Maison Palissy

Biron, Dordogne
Self-catering
+33 (0)6 81 13 28 23
Visit owner's website

From
€135 - €170
per night
From
€945 - €1190
per week

A lovely old house and rambling garden in a medieval village with a monumental château, 12th-century church and a good local restaurant

Bed

1 bed

Bedroom

1 bedroom

Sleeps

Sleeps 2

€135 - €170 per night

€945 - €1190 per week

The Experience

The house once belonged to the famous 16th-century ceramicist and scientist Bernard Palissy – there’s a museum full of information about him nearby. You enter through the pretty door into one large room with honey coloured stone, exposed beams and French doors leading out to the terrace and garden. This ground floor space is comfortable, cosy and very light.

A fabulous view of a Romanesque church through the kitchen window makes cooking a joy. It’s well equipped with a Nespresso coffee machine, plus wine, homemade jam and cookies. Next door your bed is heaped with pillows and there’s a beautiful stone chimney to admire.

Sit out, have a barbecue in your own private part of the garden. Pass between shrubs and herbaceous borders to the greater garden and pool; wander through the wildflower meadow to admire the stunning views of Château de Biron. Dine at the local Auberge which sits beside the ramparts of the village, a stone’s throw away.

Maison Palissy - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • Having so much space inside and out - the gardens are truly lovely
  • Heading to markets in fabulous fortified towns and bringing back local food and wine
  • Walking all day in woodland, coming back to swim, lighting the barbecue, opening the wine
Maison Palissy - Gallery

You should know

  • The owners use the pool occasionally - and discreetly
  • Parking is right outside the door on a no-through street
  • Mobile signal a bit patchy in places but WiFi good

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 €135
Weekly price
from €945
1 House for 2
From €1351 bed1 bedroom

Information

Booking information

Check in
4pm-7pm
Check out
8am-10am
Other details
Minimum stay: 3 nights. 7 nights in high season.
Closed
Rarely.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Owner has pets
Animals living on the property

Reviews

We loved our stay at Maison Palissy. The property was absolutely stunning, inside and out. The location is idyllic and it was lovely to sit outside with a coffee or a glass of wine in the beautiful and peaceful garden. Helen and Kevin were lovely, helpful hosts and their attention to detail was visible throughout the property. We cannot wait to return.

Fiona, Edinburgh

Maison Palissy is a smashing place to stay in a unique and idyllic location. Kevin and Helen are such friendly and sensitive hosts who go out of their way to make your stay perfect. The accommodation is very well equipped, very comfortable and private and yet with the use of the pool and glorious garden. We will definitely go back there.

Roger and Gilly, London

It was a great pleasure staying in Maison Palissy. The owners Kevin and Helen gave us a great welcome and had lots of helpful information to share. The accommodation is a fine blend of centuries old stone and wood with tasteful modernisation. We appreciated the wide range of books in the living room and bedroom. We enjoyed the large garden with its many fruit trees and a flower meadow and the salt water swimming pool was perfect for relaxing in at the end of the day. The local shop for fresh bread is just a few minutes walk, as is the restaurant in the chateau. Highly recommended.

Ros and Cameron, Bristol

A perfect French hideaway in a beautiful village. Helen and Kevin are the perfect hosts, so warm and welcoming. The Maison is wonderfully decorated and has so many lovely touches to make your stay feel so special. The garden is a joy so peaceful and relaxing. Relax by the pool and take in the wonderful meadow below. We hope to make a return visit to explore more of the amazing countryside and historic villages, and sample more of Helen's jam made from figs from the garden.

Fran & Steve, Hampshire

This charming self-contained apartment was spotlessly clean with beautiful décor. It was spacious, warm and cosy, despite the cold December weather outside. The bedroom had plenty of storage space, and the bed was comfy. The owners, Helen and Kevin were great, very welcoming and helpful. We were very private in our apartment, with patios and views over the large garden. Biron was close to Bergerac airport and cheap Ryanair flights. It was a great time of year to visit the Dordogne We’ll definitely be back to Maison Palissy and would highly recommend a stay there.

Caroline, Maidenhead

We spent a delightfully relaxing week at Maison Palissy, enjoying the perfect surroundings of the large, landscaped gardens, with wild flower meadow and immaculate pool. The accommodation was thoughtfully and comfortably furnished with all we could possibly need for our stay. Helen and Kevin were charming hosts who ensured we had every comfort. Many thanks for a memorable stay in a beautiful part of France.

Jane, Leicester

We loved our stay at Maison Palissy. Its relaxed accommodation and extensive outside space, fruit trees and salt water pool were just what we needed. The accommodation is spacious and cool in the summer months with everything needed for a relaxing holiday. The centre of Biron is a short walk away (through the top of the garden) where there's a local shop for the essentials and Château de Biron. We look forward to returning!

Adam, London

This charming, peaceful gite was a most welcome respite after a long days house hunting. Comfortable, stylish and has everything you need in a very pretty location. Little shop walkable from the gite plus the Auberge inside the chateau. Excellent shower, comfortable bed and lovely touches by Helen....jam, shortbread, wine and milk in the fridge on arrival. No TV, but a few DVD's for relaxing in the winter evening by the cosy pellet burner. Lovely, hospitable hosts. Do stay here, you won't be disappointed!

Ailsa, Devon

This lovely property is my idea of the perfect French country hideaway, deep in the countryside, with an enormous garden, in a unspoilt village shared with a majestic medieval château. The owners couldn't be warmer or more helpful, if you need them.

Nicky, Sawday's Inspector

Read more reviews

Location

The neighbourhood

Amble just up the road to fetch fresh bread and croissants from the Epicerie. Have a guided tour of the château; join the Grande Randonnée footpath for a circular walk (12k) through forests, searching for chestnuts and wild mushrooms. You're between the Lot and the Dordogne valleys for caves, canoeing and spotting wildlife but also great food and wine - a taste of authentic France.

Local points of interest from Helen & Kevin Pittman

  • The property is situated in a quiet hamlet with many points of historical interest. The C12 church, the monumental Château de Biron, old defensive town walls, an old windmill and in the garden an ancient structure and stream,the source Saint Clair.
  • The garden extends to 1 hectare and has many herbaceous plants, shrubs, roses and specimen trees. There are shaded seating areas with views over the chateau and surrounding forest. Help yourself to fruit from the many fruit trees, including Agen plums!
  • In the middle of nature, the GR36 footpath passes the door and a 12km circular walk The Boucle de Biron, allows you to experience the rich flora and fauna, search for wild mushrooms or spot a deer or two. Guided walks and wine tasting can also be arranged.
  • Owned by the state, the Chateau de Biron, a classified historical monument brings a rich culture to the area with an annual art exhibition and a series of musical events. It is one of the venues for the Bergerac Music Festival. Guided tours all year!
  • Equidistant between the Lot and Dordogne valleys explore their beautiful villages, chateaux, and caves. The historic ‘Bastide’ (fortified) towns of Monpazier, Monflanquin and Villereal are less than 15minutes drive, have great markets, cafes and bistros
  • The village of Biron has a restaurant the Auberge du Chateau de Biron 5 minutes walk from the property serving all the local specialties. There is a shop and cafe selling a good selection of local produce plus fresh bread and croissant for your breakfasts.

Introducing

Helen & Kevin Pittman

Helen and Kevin describe themselves as 'committed Francophiles' and have lived in France for years. Kevin used to work for Michelin and Helen previously ran a Sawday’s B&B. Now retired, they love restoring old houses, gardening, collecting brocante pieces and interior decorating – you’ll even see some of Helen’s artwork on the walls of the house. They are generous hosts and love to welcome guests.