Welcome to the Your Friends In France web site, the place to arrange accommodation rentals for small groups in one of the most beautiful parts of Europe.
On this home page we introduce you to some of the delights of the region, tell you a little bit about our houses in general, give you some tips on ensuring your stay in France goes as smoothly as possible, and, finally, tell you the various ways in which you can contact us.
The Dordogne
The Dordogne - or Périgord - region is one of the most beautiful parts of France, and is well known to the French for its food and wine, leading to the saying - "En Périgord, on mange bien, on boit bien". As the home of truffles and foie gras, it is an area where you can eat extremely well in countless excellent and inexpensive restaurants. Just east of Bordeaux, it is also noted for its own vineyards, producing Bergerac, Pécharmant, and Monbazillac. For the days you wish to relax at home, local markets provide treats such as strawberries, asparagus, walnut cake, olives and cheese.
Legend has it that God, passing through the region with a sack full of châteaux, slipped on the hills of the Dordogne, and châteaux poured out over the countryside. In fact, during the Hundred Years' War, England and France built 1001 châteaux up and down the river. Today, from villages classified as among the most beautiful in France, mediaeval fortresses such as Beynac and Castelnaud face each other, while Renaissance châteaux nestle in the hills.
The fascinating and beautifully restored town of Sarlat offers cafés, restaurants, music and theatre by day, and fairy-like magic under the gas lights at night.
As the centre of pre-history in France, the Dordogne offers numerous caves, some like Lascaux and Font de Gaume with stunning cave paintings, some with deep caverns and amazing rock formations that you explore on foot, by train, or even by boat.
Our Houses
Your Friends In France have a selection of tasteful houses to offer you, fully-modernised but retaining all the local charm and character of the region. (To view the houses, click any of the buttons above left.)
We are Canadians who moved to France in 1994, having fallen in love with the Périgord. On previous holidays, when we rented houses ourselves, we often found that we had to start from scratch, buying basics such as salt and pepper, and sometimes wine glasses to replace the plastic ones we found. The furniture was not comfortable, appliances didn’t always work, and they generally felt like houses that had been set up ‘just for the renters’.
We thought things could be done better, and so our houses provide a high level of comfort - their owners have furnished them for their own use, as well as to share with guests. They all provide comfortable beds, well-sized armchairs and sofas, reading lights, lots of matching dishes and glasses, high quality appliances and a library of information about the area. We specialise in welcoming overseas visitors, and provide everything you need on arrival - linens, a well-equipped kitchen, including coffee, tea, oil and vinegar, herbs, and always a bottle of wine to welcome you. We want to make your vacation like visiting Your Friends In France!
Our houses are situated in the heart of the Dordogne either in or around Sarlat - 150 km north of Toulouse, the same distance east of Bordeaux, and only 65 km from Bergerac.
To ensure a pleasant stay for everyone, all our houses are designated non-smoking, and pets are not allowed.
Full details of the properties including pictures and rental rates can be found by clicking on the buttons on the top left of this page.
If you would like to hear from others who have rented from Your Friends In France in the past, we can send you the names of a number of people who would be pleased to describe their experiences to you.
Rental Terms
Specific charges for each of our houses can be found on their individual pages. However, if not specifically stated the following terms apply.
Rental Deposit - 30% of the rental total, to accompany your Booking Form. This ensures the period you have requested is firmly reserved for you. In case of cancellation, we will make every effort to re-rent your time, and will refund your deposit if we’re successful.
Damage/Telephone Deposit - 100 Euros per week to cover possible breakage and telephone costs.
Balance - payable 8 weeks before arrival.
Getting To The Area
Sarlat is in the south-west of France, about 150 km north of Toulouse, and the same distance east of Bordeaux - on the map, just follow the Dordogne river east from Bordeaux. Most of our visitors fly to Paris/Charles de Gaulle - from there you can get to us by air, by train, or by car.
By Air - There are connecting flights from Paris to Toulouse or Bordeaux. The drive from each city will take about 2½ hours. In addition, we are about 1 hour away from Bergerac airport, with its low cost flights from the UK.
By Train - If you are spending some time in Paris before coming here (or even if you aren't), consider the train. There is a very good service from Gare d'Austerlitz to Brive, 40 minutes away and Souillac, 15 minutes away. Most car rental agencies have offices in Brive. This is usually much easier than taking the TGV (Train à Grand Vitesse) to Bordeaux.
You can find information on trains at www.sncf.fr.
By Car - Consider picking up your car at Orly airport, south of Paris - you can take the airport bus from CDG, and let them worry about Paris traffic. The drive from Paris takes about 5 hours, most of it on fast and attractive autoroutes - A10 through Orléans, and then A20 to Souillac, south of Limoges. We find the Michelin yellow series of maps indispensable - No. 329, Correze Dordogne is the best choice.
Car Rental/Leasing - It is often cheaper to lease a car from the manufacturer than to rent, especially if you are coming for more than two weeks, and this can be arranged through your travel agent. If you are coming in the summer, be sure to ask for an air-conditioned car. Note that most car rental agencies are closed on Sundays and holidays.
Contact
If you would like to contact Your Friends In France to make a booking, or would just like some more information on our luxury house rentals in France's lovely Dordogne Valley, please e-mail us at
to the saying - "En Périgord, on mange bien, on boit bien". As the home of truffles and foie gras, it is an area where you can eat extremely well in countless excellent and inexpensive restaurants. Just east of Bordeaux, it is also noted for its own vineyards, producing Bergerac, Pécharmant, and Monbazillac. For the days you wish to relax at home, local markets provide treats such as strawberries, asparagus, walnut cake, olives and cheese.
Dordogne, and châteaux poured out over the countryside. In fact, during the Hundred Years' War, England and France built 1001 châteaux up and down the river. Today, from villages classified as among the most beautiful in France, mediaeval fortresses such as Beynac and Castelnaud face each other, while Renaissance châteaux nestle in the hills.
salt and pepper, and sometimes wine glasses to replace the plastic ones we found. The furniture was not comfortable, appliances didn’t always work, and they generally felt like houses that had been set up ‘just for the renters’.
from Bergerac airport, with its low cost flights from the UK.
