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It’s said that in former times, fruit was picked from Le Jardin Du Château and served to aristocracy in the imposing 13th-century château just opposite. Nowadays guests can enjoy breathtaking views of Château de Duras from the upper garden of their historic holiday home in this unique and spectacular setting in Dordogne-Lot et Garonne border.

Yet it’s not just the proximity to Château de Duras that makes this place so special. The owners have restored this listed ancient monument to a beautiful standard, creating a stylish and charming home with an eclectic feel yet still respecting its historic past. Downstairs there’s a vast living and dining space with an open-plan kitchen with high-end equipment, ideal whether you wish to create a feast or simply relax in the snug area with a glass of local wine and a great film. On the second floor there’s a second living-dining room and another superbly equipped kitchen and wine-fridge, allowing ample space whether you’re a large family or mixed group of friends.

Each of the six pretty en-suite bedrooms have been designed individually with some antique furnishings such as the Arts and Crafts bed in one of the rooms alongside simple yet smart style in others, all with linen from the White Company and Christy towels. At the top of the house enjoy the private double bedroom in the tower whilst families will appreciate the adjoining twin and double rooms on the first floor, each with their own bath or shower room.

Step outside from the lower living space into the south-facing garden and admire the wonderful views through the trees of the Dropt valley which has remained remarkably unspoilt over the years. A shady gazebo is a lovely place to lounge as kids splash around in the swimming pool and as evening approaches you can set up the al-fresco dining table by the Weber gas barbecue for a meal to remember by the beautifully lit pool.

From the second floor you can access the upper garden, a romantic spot with a lawn and sofas plus a second barbecue and table where you can sit and marvel at views of the Château de Duras so close. As evening falls, take your glass of Côtes de Duras wine, download a special app to your phone and you can control the coloured lighting of this 13th-century castle in a very 21st-century manner.

From the upper garden there’s a little path that leads straight to the village of Duras in minutes, where you can be exploring charming lanes, picking up breakfast in the boulangeries, buying fresh local produce at the twice weekly market or enjoying lunch in one of the restaurants. Indeed, this region is filled with many marvellous châteaux and pretty bastide villages, some in the neighbouring Dordogne region such as Eymet, Monpazier and Monflanquin.

As seen in the Daily Mail and the Standard!