Gîtes with a Pool
We’d like to thank you all for your support over the last 20 years.
We have have now decided to close the gite(s).
It's been a great adventure and we're lucky to have meet so many lovely people.We are staying at Le Mongeat so if you're in the area we'd love to see you.
Alison & Alex
The Gîte
Heated Swimming Pool (retractable cover) & Hot tub
Private heated pool - the pool is heated from the beginning of May. 11 x 5m. Large Roman steps provide easy access to the pool. High quality retractable pool cover - swim indoors / outdoors. We do not use the pool or hot tub.
Learn MoreAlison & Alex
Whilst we live on site, we have a separate entrance and garden area on the property, therefore social distancing can easily be maintained whilst you’re staying with us. We have been here 20 years, so know the area extremely well. We’re always happy to be on hand for advise on where to go or more importantly where not to go. We don’t take pets as we have just got a new puppy (Jan 2023). Lula is a Dutch shepherd. We have had two large dogs over the last 19 years, so lots of experience, we lost our previous dog, Nelly (Dutch Shepherd cross) in November 2021. We were unsure whether we’d get another, but couldn’t resist. Our part of the property faces the opposite direction to the gîte. We have a separate entrance and have now fully fenced part of the garden so that she won’t both you. She’ll be a bundle of life when you arrive.
Learn MoreAvailability & Prices
Now closed
We’d like to thank you all for your support over the last 20 years. We have have now decided to close the gite(s). It's been a great adventure and we're lucky to have meet so many lovely people.We are staying at Le Mongeat so if you're in the area we'd love to see you. Alison & Alex
Learn MoreLinen
To minimise the amount of luggage you need to bring (especially for those flying)....
Learn MoreExtras
We know that your holiday is very important to you so we try to provide everything you might need
Learn MoreChildren
We realise that traveling with young children can never be minimalistic. To make it easier....
Learn MoreBooking conditions
Windows left open to air the Property (except in times of extreme weather).
Beds stripped and bedding left in the bags provided.
Towels and bath mats collected and left in bags provided.
Cleaning of bathrooms and kitchens - worktops wiped down.
Vacuumed through out.
Rubbish and bottles taken to the bins.
Alternatively if you have young children or are leaving early or just don’t fancy cleaning you may wish to take advantage of the end of stay cleaning service - €50 payable locally.
You can pre-book this service or alternatively arrange locally on arrival.
Contact
- 513 Chemin du Refuge, Val de Louyre et Caudeau, France
- Cendrieux
Getting here
Getting here
Driving - we always say it is 8 hours + stops from Calais. If you’re planning to stop overnight en-route, we’d suggest you try to get south of Paris to give you an shorter journey on Saturday. Especially during high season.
Learn MoreFlying
We are extremely well served by flights from the UK & Belgium & Holland to Bergerac (30 mins), Bordeaux (1 hr 45 mins), Limoges (1 hr 45 mins) Brive ( 1 hr 15 mins).
Learn MoreLocal area
Local area
Welcome to the wonderful Dordogne There is so much to do - many visitors come back time & again.
Learn MoreBeautiful towns and villages
Perigord Noir is the heart of the Dordogne offering a variety of landscapes, flamboyant chateaux and the centre of prehistoric history. All the main attractions are within easy reach - of which these are just a taster:-
Learn MoreFor the Energetic...
Boundless opportunities for walking, horse-riding, cycling, canoeing and fishing or simply relaxing by the pool or on the shores of the many lakes and rivers.
Learn MoreBeautiful Gardens
The warm summer weather and gentle winters creat a perfect environment for beautiful gardens. Too numerous to mention in detail they include: Gardens of Eyrignac & the Hanging Gardens of Marqueyssac
Learn MoreShopping
Excellent shopping Enjoy shopping the local way at one of the many local markets, which are held every day of the week throughout the summer.
Learn MoreFood & Wine
The Dordogne is famed for it's cuisine - truffles, foie gras, duck, walnuts and strawberries. There are many restaurants within 20 minutes of Le Mongeat, ranging from a humble auberge right through to Michelin Star dining. We’re happy to make recommendations & bookings for you.
Learn MoreOur village
Cendrieux
With a growing population of nearly 600, the village is situated at the centre of the Dordognes’ three main towns: 30 km from Périgueux, 35 km from Bergerac and 45 kms from Sarlat.
The village is on the edge of the Perigord Noir & Perigord Blanc
Cendrieux is located on the 45th parallel north. It has an area of 3126 hectares one of the largest communes by area in the Department.
Economy
The village relies on a mixture of agriculture and tourism. The area is a large producer of strawberries which are exported around the country. There are a growing number of gites & chambres d’hotes (B&B), given the villages’ close proximity to a large number of tourist attractions.
Facilities
We have a shop which is open 7 days a week and post office within walking distance of Le Mongeat. This shop is a very small Intermarché which offers all your essential supplies - fruit & veg, wine & beer, depot de pain - bread 6 days a week.
There is a primary school. The village has many social events, with a theatre group, walking groups, numerous football teams. There are art exhibitions & concerts in the church.
Through out the year there are many village events including dinner/dances and “Marche Gourmand” where the whole village gathers in the square for food, wine, socialising and dancing.
Tourism
Situated within easy reach of all the regions tourist attractions, we have some on our door step.
Napoleon Museum
Situated on the edge of the village, Le Musee Napoleon (Napoleon Museum) has been open to the public since 1999. Chateau La Pommerie is owned by Count Baudoin Napoleon de Witt a direct descendent of Jerome Napoleon, Napoleon Bonepart’s brother. The collection consists of 500 family pieces, paintings & sculptures.
Maquis de Durestal
In recognition of the 70th anniversary of the end of WW2 a replica of a Resistance Camp has been created in the woods on the edge of the village. There is a marked path through the woods.
It was one of the largest resistance camps in the Dordogne in 1943/1944. The woods were difficult to access and only a few byways lead there. The density of coppice, chestnut trees, and rolling terrain, allowed the guerrillas to hide as much as possible.
CENDRIEUX
The name is unique in France.
Cendrieux originally, whose first name was SENDARIUS in the 11th century, came from the Germanic "Sind" or the occitan “sendier” which means - path. Also found in other ancient documents the name of SENDREOS. (the language of Occitan = St André).
The name changed to SENDREUS during the 15th c. and has since evolved to the name we have today with a 'C'. However legend says that Cendrieux comes from the word "ash" relating to the many wars that have plagued the village.
HISTORY
Cendrieux has been inhabited since the first appearance of man in the region, from the Palaeolithic age 400 000 years BC. Objects such as flint tools & an axe heads have been found locally, as has pottery dating back to 5000 BC.
The village is situated on the roman road which went from Bordeaux to Lyon. There is a perfectly straight section "Cendrieux -Mortemart".
During the 17th & 18thc there was a forge (between Cendrieux & Journiac) famed for producing canon balls, using the local iron supplies, that were exported by boat from Le Bugue.
It was a way point for pilgrims traveling south. The hamlet known as "the Mongeat" (or Le Monjat) from the word 'monk', was a refuge for pilgrims.
THE CHURCH
Originally there was a fortified area / castle to defend the village against invaders, especially the Normans. In 844 and 849, they terrorised the local area, burning the local villages of Paunat and Cadouin.
The ditch surrounding the castle was replaced by a perfectly circular road.
The church was built in the 11th century from a square tower which dates from the 10th c. With battlements, and a dungeon. A tunnel (entrance now bricked up), behind the altar, enabled the population to seek refuge in the building in case of danger.
During the 100 years war against the English, ending in Castillon in 1440, Cendrieux - was attached to the Lords of Limeuil - it changed allegiance between the french & english to suit their allies. During this turbulent period, part of the exterior of the nave North was damaged by fire.
Two successive waves of plague epidemic decimated the region, reducing the population by 75%. Areas were devastated and abandoned.
The 16th century, century of peace in the area, saw a bloom in new art: Renaissance.
The Church was altered to match the style of the time. Two chapels were added on the South side and North side.
The peace was short-lived. In 1562 the area faced awful massacres due to the wars of religion. Vergt and Cendrieux were at the heart of these battles. The town was divided by the armies of the Catholics and the protestants. There was a battle in the woods of Vergt, leaving almost 2000 dead, from 12000 troops.
In 1583, a new 750 kg Bell was installed in honor of the Archbishop of Toulouse. It is now classified as a historic monument, and has recently been restored.
The renovated church is modest & belies it’s abundant history. In 1925 the church was registered as a historic monument.
Photo Galleries
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Gîte 2 Comments (now closed)
About Us
Alex & Alison
Our website is “Giteswithapool” plural as over the years we have run a number of properties over the last 18 years. At one stage 6 gites accmmodating up to 38 guests.We have been gradually been reducing the number of properties so that now we only have 1 Gite which is adjacent to our home.
We've been married over 30 years (how time flies when you're having fun). We moved to the area in 2003, after redundancy, in search of an "adventure" and to escape the City rat race. We've never looked back. We live here permanently, absolutely love the life and the area. So much so, that all our family now live in France within 25 minutes of us. None of us would even contemplate going back to the UK, it's great to visit, but for us, this is home. We went from being bankers to builders, creating the gites, to running our own business and love every day.
We also love our free time during the winter, to go on holiday, whether it's cruising or diving or both. Or the odd building project for the family. Life is never dull and there's never enough time.
Why we chose this location
It is a beautiful location set in stunning rolling countryside. It's incredibly peaceful, yet just minutes away from all the most popular tourist attractions. It's also within easy reach of the major towns - the regional capital Perigueux, Sarlat and Bergerac, very handy for the airport. Cendrieux is a working village, with lots happening throughout the year. We even have night markets in summer.
We wanted a challenge to renovate a property and that's what we got when we started work on our first property at Le Mongeat where we live.
It was a steep learning curve, but great fun and now we really enjoy seeing the pleasure on every one's face as they walk through the gate. An estate agent rang to see if we're interested in selling - I said "nobody could offer us enough money, we feel like we've won the lottery" especially after the hot tub arrived.
What’s unique about the place ..
Peace, tranquility, yet amazing facilities. Fully equipped kitchens (we challenge you to find anything we have forgotten), heated and covered pool, hot tub/jacuzzi, plenty of bathrooms and very comfortable beds!
We provide a very personal service, if you want it. Recommending restaurants (and booking them), places to visit - how to make the most of your stay.
Many of our guests are repeat visitors, some of whom booked 12 months ahead, before they've even left. That says a massive amount about the holiday we offer.
We promise you won't be disappointed.
What are we doing now..
We're now busy looking after our guests during the summer, with repairs & ongoing improvements during the winter, helping family & friends, not forgetting the odd holiday or two.
We live discreetly on site in the adjoining farmhouse with our dog Lula.
Being on site means we can provide help with finding / booking restaurants, canoeing, markets etc if you want it or be discreet and just ensure the pool and gardens are maintained to a high standard. Our guest comments speak for themselves.
Sorry we don’t take pets as we have just got a new puppy (Jan 2023). Lula is a Dutch shepherd.
We have had two large dogs over the last 19 years, so lots of experience, we lost our previous dog, Nelly (Dutch Shepherd cross) in November 2021. We were unsure whether we’d get another, but couldn’t resist.
Our part of the property faces the opposite direction to the gîte. We have a separate entrance and have now fully fenced part of the garden so that she won’t both you. She’ll be a bundle of life when you arrive.
