Boasting all the charm and character of a classic ‘maison du maître’, Maison Mondou sits in the heart of the Lot-et-Garonne. It’s in an area of majestic rivers, historic bastide towns and castles, and lively night markets, only a short distance from Monflanquin.

Set in an expanse of unspoilt countryside, this attractive stone-built house is a traditional French retreat with original beams combined with period furniture, personal touches galore and inviting leather sofas. For older children or grandparents who prefer their own space, there’s a barn conversion separate from the main house with a second living room, additional bedrooms and a bathroom.

Maison Mondou offers wonderful outside living with a paved sunbathing terrace, shaded dining area and pool house. A purpose-built boules court (complete with spectator benches), table tennis, croquet and badminton are enough to keep you there all day, until it’s time to throw something on the barbecue.

If you want to get out into the stunning countryside, bikes are available for hire in nearby Monflanquin. This charming bastide town has a distinctive arcaded main square, restaurants, a weekly Thursday market and tennis courts. Golf is on offer at the Villeneuve-sur-Lot Golf & Country Club close by and there’s a very good beauty salon there too for anyone less interested in hitting a ball around.

If sightseeing is preferable, the impressive Dordogne châteaux are not far away or hire a boat at Casseneuil on the Lot River and experience this authentically French world from the water.

The local area

Maison Mondou enjoys a lovely location in the heart of the Lot-et-Garonne region, an area rich in all the delights France has to offer. Beautiful dramatic scenery greets you at every turn: castles perched high over the Dordogne River valley, the spectacular Gouffre de Padirac caves, tranquil rivers winding their way through limestone cliffs, and many fascinating prehistoric sites. The fortified ‘bastide’ towns of Monpazier, Eymet, Villefranche, and others are remarkably well-preserved witnesses to turbulent times. Nowadays they host lively night markets and local farmers’ markets, with the finest local produce and gourmet specialities on offer.