Clos de Chinon

Tastefully finished both inside and out, with small shops and restaurants within walking distance, this elegant maison bourgeoise is the perfect place to immerse yourself fully in timeless countryside near St Emilion. Clos de Chinon is set in peaceful, private grounds, encircled by vines and fruit trees, with ample space to laze away long summer days by the pool, in a hammock or in the shade of the al fresco dining area. If the midday sun shines too brightly, or the later season evenings turn cool, retreat into the airy and recently remodelled living and kitchen space, the natural hub of the house where you can gather to recount the highlights of the day or plan the next exploration in stylish comfort.

Eating well is an intrinsic part of any holiday in this most gourmet corner of France, and at Clos de Chinon, larger parties of six or more can pre-book the culinary skills of hosts Barbara and Jonathan; professional chefs, who live in a separate apartment on the estate. In addition to managing the property and providing a wealth of local information, your hosts have the skills to prepare restaurant-quality cuisine equivalent to a one Michelin star rating. Smaller parties and keen cooks will enjoy browsing the local markets for ingredients and though the new kitchen has everything you need, the barbecue and pizza oven offer pleasant alternatives for relaxed family dining.

With four en-suite bedrooms this grand old home suits one or two families or a group of friends, and has hosted some memorable birthday and anniversary celebrations. For younger guests there are garden swings, easy local cycle routes, caves to explore in the deep Dordogne and the option of a day at the seaside at Cap Ferret or Arcachon. Other highlights include St Emilion, the market towns of Bergerac, Ste Foy la Grande and Castillon la Bataille and of course Bordeaux, reputedly one of our own Queen’s favourite cities, just an hour by car from Clos de Chinon.

The local area

Clos de Chinon is 34km from the pretty village of Sigoulès, where you’ll find a range of restaurants, shops and services. For a real flavour of the region, the stunning medieval town of Bergerac is just 38km away, with an abundance of wine cellars, shops and restaurants serving the very best of the region’s produce.

If your appetite runs more to outdoor activities, you can hire bikes in Bergerac, play golf at the Château des Vigiers, 24km away, or take a canoe out on the Dordogne at Port-de-Ste-Foy-la-Grande, 16km away. The Château de Bridoire at Ribagnac, 42km from the villa, is a great day out with plenty of activities for the whole family, including special events for children throughout the summer.

Beautiful scenery greets you at every turn: with castles perched high above the Dordogne, the spectacular Gouffre de Padirac caves, and tranquil rivers winding their way between dramatic limestone cliffs. From the 20,000-year-old cave paintings at Lascaux to the numerous medieval bastide towns, it feels as though every era in history is represented here.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saint-Emilion is 27km away and sits at the very heart of the world-renowned Bordeaux wine region. Famous for its Grand Cru, the earliest vines were planted here in the 2nd century and there are excellent tours and tastings available at the local wineries. Saint-Emilion itself is a pleasure to explore, with its elegant cobbled streets, Romanesque churches and appealing boutique shops, and no visit here would be complete without enjoying a glass of the local tipple at one of the many excellent bistros.

Our choice of French properties is diverse, ranging from simple charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal.

To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.