the troglodytic caves, once inhabited (from the 13th to the 18th centuries; guided visits all the year round, upon prior reservation). Strolling along the streets and alleys with their poetical names the “rue du Bout du Monde” (end of the world), the “Rue de l’Oiseau qui Chante (the singing bird), you will meet some more architectural treasures, the castle, the former Couvent des Frères Prêcheurs (monastery of the preaching priest)

About

In the centre of the town you can visit some troglodyte dwellings that date from around the 13th century. In the town you can also see the medieval belfry and walls, a 14th century castle, and the city hall. Belves is famous as being the ‘town of seven bell towers’. You will enjoy a pleasant afternoon wandering the streets and alleys of Belves – note that it is listed as ‘one of the most beautiful villages in France’.

The main sights

The old town, called Le Castrum, originates from the 11/12th century and was originally surrounded by ramparts. These were 15 metres high under the hospital! Some of the ramparts are still visible – wander down the rue du Petit Sol and the rue de l’oiseau qui chante (street of the bird that sings!).

The Belfry was built in the 11th century and was originally a defensive tower overhanging a deep moat in which people lived in caves. At the bottom of the moat the troglodytes grew their vegetables. The visit to the “Habitations troglodytiques” is very interesting.

The entrance to the troglodyte dwelling is by the fortified gate in the corner of the square. In the 11th century this had a drawbridge and was the only entrance to the Castrum.

Also from the 11th century is the ‘Tourd de l’Auditeur’. The entrance is high up as guards used to enter by ladder and then pull this up to prevent intruders.

The other main building of the middle ages is ‘La Tour du Guet’, the watch tower which is out of town on the corner of the rue du Bout du Monde (End of the World Street ) and the Pelevade street (named after a menhir which once stood here). The watch tower overlooks the valley and so could warn when the enemy approached.

Moving into the 13th century there is the monastery of the ‘Freres Precheurs’, now the townhall of Belves, and the church of Moncuq whose choir and chapels are 13th century though much of the rest is 15th century.

The chateau on the edge of town was started in the 14th century and altered during the Renaissance and afterwards.

In the 15th and 16th century the covered market was built. Note the pilori chain on one of the pillars. This was put round the neck of wrong-doers and they were held there for two or three days.

The Maison des Consuls which houses the tourist office is also 15th century and was for meetings of the consellors. The ground floor was a guard-room.

One of the highlights of Belves is its position on a rock outcrop, overhanging the valley of the river Nauze, and the views across open countryside from the town. Don’t ignore the surrounding countryside wnen you visit Belves – there is a great deal to explore in the surrounding small villages.

OFFICE DE TOURISME DU PAYS DE BELVES
1, Rue des Filhols
24170 BELVES
TEL/FAX : 33-553-29-10-20
belves@perigord.com

http://www.perigord.com/belves

Imagine being shown the professional painting techniques that will, in just  a few hours move your works of art up to a new higher level. If you are just starting we will encourage you and give you an artistic confidence that will help you get more enjoyment from this fantastic pursuit.

You will not need to bring any artists equipment with you on your painting holiday in the Dordogne as we have supplies of all the basic materials, which are included in your painting  package. If you are already a committed artist and prefer a particular type of brush, paint or a special brand of water-colour paper, feel free to bring them with you. All tuition is in English on your Painting Holiday in the Dordogne.

We are situated in the Dordogne South West France department 24 and is run from ‘Franquettes ‘ which is the home and art studio of English painter Richard Harby and his wife Sally.

Franquettes is near the village of Nabirat in  the beautiful Dordogne region of France. Nabirat is famous for its annual strawberry fair (Fete de Fraises) where the year’s production of strawberries is celebrated in the creation of a giant strawberry tart which is displayed in the village square. The medieval town of Domme is just a 10 minute drive away and has been one of our painting locations on previous courses. From its elevated position Domme has one of  France’s most spectacular views over the river Dordogne giving an almost aerial view of the fantastic countryside below. A trip to Sarlat, the historic market town of the area is a must with is quaint alleys and cobbled streets. Busy shops, art galleries and restaurants abound and there is usually a variety of entertaining street performers. We are only 10 minutes from the Dordogne river canoe hire and the boating lake at Grolejac.

For more info please visit : www.painting-france.co.uk