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LE PETIT RÊVE

NOTE: While it has four bedrooms, occupancy at Le Petit Rêve is limited to six guests.

The Médoc – what visions this word conjures up for the wine enthusiast! The word brings to mind the fertile peninsula that stretches north from Bordeaux, bordered on the west by the Atlantic and on the east by the Gironde River, an in-land waterway that flows from the confluence of the Garonne and Dordogne Rivers at Bordeaux. The Haut-Médoc, the north part of the peninsula, is home to the famous quartet of villages – Saint-Julien, Paulliac, Margaux and Saint-Esthèphe – that produce all but one of the great first growths, and many of the second growths, for which the Bordeaux region is famous. To the south and east there are the celebrated vineyards of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, Sauternes and Graves. The entire region is indeed an oenophile’s paradise.

Situated within easy striking distance of the Haut-Médoc and Bordeaux, Le Petit Rêve is a vine-covered country farmhouse whose lineage has been traced back to 1745. With the Gironde only minutes away and Haut-Médoc just on the other side of the river, it is an ideal headquarters for exploring of the vineyards of the Bordeaux region. It is also the perfect home for a small family on holiday in Southwest France, and is the quintessential romantic getaway for honeymooners. And while it does not have a pool, the property is only 45 minutes from the sandy beaches of the South Atlantic Coast, or a five-minute drive from a well-maintained public pool at Mirambeau.

Le Petit Rêve underwent extensive renovations in the late 1990s. The tile roof, three fireplaces, antique tile floors, massive ceiling beams and window shutters were refurbished but essentially left intact. Windows were replaced in the 250-year-old stone walls, and the shutters redone. All mechanical functions were completely updated, and the grounds landscaped with flowerbeds and cherry and fig trees. The result of this nine-year-long project is an authentic and comfortably appointed French farmhouse with many original features, as well as a kitchen, two bathrooms and other amenities (among them a full stereo system) on a par with the most modern homes.

The rooms at Le Petit Rêve are on a grand scale, beginning with the foyer, which is spacious enough to include a cane bench, assorted chairs and, if needed, a table for up to twelve guests that can be moved in from the kitchen. From the foyer a walnut burl staircase rises to the second floor and the upstairs bedrooms.

The living room is exceptionally spacious, and is furnished with a sofa and several armchairs arranged before a large stone fireplace. The room is bright with natural light from windows that face south and west and overlook the gardens and vineyards. A glass door leads to an outside sitting area where it is pleasant to enjoy a cool drink and watch the sunset.

The expansive country kitchen has a farm table that can seat up to twelve. This is the ideal place for a family dinner, especially in cool months with logs burning in the big fireplace. The modern appliances include a four-burner gas cook top, conventional electric oven and microwave, dishwasher and a washing machine. There is generous counter space and a food prep area with a sink. On the south side a glass door leads to a small terrace and breakfast table.

There are two bedrooms on the ground floor. The master bedroom has a sitting area with a sofa, armchairs and a desk, and a queen-sized bed positioned to take advantage of the white stone fireplace. The well-illuminated ensuite bath has a double vanity, WC and tub with hand-held shower, and a grand view of the countryside through a stained-glass window.

The second bedroom has a queen-sized bed, and views toward the north and east. Just outside in the hallway there are a bath with a glass-and-tile stall shower, and a separate WC.

Two bedrooms with beamed ceilings open off the upstairs landing. One bedroom is quite large, being above and roughly the same size as the living room. The other bedroom is smaller and cozier. Both have queen-sized beds, and, like the downstairs bedrooms, bedside tables with good reading lamps. In general the upper floor has a more of a country cottage feel, and as the natural light is limited to four small shuttered windows on the south side of the house, it is far less luminous than the downstairs. There is no bath or WC on the upper floor.

Le Petit Rêve is only a short walk to the quaint village of Saint-Bonnet-sur-Gironde, where there are a bakery and other basic shops. Mirambeau, which has a weekly open-air market, is a short drive. Bordeaux, a cosmopolitan city known for its formidable assortment of restaurants, is 45 minutes away by Autoroute. Bordeaux has TGV service direct to Paris, and its international airport connects to London and numerous cities in Europe.

With its thick stone walls keeping the interior cool in summer, and a strong central heating system and three fireplaces for winter, Le Petit Rêve can be enjoyed year-round. Because of its proximity to the Atlantic the Bordeaux region is generally not subject to extreme temperatures in any season, and summer days rarely exceed the mid-80s (around 26-28 Celsius). It is especially enjoyable in the early fall, when the grape harvest begins.

Le Petit Rêve – The Little Dream - was so named by the owners because it is the culmination of their long quest to own a vacation home in France. It is available in July, August and the first two weeks of September, and at other times of the year when not occupied by the owners.