Fontalbe

Saint Avit Senieur, Dordogne
Self-catering
+44 (0)7854 292877
Visit owner's website

From
€695 - €928
per night
From
€4865 - €6495
per week

Enjoy so much space in this 18th-century paper mill with uncluttered interiors and surrounded by forests, rivers and lush countryside - yet only a stone's throw away from the local bastide towns

Bed

6 beds

Bedroom

6 bedrooms

Sleeps

Sleeps 12

Children welcome
Pets welcome
Babies welcome

€695 - €928 per night

€4865 - €6495 per week

The Experience

Such a surprise to walk in to concrete floors, white walls, well thought-out lighting and the odd modern art poster adding a splash of colour – lovers of design will be very happy. On sunny days you’ll be eating outdoors, using the outdoor kitchen, firing up the barbecue with the kids playing on the lawn or dive-bombing into the pool. A track from the garden leads up the hill to Beaumont for shops, coffee or a drink.

Everyone can help cook in the big, well-equipped kitchen, or just hang around chatting with a glass of wine. You’re left a generous basket of local food and wine to get you started.

The gîte has a roomy, airy feel with a large living room and dining area for convivial meals indoors on chilly days and wood-burners to keep you cosy. Bedrooms (one with access to its own self-catering apartment if you need more space) are large with lovely views over the garden and all have en suite bathrooms. It’s a super house for happy gatherings.

Fontalbe - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • The tranquil setting with no other houses in view, yet being able to walk into town
  • Letting the children make dens and dams in the woodland, competing at ping-pong or playing petanque on the boulodrome in the evenings by the outdoor bar
  • Visiting some wonderful food markets and bringing back your spoils for leisurely lunches and suppers
Fontalbe - Gallery

You should know

  • Non-swimmers will need watching with so much water about
  • Dogs are welcome subject to terms and conditions and an additional cleaning fee of €100
  • Mobile signal can be patchy depending on your network, but the strong WiFi enables making and receiving WiFi calls

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Self check-in
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Barbecue
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Electricity included
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Pricing

Nightly price
from €695
Weekly price
from €4865
Damage deposit
€500
Surcharges
Extra apartment available for an additional 2 people, €500 per week.
1 House for 12
From €6956 beds6 bedrooms

Information

Booking information

Check in
4pm Saturday
Check out
10am Saturday
Other details
Bookings are now open for holidays in 2026. Minimum stay: 5 nights. 7 nights in high season. Portable eco-friendly air cooling units in each bedroom. Self check-in available on request.
Closed
1 October - 23 May.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.

Reviews

Wow, what a stunning house – so, so loved being here and just wished the days had stretched a little longer to have seen more of this beautiful part of the Dordogne. Massive thanks to Jayne and Ian for looking after us so well! Thank you from the Blackett-Shield Family.

Rachel, Westfield on Sea

A three-generation family holiday has been thoroughly enjoyed here at Fontalbe. Sitting under the wisteria Trees was a favourite spot for breakfast, reading, watercolour painting etc. the pool has been fantastic for six grandchildren who have had hours of fun and laughter, the sun loungers have been well used too. So much wildlife – demoiselles, butterflies, dragonflies, lizards, a toad plus fish and crayfish in the stream.

Jo, Petersfield

We have had a fantastic time at Fontalbe. We walked to Beaumont, canoed at Cenac, visited Montpazier and Chateau de Biron. Lots of long lunches at the house and hours of fun in the pool. Many thanks.

James, Lingfield

Fontalbe is a stunning, peaceful place! We had an amazing family holiday, and the setting was absolutely beautiful. We loved exploring the grounds and lounging by the pool, and eating on the patio and in the bar area was a real treat. There's plenty to do around the gite, too—great walks, pétanque, table tennis, and of course, the heated swimming pool. A highlight was the Sunday morning market at Issigeac. Plus, an unforgettable meal at Table de Leo—definitely a must-visit. Made some truly great memories here. Highly recommend!

Lydia, Brighton

We had a wonderful stay with 3 families here! Enjoyed the pool and the outdoor terrace a lot!

Ide, Amsterdam

I love this renovated mill and paper factory, a winning combination of ultra-sleek, minimalist decoration, traditional stone walls and abundant nature outside. This would be a brilliant place for a group of up to 14 to gather to enjoy the huge amount of space inside and out. There's endless things to do in the area and glorious countryside to explore.

Nicky, Sawday's Inspector

Read more reviews

Location

The neighbourhood

Walk 45 minutes (or drive in five) to lively and historic Beaumont which has good traders gathered around the market square, the best hardware shop for miles and a night market in summer. Set off for a day at the beach and canoeing at Le Buisson (15 mins), hire bikes and cycle along safe lanes, visit castles, grottos and Bastide market towns, head to Issigeac for a massive Sunday market (15 mins).

Local points of interest from Karen & Peter Harris

  • Enjoy the unique and tranquil setting of Fontalbe, just south of the Dordogne river. The beautifully restored papermill sits in untouched countryside on an island surrounded by the meandering Couze River and the millstream. Enjoy your own private bubble.
  • Close to bustling villages, with Beaumont a traditional Bastide town, just a 5 min drive or a 30 min walk through woods and nut orchards. Explore the bakeries, restaurants, shops and don’t miss it’s Monday night market - local produce al fresco and music.
  • Sample some of France’s best produce, local to this area. Famous for foie gras, canard, ceps, nuts and truffles, not to mention patisserie, cheese and wine. Local markets are plentiful. The perfect opportunity to sample the freshest of regional produce.
  • Within easy reach of local restaurants and bars – two worth a special mention are Table de Leo, in central Saint Avit, and Chez Cathy & Denis in Le Closerie de la Beyne. For a special evening, organise a private chef or arrange wine-tasting at Fontalbe.
  • There is so much to see: beautiful bastide towns and riverside villages, Saint Avit Senieur’s 11th century abbey and church for pilgrims on the Way of Saint James to Santiago de Compostela, amazing chateaux and vineyards, prehistoric caves to explore.
  • There are so many ways to enjoy exploring the beautiful local area, on foot, by car or for the more adventurous hire bikes, trek on horseback or canoe down the Dordogne. These are just a few suggestions.

Introducing

Karen & Peter Harris

Karen and Peter are passionate about local history, culture, food and wine. They enjoy exploring the area, particularly on foot. They have seven children and two grandchildren so they bought the house for big get-togethers. They've thought of everybody's needs when it comes to family holidays and hope you enjoy the house, garden and pool as much as they do.