Planning your next getaway to the heart of France? While the Dordogne has long been famous for its thousand-and-one castles and foie-gras, there is a new way to experience our region that takes you off the beaten path and into the soul of rural French village life which we have grown to love!
Finding a holiday rental that balances history, space, and modern comfort for a large family is the hardest part of planning a trip to Southwest France because , let's be honest, the choice is vast!
Moulin du Martinet, a restored 18th-century watermill near the village of Hautefort, offers a unique solution for those seeking a slower pace of life without sacrificing amenities.
There are specific sounds that signals the start of the French summer: One of them, the clack-clack of wooden shutters—our beloved volets—being thrown open to let in the morning light in!
We are forever telling the guests staying in our holiday rentals, that the "shoulder-seasons" are often our favourite time of year, we feel it's been our mantra since moving here!
It’s the season of mist over the valleys, crisp morning air, and the chance to truly experience authentic French life in the Perigord Noir.
No crowds, No rush, Just You!
Your home for the week is Joli Canard, a dog-friendly holiday cottage in Badefols-d’Ans, south-west France
Bonjour from Dordogne!
We’re Joni and Ross, the husband-and-wife team behind Voilà Villas France.
Six summer seasons later, we found ourselves facing change once again. Badefols d’Ans had been the best home for us, a place where our French story began, where we built our holiday rental business from the bottom up.
We made our very own gite Joli Canard into a roaring success, brining return guests from year one! Routines had formed and friendships grown, but it was time for the next step in our journey, which meant moving just a little further along the road — six kilometres, to be precise.
When planning a holiday in the Dordogne, where you book your accommodation matters just as much as where you stay. Voila Villas France is a small, local property rental company, based in the region, offering a personal and better-value alternative to large international booking platforms.
Discover the best things to do near Hautefort in Dordogne. Castles, caves, outdoor activities & markets within 30 km.
Book your stay with Voila Villas France
Built as a medieval fortress and most definitely used for purposes of war, especially during the 100 Years War period (1337-1453) where it passed back and forth between English and French ownership multiple times. When the war ended the Caumont family (see Chateau Milandes) regained ownership of it right up until 1779 when the French revolution resulted in it being re-distributed as a national building with the proceeds going to the Republic of France, after which it was used as a quarry before
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