LA TUILLIÈRE
47120 Saint-Astier de Duras
Twixt St. Emilion - Bergerac - Duras
Set in 15 acres of beautiful rolling countryside, this stone built farmhouse offers total peace and tranquillity with fantastic 360 degree views.
Private and secluded grounds with a heated, salt water swimming pool .
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Situated between St. Emilion, Bergerac and Duras, a short distance from the Dordogne River, with local markets, old bastide towns, vineyards, restaurants and a host of other leisure options including a Championship golf course all close to the house.
La Tuillière is perfectly situated for exploring the local area or relaxing at the house in total privacy.
FACILITIES
THE HOUSE
La Tuillière accommodates up to 12 people on a self catering basis. There are six bedrooms and four bathrooms in the main house. Three bedrooms are en-suite plus one family bathroom. Additionally, there is a separate self-contained annex with a double sofa bed, kitchenette and large shower room with loo. The property is let as a whole.
For our guests in 2021, the farmhouse kitchen with wood burner has been completely renovated. Bespoke units, granite tops and Miele appliances along with a large table seating 12 people. There is a very comfortable 8m x 5m sitting room also with a wood burner for anyone staying in the winter months.
With summer temperatures regularly in the high 30s, we installed AIR CONDITIONING in our bedrooms in April 2022..
OUTSIDE
There are four outdoor seating and dining areas to choose from. The front terrace seats 12 and is the perfect dinner venue whilst watching spectacular sunsets. Breakfast is usually taken watching the rising sun on the rear terrace under the covered 'Au Vent' which seats a further 12 people or on the poolside terrace that seats 8 people. There is another casual seating area on the poolside patio.
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THE POOL
There is a superb 15m x 7m salt pool, heated to 27 degrees throughout the season, with an automatic retractable electric hard cover for added security. The 'D' end of the pool is just 40cm deep which is perfect for toddlers or for sundowners!
There are 8 sun loungers, parasols and a poolside seating area. All the pool furniture is the top of the range Bramblecrest.
The poolside patio measures 20m x 5m.
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There is a floodlit boules pitch, 4 bicycles, table tennis table, a darts board and acres of mown grass to play croquet, cricket, short tennis or even baseball, and we have most of the equipment!
For youngsters we have a large wooden climbing frame with slide, swings, see-saw, rock wall, rope bridge and picnic table.
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There is a gas Weber BBQ, a charcoal Weber BBQ and our 'famous' open fire pit is often the preferred choice for alfresco cooking.
Try using the pit with old vine roots, nothing will ever taste quite the same again.
The all-round views are beautiful, calm, relaxing and private - so you can sit back, sunbathe, swim, sleep, eat, drink and just chill out!
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FLOOR PLANS
Ground Floor
First Floor
OUR SERVICES
House
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Accommodation for up to 12 guests.
6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms and separate self contained annex with all mod cons and A/C in the bedrooms
Housekeeping
All sheets, bath towels and pool towels are included.
Beds made up on arrival and we offer a sheet and towel changeover every Friday.
Should you require any further support with regard cleaning, please let us know or discuss with Jayne (our House Manager) who is fluent in French and English.
We are Covid compliant with regard to cleaning in 2021.
Children
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We have the majority of items you need for little ones including; wooden cots, travel cots, high chairs, changing mats etc. Please ask!
Garden
15 acres of private and secluded grounds with floodlit boules pitch, climbing frame and much more.
The garden is fully maintained throughout the year.
Dining
There are a number of local bakeries to buy your bread and croissants and one of the largest
E. Leclerc supermarkets in France is just 12 kms from the house.
Our brand new kitchen has all mod cons and there are three BBQ options too.
If you would like to have food in the fridge on arrival this can be arranged.
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Subject to availability, we can also provide a full evening catering service.
(Full service includes, shopping, preparing, cooking, serving and clearing!)
Whether it is a simple meal ready for your arrival or one to celebrate a special occasion, we can recommend a top quality local chef who will discuss your options, requirements and prices directly.
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In all, there are four refrigerators, three freezers and an ice maker at the house so you need never be without that cold drink!
Pool
Salt water swimming pool heated to 29 degrees, with automatic retractable cover. The pool is fully maintained. You only need to skim the surface with a net from time to time. You do not need to do anything else with the pool other than swim and enjoy it.
Car
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We have a Renault Megane Cabriolet (2+2) which is available for £50 per week in case an extra car is needed.
It is fully insured for any driver over 21 with a clean licence.
Mileage is restricted to 250kms per week.
Dogs
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Small, well behaved dogs are welcome (There is additional £25 charge including the Doggy Welcome pack).
Dogs to be kept out of all the bedrooms.
Free Wifi
There is excellent wifi and mobile signals at the house.
Chateau des Vigiers
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We are just 8 kms for the magnificent Chateau des Vigiers Hotel, Spa and 27 hole Championship golf course. We can offer a 25% discount on all green fees for all guests staying at
La Tuillière.
Airport Transfers
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We can arrange airport transfers, additional cost applies.
HISTORY
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1453 marked the end of the 100 year war which is celebrated in Castillion, the site of the 'official' final battle, every August. Castillion is just 20km from La Tuilliere.......but rumour has it that the actual final battle took place in 1454, six months after Castillion on the site of a ruined castle 1km due north of La Tuilliere. There is direct line of sight to the north of the house to a ring of trees where the ruin still stands. It is literally in our 'front yard' and well worth a visit.
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Built around 1850, La Tuilliere was originally the site of a tile producing business.
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We bought the house in 1987 and for the past 34 years it has been a labour of love, pouring many thousands of Francs and Euros into a huge 'black hole' transforming an unoccupied wreck into a lovely home.
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In 2013 we embarked on the first of three major projects. The original pool constructed in 1988 was replaced with a 'State of the Art', 15m x 7m, salt system, heated pool with an automatic in ground cover for extra security. It also has a 3m 'D' end with a depth of just 40cm which is perfect for toddlers to splash around in. We added a new bedroom and en-suite bathroom where the old chais had been. A new four bay oak framed garage was erected which now houses the pool pump and filter. Finally we created a lovely self contained gite/annex in the barn where the pool pump had been..
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In 2015 we completely replaced all the first floor windows and shutters, relined and insulated every wall and refurbished the bathrooms.
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The go ahead for the latest stage of our development was given in December 2019 with the rebuilding of the main kitchen and entrance hall. Wall's ceilings, windows and doors were replaced and we commissioned bespoke hand made, hand painted kitchen units. All mod cons which included Miele appliances, induction and granite tops. This was completed in May 2020 just as Covid took hold so 2022 rentals will be amongst the first to benefit.
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GALLERY
 Poolside diningComfortable Bramblecrest seating for 8 adjacent to the pool |  Welcome BienvenueThrough the tiny hamlet of St. Nazaire, past the old chapel and the track leading to La Tuilliere awaits |  La Tuilliere360 degrees stunning views in splendid isolation but just 2km from Loubes Bernac village and 20 mins from Ste Foy Leclerc supermarket. |
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 The Avenue to the house |  Avenue to the old chapel |  May at La T |
 La Tuilliere |  South side of the house |  The Avenue to La T |
 Main kitchenSits 12. All mod cons, Miele appliances. |  Main kitchenLight, bright and cool |  Main KitchenSmallbone installer and design |
 Main kitchenGranite tops. Kitchen rebuilt in 2021. |  Hall Entrance |  Sitting RoomLarge 8m x 5m room that stays particularly cool throughout the summer. |
 Bedroom 1With en-suite and Air Con |  Bedroom 1Large King size bed. Beautiful double aspect room. |  En-suite to Bed 1Huge bathroom with bath, shower, sink, loo and bidet. |
 En-suite Bed 1Underfloor heating. |  Bedroom 2With Air Con |  Bedroom 2Queen size bed and a single divan |
 Bedroom 3With Air Con. Two large singles (1.30m) and a cot bed. |  Bedroom 3Has access to the stone staircase at the front of the house. |  Bedroom 4Air conditioned twin with top quality Harrods mattresses. (200 x 100). There is also a cot in this room. |
 Family bathroomAnother large bathroom with bath, shower, sink, loo and bidet. |  Bedroom 5Super cool bedroom on the ground floor. Standard double. Beautiful double aspect room with en adjacent shower room and loo. |  Bedroom 6Air Conditioned en suite with Queen sized bed. |
 Bedroom 6Views overlooking pool and garden |  Bedroom 6 |  En-suite to Bed 6Beautiful en-suite addition where the grape press used to be! |
 En-suite Bed 6Huge walk in shower, bath, sink and separate loo. Underfloor heating. |  Pool 18m x 7mHeated to 27 degrees throughout the season |  The pool south side of house'D' end with paddling area for tiny tots or sundowners! |
 Pool lightsLate night dip after a game of boules? |  PoolElectric in ground cover. No overground roller and cover to pull on and off. |  Sun deck20m x 5m with five parasols and 8 loungers. |
 Pool from Covered Terrace |  Pool chill outSundowners! (Plans to have a full permanent 'sail' covering this corner in 2023.) |  Pool furnitureAll loungers, tables, chairs and parasols are top quality Bramblecrest. |
 Lunch Terrace poolsideOne of five possibilities! |  Lunch TerraceLoungers and chairs all have tailors cushions and the loungers also have fitted towels |  Poolside terraceSeats 8 |
 Covered TerraceA little relief from the sun. Seats 12. |  Cover terrace with Weber gas BBQQuick and easy BBQ or you have the option of the Charcoal Weber or the famous PIT BBQ. |  Pool AreaBramblecrest pool furniture throughout |
 Terrace and wellPlenty of water in the well but yet to find an Artisan who can repair the system. |  Gite/Annex terraceCool getaway. |  Annex terraceNext to the boules pitch |
 Annex living areaDoes anyone need some space? Large comfortable sofa bed. |  Annex kitchenetteMicro wave, two fridges, dish washer, freezer and ice maker. |  Annex ensuiteProbably the largest shower in France. Doubles up as the pool shower room. |
 Floodlit Boules PitchFabulous shaded area to play. |  Boules pitchPitched was 'Whackered' early 2022 and is now super hard and fast. |  Pit BBQ with old vine rootsBest BBQ ever! Can do a whole goat here. |
 Fillet steak ready for Pit BBQSensational Leclerc in Ste Foy that has it's specialist meat, cheese, fish (including live lobsters) and wine areas. And a Deli to die for! |  Twin TowersSlide, swings, see-saw, rock wall, fireman's pole and picnic areas. |  Climbing Frameand there's a hairy swing seat in the tree behind. |
 Front terrraceFabulous terrace that catches the sun from early afternoon to sunset. |  Front terraceStone stairs leading to bedrooms 3. |  Geraniums around the houseGeraniums in full bloom every year from May to November |
 Northerly view from the houseUnofficial site of the last battle in the 100 year war! |  Front terrace NW viewsSun sets here. |  Front Terrace East facingGreat views all around. |
 Front Terrace North facingNot a house in sight. |  Front terrace - Evening diningNatural shade and the perfect dinner venue with the setting sun |  Front Terrace - Evening diningOwner's 'reserved seating' when in residence! |
 Westerly viewsOld cart and more geraniums |  Pond beyond the poolSmall shady pond beyond the pool. Lots of frogs, dragon flies, occasional ragodins and nesting ducks early season |  Southerly viewsWheat, maize, sunflowers in the field beyound the garden and pool. Changes every year depending on the Euro subsidies! |
 Hot air balloon rides from the houseThe owner of the balloon lives 2km for La Tuilliere. Special occasion? Take off from the house. |  Chateau des VigiersChampionship golf course. 27 holes just 5 miles away. 25% discount on all green fees when you stay with us. |  Local grapesThis is wine country. Duras, Bergerac and Bordeaux appellations surround the house. |
 Ste Foy La Grande MarketDescribed as possibly the best market in France in a recent BBC documentary. Not to be missed every Saturday. |  The best market in FranceMostly produce fresh that morning. |  Ste Foy la GrandeThere are several markets in the area on Saturday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday |
 Local Market - EymetProbably the prettiest of the all the many bastide squares in the area, just 8 miles from La Tuilliere |  Local Market - EymetThursdays morning in Eyment followed but lunch at the Walnut restaurant. |  Local Market - EymetLots of different stalls |
 One of many local ChateauxTheobon. Just 3km from La Tuilliere. Was the SW HQ for the Germans in 1940s but is now fully renovated and privately owned. |  Notherly viewVines and sunflowers (July/August) everywhere. |  Hot air balloon over La TMonsieur Chateau is our local pilot who will take you from the house |
 Hot air balloon view of La TVery early morning flight as seen from shadows of the avenue. |  Old chapel at end of the driveOur daughter was married here in 2016. It was just like a film set. Best wedding ever. |  Permanent residentBought new in 1985 in Weybridge, it has now spent all but two years here in the barn. |
 Front Terrace - Perfect eveningsSun setting... |  Perfect evenings22.00 in July and still light at 23.00 |  Sunrise06.00 it's back again! |
THINGS TO DO
Shops
Our local village is Loubès Bernac, 1km up the hill and it has a mini supermarket which caters for all essentials. Best to pre-order your breakfast croissants and bread and we also have three bakeries within 6kms including one who cooks in the old fashioned way over wood.
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The nearest big town is St Foy La Grande (12kms away) where there is a huge E.LECLERC supermarket which stocks just about everything including live lobsters! It also has amazing cheese, wine, fish, deli and meat choices.
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More shops including the upmarket Grand Frais can be found in Bergerac about 15 kms away.
Leisure Activities
There is a championship golf course at Chateau des Vigiers just 8km from the house.
All guests staying at La Tuillière will be given a 25% discount on Green Fees. Vigiers also has a magnificent new Spa and two quality restaurants, one of which has a Michelin star.
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There is horse riding (2km), tennis (2km), canoeing on the Dordogne (10km), golf (8km) or maybe try renting an electric bike from Eymet (10km).
This is a walkers paradise with several marked routes starting from La Tuilliere. The bird life is amazing for all the 'twitchers' and if you are into cycling we have the perfect terrain and roads. The Tour de France regularly has passes through the region.
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Local Markets
There are traditional French markets in various nearby towns on most days but the best is the Ste Foy market on Saturday .
Duras and Miramont are on Monday. Bergerac on Wednesday and Saturday.
Eymet market is on Thursday.
There are weekly night markets in the summer too.
Restaurants
There are a variety of restaurants around the region and our A-Z Guide (at La Tuillière) lists about 30 of them. We have three Michelin star favourites in St Emilion, Monestier and Monbazillac. Eymet and Bergerac have superb gastro options and there are many value for money family establishments in the area, including Loubes which you can walk to!
In July and August join the locals for lunch on a Sunday under the trees on the escarpment in Somensac overlooking Eymet. Local farmers and producers provide and cook all the food. You can choose from any number of meat, fish or vegetarian options, try different wines by the glass, cheeses and even choose your own slice of bread!
Hot Air Balloon
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Try something a little different. Take off from the house for a trip of a lifetime!
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Car Hire
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Car hire is available from Bergerac or Bordeaux airports or there is the option of our Renault Megane Convertible
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Where to go
There are many beautiful bastide towns all around La Tuillière and they are really worth a visit. Eymet is possibly one of the prettiest.
Vineyards are everywhere and we would be very pleased to organise visits/tastings with some of the best.
St. Emilion is a world heritage site and should be at the top of everyone's list. It is breathtakingly beautiful and just 40 minutes from us.
A day down the Dordogne valley beyond Bergerac is also a must. Visit Tremolat, Limeuil, Beynac, Domme and Sarlat. Chateaux everywhere and stunning scenery.
Go west and you are just one and half hours from the beautiful city of Bordeaux. A further 30 minutes and you can be in amazing Arcachon with it beaches and dunes.
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25km west of La Tuillière La Tuilliere is Castillon-La-Bataille. Officially, the Battle of Castillon sealed the end of the Hundred Years' War on 17th July 1453. For 1.5 hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings during July and August, you can enjoy this dramatic re-enactment just a stone's throw from the original battlefield.
Unofficially, our locals tell us the actual last battle took place six months later in the ruined chateau on the hill directly overlooking
La Tuillière.
Allegedly it took six months for word to get through from Castillion!
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GUEST REVIEWS
La Tuilliere is a magical house in a wonderful location which is private and peaceful but not too isolated. We spent two weeks there with our extended family. Lots of space, and renovated to a very high standard. We spent our days reading, drinking local wine and enjoying the fabulous pool. The television was never switched on, always a good sign! We enjoyed the local area very much. It is a beautiful part of the world, but not overrun by tourists. We visited the local towns of Duras and Eymet, the latter being great for restaurants. We also enjoyed the market at Issigeac, and ventured farther afield to St Emillion and Bordeaux. All in all, a wonderful destination. Strongly recommended.
David Holmes, Reigate 9 - 22 July 2022
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A fantastic spot - just stunning.
Easy for Duras, Eymet and Issigeac. Great hosts and a really well equipped home from home.
Accuracy:5/5, Check In: 5/5,Cleanliness: 5/5, Communication: 5/5,
Location: 5/5,Value:5/5
Dorcas Jones, Gloucestershire 28 May – 4 June 2022
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La Tuilliere is a delightful house, surrounded by beautiful countryside. It is completely private yet close to a number of historic towns including St Emilion - a must visit.
La T is very well equipped both inside and out with tables at the back and front of the house for al fresco dining. There are plenty of sun loungers around the large pool.
We rented road bikes from Jean-Paul Bourgeois at Apolo Sarl in Bergerac (who was very helpful) and enjoyed the quiet roads and good variety of terrain. We are also golfers and would highly recommend Chateau des Vigiers, only 10 mins away.
All in all, La T is a great place to put one’s feet up, unwind and enjoy the peace of the French countryside.
George and Liana, Toronto 29 Apr - 14 May 2022