Your contact:	Guersende and Patrick Torre
Telephone:	+33 (0)1 47 07 69 38 or +33 (0)6 30 65 50 63
Email:	Click here to contact La Maison d'Héliante

La Maison d’Héliante stands in the centre of the historic village of Aillac, close to the Dordogne river in the ancient Périgord Noir, near the medieval town of Sarlat.

Built in 1815, the three-level stone house has been fully renovated in the traditional style, retaining all of its original features such as exposed beams, thick stone walls, and floors of polished wood and terracotta tiles.

Entering the house, the bright airy kitchen is fully equipped with a dishwasher, microwave, fridge and freezer. The dining area has an antique wooden table to seat six.

In the living room, a cast-iron stove faces a comfortable leather sofa and armchair, beneath a pitched roof that rises to seven metres, with the mezzanine floor looking down from above.

On the ground floor, a stylish modern bathroom has a shower and a deep bath, with a separate toilet, and the laundry room contains a washing machine.

From the living room, steps lead up to the open mezzanine bedroom, with a queen size bed. Also on the mezzanine level is the twin bedroom, which has a pair of traditional “lit bateau”-style beds. The master bedroom is on the top level, under the eaves, with an ensuite toilet and basin.

At the front of the house, an enclosed terrace offers a good spot to dine outdoors. It faces the village church, a classified historical building.

The village of Carsac is just two kilometres (a mile) from the property, which has a good range of shops and services, including a baker, a butcher, a chemist, a grocery, a restaurant, a bar and café, and a newsagent. Just a little further is Sarlat, a perfectly preserved 14th century town whose winding streets contain a great variety of interesting shops, restaurants, cafés and markets.

Canoeing is available on the Dordogne river nearby, and there are municipal tennis courts. The countryside gives plenty of ideal places for walking, and a cycle track runs for 30 kilometres, from Sarlat to Souillac.

The Périgord Noir is the ancient name for this part of the Dordogne département. It is a region rich in natural and cultural treasures, with a range of history stretching from the cave paintings at Lascaux to Roman ruins in the city of Périgeux to an immense variety of the medieval towns, villages, and châteaux.

The lush countryside is filled with walking trails and quiet roads which one can explore on foot or bicycle. Many of the winemaking châteaux welcome visitors to taste and purchase their product.

Throughout the Dordogne, villages welcome visitors to their colourful festivals, antique shops, cafés and farmers' markets, where one can buy fresh local produce. Many of the winemaking estates offer tasting opportunities. Among the region’s culinary specialties are foie gras, walnut salad, magret de canard, and truffles.

It's well worth visiting the city of Bordeaux, capital of France's wine industry with an extensive and finely preserved 18 century centre. The beaches of the Atlantic coast are also within reach for a day trip.

La Maison d'Héliante	The terrace of La Maison d'Héliante, looking towards the church opposite
The dining area	The kitchen
The mezzanine double bedroom	The twin bedroom
The bathroom on the ground floor	The village of Aillac
The village of Aillac	The village of Aillac