Maison Duras, walk to restaurants and markets

Maison Duras is a detached French holiday home with air-conditioned bedrooms, a private swimming pool, 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, lovingly restored and is an ideal small-town location to explore the wine regions of Bordeaux, Bergerac, Saint Emilion and the Dordogne. Just a 2-minute walk to the local boulangerie which is perfect for fresh croissants for breakfast or French patisserie for elevenses and 5 minutes level walk to the ancient centre of Duras with restaurants and café bar. 10 km (6 miles) from the ancient Bastide town of Monsegur (Gironde), both town’s offer picturesque settings which are host to all the amenities you could wish for including restaurants, cafés, bars, boulangerie, pharmacie, banks/ATMs and every week there is a traditional French market at both towns and atmospheric night markets during the summer months. There is lots of beautiful countryside on the doorstep for walks and cycling around the area. A comprehensive Carrefour supermarket and petrol station are located at Duras (1 mile) or Monsegur (6 miles). Living areas: Modern open plan fitted kitchen with modern appliances that you would expect in such a beautiful house and has an American style fridge freezer, dishwasher, microwave, double oven and ceramic hob all set around the dining area with a table and chairs. Cafetière and electric coffee filter machine. Washing machine, iron and ironing board. The comfortable lounge has a wood-burning stove as a lovely focal point and overlooks the garden and pool, double French doors open onto the alfresco dining terrace with a large circular rattan dining table and chairs seating 8 people. Tv with both French and English speaking channels. Air conditioning: Each bedroom is air-conditioned. Bedrooms and Bathrooms: Each bedroom is equipped with a hairdryer and a room fan. Bedroom 1 (Ground floor): Twin beds (90cm x 200cm each), walk-in wardrobe and en-suite with bath with shower over, washbasin and wc. Bedroom 2 (Ground floor): Small room with a double bed (140cm x 200cm), next to its own shower room with washbasin and wc. Bedroom 3 (Upper floor): Double bed (140cm x 200cm), en-suite shower room with washbasin and wc. Bedroom 4 (Upper floor): Twin beds (90cm x 190cm each), en-suite shower room with washbasin and wc. For the little ones: 2 cots and 1 high chair can be provided on request. Bed linen, bath towels and pool towels are provided and included in the price. Garden and Exterior: The kitchen/living room doors open onto the sunny patio overlooking the tranquil, good sized garden and private pool. A further lawned area beyond the pool provides a sunny space for sitting or play games, the mature trees offer dappled shade. The whole garden is fenced and gated. Private swimming pool: The private 6.5 x 4m kidney-shaped swimming pool has an alarm for security. From the house the pool is fenced and has a “gate” to help make it a more secure area for younger children, this is not a security gate or security fencing. The pool depth is all one level of 1.25m and has walk-in steps (step 1 – 16cm, step 2 – 41cm, step 3 – 67cm). Surrounded by paving with room for the sun loungers, shade with the large umbrella by the pool or there are mature trees in the garden to lounge under. This is a private property just for you, all facilities are for your personal private use. The house manager can be contacted if you require. Maison Duras is situated on the outskirts of Duras, a small historical town with bars and restaurants. Weekly farmers markets and weekly summer night markets. Near the historical bastide town of Monsegur (6km) in the region of Aquitaine within the Bordeaux wine region and on the borders of the Dordogne, Gironde and Lot et Garonne, France. Bordeaux city centre is a 75km drive to the west and Bergerac is 40km to the east, Saint Émilion 43km north. Monsegur and Duras are ancient Bastide towns set around a market square host to weekly markets and a weekly night market during the peak summer season. There is a good selection of shops including cafes, bars and a pizzeria which host’s weekly live music. There is also Cinema Eden in Monsegur, which does show international films in their original language version (VO), a selection of English speaking films with French subtitles. The market square also hosts many festivals and events throughout the year. Bordeaux: This designated world heritage site is a must for all visitors. This cosmopolitan city offers a diverse range of attractions. The golden triangle has a fabulous range of shops for those shopaholics. A rich variety of architecture forms the backdrop for the street cafes, restaurants, bars and not forgetting the superb Grand Theatre. Dordogne: The Dordogne is just one of the many places to visit for day trips. Anything from Canoeing or boat trips on the Dordogne river to exploring ancient villages. ----- Activities There is an abundance of towns, villages and castles to explore on your doorstep. There is always a market, fete or festival going on somewhere, celebrating anything from music to food and wine. Located in the heart of the famous Bordeaux wine region where there are plenty of vineyards for tastings and tours. Weekly farmers markets, summer night markets, restaurants, cycle hire, local adventure park and many more activities and places to visit – more information on what’s on locally is in the ‘Local Area’ tab above, a few places of interest just to give you an idea below. Duras Castle The famous Chateau de Duras, Just 500 metres away. It’s well worth a visit, climb to the top and see the stunning 360-degree vista. Chocolate Yes, we believe chocolate is also an activity, we often have to visit to make sure the quality is up to standard… Maison Guinguet 2km, near Duras. A nice shop to visit, selling chocolate, gifts and offers guided visits to their artisan factory in July and August. Tea room with gardens Jardin de Boissona has six little gardens, each with its own character. Outside and inside seating. Known for their teas and delicious cakes. 4km. Zip wire adventure and climbing park Just 8km. Playground and snack bar. Des chênes toi Aventure Coast, Beach and Water park A freshwater lake with a sandy beach at Blasimon is just 30km away and is a popular attraction to take children for a day out. The gently shelving sand provides a fun environment for splashing around and cooling off in the heat of the summer sun. Blasimon lake. Aqua Park is 34km located near Bergerac. Beach, canoeing and a water park. Aqua Fun Park near Casteljaloux is 47km. Park with a huge freshwater lake, picnic benches, walks, facilities, man-made sandy beach, water sports, kids play area…. great for adults and kids. Visit Europe’s largest sand dune 133km, the Dune du Pilat where both the climb and the views will take your breath away! Reward yourself with fresh seafood from the Bay of Arcachon or take the ferry to Cap Ferret and feel the sand between your toes whilst you enjoy oysters and chilled white wine. Public tennis courts: Good quality courts are located in Monsegur, Duras & St Sernin de Duras and are usually booked via the local tourist information office. Canoeing and kayaking: Canoe hire is available on the rivers. The river Dropt winds through the valley with a slow flow on it. The Dordogne river at Sainte Foy has a faster pace but has plenty of canoe hire opportunities and literally just go with the flow and be picked up further downstream. Of course, the easiest way is a boat trip and let someone else do the work. Allemans-du-Dropt 12km: Dropt river. Sainte Foy la Grande 22km: On the Dordogne river. Golf: There are pay and play golf courses within the area, the best being the beautiful Chateau Des Vigiers Golf and Country Club 19km. The chateau dates back to (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) and is set in 450 acres of stunning countryside. Facilities also include a fine restaurant and a relaxing beauty spa. Golf Les Vigiers – Le Vigier (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) Monestier ( 25 ‘ drive) – Ph + (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) holes superb golf. Wildlife park: Parc du Griffon, animals, play areas and snack bar – 10 minutes drive, 11km. Ferme Exotique is a fun day out with lots of activities for children. 86km. ----- Markets: Most villages and towns hold weekly markets full of fresh and interesting local produce. An ideal place to pick up your holiday mementoes and gifts. Both Monsegur and Duras also have night markets during the summer where you can eat and have a drink as well as browse the many stalls. Duras: Every Monday from 8.30 to 14:00 (closes at 12:00 from September to June). Nice market, excellent Organic veggies & fruit producer, Nicolas. Excellent organic goat cheese producers too… Foie gras, Magrets and so on by Mr & Mrs Ros…excellent! …. and many stalls. Allemans du Dropt (12km): Every Sunday morning. Sainte Foy La Grande (21km): Every Saturday from 8.30 to 12:00. Quite a big market with excellent producers. Monségur: Every Friday from 8.30 to 12. Nice small market with a good fish stand next to the restaurant Le Grand Cep and a fantastic pork butcher under the covered market. Issigeac (42km): Every Sunday morning. Eymet (21km): Every Thursday morning. Night markets: From 1st of July till End of August, very successful, where you can eat and dance, with many craft and food, stands. Go early if you want to park close to the village. Duras Night market: Every Thursday evening till the end of August. c (6km) Night market: Every Friday evening till the end of August. Monsegur (10km) Night market. Every Wednesday evening till mid of September. Tourist Information centres: 4 rue des Issartiers, (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) Monségur (Gironde department) Ph + (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) Boulevard Jean Brisseau, in Duras (Lot-et-Garonne department) Ph + (Phone number hidden by Airbnb) boat trips on the Dordogne river to exploring ancient villages. Supermarkets: Carrefour Contact supermarket – just out of Duras on the direction of Sainte Foy La Grande. Small but very well stocked (includes English part). Open from 8 am to 8 pm nonstop from Mondays to Saturdays. Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm. There is also a small supermarket in Duras ideal for the essentials. Carrefour Contact supermarket in Monségur has got an excellent butcher section!!! Open from 8 am to 8 pm nonstop from Mondays to Saturdays. Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm. Baker – Boulangerie, Rue Paul Persil, in Duras. Excellent croissants, fantastic cornflour and rustic bread. Closed on Tuesday and Sunday afternoon. Butchers – Boucherie Evrard – Rue Paul Persil, in Duras. Good butcher, next to the Place du Marché. Closed on Tuesday. And Sunday afternoon. Large E.Leclerc Hyper market plus other supermarkets and retail shops in Marmande 21km. Large E.Leclerc Hypermarket in Pineuilh near Sainte Foy la Grande 20km. Airports: Bergerac 40km, Bordeaux 96km, Toulouse 196km Train: Bordeaux station (TGV) 73km, Sainte-Foy-La-Grande (Bordeaux / Bergerac line) 41km, Bergerac 48km Car: Calais 578 miles, Le Havre 430 miles Included in the price: Bed linen, bath towels and pool towels are provided. A complimentary supply of bed linen and bath towels will be provided for stays of 2 weeks or more. End of stay clean, although the house must be left in a reasonable condition on departure.