La Bergerie au Bouyssou

Families do not seem to be able to find enough superlatives to describe the fabulous times had at La Bergerie. 'Perfect', 'a Narnia for the children' and 'best family holiday ever' have been claimed by many, as cars pull away on the last day with sad faces and vows to return. Returning guest, Fi Glover (BBC Radio 4) summed it up recently when she wrote: "Perched high above the lush valleys of the Lot river lies Le Bouyssou, a gite so lovely that I almost don't want to tell you about it. The hilltop breeze charms the surface of the pool, the verbenas sway, a swallowtail butterfly wafts through. Everyone relaxes. We have visited with the same friends both years and one of the daily highlights is to eat on the terrace after the kids have gone to bed, looking at the starry, starry night and talking. A lot."

La Bergerie is an elegant stone barn conversion set in the tranquil grounds of 'Le Bouyssou', which is the British owner's country house estate. It has been restored with great care and combines original features with a stylish mix of contemporary and traditional furnishings, plus all the mod cons required for a relaxing break 'en famille', along with a useful list of baby and toddler gear (see grey box below). It is available year-round either as exclusive rental or, during winter, by the room as a B&B.

It is impossible not to relax here, with its wonderfully rural and scenic setting amongst woodland and fields with lovely valley views. When you have managed to roll out of your luxurious linen clad bed and change out of your fluffy robe to take on a day of R and R, simply step out of the door and walk in any direction for miles and encounter picturesque hamlets, watermills, wooded glades and total peace. Or discover 10 of France's, officially designated, most beautiful towns, all within an easy drive.



Le Bergerie offers spacious, high quality accommodation, with beautiful interiors, private terraces and gardens with a large natural salt water system swimming pool (alarmed). It sleeps six (+ infants, although an extra child bed is possible outside of high season, on request) in three romantic bedrooms, two of which have glamorous antique king-size double beds and the third has pretty twins (can be converted to a super-king double). The two doubles, one with private decked terrace, boast ensuite shower rooms, whilst the third has use of the lovely main bathroom with its indulgent free standing roll top bath. Downstairs, the pretty French country-style kitchen boasts a range cooker, washing machine, tumble dryer, dish washer, large fridge freezer, coffee machine, toaster and all the equipment guests would expect and indeed dream of needing. A stable door from the kitchen leads to the dining room with an oak top table to seat eight comfortably, plus a CD player with a selection of CDs. A step from the dining room leads to the sitting room where guests find comfortable sofas, TV with UK satellite channels, DVD player with a selection of DVD's, a wood burning stove for cosy evenings during the cooler months and a desk with books, maps and guides. French windows lead out to a large covered external terrace with an impressively sized oak table, wicker rattan style chairs with comfy cushions and lots of candles for romantic evening dining whilst gazing at the canopy of stars.


Parties with more than on?e infant or an additional child may be able to be accommodated outside of peak season on request. Please email help@babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk for more information.



La Bergerie has its own private garden, large covered sun terrace, covered canopy on the upper level and a BBQ Area. The gardens and grounds to Le Bouyssou are extensive with a lawn area for games which is often the venue for parties, face painting and treasure hunts much to the delight of little (and bigger!) ones. There is also a slide, swings, wooden pirate ship, sand pit, giant chalk board, mini Indian reservation area and a tournament size medieval play tent with themed games and costumes. Hunt out the ‘secret garden' with perfect shade for a private reading moment. Guests can choose to sit in the sun or shade by the pool, languishing under the hand made wooden pergolas and sun canopies. The vegetable garden often provides an abundance of organically grown fruit and vegetables for 'cheffy' guests to cook up a storm and the chickens might oblige with a few eggs! Plus with a passion for the authentic, the owners have recently built a wood burning oven in their courtyard which means that guests do not have to walk far for a delicious pizza take out and no moped required for delivery!