La Maison Martelaise is a tasteful, chic & spacious single level detached property sleeping 6-8, DOG FRIENDLY (up to 2) in the heart of Martel, a beautiful vibrant, bustling medieval town in the DORDOGNE VALLEY, on the spectacular River Dordogne with RIVER BEACHES & SWIMMING, bars, cafes, restaurants. There's a large sunny garden, completely fenced & secure for children & dogs. Being single level, the villa may be suitable for those with disabilities.
**NEW FOR 2026 - LARGE 8-10 PERSON JACUZZI JUST INSTALLED!!** set in fabulous huge wooden deck with Pergola, sun beds, outdoor dining, sofas (Pictures coming shortly)
We are DOG FRIENDLY & welcome up to 2 well behaved dogs of medium size (no larger than a German Shepherd/Retriever & over 14 months old). There's a large sunny garden, completely fenced & secure for children & dogs. Being single level, the villa may be suitable for those with disabilities.
Head to our website for online booking, fully protective booking T&Cs at www.gites.co.uk/stunning-34-bed-villaheart-of-beautiful-bustling-marteloccitanie/l.1556 with NO 19% booking fees & lots more info & pictures.
Nestled in the heart of the busy bustling tourist town of Martel in the Dordogne Valley & on the sparkling & spectacular River Dordogne with beaches, Martel is a vibrant, bustling 12/13th century picturesque medieval tourist town celebrated as one of the "PLUS BEAUX VILLAGES DE FRANCE" (Most Beautiful Villages in France), this centrally located villa boasts a prime location. With the lively, bustling, historic centre just moment's walk this is a truly vibrant place to spend your holidays. Being in the heart of such a busy, bustling tourist town means some traffic noise should be expected at busy times. . Wander round the picturesque ancient cobbled streets, stopping off at one of the many cafes & watch the bustling world of Martel go by. Famous for Truffles, Perigord Walnuts (classified "Site of Taste") & Lavender, all available to buy in the wonderful shops here. On the borders of the Dordogne & Correze between Collonges-la-Rouge & Rocamadour, Martel has a rich history & heritage from medieval times.
Just 5 mins (flat) walk into the medieval centre with wonderful stylish boutiques, pottery, restaurants, bars, bakeries, cafes, tea & coffee bars, a wonderful Lavender Ice Cream shop/cafe, pottery & a Coffee Roastery where you can buy freshly roasted coffee beans or ground coffee, fresh spices, herbs & tea infusions. Also a cafe so taste before you buy!
The villa has 3 double bedrooms,with BRAND NEW FIRM KINGSIZE beds, a 2nd sitting room doubling as a 4th bedroom with a brand new IKEA firm DOUBLE sofa bed and a smart TV. (Please note: prices are for 6, extra costs apply for 8 people).
Stylishly decorated & furnished, the villa has 2 comfortable (new) 4-seater sofas, dining table for 6, soft lighting, crisp white cotton sheets, French quilts & lovely squishy pillows. The 2nd sitting room with Smart TV has a double sofa bed & doubles as a 4th double bedroom, should you book for 8 (prices are for 6, extra costs apply for 8 people). 2 full bathrooms - one with a bath, large walk in shower & the other with a large walk in shower & 2 separate toilets
The large kitchen diner with a kitchen table, has everything you'd need to cook a special meal, including cookbooks. Double doors lead to the garden, integrated oven, grill & microwave, dishwasher, induction hob, large integrated fridge freezer, toaster, kettle & coffee machines - a filter coffee machine, an Espresso machine and a beans to cup (we love coffee!). In the town market square you'll find an excellent Coffee Roastery (Brulerie Goupil) to buy freshly roasted coffee beans or have it ground to your taste. Superb coffee!
The Sejour - Lounge/Dining Room is spacious and comfortable, with brand new Maison du Monde large comfy 4 seater sofas & soft ambient lighting. 2 sets of double doors lead to the garden with decking, hot tub (April 26) & sunny gardens.
There's a large oak dining table at one end for family dinners but you'll most likely want to eat al fresco on the sunny deck where you’ll find a large dining table/chairs, parasol & outdoor sofas
The villa is in the centre of Martel, a stunning medieval town and officially classified a PLUS BEAUX VILLAGES DE FRANCE (most beautiful villages of France). Being in the heart of such a busy, bustling tourist town means some traffic noise should be expected at busy times.
There is a tourist information office and a twice weekly market (Wednesday & Saturday) open all year, selling local produce, in Le Halle (a huge covered 17th century square in the middle of the medieval centre, surrounded by cafes, restaurants, stylish shops. In spring and summer it spreads out to the rest of town and sellings local crafts. It is hugely popular and draws locals from many miles and tourists in search of local food produce.
With the lively, historic centre just moment's walk away, it is a vibrant bustling place to spend your holiday & you may occasionally notice some negligeable traffic noise during peak times in the garden. However, the soothing sound of water from the hot tub/jacuzzi generally masks any disturbances & simply part of living in the heart of a busy tourist town.
On the borders of Dordogne & Correze Martel has kept a rich heritage and the dynamism of a merchant city which over time turned towards local products from medieval times with attractions such as the STEAM TRAIN Le Truffadou, Reptiland, Terra Aventura geocaching (treasure hunts) & the picturesque river beaches on the River Dordogne with cafes, restaurants, life guard etc. Known for being a 'town of art, gastronomy and history Martel is very close to some of the wonderful tourist locations such as Collonges-la-Rouge, Rocamadour, Brive la Gaillard, Sarlat de Caneda, Montignac Lascaux, Turenne etc plus for the kids, QUERCYLAND WATER PARK in Souillac, & the magnificent theme park Le Parc du Bournat plus so much more
There are so many beautiful buildings to explore in Martel, walk along it's cobbled streets, and you'll find some 12th & 13th century buildings, including the Palais Raymondi, built between 1280 and 1330 and started by the town's tax collector Bernard Raimondi. Its tower, originally a status symbol, became a belfry in the17th century. A beautiful old building with stained glass windows which hosts many concerts and art and craft markets year round. In Summer take the night tour of Martel (details from the Tourist Information Office in the medieval centre)
Sit in one of the many restaurants in the square, with a coffee or glass of chilled wine and watch the bustling busy life in Martel go on around you. In summer there is music and dancing in the Halle and Martel & is heaving, & even more vibrant so highly recommend booking ahead for eating out!
SWIMMING: You are in the best place as it's just a 5 minute drive to the spectacular and sparkling River Dordogne with it's river beaches, watersports, cafes and bars with plenty of parking. Here you can while away a few hours on canoes, all available to hire. Walking distance are other restaurants close by. Also a 20 minute drive away is the Lac du Causse, a massive lake just outside Brive les Gaillard (another wonderful place to visit) which has sandy beaches, a cafe and watersports
STEAM TRAIN (one of only 2 in France) Also just 6/7 min walk, there is the famous open air Steam Train (Train a Vapeur Martel) taking you on a spectacular scenic journey through the rocky mountains, drawing thousands of tourists to Martel every year, all year (it's open April-November). After your train ride, stop off at the superb Station café, renovated to look like an old train station cafe, and wander in the lovely gift shop there. Book ahead highly recommended!
RIVER TRIPS, CRUISES AND RIVER BOAT HIRE: Head to the spectacular and stunning village of La Roque Gageac, set into the rocks, a truly wonderful way to spend the day, going out on a river boat Cruise and then wandering the streets with lovely shops, cafe's and restaurants for lunch or dinner overlooking the wonderful river!
FOR THE KIDS! There is so much for the kids including QUERCYLAND WATER PARK in Souillac (20/25 mins), there’s river swimming & canoeing on the River Dordogne, & at QUERCYLAND there's a whole host of other water activities like giant paddleboarding, river trips, Hermits Labyrinth Maze in Domme (45 mins), the famous Reptileland (walking distance in Martel), Rocamadour Adventure Park with spectacular ziplines: rocamadour-aventure com (20 min drive), and that’s just for starters!
In Martel itself there's a great park just 5 minutes walk from the house, with gravel paths and fruit trees, picnic areas and an outside gym as you walk around, plus a children's playground (one of 2 in Martel) , a skateboard area and a basketball/football court. In the large Campervan car park here they hold spectacular Circuses several times a year. A little further on is another air de pique nique/picnic area (avenue de Nassogne) and children's park plus big car park where they hold Fetes du Gourmandes in summer and lots of events, fairs, circuses etc. It is right opposite the wonderful Lavender shop/bar/cafe Il était une fois la Lavand'hier, where you while away an hour or two watching the world go buy, sitting in their outdoor cafe & eat the best ice cream in the area (including lavender) or buy some Lavender (& other) products including lavender Beer which is very good!
There is so much to see, do and enjoy, a week just isn't long enough and combined with the wonderful warm temperatures, river beach swimming, you'll be hard pressed to find a better location for your holiday!
