The cottage is set in the beautiful Forêt de la Double, and is surrounded by woods, countless lakes and fields. It is a place to relax, to enjoy the sounds and sights of a fairly untamed countryside, to watch the buzzards circle the sky or the hen harriers hunt across the fields.

Accommodation
The cottage has a large, beamed living room with a comfortable three-piece suite, a dining table with upholstered chairs and a TV (French), VCR, Radio and Hi-Fi. We have a large selection of videos and CDs.

The kitchen is fully equipped with microwave, fridge (with a small freezer), coffee-machine,4 ringed gas cooker with oven, washing machine, toaster, electric kettle and iron and board. Even the most demanding cooking enthusiast would find everything in our kitchen to produce a memorable meal.

There are two bedrooms, one has a king-size bed, the other has two singles. A very comfortable put-you-up could provide a bed for a fifth person, specially a third child. A cot and/or highchair could be provided if necessary. The bedrooms are comfortably furnished, very bright and have low windows.
The good sized bathroom has a shower, hand basin and WC. There is a hairdryer in the bathroom, so no need to bring one.

The cottage has a private terrace with BBQ, garden furniture, a swing, an electrically operated sun roof and a small garden. The large, 1 acre garden with its mature trees, lawns and natural pond is shared with the owners. It is a paradise for butterflies, birds and all sorts of wild animals. There is plenty of shade for an afternoon's siesta and enough space for your children to kick a ball about.

If you like exploring medieval villages, shop in traditional French markets, or visit interesting old towns, then La Gilardie can offer you all that and more.

The nearest small town is St. Aulaye with its 13th century Chateau Bastide, about 3 km away. There you can find a supermarket, post office, bank, doctor, dentist and all the other amenities to make your holiday successful and enjoyable.

An hour’s drive or less could take you to the old market towns of Ribérac, Angoulême or Périgueux, Bordeaux is about one and a half hours away. Even a visit to the coast at Royan takes only about 2 hours.

We are sourrounded by interesting old villages, most of them have wonderful roman churches, some of them very well preserved and looked after. A visit to one of them with their beautiful stone houses, sometimes very imposing stone walls and narrow lanes, is a bit like walking back into medieval times.

If you like swimming, you have the choice of a river beach (the Dronne runs through St. Aulaye), the public swimming pool in Ribérac or the beautiful lake at La Jemaye, about 12 km away. There are several water sport facilities at La Jemaye during the summer season and it is the perfect place to spend a day, swimming in the soft waters or taking a stroll around the lake.

In St. Aulaye are tennis courts, play areas and horse riding is just outside St. Aulaye. A golf course is a 5 minute drive away by car.
Of the many places to visit, one must not forget the village of Aubeterre, one of the most beautiful villages in France, built into and onto a large rock formation, and it has the largest monolithic church in Europe. A visit there will certainly make a lasting impression on you.

Exploring this part of the Dordogne with its many wonderful sights will be very interesting and rewarding.
We have several good restaurants within easy reach by car for days when self-catering seems less than attractive. The Périgord is one of the foremost gourmet areas of France.