Wonderfully sunny house in a historic village

Le Rouquet is in the old part of Castelnaud la Chapelle which is listed as one of the most beautiful in the Dordogne. The picturesque village runs down the hillside from the medieval castle to the River Dordogne and the property lies midway between the two. It is built in the local style of honey coloured stone, has a sunny South facing aspect and wonderful views across the valley from the windows and the terrace. Le Rouquet has been renovated to form two independent holiday gites which can be rented separately or together at a discount. The house was built over 200 years ago and inside retains many of the old features including stone walls and beams. The outside walls are covered with roses, vines and climbing plants. The apartment has been refurbished to a high standard. It is light and airy and sleeps up to 4 people in comfort. The apartment is approached up wide stone steps and consists of a large fitted kitchen fully equipped for four people, appliances include oven and ceramic hob, fridge with freezing compartment, dishwasher, microwave, toaster and kettle.  The heart of the apartment is the kitchen with its log fire for those cooler Spring and Autumn evenings. The balcony is directly outside the kitchen and is an ideal place to have breakfast sitting in the sun looking out over the surrounding countryside.  Steps lead down from the kitchen to the large tiled shower room with its heated towel rail to keep the room warm and your towels dry. A further couple of steps lead down to the large bedroom with double bed and walk-in wardrobe. The room has a lovely stone wall, beams and full height South facing opening window from which to gaze across the wooded valley. Stairs lead up from the kitchen to the second bedroom which has 2 single beds plus ample storage for clothes in the chest of drawers and cupboard. Again the room has stone features and beams.  For your comfort the apartment has electric radiators if the log fire is not enough during early Spring or Autumn holidays. The gravelled area in the garden is for shared use with those staying in the Garden apartment but the raised patio area is for the Garden apartment use only. This area is a wonderful place to sit in the evening and watch the swallows and swifts swooping around and hot air balloons drifting overhead. It is possible to drive up the narrow lane to the house to unload luggage etc. but it is not possible to leave the car outside the house. However there are several free parking areas a short distance away, the nearest being about 60 metres away in the small church square just below the house and visible from it. If you wish, from the time you arrive at Le Rouquet, there is no need to use your car as Castelnaud has all that you need. There is an excellent baker, a wonderful butcher (that also sells cold meats and some ready prepared dishes), a small general store and post office (with ATM machine) as well as an excellent restaurant plus other eating places in the upper part of the village. However to get the best of your stay a car is necessary in order to visit the many places of interest and savour the local markets and cooking. The river beach in the village is considered one of the best places to swim on the river and canoe trips can be organised from the office on the river bank. The walking in the wooded hills behind the village along the marked trails is delightful and makes a restful alternative if you have had your fill of the markets and historic sites in the area. There are maps for all the local walks in the apartment.