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EN CHAMENON

En Chamenon, a spacious American-owned home on one level, overlooks the lush Vézère Valley in the Périgord Noir, the heart of the Dordogne, a region of France well known for its beautiful countryside, historic châteaux, ancient rock dwellings and prehistoric caves at Lascaux. The house is privately situated on two acres of landscaped property on a hillside of large evergreens just 2 km from Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère. The village has a small hotel, restaurant, charcuterie and post office, and is one of the most picturesque villages in the Dordogne.

The expansive stone terrace that runs along the front façade of the house has a built-in barbecue, stone table and benches, plus outdoor dining for six. There are large awnings that can be opened for shade and drawn up for sun. Roses, wisteria, pyracantha and many other flowering trees and bushes flourish on terraced ground which leads to a large swimming pool (it can be heated at extra cost) surrounded by lounge furniture.

Off the large entrance hall is a large (about 750 square feet) L-shaped living room and dining area with a marble floor. In the salon are a large fireplace, French windows and floor-to-ceiling doors leading to both the front and rear terraces. There are also a television with VCR and satellite reception (including CNN), and a stereo system with tape deck and CD player. The furnishings and area rugs are colorful, of exceptional quality and in superb taste. Off the entrance hall is a powder room.

Any gourmet cook would be at home in the beautifully tiled kitchen. Well lit and flooded with natural light from large windows, the kitchen has a four-burner gas stove, two-burner electric stove, conventional and microwave ovens, American-style refrigerator-freezer, dishwasher and a full array of countertop appliances, including a coffeemaker and food processor. There is a breakfast table with seating for six, and in a separate laundry room a washing machine, tumble dryer, ironing area and additional two-door refrigerator.

French doors lead from the kitchen to a delightful terrace that is surrounded by low-walled gardens of rock roses, herbs, ivy, lilies and other natural plantings. The garden furniture is perfect for breakfast or casual dining. A wine cave is built into the hillside to the rear of the kitchen door. At the side of the house is a carport that provides cover for three cars.

The carpeted master bedroom has a king-sized bed (it can be split into twin beds), large closet and a spacious ensuite fully tiled bathroom with double vanity, separate shower and full bathtub. French doors lead to the front terrace from both the bedroom and bathroom.

Two other double bedrooms, each with two twin beds, have ensuite bathrooms with stall showers (no tubs). Closets with shelves and drawers provide ample clothes storage. A comfortable sitting room, which may be used as a den or office, is next to the bedrooms.

Pool towels are provided, and a fax machine is available if requested. The house has an excellent central heating system and is available for year-round rental.

Nearby towns of interest and with ample shopping facilities (including supermarkets) are Les Eyzies, Sarlat (35 km.), Montignac (9 km.), and Le Bugue (24 km.). The entire area is well known to travelers for its abundance of fine and reasonably priced restaurants offering the famous Périgordine fare of foie gras, confit de canard, pommes Sarladaises and, of course, an assortment of dishes made with truffles, the black gold of the region. Nearby sporting activities include canoeing, tennis and horseback riding, all within minutes of the property. And for first-time visitors to the Dordogne no stay is complete without seeing the astonishing prehistoric cave paintings of Lascaux.

En Chamenon is a fine property, of exceptional quality for the Dordogne, whose appeal is enhanced by its proximity to charming Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère. It is also an excellent value, a fact attested to by the number of return clients. En Chamenon generally books up well in advance of the season, and interested clients are urged to inquire early about availability.

NOTE: The owners respectfully decline to accept children under eight years of age.