Bel Estiu

Before becoming a vacation home, Bel Estiu had several lives, including that of a farm and a carpentry workshop. When Émilie and her partner Marie became the happy owners of this typical Périgord building—stone with a slate roof—they asked themselves: “What do we want to find in the ideal country house?” The answers were diverse and varied!

Thoughtfully decorated but not intimidating, spacious areas for group gatherings, a beautiful and practical kitchen, cozy spaces for quiet times… All of this came to fruition after several years of work: the vacation home in 2016, to which the renovated barn was added in 2021. Now, two buildings of 200 and 80 square meters accommodate up to 14 guests, with a pool and a 3500 square meter garden. As Émilie sums it up, “The country house for those who don’t have one.”

As a longtime artistic director, Émilie relied on her keen eye to decorate the freshly renovated barn and farmhouse. Together with Marie, they drew inspiration from numerous flea markets. Sharing similar tastes, their guiding principle remained consistent: that guests feel at home as soon as they step through the door!

“The choices in decoration and layout must always meet two criteria: beautiful and functional.” This preference for simplicity in furnishings and decor harmonizes perfectly with the original materials: wooden floors, terracotta tiles, and timber. Through souvenirs from travels, photographs, and numerous books scattered around, the household reveals a true identity, which we greatly admire!

Émilie, originally from Normandy, fell in love with the region and shares all her best recommendations for days spent exploring the Black Périgord. Why this name? It refers to the numerous very dark green oak forests, not to the black truffle that grows in the area.

Upon request, Émilie prepares a delicious breakfast, highlighting local products: fresh eggs, cakes, pancakes, savory toasts, fruit juices… Once well-fed, it’s time to canoe down the Dordogne Valley, take a dip at the foot of the perched village of La Roque Gageac, wander the alleys of Sarlat, and explore the many local abbeys and castles. The hardest part will be fitting it all in! And let’s not forget to schedule tastings of the must-have walnut, porcini, strawberry tarts, and Cabécou cheese, just to name a few. A chance to recharge before embarking on new adventures. Whether in summer or the rest of the year, Bel Estiu is the right choice for simple yet tasteful vacations!