Gaurenne

Marquay, Dordogne
Self-catering
01 212 7720 2030 / +33 (0)6 70 36 51 68
Visit owner's website

From
€457 - €514
per night
From
€3200 - €3600
per week

A gorgeously tranquil place to escape to and fall in love with the Périgord's medieval villages, valleys, wines, markets and artisan farms

Bed

3 beds

Bedroom

2 bedrooms

Sleeps

Sleeps 4

Children welcome

€457 - €514 per night

€3200 - €3600 per week

The Experience

The lane winds up through the woodland, turns into a track, and leads to the immaculate courtyard of Gaurenne. Inside and out, this steeply pitched 1700s farmhouse is elegant and serene. Lap up the scents and the pastoral views, and settle under the pergola with foie gras and Rosette wine – a welcome treat from the owner.

You can hop in the car to the village for your morning coffee, and stock up at Sarlat’s market. Rent kayaks and bikes, and hike for miles. Or discover the fortresses of Beynac and Castelnaud, the water mill at Sainte-Nathalène, where walnuts are ground into oil the traditional way, and the Rocamadour goat’s cheese of La Borie d’Imbert: worth the hour’s drive.

Return to a garden of sumptuous shrubs and low box hedges, 28 peaceful acres, and a pool set in a lawn adjoining a meadow. It’s an idyllic spot for the end the day.

Gaurenne - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • Cooking on the fabulous Lacanche stove and dining on the lovely covered terrace afterwards
  • Basking in the gardens and cooling off in the pool
  • The combination of contemporary sophistication and rustic authenticity
Gaurenne - Gallery

You should know

  • The bathroom between the bedrooms is shared

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Self check-in
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Barbecue
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Electricity included
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Pricing

Nightly price
from €457
Weekly price
from €3200
Damage deposit
€1000
1 House for 4
From €4573 beds2 bedrooms

Information

Booking information

Check in
From 5pm Saturday
Check out
By 10am Saturday
Other details
Minimum stay: 7 nights.
Closed
November - April.

Reviews

One comes here thinking in years and generations...but leaves contemplating millennia. After a day of navigating the green hills and winding roads in search of early man's dwellings or medieval chateaux, coming home to peaceful Gaurenne is a treat indeed. An extra tip of the hat to Judith, whose unerring eye for detail and architectural integrity has transformed this old farmhouse into a living dream.

Kevin and Sheila, Santa Barbara, California

Wonderful place in an incredibly peaceful idyllic setting. Everything very comfortable and tastefully done. Great location for exploring the many treasures of the Dordogne region as well, although the place is so nice that you may not want to. The owner is also very helpful and provided some great recommendations.

Nick, London

We enjoyed a wonderfully peaceful and relaxing week at Gaurenne, & exploring the local area. The house is immaculately presented with all mod-cons & the pool, gardens and orchards are stunning. We enjoyed all of our meals in the outdoor covered area, enjoying the beautiful views and peace. Judith has clearly put a lot of love and thought into the renovation. The local area has much to offer - charming and characterful local markets, delicious local produce, super fun canoeing on the Dordogne river, beautiful villages and caves, and enjoyable cycling.

Nicola, Hampshire

Another fabulous year at Gaurenne! Everything was perfect, as usual, and we look forward to coming back again and again to this amazing place. When we pulled up to the entrance this year, it felt like life had been a dream for the past 11 ½ months and we were now awake and home.

Julie, New York City

The finality of this entry at the end of our stay is heartbreaking. How I wish we could linger just a little bit longer. What a heavenly space you have created here. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

Toby and Ellen, Cleveland, Ohio

We spent a fortnight at this charming farmhouse. It is beautiful, peaceful and it is impossible not to slow down and relax. It feels like it was a privilege to stay here, it has been renovated and furnished to a very high standard. The swimming pool and the gardens, orchards, meadows are lovely. Watching the sunset each evening from the terrace was an experience that will sustain us through the winter. There is plenty to do in the nearby region; chateaus, caves, towns, markets, children's activities, kayaking, river swimming.

Simon, Wimborne, Dorset UK

Our family have just returned from a week’s stay at this wonderful place. Judith (and team’s) care is apparent; the gite is like a welcoming home with wonderful facilities. La Gaurenne is relaxing and absolutely charming, as well as being situated perfectly to explore the beautiful region and all it has to offer.

Kelly, UK

A sophisticated delight, blending transatlantic pared-back style with French furnishings. I loved the garden, especially the orchard with the locally-made rustic fencing. Judith, your host is immersed in local French culture and history. Tease out some of her wealth of wisdom and ask her about her film: the seasons of the year through local eyes.

Patricia, Sawday's Inspector

Read more reviews

Location

The neighbourhood

Idyllically set in high meadows with verdant views, Gaurenne is peaceful but not remote. A five-minute drive brings you to pretty little Marquay (a few shops, one bar, a summer restaurant). In the other direction, at Tamniès, 3km, is an excellent hotel restaurant. Not to be missed is the capital of prehistory, Les Eyzies and the beautiful medieval town of Sarlat - both 15 minutes' drive.

Local points of interest from Judith Lit

  • Gaurenne is in the part of the Dordogne known as the Perigord Noir, which offers a lush landscape threaded with meandering rivers and dotted with charming villages. This is a rural area with a quiet, unspoiled countryside with a traditional way of life.
  • Despite the tranquility, there are many activities and sites to fill your days, should you so choose. There are medieval towns to explore, canoe trips on the Dordogne and Vézère rivers, extensive hiking trails, horseback riding, swimming, and tennis nearby
  • There are numerous chateaux to visit (Beynac and Castelnaud are not to be missed) as well as odd sites like the haunting Chateau de Commarque and the Cabanes de Breuil (an unusual cluster of ancient, round, stone buildings of unknown origin).
  • The region's wealth of prehistoric sites is close at hand. The Lascaux caves, Font de Gaume, the National Museum of Pre-history at Les Eyzies de Tayac, and the Abri de Cap Blanc, with its carved horses, provide memorable experiences.
  • Local outdoor markets abound, featuring the regional produce and products for which the Dordogne is revered as a gastronomic center of France. The twice weekly market in Sarlat, which winds through the ancient streets, being one of France’s most colourful.
  • A listing of suggested outings, restaurants, and market days is provided to help visitors make full use of their stay.

Introducing

Judith Lit

Judith, a filmmaker from New York, fell in love with France during her university studies and years later bought this 'fairytale Perigourdine farm'. She knows the area intimately (note her area guide) and has also made an acclaimed documentary about the area's agricultural life. She’ll sometimes be staying at her place on the property too, and a caretaker, Marie-Noelle, lives close by.