Historic French castle with pool to rent in the Dordogne region, France

Les Balcons de Dordogne - Chateau rental France 

This stunning chateau holiday rental is brimming with French chic and romance. Its majestic setting forms a breathtaking backdrop of the river and picturesque nearby village which can be enjoyed throughout the property.

The castle is set among the dark oak forests which gives the Périgord Noir (Black Perigord) its name. There is nothing dark about the castle though, where the emphasis is on space and sophistication. Large openings welcome in the light and surrounding landscape.

There are three outdoor areas; the grounds, a vast terrace and the swimming pool.
The terrace and the pool are south-facing and the local honey-coloured stone reflects the sun. The terrace is adjacent to the dining room, making it easier to dine inside or out as you wish.

The castle’s generous Renaissance windows create a bright and spacious interior. Thick stone walls keep temperatures pleasant in the height of summer while grand fireplaces in the kitchen, dining room and reception room provide warmth and a cosy atmosphere during cooler spells.

The décor cleverly combines historic finery with modern warmth. High ceilings, ornamental mouldings and chandeliers celebrate the castle’s illustrious past while antique Gothic and Renaissance furniture is offset by plump sofas and uplifting colours.

The nine bedrooms exude French elegance while the seven bathrooms have a vintage feel. Almost all have leaded windows and stunning views of the river and the countryside.

This stunning holiday chateau can comfortably accommodate two or three families with children, or four to six couples (see number of double beds).

Chateau rental near Sarlat in the Black Perigord:

Indoors :

Ground floor
- Entrance hall
- Large 80 m² living room with fireplace and views of the Dordogne
- Small round living room in a turret, overlooking the Dordogne
- 40 m² dining room for 16 guests with a fireplace. Access to the outdoor terrace and views of the Dordogne
- 50 m² modern kitchen with dining table for 8 guests and views of the Dordogne

First floor
- Bedroom 1: a 45 m² library room with a 1.8 m double bed and a large fireplace; en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet; view of the courtyard and the Dordogne
- Bedroom 2: a 44 m² room with a 1.6 m double bed.; en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet; view of the Dordogne
- Bedroom 3: a 28 m² bedroom with two single beds 0.9 m that can be assembled in a double bed; en-suite bathroom with a bath; courtyard view
- Bedroom 4: a 22 m² bedroom with two bunk beds (four single beds); en-suite bathroom with 2 sinks, a shower and toilet; view of the Dordogne
- Bedroom 5: a 30 m² bedroom with a 1.8 m double bed; en-suite bathroom with bath/shower and toilet; view of the Dordogne
- Bedroom 6: a small bedroom with a 0.9 m single bed and a cot, view of the Dordogne

Bedrooms 5 and 6 are ideal for the same family.

Second Floor
- Bedroom 7: a 35 m² bedroom with a 1.6 m double bed; en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet; great view of the Dordogne
- Bedroom 8: a 18 m² bedroom with two single beds (0.9 x 1.8 m) and a washbasin; courtyard view
- Bedroom 9: a 21 m² bedroom with one double bed 1.8 x 2.0 m; en-suite bathroom with shower and toilet; view of the courtyard

Outdoors:
- 2 hectares of grounds
- A courtyard equipped with a shaded space to take lunch
- A 100 m² terrace facing south (umbrella)
- 12 x 6 m swimming pool facing south, accessible by secured doors
- Trampoline, swing, ping-pong table

Rent a castle in France, things to see and do nearby:

The surrounding nature

The Dordogne river stretches for more than 400 kilometres from the Massif Central to the Atlantic Ocean. It crosses 15 villages as it winds through the scenic Dordogne valley and was historically a source of wealth for the locals, providing opportunities for fishing, mills and transporting goods.

The castles of the Périgord

Within the Dordogne administrative département lies the former French province of Perigord. While it is no longer an official county, it remains an area of natural beauty that has retained its historic identity; it counts no less than 1001 castles and a wealth of abbeys, manors, prehistoric sites, gardens and museums.
Whether you’re looking for slow-living, wildlife and culture or something a bit more exhilarating, the Dordogne has it all.

History lovers are in for a treat here as the region has plenty of tumultuous drama to recount. This region played a prominent role in French history and has seen its fair share of conflict. This is where the Hundred Years War played out, pitting the French against the English in the 14th and 15th century.
Back in the 12th century, the Dordogne river became a symbolic border between France and England when French queen consort Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henri II of England. Two castles were built; Beynac on the French side of the river and Castelnaud-la-Chapelle on the English side. Both these castles are just a few miles from this rental property. 

The beautiful gardens of Marqueyssac and La-Roque-Gageac

The Jardins de Marqueyssac is also worth a visit. It is a stunning garden set in the grounds of an 18th-century chateau with imaginatively sheared hedges and shrubs. Stroll around the 22 hectares of gardens then stop at the tea room to sit back and enjoy the view.

Cross the river to visit the Jardins des Milandes. This site is a historic monument with a number of accolades to its name. It was also home to the American-born French entertainer Joséphine Baker who fought for France’s freedom as part of the resistance during WWII.

Another garden to see is the exotic garden at La Roque-Gageac. The mild climate and pale-hued local stone produce a beautiful range of exotic species including palm trees, citrus trees, bougainvillea and bamboo.

Don’t miss the village of La Roque-Gageac, a delightful waterfront village nestled into the foot of a cliff. A troglodyte fortress, yellow stone houses and a pretty 15th century manor make it picture perfect.

Fun activities to do with friends or family

Get out on the river for a spot of canoeing or enjoy a trip on a barge. Take in the succession of villages and castles from the water and keep your eyes open for your very own holiday castle as you sail beneath it. You can also swim in the Dordogne from a small beach just 200 metres from the property.

There are many delightful villages less than an hour’s drive from the property. Visit Les Eyzies to learn about its prehistoric heritage (and head to Prehisto Parc to bring history alive for children), see the prehistoric artwork at the Lascaux cave, and stop off at La Roque Saint-Christophe.

Nearby is the popular town of Sarlat-la-Canéda, a reputed foodie destination, and the bigger towns Périgueux and Bergerac are both 70 kilometres away.

Getting to your castle rental for 16 people:

- Brive-Dordogne Valley airport 50 km
- Bergerac-Dordogne Périgord airport 70 km
- Toulouse-Blagnac airport 175 km
- Bordeaux-Mérignac airport 200 km
- Nearest train stations: Get the TGV to Toulouse or Bordeaux or
- Take the Paris-Toulouse slow train to Souillac station, 30 km

Location of the rental Les Balcons de Dordogne (Dordogne and South West France)

Location, for information purposes only

Guest review about Les Balcons de Dordogne