Dear VRBO –

We discovered the house in Monsac via a personal connection and, subsequently, thru VRBO. It came highly recommended, but that recommendation hardly prepared us for the heavenly place we found. Breathless, speechless and a little wet in the eyes upon arrival…warm, welcoming and wonderfully comfortable.

The property looks beautiful in the photos, and indeed it IS beautiful. From the clearly historic core of the house to the newer additions, the home shows excellent care and is very well maintained. An interior great room with seating and a grand dining table anchors the property – French doors (yeah, French doors in France) open onto a lovely patio with a shady arbor, a wide well-trimmed lawn and a magical view across a giant meadow. One afternoon a pair of red deer came bounding across the yard…

The kitchen is small but efficient, well-stocked with more than the basics of cooking equipment – my husband, our chef, prepared some remarkable meals. It doesn’t hurt that many lovely, local markets are very close at hand so outstanding fresh fish and meats, spring vegetables, cheese, charcuterie, breads, not to mention delightful pates and wines from local farms/vineyards are also easily acquired. There’s a market in a nearby village nearly every day. We did not lack for dishes, glassware, flatware or serveware. Plenty of wine glasses ;-). Two bedrooms, two bathrooms – modern and well-appointed. The heaters work well – slightly disappointed that it just didn’t make sense to build a fire in the wood stove/grand fireplace.

We combed the region – visited chateaux, castles, wandered thru medieval villages, canoed on the Dordogne, and spent a remarkable day viewing some of the world’s most ancient and spectacular artworks near Les Eyzies. Found lovely, small restaurants – and appreciated the thoughtful and right-on recommendations provided by the owner. The house was a perfect home base, and it was sweet indeed to return every night to peaceful Monsac after a day’s adventures.

Nous vous remercions.