Maison Montruf is a traditional Perigordian home located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site and dates back to the 12th century. The house has been lovingly restored and is bursting with character, retaining much of its history with thick honey coloured stone walls, exposed oak beams and terraces. The property is ideally suited to either large families or friendship groups.
The house accomodates a maximum of 8 people plus babies. With 5 spacious bedrooms it offers great flexibility for multi-generational families. 4 of the bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms the 5th bedroom is right next to the family bathroom. The beds are 1 x super king-size, 3 x king-size and 1 x twin singles. The house also has two large living rooms, a farmhouse kitchen diner and even boasts a room with a full size pool table.
Outside there is a private 12 x 5 metre heated salt water swimming pool with security cover and a sunbathing terrace with views across the Vézère valley.
Equipped to a very high standard throughout Maison Montruf is available to rent exclusively for a limited period during the summer.
Maison Montruf is located in Peyzac Le Moustier, a tiny village overlooking the valley of the river Vézère and the La Roque Saint-Christophe; home to the largest Troglodyte settlement in the West and dates back 55,000 years.
At the end of a short lane, automatic gates provide access to the house and garden, which are private and secure. The village of St Léon sur Vézère is just 3km away and offers a wide choice of restaurants from riverside cafes to fine dining. Fresh bread and pastries, a key part of any French holiday, are less than 5 minutes away by car.
Your hosts Paul & Charlotte live on site in a lodge in the grounds with their two soppy Flat Coated Retrievers. On hand if necessary, they can answer any questions and provide concierge services if required.
“Wow!” was our first reaction when we walked into Maison Montruf and this is typically the same response we hear from visitors. The combination of the bespoke oak kitchen, Italian tiled floors, the stone walls, beams and wooden ceilings create a wonderful colour pallet and the thick walls feel like they are cocooning you from the world.
The bespoke kitchen (40m2) with its stone worktops, sink and island is complemented by modern German appliances (induction hob, large oven, and microwave) will enable you to convert the great local produce into fabulous meals. The integrated dishwasher then makes cleaning up simple. You will find fresh vegetables and herbs in the garden and we provide some store cupboard essentials. The “Bean to Cup” Delonghi coffee maker delivers you with that all important coffee to complement your morning croissant.
The large kitchen table comfortably seats 8 and is just one of 3 dining tables to choose from, the other 2 are outdoors, the closest of which is on the gallery terrace. Just a few steps away from the kitchen this terrace with its retractable awning overlooks the swimming pool and garden. It is a great place to have an informal lunch or breakfast. The final dining table is in the open barn and is a firm favourite for evening meals and drinks.
The pigeonnier is just off the kitchen and contains the cloakroom (the “loo with a view”) and a ladder providing access to a small balcony which provides an elevated view across the valley and garden. Somewhere for two to sit and enjoy reading a book or that sundowner.
There are two sitting rooms at Maison Montruf, the upper salon is immediately off the kitchen with large comfortable sofas to sink into and relax. Both UK and French TV is available along with Netflix, Apple TV and a DVD Player and Sonos wireless system (there are 5 Sonos speakers around the house) so all of your audio/visual entertainment requirements should be met.
The downstairs salon is a wonderfully cool room with double doors leading out to the gardens. It has two leather chesterfield sofas, UK TV with DVD player, DVD & book library and a Nintendo games console. There is also an office desk in case you cannot entirely escape those work e-mails or video calls (fibre based internet coupled with multiple wireless access points around the house ensure good coverage and speed despite the thick walls). You enter the salon from games room which is home to a full size pool table.
Maison Montruf has 5 bedrooms, the master suite is located on the ground floor. Originally the kitchen to one of the houses it has a large fireplace and ancient stone sink as features, as well as a painted arched window. A super king-size bed, separate dressing room and ensuite with walk in shower and roll top bath complete the master suite.
There are three bedrooms on the 1st floor, all of which have beamed ceilings with chandeliers. Two have en-suite shower rooms, the third is right next to the family shower room. One of the rooms is configured with twin single beds, the other two have king-sized beds.
The final bedroom is on the lower ground floor. It has a large fireplace and its own private entrance to the lower garden. It also has a large en-suite with walk in shower.
The utility room, with direct access to the swimming pool area, houses a washing machine, tumble drier and most importantly a wine cooler/drinks fridge, because you are on holiday after all.
The 1-acre garden is completely secure (to keep the wildlife out, not you in). The walled garden is right outside the house and contains the swimming pool with its soft liner and carefully designed travertine sun terrace equipped with ample sun loungers, seating and parasols, it is an ideal place to spend the day.
As Maison Montruf is on the side of a west facing hill, the garden has a number of amazing vistas. It is also a haven for birds and insects, some birds nest in the walls of the house and barn, others in the trees in the copse and a myriad of insects feed on the lavender plants that grow so well here in France. If you are lucky you will hear a Golden Oriel, you will certainly hear the Nuthatches and Woodpeckers that live locally. You may also spot small lizards sunbathing on the walls in the garden.
The grounds also contain ruins of the original village. The classroom of the old school house makes an ideal spot for the table tennis table.
