The word ‘Luxury’ originates from the old french word ‘luxurie’ “A state of great comfort or elegance, especially when involving great expense.”

Rent luxury holiday villa Dordogne

Over the years, the Dordogne has seen many luxurious chateaux and houses built along the river and near its banks. The river is 300 miles long with luxurious thermal baths near its source and rich merchants houses and palaces in Bordeaux.

Our part of the river includes several early medieval chateaux such as Castelnaud and Beynac which were fortified and grand but maybe not as comfortable as we would now expect.

Chateau de Castelnaud

The Caumont family obviously thought they needed something more refined and luxurious than living at Castelnaud and therefore built and moved into our neighbouring Chateau des Milandes at the end of the 16th century. Fayrac followed and has recently been lovingly restored into a luxurious family home.

Chateau Fayrac

While Marqueyssac was built in the 17th century with luxurious gardens and walks. Indeed, the gardens here are far better known than the house. The views are amazing and you can see many of the chateaux mentioned above.

Gites and villas in the Dordogne

Les Milandes and its chateau became the luxurious home of Josephine Baker along with beautiful art deco bathrooms designed after Arpege and Dior. Today, all except Fayrac can be visited to see the splendour that was achieved so many years ago.
Now, there are many more luxury houses to rent in the Dordogne, not least the Manoir des Milandes.

Inside Le Manoir at Les Milandes

However, if you expect gold taps and bling the Dordogne may not be for you. Its luxury lies in its tranquility, its beauty, its food and wine, its lack of traffic, its stunning villages, its countryside, its walks, its river which is an unstoppable life force, and its people.

Dordogne villas with private pools

Eat alfresco

Whilst there are numerous luxury villas and houses to rent for holidays in the Dordogne, Les Milandes is unique and situated in one of the prettiest parts of the whole river valley.

The grounds at Les Milandes

The Manoir des Milandes epitomises french elegance with its painted panelling, wooden floors, antique furniture and deeply comfortable sofas.

The view from the kitchen in Le Manoir

French windows in all the ground floor rooms lead to the garden with amazing views, the large pool and a choice of vine canopied terrace or al fresco sous l’arbre.

Fantastic views at Les Milandes

Aside from the gorgeous Manor House, there are 3 other properties at Les Milandes to choose from.

L’Ancienne Mairie has 3 bedrooms (sleeping up to 6) and its own private pool. The views from the terrace are spectacular.

One of the bedrooms in L’Ancienne Mairie

If a gite is more your thing then L’Arc en Ciel is charming. This gite sleeps up to 4 and has a private terrace (again with lovely views). There is also access to an outdoor pool.

Inside L’Arc en Ciel

Last but by no means least, is Maison de Gardien. This two bedroom house sleeps 4 and has a private terrace. It shares the pool with L’Arc en Ciel.

Views of the Dordogne valley from Les Milandes

If you are interested in renting any of the holiday accommodation at Les Milandes, please get in touch. Check availability and book online.