From morning strolls to the village boulangerie and lazy days by the private heated pool, to sipping St Emilion wine under the stars, this bijou, 2-bedroom Baby-Friendly Bolthole has all the ingredients for an effortless holiday in the Dordogne.
Blue Door Cottage is tucked away at the back of the owners’ home screened by tall plants and both Amy and d'Armond strike just the right balance of giving guests their privacy while being on hand to help, whether recommending local restaurants, arranging bike hire or booking day trips.
French doors open onto a private terrace where the heated 7x3m pool reaches toasty spa temperatures in the summer sunshine and little ones can have a splashing time with the pool toys. A pretty patio, framed with roses and wisteria, also makes the perfect spot for laid back French breakfasts with Nespresso coffees and for stress-free suppers, rustled up in the well-equipped kitchen.
A play pen is available to give parents peace of mind while lazing on the loungers and a 3m x 3m umbrella provides shade. To escape the midday sun and if evenings turn chilly, families can retreat indoors and a flop into a comfy sofa in the open plan living room, to watch movies, box sets and kids TV on a Smart TV with Netflix; log into the free Wi Fi, or listen to music through the Bose Bluetooth speaker.
Accommodation overview
Blue Door Cottage (sleeps 4 + baby) is a compact stone cottage that’s been newly renovated, smartly finished and well equipped for families. The cottage is adjacent to the owners’ home but still private, with its own front door from the road and free parking in a small car park, 100 yards away. At the rear, the cottage has French doors to a sheltered, stone flagged terrace where there is a 7x3 metre pool that’s 1.3 metres deep, with steps at one end and heated from June to September. Sun loungers are set out around the pool. For al fresco dining and evening drinks, the cottage also has a pretty patio with dining table that’s sun dappled and shaded by clambering flowers and foliage.
Inside, the cottage has an open plan living room, with a comfy sofa, dining table that seats 4 (plus high chair) and a large, wall mounted Smart TV with Netflix. A Bose Bluetooth speaker and Wi FI is also available. The new fitted kitchen has all the latest appliances, including a dishwasher, washing machine, fridge freezer, microwave and Nespresso machine, plus all the essential utensils for family self-catering and melamine crockery for eating and drinks outdoors. On the first floor the cottage has two bedrooms - a master double bedroom and a second which can be set up as double or twin – both of which have a brand new, tiled shower room/WC.
Blue Door Cottage is tucked away in the ancient village of Gensac on the border between the Gironde and Dordogne, surrounded by vineyards and fields of vivid yellow sunflowers. The all-important boulangerie is only 100 metres from the cottage to indulge in fresh baked pastries every morning and pick up scrummy baguettes straight from the oven. A grocery shop in the village comes in handy for basic essentials and picnic provisions plus there is a wine ‘cave’ and 2 bars/restaurants which are great value for money. The owners’ favourite restaurant has a terrace with a great views over the valley which is especially stunning as the sun goes down. There are two tennis courts in the town and tennis racquets are available for you to borrow in the cottage.
The owners can arrange bicycle hire to explore the famously pretty countryside and the Dordogne River makes the perfect place to head, just 2 miles away, for picnics and paddling, canoeing and thirst quenchers at a lovely riverside bar in the next village of Pessac. A little further away, Lac de Cadie (10 kms) has a lovely lake beach for swimming and paddling, as well as the adrenalin rush of jet skis and quad bikes.
For wine lovers, Gensac is surrounded by vineyards and the medieval wine town of St Emilion is only 25 minutes’ drive, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are numerous tours of wine chateaux tours to choose from and excellent restaurants to sample the vintages with the region’s gourmet specialities.
St Emilion is just one of the prestigious wines of the Bordeaux region where the capital itself has plenty for children and adults alike, being named the Lonely Planet destination of the year in 2017. The city is steeped in French history and culture, with elegant boulevards of designer shops, open top bus tours, museums and art galleries, a riverside promenade and beautiful parks.
Nearest medical services: English speaking doctor in Gensac. Nearest hospital at Ste Foy La Grande 15 mins.
Getting here: The nearest airport is Bergerac, (45 mins.) and Bordeaux airport is 90 minutes away. The fast train from London St. Pancras to Bordeaux via Paris is a journey of less than 6 hours.
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Check-in time: 15:30
Check-out time: 10:30
Reservation Deposit: 15%
Balance: 42 days prior to arrival
Check-in time: 15:30
Check-out time: 10:30
Reservation Deposit: 15%
Balance: 42 days prior to arrival
Arrival: , Departure:
Price: GBP
10% Off October 2018 Stays
10% discount will be applied to full weeks after the first week
Check-in time: 15:30
Check-out time: 10:30
Reservation Deposit: 15%
Balance: 42 days prior to arrival
Arrival: , Departure:
Price: GBP
10% Off October 2018 Stays
10% discount will be applied to full weeks after the first week
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Sleeps 4 + infant in 1 x double bedroom and 1 x twin room (which can be converted into a double) Both bedrooms are en suite. |
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![]() | Bergerac 45 minutes and Bordeaux 1 hr 15. |
![]() | Caen is 6 hours drive away. |
![]() | Lac de Cadie with lake and watersports is 10 kms drive away. |
![]() | There are two restaurants with bars in the village 200 metre walk. |
![]() | Private heated and alarmed pool with entry steps. Generally available late May mid-Sept but may be available at other times on request with a heating supplement. |
![]() | Baby-Friendly kit provided at this villa include: a travel cot, high chair, changing mat, playpen for terrace, stairgates, baby crockery, sips cups and cutlery. |
![]() | The gite has kid-friendly toys and books. |
![]() | Play pen and pool toys are provided at this child-friendly French villa |
![]() | In-villa treatments from a reflexology massage therapist can be arranged |
![]() | Stairgates are provided. |
![]() | The terrace and pool are enclosed with entry from cottage French doors. |
![]() | Wi-Fi is provided |
![]() | Chateau des Vigers Golf Course is within 30 minutes drive and allows daily membership |
![]() | Village tennis court within 200metres walk and equipment is available free of charge at the villa. |
![]() | Daily cleaning available on Request (extra charge) |
Please click the text to scroll through reviews.
The hosts could not be more hospitable and helpful. Nothing is too much trouble. A lovely couple and a gorgeous property, perfect for our family of four (children 6 and 8).
Lovely little property in a gorgeous part of France. Our two children (5 & 2) loved it, especially the pool! Great interior with a stylish finish, and the village is really nice. All you need in one place really.
Lovely property which absolutely met our expectations. Debbie and Jon were enormously helpful and couldn't have been nicer. Gensac is a pleasant little village (the shop is surprisingly big and the Gensake restaurant was good) and there is lots to do in the area - generally a 15 minute drive will take you somewhere interesting for a day trip. All in all a great holiday spot. Highly recommended.
Debbie and John could not have done anymore to make us feel welcome in their property which is beautifully maintained and suited us perfectly for our first family holiday with our 10 month old. The outdoor pool area is fantastic and our baby loved swimming in the heated water! The property has everything a parent could wish for - stair gates, highchair, cot, microwave and even a playpen and toys! The location is brilliant for strolling out for an evening beer or to pick up croissants in the morning. We didn't have a car and felt there was enough to do locally we could just relax in the local area. Thank you to Debbie and John for giving us some wonderful memories of our first family holiday.
Really friendly owners who provided everything we needed and more - toys and books that the kids loved and even croissants on our last day. Good quiet location. Lovely house and really nice swimming pool in the sun trap of a back garden.
This property provided a really pleasant and comfortable base for our holiday. Really nicely equipped, (our 5 year old loved the pool). It's situated in a lovely village with great restaurant and bar in walking distance.
Perfect accommodation for our family with two toddlers. Debbie the owner was super friendly and helpful, recommending numerous things to do and see for the family and booking local restaurants for us. The Gensake just round the corner is excellent! Great location just a couple of minutes walk (with toddlers) to the Bakery for fresh Baguettes and Croissants. We all loved our stay and would highly recommend.
*Ratings by verified BFB guests who stayed here with young children.
Rated by 9 guests.