• Changeover day: Saturday – we are flexible on changeover days, please contact us for details
• Access: Car advised
• Nearest amenities: 1 km
• Family friendly: Suitable for children of all ages
• Unsuitable for people with restricted mobility
• No pets allowed
• No smoking at this property
• Self-catering
• Sleeps: 14 (7 ensuite bedrooms)
• Rates: € 2,095 to € 3,385 per week

Manoir Desiderata

Surrounded by beautiful French countryside, Manoir Desiderata offers a stunning and relaxing base for a wonderful holiday, whether you want to just chill out by the pool or make the most of the quiet country lanes for some great cycling. There are fields of sunflowers and grand châteaux to add to the French feel and the nearby town of Casteljaloux has a market, plenty of traditional restaurants and a world renown Health Spa.

For the more energetic there’s a quality golf course and a lovely lake for swimming nearby, as well as Les Landes Forest which stretches to the Atlantic coast and hides a plethora of hiking trails. There are also plenty of walks through the countryside and along the canals and there are numerous vineyards to satisfy your wine tasting buds. This area of France is often thought of as ‘The Other South of France’ and is packed with a wide variety of differing features, from a stunning coastline to tranquil countryside.

Inland there are rolling hills ideal for growing sunflowers and producing some of the world’s best wines. The vineyards of Bordeaux with their Margaux, Médoc, Sauternes and St. Emilion wines provide wine-lovers with classic day trips to wine cellars at grand châteaux.

Speaking of Châteaux, every hillside in the region seems to be adorned by a beautiful, grand property many of which are open to the public. They provide an amazing backdrop and a window into the past as you imagine how life used to be in this area.

Many of the larger towns and cities are well worth a visit with their grand architecture and individuality and the smaller towns are equally as attractive with their weekly markets and local restaurants. Places such as St Emillion, Duras, Casteljaloux, Agen and of course Bordeaux should be on your itinerary.

Separating the interior from the coast is Europe’s largest forest, Les Landes, and at the coast you’ll find not only the highest sand dune in Europe, (Dune du Pyla), but also some of the World’s Best Surfing. World Championship events are held at classic breaks such as Biarritz, Hossegor and Lacanau. The Bay of Arcachon is more sheltered and is also a popular beach resort and all the coastal towns have numerous seafood restaurants of course.

And if that’s not enough, head south and you will find the Pyrenees mountain range, home to many ski and snowboard resorts. In fact it’s possible to surf at Biarritz in the morning and ski or board in the mountains in the afternoon!

Okay, so you’re after something a bit less extreme? How about golf? The courses in this region abound and are of a high quality, some of the best in France can be found here – and compared to the UK are both cheap and quiet. What about cycling? The French are nuts about two wheel travel and the quiet country roads are ideal for a biking holiday.

Then there’s the Theatre and the shopping – Aquitaine’s capital, Bordeaux is a thriving port city on the Garonne River with beautiful 18th-century mansions and architecture, including its Grand Theatre by architect Victor Louis, excellent shopping and numerous cultural events, such as the traditional May Music Festival.

So, in a nutshell, if you are looking for a land that has it all, this is it. Extreme Sports, beaches, mountains, rolling hills, forests, amazing seafood, world class wine, medieval castles and great golf. And there’s plenty more – you just have to be here to discover it all!

Rooms

• 7 Ensuite Bedrooms (6 Single beds 4 Double beds)
• Dining seating for 14
• Lounge seating for 14

General

• Log fire
• Central heating
• Freesat Television
• DVD and CD Player
• Pool/Snooker table
• Table Tennis

Utilities

• Kettle, Toaster, Iron
• Dishwasher, Cooker, Microwave, Fridge, Freezer,
• Washing machine and tumble dryer
• 2 High chairs and 2 travel cots available
  
  Outdoors
• Balcony/Terrace
• Private garden
• BBQ
• Parking
• Private heated outdoor pool

Further interior details

• Property interior is finished to a very high standard
• Furnished with period antiques
• Four upstairs bedrooms accessed from galleried landing
• All bedrooms with en suite and ample wardrobe space
• Huge open main central area of house
• Two lounge areas including a quiet snug room with wood fire
• Huge dining table in main living area
• Small dining table in attractive country-style kitchen
• Laundry room with washing machine and dryer

Further exterior details

• Approach to Manoir through electric gates and long sweeping drive
• Covered Veranda from where to watch the sunset
• Stone open bbq for outdoor dining
• Heated and floodlit pool for night time swims
• Flat lawn in front of property ideal for kids games
• Huge lawn and pasture area to back and side of property
• Two private wooded areas
• Well planted and maintained gardens
• Ample parking for at least five cars

Further details

• English speaking representative lives locally if you have questions during your stay
• Heated Swimming Pool is opened in April when weather is suitable and closed in October

Rates

Rental prices quoted in: Euros €

Prices for group size 14 and are per week on a self catering basis. Minimum stay of 1 week.

Changeover Day is Saturday, but we are flexible, so if you require a different arrival day, please contact us.

Low Season 6 Apr 13 to 29 Jun 13 - €2,095 per week

Mid season 29 Jun 13 to 13 Jul 13 - €2,375 per week

High Season 13 Jul 13 to 31 Aug 13 - €3,385 per week

Low Season 31 Aug 13 to 26 Oct 13 - €2,095 per week

NB: Prices may be subject to change at the advertiser’s discretion.

• Booking Deposit of 35% required to confirm booking
• Balance to be paid eight weeks prior to holiday along with a refundable damage deposit of €500
• Balance due from damage deposit will be refunded within two weeks of the end of the rental period
• Payments accepted by bank transfer, Paypal or cheque. Cheques will be required to clear before booking is confirmed
• Prices include: pool heating, cooking gas, electricity, bed linen and towels
• Prices exclude: central heating fuel, firewood

Travel

By Car – Driving in France is easy with an enviable system of motorways that always seem to be free of traffic. Depending on where you are departing from in the UK there are numerous ways to cross the Channel, either by ferry or The Channel Tunnel. If you catch an early morning crossing you’ll arrive at Manoir Desiderata in time for tea. Please contact us for more detailed directions.

By Air – there are two airports within an hour’s drive of Manoir Desiderata. Bordeaux and Bergerac. Book enough in advance and flights can be very cheap. Both airports offer car hire. The drive from the airport to Manoir Desiderata is a stress-free pleasant main road trip from Bergerac and gentle motorway cruise from Bordeaux.

Location

Manoir Desiderata is ideally located just 10 minutes drive from the town of Casteljaloux in one direction and around 15 minutes to Marmande in the other. Both have weekly markets, town squares, plenty of supermarkets and shops selling local produce as well as numerous restaurants and cafes.

If you want to relax by the pool, read a book and get away from it all then kick back at Manoir Desiderata. But maybe you are looking for some local activities as well?

Casteljaloux has a great golf course, in fact it’s one of the best in the region and it’s very welcoming, has a lake and forest views and is generally quiet too.

Opposite the golf course is Lac de Clarens, a very large swimming lake with a beach and lifeguards. Kids will love the adventure playground, extensive rope course and volleyball courts. Quench your thirst and satisfy your hunger pangs and take in the stunning views at the restaurant on the lake. The lake is also perfect for fishing and the bordering tracks are ideal for walking, running and biking. The trails continue into The Les Landes Forest from here so the routes are endless.

Casteljaloux is also home to a World Renown Spa, whose healing waters have provided relaxation to many – ideal after a day on the golf course or road cycling, and invaluable to those suffering from ailments such as arthritis.

The town also has an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, horse riding centre and they are very proud of their rugby team.

Walking – there are many trails at the lake, in the forest, along the rivers and canal and around the very quiet country lanes.

Cycling – if you are a keen road cyclist then you’ll be aware of the French love for the bike. Cycling here is a pleasure as not only are the country lanes quiet but if you do encounter a vehicle it will generally give you the right of way!

Wine connoisseurs will be aware of the region’s variety of vineyards and the wine tasting opportunities are endless.

And the more you explore the area, the more there is to find – let us know what we missed from this list!

And remember – don’t forget your camera – photo opportunities abound at every corner!

Activities near to Casteljaloux

• Tennis in town
• Watersports
• Horse Riding
• Golf within 30 minutes drive
• Fishing

Great for

• Walking holidays
• Rural/countryside retreats
• Beach or lakeside relaxation
• Cycling holidaysTo check availability and contact the owner direct, please go to our website for more details.