Beautiful apartment in lower level of medieval home in St. Cyprien, heart of the Perigord Noir. Very comfortable little private getaway for 2 in the upper, or Montmartre section of the town. St. Cyprien is very well located in the valley, laying between Sarlat-la-Canada to the east, and Bergerac to the west.
Although this unit is located on one level, the little street leading down to it is quite steep and therefore probably not suitable for anyone having serious mobility problems.
The Dordogne Valley area of France is truly one of the semi-hidden gems of the country. Most tourists don't make their way here until their 4th or 5th trip to the country, having first visited Paris, Normandy, the Loire, Provence, etc. before hearing about the Dordogne. It is very much small town France, full of ancient towns, villages, hamlets and farms. Many of the best producers of local, boutique type products still flourish here.
Situated just north of the Dordogne river, this is still very much an authentic French town, with all the amenities that these little gems have to offer. Everything you need on a daily basis is easily available within walking distance. The town hosts great little restaurants where you can sip coffee and watch the world go by, one of the best pastry shops in the Dordogne, and numerous small restaurants and other businesses. The town is essentially built into a hill, with the most ancient areas being around the church and the upper section, or Montmartre, where the streets are steep and narrow.
The town has an interesting history, having occupied a border position between Eleanor's Aquitaine and the French armies and was thus under attack during both the Hundred Year's War and the Wars of Religion. It is said that Richard the Lionhearted passed through here.
Views from the Montmartre section, where the house is located, are superb. The town is just below and one has a horizon
You can easily visit the Chateau des Milandes, home of Josephine Baker, the famous American Jazz singer, La Roque-Gageac, Domme, Tremolat and numerous other medieval and Bastide towns (walled villages).
A less than two hour drive can take you to the famous villages of Montignac (home of Lascaux II, the most famous cave in France), Monpazier, or Saint-Leon-sur-Vezere. In fact, the possibilities are virtually endless.
Activities abound. The Dordogne and Vezere Rivers are available for all water activities. Local day and night markets are full of amazing local products, each with it's own character. Local small farms producteurs still make their own goat cheese, honey, soaps, fois gras, etc.
Hiking and biking are available virtually 'outside the door'. Bikes can be easily rented and I don't think you can find better biking in the world. Everywhere there is a big road in France, there is a small road nearby with almost no traffic. But, yes, there are hills!
This apartment is the lower level of my house. It has a southern exposure with nice sized windows in the living and kitchen areas and a door leading directly onto the stone-walled patio. There is a separate kitchen which is partially walled off from the living/sleeping area. The living/bedroom area is essentially one room. The bed is king size and has two separate mattresses. The bathroom has a shower, toilet, sink and a clothes washer. A drying rack is available. Parking is available very close to the unit, but not directly on site.
It is, all in all, a very comfortably furnished and private little getaway, in town but yet far enough up the hill to have a very tranquil experience. Evenings spent on the patio are magical, especially with a bottle of excellent French wine and a few nice candles. ENJOY!
