Name: La Batellerie Cottage & Villa
Address: 2, rue Onésime Reclus, Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, 33220, France
Rating: 10

Location

Roumanieres Airport

Bordeaux Botanical Garden

Pont de Pierre

Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum

National Museum of Customs

Place de la Bourse

Vinet Square

Grosse Cloche

Quinconces Square

Grand Theater of Bordeaux

Place des Quinconces

Aquitaine Museum

Notre Dame Church

Les Grands Hommes

National Centre Jean Moulin

Cathedrale St. Andre

Jardin Public

Decoratives Arts Museum

Natural History Museum

Place Gambetta

Musee des Beaux-Arts

La Batellerie Cottage & Villa

We stayed 5 weeks in the Fall at LaBatellerie in St Foy, the accommodations were exceptional.  Coupled with all the acts of kindness showered upon us by Theeta and Eric, it was a perfect locale from which to tour. Bordeaux and St. Emilion. Then  Auterre, Tremolat, Sarlat, Monpazier, Belves,  Issiac, The  Archachon and Sand Dunes, St Jean de Luz, Bayonne and the French Bastide region to name just a few.  An overnight to San Sebastian and the Spanish Rioja bookended our trip perfectly. The options are endless but did not allow much down time in our beautiful villa.  St. Foy is easy to navigate on bike, foot or car, we walked for bakery and market items daily.  Our kitchen facilities were superb, flooded with morning sun.  Ah...Great memories, wonderful hosts!  Terrific French experience even though we do not speak the language.

We chose to stay for a week in the cottage next to the Bed and Breakfast of the same name because the photographs on this website showed us that there was a beautiful garden with fine views. This is certainly the case, and if you like nature walks along the river then this is the place for you. We missed taking our dog this week but Fiji, the owner's large dog joined us for breakfast and evening meal - I wonder why? Each morning we walked 5 minutes up the road to fetch our breakfast at the excellent boulangerie (you can eat there if you want to) and the supermarket is just next door. We like self-catering but should you wish to eat locally you must try Le8.

On an impulse, during a cycling camping tour of the Dordogne, I decided to forego the busy crowded campsite in town, and find a bed for the night. I wasn't disappointed. 
The B&B is so more up-market than the equivalent would be in the UK. A grand mid-18th century house overlooking the Dordogne river, and its subsidiary bridge. I was welcomed by the owner, Eric, who used to be a Greenwich Village restaurateur, so his English is good. 
I had a room and a huge bathroom. Breakfast was laid out in the amazing dining room, and was more than I could eat. 
Go, just for the joy of living in pre-revolutionary style. 


I rated four stars because I don't mind if things are shabby. There were cracks in the walls, worn paint, etc. On the other hand, the scenery was beautiful, there was a small beach with a restaurant, and we could walk to a couple of restaurants and a grocery store. 

My wife booked this place and I thought it looked great, but I thought it was too good to be true.

We loved it.  And this is certainly somewhere that we would consider returning to.

First of all, let me start with the two very minor negatives.  One is that the WiFi does not work a lot of the time and when it did on our stay, it worked best outside of our cottage.  The other was that the pool was not as heated as much as we would have liked.  BUT, this is about having a holiday and getting away from e-mail and the like.  Also, due to the sun, the pool area is quite warm which means you can dry off quickly.  The bottom line is that it is a swimming pool, not a sauna and like all pools, it is going to be cold at first.  

The couple that own the place are warm and helpful.  We instantly felt welcome by them and they offered advice on where and when to go to the local market as well as where to eat.  The place is beautiful and took our breaths away on entering it.  We were shown where to park, off road by the way, and they helped us with our bags.  There is a dog, but her bark is worse than her bite.  While the kids were scared of her at first as she is big, they quickly got used to her and I am waiting for them to pester be about having a dog.  (If you do not like dogs, they will keep her away.)

We were told about a river beach which is a short walk away (and even shorter drive) which the kids loved as there is a park nearby.  This means that if you (like us) did not like the pool, you have somewhere even better to go.  They loved being able to swim in the river (the swimming area is marked and there is a lifeguard) and there is also a park at the top of the beach area.

We loved the DVD's that were available and the kids loved watching the television when needed, a useful addition at the end of the day.  The kitchen was put to good use and with the provision of a dishwasher the kids did not get to break anything.  Eating outside was lovely, especially as there was live music twice outside on the Quay.  The kids loved the vines in the garden, being able eat sun warmed grapes was a new experience for them.  Fiji would come round for food but was well behaved enough to just look at us feeling very sad.  

And if you are to eat outside, try Le8.

Sainte-Foy-la-Grande

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Exceptional Accommodations and Tour Base

A great place to stay

Fabulous location on Dordogne

Quirky Elegant Charm in a Superb B&B

Great scenery, old hotel 

Breakfast included

Free Internet

Transfer

Parking

Suitable for children

Swimming Pool

Fitness centre

Bar or restaurant

For guests with disabilities

Conference hall

Spa Services

Ski slope nearby

Beach nearby

Air-conditioning

Pets allowed

Jacuzzi

Private Bathroom

Kitchen

Balcony

View from the window

Smoking allowed

Electric car charging

La Batellerie Cottage & Villa

Location

Available rooms

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Conditions of accommodation

Conditions of accommodation

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For corporate clients