Scarpat

Welcome to Scarpat!

We are now taking bookings for 2010. The peak season is booking up fast! Please see availability for remaining dates.

Scarpat is available to rent all year round. Scroll down the page to view all the details. To see each section at a glance, click on the list of links and photos in the left-hand column.

The Barn sleeps a maximum of 6 and The Gite sleeps 4. A cot and travel cot are also available and the Gite is fully equipped for babies / toddlers.
The two properties are available exclusively as one unit during the summer season. It's an ideal chance to have an extended family holiday or share with friends.
The Gite is available to rent seperately during low season and is fully central heated plus large open fires.

A romantic hideaway all to yourselves or a big get-together in the heart of the French countryside. Scarpat is the perfect find.

Click here for Availability and Pricing

Acres of Land

Panoramic views, orchard and woodland all to enjoy!

Evening view from the Barn terrace.

The walnut orchard.

The Gite

Situated between the barn and covered terrace, the Gite is a spacious house on three levels. The entrance takes you straight into the kitchen, followed by the lounge looking out onto stunning views over the Dordogne valley.

newly rebuilt house, finished 2008
sleeps 4 plus babies / toddlers
spacious kitchen with all modern amenities - electric cooker and hob, microwave, large fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine. large kitchen table and open fireplace
relaxing lounge - 2 and 3 seater leather sofas plus 2 chairs. Open fireplace
basement shower room and toilet, small kitchen area with sink and fridge
2 bedrooms on first floor - twin room and double room
first floor bathroom has bath and overhead shower
baby/child friendly
basement room leads out to 12x6m salt water pool with security fence
kitchen leads out to covered terrace, with barbecue, outdoor seating and table tennis
free broadband wireless connection - laptop required
TV, DVD and CD player
Telephone for local calls and emergency
Central heating

Ample parking space

The Terraces

The Covered Terrace

Amazing views and alfresco dining . Direct access from the kitchen and large barbecue set under the original chimney stack.

The Open Terrace

Rear view of the open terrace, covered terrace and farmhouse.

The Gite Interior

The Kitchen
The gite opens into a large spacious kitchen fully equipped with washing machine, dishwasher, fridge freezer electric cooker, hob and microwave.

The table sits 6 people comfortably. Highchairs provided and Handysitt for toddlers.

A central opening leads into the lounge area and a side door opens directly into the covered terrace area.

Beautiful large open fireplace with working chimney.

Luxury Lounge Living
The original fireplace, fully restored with a working chimney is the main focus to this lovely room.

Comfortable soft leather sofas. A large two and three-seater and two big single chairs.

The huge window opens onto stunning views over the Dordogne countryside.

The Master Bedroom
A lovely, light and airy bedroom with a king-size double bed. Peaceful views to the front and adjacent fields. Cot and travel cot provided.

The Cute Twin with a Gorgeous View
The single beds can be pushed together to make a large double and a cot can be placed in here if required.

This is the view from the window in late spring....

The Bathroom
Situated at the top of the stairs between the two bedrooms. It has a bath and overhead shower.

Click here for Availability and Pricing

The Barn

A beautiful, big, open plan barn in true Perigordian style. This was the first of the three buildings to be completed and has lovingly been restored over the years, retaining its original character and grandeur.

The Barn Interior

The double barn doors open into the vast ground floor which has warm terracotta tiles throughout and is furnished with an eclectic mix of antique and modern furniture. The kitchen area leads you to the centre of the room where the grand dining table is suitably placed to offer views up to the roof beams, exposed to their full glory. The lounge area completes the space with comfortable seating and a wood burning stove. Patio doors at the rear, open onto a pretty breakfast terrace with views overlooking the walnut orchard and the Dordogne valley.
Take the steps down from the terrace and the swimming pool is only a few metres away.

A beautiful, oak staircase follows up to the sleeping area. There are two double rooms and a large mezzanine area. For flexible sleeping options, this area offers an additional double bed and two singles.

The Open Mezzanine can be screened off for complete privacy.

The two doubles. All set in the original roof beams.

Although the barn is a wonderfully large space and there are enough beds to sleep up to six adults and two children, due to its open plan nature and the single bathroom being located on the ground floor, we only recommend this property for up to four adults or a single family.

The barn is available to rent in mid to peak season and only as an addition to the gite rental.

Click here for Availability and Pricing

The Swimming Pool

This is the 12 x 6 metre saltwater pool, with roman steps leading into the shallow end. Floodlit at night for those evening drinks under the stars. A security fence, circles the entire pool area.

View from the covered terrace.

The living room of the gite leads directly down to the basement pool house and straight out to the swimming pool!

Child friendly

The Gite is well equipped for babies, toddlers and children:

cot and travel cot
2 x highchairs, portable highchair and handysitt for toddlers
baby change mat
potty and toilet seat
toddler step
plastic plates / bowls / cutlery / cups
microwave and cold water steriliser
hand held blender
large cupboard full of toys and games
DVD player
shaded play area with swing, slide, sand / water pit
paddling pool
the pool has a large roman step for shallow paddling
swim aids including arm bands, swim floats and jackets
tree swing for older children (and adults!)
ball games including table tennis, badminton set, boules and tennis rackets (courts in Le Buisson)

Notes for Parents
Having small children ourselves, we are fully aware of the challenges faced with holiday accommodation. Although we have made Scarpat as child friendly as possible we would like to point out the following:
The area surrounding Scarpat is open to fields and woodland and a quiet, country road runs past the front of the property. It is therefore the parents' responsibility to keep an eye on children at all times when playing outdoors.
The Barn has an open staircase (gated at the top) and the Gite has a basement staircase which is open access. We have provided a Babydan playpen to frame either of these areas if necessary. Two stair gates are also available.
The stairs on the open terrace are gated and the pool has a security fence covering the entire pool area.

Availability and Pricing

Prices shown are in Euros. It is also possible to pay in Sterling at the current exchange rate value.

Dates may be requested for the Gite only over Low Season until 22 May 2010
Max 4 people - €600

2010
Gite and Barn Package:
Prices shown are per week and include both properties:

Mid Season 29 May - 02 July - €1000
Summer Season 03 July - 09 July - €1800
Peak Season 10 July - 27 August - €2200
Peak Season 28 August - 03 September - €1800

Summer Season 04 September - 09 September - €1800

Mid Season 10 September - 29 October - €1500

See availablity calendar

Arrivals - Saturday afternoon after 4.00pm, Departures - Saturday morning by 10.00 am.

30% deposit with booking. Remainder to be paid 4 weeks before arrival.

Breakage deposit of 400 Euros to be paid on arrival, returnable on departure. Alternatively, £350 via bank transfer / cheque 1 week before arrival - returnable via bank transfer /cheque within 2 weeks of departure.

Guests are requested to leave the property in a clean and tidy condition ready for the next guests. A cleaning service is available, if required, at a cost of 80 Euros for the Gite or 150 Euros for both Gite and Barn. This would be payable locally to our agent. Please advise when booking if you require this service.

Bed Linen and Towels are available at extra cost:
£9 per double bed, £6 per single and £6 for towel set (hand, bath and pool)
Please indicate if you wish to hire them when booking.
The bed linen and towels are payable in full with the first 30% deposit.

We have a French Agency who takes care of our property during rentals (and speaks very good English). After hand over of keys and personal introduction to Scarpat, you are left to enjoy your holiday in peace. If however you have any questions / problems during your stay, our agent can be contacted at any time.

No smoking inside the properties. No pets.

If you would like to make a booking / enquiry, please email: helen_rawlinson@yahoo.co.uk.

Reservations and Bookings can also be made directly through our availability calendar.

Click here to request dates

Comments - Guest Book

August 2009

We've just returned from our stay in Scarpat - it was so beautiful - you're so lucky to have it there - how can you resist being there all the time?!
Thank you for all your help beforehand. The properties are so lovely - I hope one day we'll return!

Bridget and family, UK

August 2009

'Your place is absolutely beautiful
and fantastic for a quiet vacation. It is perfect for group
vacations and will be glad and happy to recommend it to friends and
family. The walk to Le Buisson every morning from Scarpat and back was a great
exercise, we love the swimming pool especially during the two days that the
temperature hit 46 degrees celsius. The region is such a magnificent
place and there is so much to do in nearby villages.'

Tess,
Boston, Massachussets USA

August 2008

'We had a wonderful holiday! I am so pleased that I found your website, what a fantastic place Scarpat is. You and your brothers have done such a good job with the renovations and we love your taste.
We spent the first week relaxing by the pool (which was amazing). We went to the markets, walked a lot, horse riding and canoed which was fun. My brother and his family popped in and also fell in love with the house. The second week we ventured into Bergerac and Rocamadour which was beautiful. There is so much to do there and so child friendly that we would love to book Scarpat again next year.
Thank you for making it possible for us to have the best holiday in years.'

The Hedleys, UK

If you would like to leave a comment about your stay at Scarpat - please email Helen at: helen_rawlinson@yahoo.co.uk

Getting There

Eurostar / TGV to Libourne - car hire and approx. 90 minute drive or local train connection to Le Buisson then take a (pre-booked) taxi to Scarpat - not recommended unless you want a complete break away from it all.
Le Buisson station has trains running to many of the local towns and villages for day trips.
Flights to Bergerac - Car hire and approx. 40 minute drive.
Motorail to Brive and approx. 2 hour drive.

Location

Terrace view of the morning mist over the Dordogne river.

Scarpat is situated in 2.5 acres of meadows and mature orchards. This peaceful setting boasts spectacular views over the surrounding countryside and Dordogne valley. Only 1km away is Le Buisson. A quiet village which springs to life on regular market days selling fresh cheeses, fruit and vegetables and wine from the region's many vineyards. The village itself has a selection of cafes / bars and restaurants, a small supermarket, other local shopping facilities, doctors, cashpoint and bank. There is also a cinema and an excellent tourist information office. Larger supermarkets can be found at Siorac and Le Bugue - 7 / 10km away.

Le Buisson - 1km

Weekly Friday Market

Riverside beach - 3 km

The picturesque Dordogne river, which passes close by to Le Buisson, allows for lazy afternoons sunbathing, swimming, fishing and canoeing. Other activities within easy reach are horse-riding, tennis, golf and cycle hire. Sightseeing opportunities are endless with many surrounding medieval towns and villages, chateaux and prehistoric caves to explore.
3 km away from Scarpat is the village of Cadouin, with its stunning 12th century cloistered abbey and pretty market square.
During the summer season, Le Buisson and Cadouin host a weekly night market. This is a great opportunity to meet the locals, practice your French and for everyone to enjoy an evening of food, wine, music and dancing.

http://www.pays-de-bergerac.com/english/town-halls/buisson-cadouin/index.asp
http://www.dordogne-perigord.com/fr/decouvertes/cites/villesetvillages/Buisson-de-Cadouin/Buisson04.asp
Google Map of Le Buisson

Our History

Scarpat was purchased over 20 years ago by our parents, John and Pat Rawlinson. Most of the buildings were in a very bad state of repair having suffered a fire and left to ruin. Brambles completely covered the area. There was no electricity or water and camping was the only option. Once we had the basics up and running, the renovation of the barn was the first major project and we have gradually restored the rest of the complex over the years. Many a summer holiday has been spent strimming, digging, building and plastering, eating lots, drinking lots and getting to know the locals! The swimming pool was built in 2005. Work on the middle house (the gite) began in 2006 and is now complete. The farmhouse is the final project, but we're taking a break for now.
Thanks to many of our friends and family who have put the effort in to Scarpat over the years. A big thanks to mum and dad for giving us the vision and the madness to want to continue with our great, big place in France!
Pete, Matt and Helen