Rigal Manoir & Farmhouse
Dordogne, France
ABOUT RIGAL
Le Rigal is an impressive eighteenth century farm house situated within 116 acres of organic pasture and woodland on the outskirts of the pretty village Cause-de-Clerans, 6km north of the Dordogne river and 25 minutes due east of Bergerac. It is located within an area of outstanding natural beauty called the 'Golden Triangle' where the density of tourist activities is one of the greatest in the Dordogne.
The Gite at Le Rigal is the former farm manager's cottage and is located within the spacious and private courtyard.
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The village comprises two parts, Clerans and Cause. Clerans has a medieval castle, a cluster of beautiful yellow sand stone houses, and a lavoir, where the women used to gather to do their washing.
Just up the hill is Cause with its medieval church and ancient Italian cypress tree, which was planted before the French revolution. The area stands within a landscape rich in chestnut and oak forests, abundant in flora and fauna and criss-crossed with woodland walks, cycle tracks, bridleways, small rural buildings with varied architecture, huts, crosses and dovecotes. Nearby is the bastide town of Lalinde, with all amenities, standing proudly next to the Dordogne river.
The area around Lalinde, called the Lindois, is located to the east of Bergerac and has been inhabited by man since paleolithic times.
Children are very welcome at Le Rigal. Items available upon request include cots and travel cots, an all terrain 3-wheeler buggy, high-chair, steam sterilizer, children’s books, toys etc. Please email us if you have specific requirements and we will try our best to make your stay as enjoyable as possible.
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Everyone is welcome - Rigal provides a safe space to rest , to relax , to walk or run around to kick a football or read a book , play table tennis , to be busy , to do absolutely nothing or to make friends with our animals in a calm and peaceful environment- as one of our very young guests said - I feel free when I am at Rigal .
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As featured in
COUNTRY HOMES
and INTERIORS
Lifestyle Magazine
February 2011
Click here to read the article
As featured in the
BBC Publication
OLIVE - September 2007
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As featured in
LIVING FRANCE
March 2011
Click here to read the article
As featured in
LIVING FRANCE
April 2012
LE MANOIR
Fully equipped kitchen with fabulous exposed beams, a magnificent oak table capable of seating 8 antique butchers block and traditional freestanding kitchen cupboards standing side by side with the latest contemporary polished work surfaces, light fittings and a modern dual fuel double range style cooker. There is also a dishwasher. At the back of the house leading off from the kitchen is the pantry with a large fridge freezer dispensing cold filtered water and
The Manor house at Rigal is a beautifully restored historic French ‘ Manoir’ . Dating from the 17th Century and with a wealth of period features it is one of the most imposing houses in Cause-de-Clerans.
It is marked on the map as a property of distinction. The ‘Manoir’ is nestled in a beautiful courtyard amongst 116 acres of organic pasture and woodland.
The house has been extensively restored combining contemporary and luxurious furnishings with ancient exposed beams, fireplaces and ‘lavebos’ ( stone sinks in the walls). There is even an arrow slot in the kitchen with far reaching views to spot enemy attack!
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This spacious four bedroom home (sleeping 8 plus cots), with four bathrooms, of which two are en-suites, is an ideal place for your holiday.
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The Manoir has a beautiful king bedroom on the ground floor which is accessible by 2 steps with a spacious en-suite shower with grab bar, sink and toilet . The rest of the ground floor is on one level allowing easy access to the kitchen , piano room, downstairs toilet and salon . There is direct flat access outside to tables and chairs at the front of the Manoir .
You can park very close to the front of the property with a short flat walk to the kitchen with no steps .
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Click on the image above to see the ground floor plan
Click on the image above to see the first floor plan
THE GITE
FARMHOUSE
The Gite at Le Rigal is the former farm manager's stone cottage and is located within the spacious and private courtyard of the farm. The cottage has been restored keeping a wealth of period French charm but incorporating all the facilities required for a relaxing and enjoyable holiday.
The Gite can comfortably sleep 6 people plus cots and child bed. There are 3 well appointed en-suite bedrooms including one downstairs with a bath and shower. There is a fully fitted kitchen with dishwasher, microwave and washing machine, a spacious lounge with wood-burning stove, satellite television and DVD player. There is a dining area and outside you will find a walled courtyard to the front and to the rear a terrace and grassed area for barbecues (provided) and watching the sunset.
All bedding, towels and linen are provided for use in the gite - however please bring towels for use at the pool or other leisure activities.
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The Gîte has a ground floor bedroom with a king size bed and an en-suite bathroom with separate bath and shower, toilet and sink . There are grab bars by the toilet and another in the shower . There is a shower seat available if required . The whole of the ground floor of the Gîte is level , accessed by one small step from the front terrace . You can park right in front of the gîte to drop off guests and parking is 10 metres away . The front terrace is flat with with an outside table and chairs. The back terrace leads straight out from the back door of the Gîte and is level with a table and chairs.
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Click on the image above to see the ground floor plan
Click on the image above to see the first floor plan
ACTIVITIES AT RIGAL
SWIMMING POOL
The pool at Le RIGAL is 11m by 5.5m. It is a secure pool with alarm and a child-resistant fence surrounding the paved area, veranda and terrace. The pool conforms to all the latest safety and filtration standards. There is an entrance via roman steps to the shallow end and the deep end is 2m . The pool has a solar thermal cover, hence the water temperature is dependent on the amount of daily sunshine.
There is a terrace around the pool with ample sun-loungers and a veranda with shade if you just want to relax.
For security reasons, the pool is closed overnight.
ANIMALS
Rigal is an animal lovers' paradise, including chickens, runner ducks, 3 miniature goats, cows, 2 ponies and guinea-pigs.
Every morning we come to feed the animals, you are more than welcome to join us, For some, it's a highlight.
Bring you binoculars with you if you want to get closer to the large number of birds in the area.
PLAY AREA & TABLE TENNIS
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Fun activities for both children and adults. There is also a trampoline. The play area includes a slide, tree house, climbing areas and swings.
WALKS
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Woodland walks straight from the front door with an outstanding variety of wild flowers, grasses and plants throughout the year.
We can arrange botanical walks with a professional guide either at Rigal or in the neighbourhood.
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PHOTOS FROM RIGAL
SEE AND DO
EATING OUT
There are many eating establishments close by, restaurants offering traditional Perigordian cuisine. Foie gras, confit de canard, magret de canard, cepes, truffles are all regional specialities. A comprehensive list of restaurants can be found in the Gite and Manoir
CYCLING
There are multiple bike rentals around in this area and lots of cycle routes around the Dordogne and further a field.
MARKETS
There are many wonderful markets on most days of the week selling delicious seasonal produce and local delicacies, Our local market at Lalinde is on a Thursday morning and a very popular market at Issigeac a medieval town is on a Sunday morning half an hour away.
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HORSE RIDING
There are several equestrian and pony club centres in the vicinity catering for all abilities and ages from as little as 2 years old. Parents can hire a pony for half an hour and can lead their child and pony through shady woodland or you can arrange hacks or lessons.
CANOEING & PADDLE BOARDING
Two of the many pleasures of taking a holiday close to the Dordogne and the Verzere rivers. You can hire a canoe for as little as one hour or a complete day trip, stopping off for lunch or an ice-cream at one of the riverside cafes.
VINEYARDS
When you think of France you think of wine, this area is a winelovers paradise , sweet Monbazillacs, delicious dry whites and full bodied reds, Bergerac AOP, Pecharmant, Bordeaux and Saint Emilion there simply isn't enough time to sample them all.
CHATEAUX
The Dordogne area otherwise known as the Perigord boasts hundreds of beautiful Chateaux, many have been adapted to be particularly family friendly such as Chateau Bridoire with games and activities for all ages . Steeped in history and legend there is something for everybody.
VILLAGES & TOWNS
You may not want to leave Rigal but if you love to look around there are honey coloured stone villages and towns in abundance, the bastide towns of Beuamont, Monpazier, Belves, Lalinde, Cadouin to mention just a few. Villages among the prettiest in France such as Limeuil are Beynac are virtually on our doorstep
A FEW PLACES TO VISIT AROUND RIGAL
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The Dordogne is an area of outstanding natural beauty, one of the most beautiful in Europe. It is a green land of farms, lovely wooded hillsides and gentle winding rivers - still unspoilt, it really is rural France at its best.
It is one of the gastronomic centres of France , famous for foie gras, duck, truffles, mushrooms and seafood.
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The area is also well known for its wines. The world famous vineyards of Medoc and St Emilion are close by and the local wines of Bergerac, Monbazillac, Monpazier and Cahors are also excellent.
The Dordogne is rich in pageantry. The English ruled Aquitaine for 300 years in the Middle Ages under the Plantaganets and there are many castles, bastide towns and fortified churches to visit.
The Dordogne and Vezere valleys are world famous for the art of prehistoric man at the Lascaux caves, known as the 'birthplace of art'.
Le Rigal is ideally situated for touring the region.
Ideas for driving tours are available in the gite, but the following places are all easily visited on day trips:-
Bergerac, Limeuil, Issigeac, Monpazier, Monbazillac, Sarlat, St. Emilion, Eymet, Belves, Beaumont, Tremolat, Lalinde, Domme, Le Roque Gageac, Rocamadour, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, Cadouin
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