Les Hirondelles, situated in the heart of vine country of the Dordogne, is a recently converted and fully equipped 2-bedroomed cottage. It is absolutely ideal for those who wish to tour around the beautiful countryside of the Dordogne but needing a base from which to work from and it comes at a very reasonable price. It can also be used all year round as it has full central heating.

Les Hirondelles is situated in the tiny, sleepy and rural hamlet of Guinet which consists of just nine properties. The historic and tranquil hill-top village of Villefranche de Lonchat is just 4 km away with is two churches, museum, well stocked village shop, baker, chemist, two bars, restaurants and a small hotel. The leisure complex of the Lac de Gurcon is just down the road from Villefranche de Lonchat and here one can swim from a sandy beach, windsurf, hire a pedalo and visit several bars and restaurants. There are tennis courts and a riding stables too. Other places locally to visit include St Emilion, Bergerac, Castillon La Bataille, Montpon-Menesterol and Ste Foy la Grande, all of which have traditional French markets and wonderful restaurants specialising in the local cuisine, eg Foie Gras. The great centres of Bordeaux and Perigueux can both be reached within the hour.

A near neighbour and definitely worthy of a visit, should you come to Guinet, is our wine producer Jacques Mournaud. All who visit agree -"welcoming, memorable, repeatable, delicious experience". Superb wines and fabulous vintages well below English retail prices plus our 'daily delicious red' at 1.50 euros (£1) a litre.

Les Hirondelles is surrounded by vines, woods and fields. There are walks and bike rides in all directions without the fear of heavy traffic - just the occasional tractor. Sheep, goats, ducks and chickens graze the adjoining fields and Hooli, the local  black and white pig, occupies a special 'porkie' chateau in the neighbour’s grounds near the woods.

Les Hirondelles has been restored to a high standard for year round living, hence full central heating and satellite television (Freesat system) have been installed. There is also a DVD player and a range of films available. A telephone and ADSL line with Wireless LAN capability is installed. This system can be set up for a fixed rate call subscription for unlimited International calls (7 euros if the telephone is plugged into Livebox Router Modem system).

The kitchen of Les Hirondelles is fully equipped with cooker, sink and drainer, fridge/freezer, washing machine, microwave, French Dresser, table and chairs. The Living Room is comfortably furnished and large double-glazed doors lead out to the covered terrace and patio area. The bedrooms are furnished with beds, side tables and wardrobes and the Shower Rooms have fitted shower units, wash hand basins, bidets and toilets. 

 Click on the pictures below to see the rooms in the cottage

Outside the cottage is a gravelled courtyard with pretty garden, private parking area and approximately one third of an acre of land comprising of some woodland and grassland.

Click on the picture below to see the Courtyard Garden and Land

The cost for Les Hirondelles is £300 per week with a supplement of £70 per week if the second bedroom is occupied.

For Long Term Lets Click Here

This price includes bed linen, towels, central heating (when necessary), gas, electricity and water. Should guests require a change of linen during their stay, there is an additional charge of £20 per room - please denote this on the 'Special Requests' section of the Booking Form.

Unusually, we do not ask you for a security deposit to cover damage, breakages, etc. We, therefore, would ask you to look after Les Hirondelles as though it was your own home. If you do happen to break or damage something then please notify the caretakers and replace it before you leave. We would also expect the cottage to be left clean and tidy - if you would like to have some help with housework, please ask and the caretakers can arrange for assistance at an hourly rate paid locally.

So now, if you would like to book Les Hirondelles, in the first instance, check availability below then phone or email to reserve your booking and, finally, print off, complete and sign the Booking Form below and return it, together with your deposit, to the owners at the address at the bottom of the Booking Form. All cheques should be made payable to Andrew and Zoe Mackarel and a receipt will be sent to the client.

To make a booking please contact Andrew & Zoe Mackarel
by email (a2zmack@hotmail.com) or by telephone (00 353 (0) 1 845 2331)

If you think Hirondelles is too small for your requirements, Click Here to see the neighbouring traditional French farmhouse for let, Maison de la Ferme, which is owned by Peter and Jill Joiner  (our Local Caretakers)

Click here to see a location map

BOOKING AND RENTAL CONDITIONS

1.   The property known as LES HIRONDELLES ("the Property") is offered for holiday rental subject to confirmation by Andrew and Zoe Mackarel ("the Owners") to the renter ("the Client").

2.   To reserve the Property the Client should complete and sign the booking form and return it together with payment of the initial non-refundable deposit of 25% of total rental (£150 minimum for the low season). Following receipt of the booking form and deposit, the Owners will send confirmation that sets out the details and provides further information. Unless the Owners hear from the Client within 7 (seven) days of issuing a confirmation, the Owners will assume that the Client is satisfied with the arrangements and the contract will take effect.

3.   The balance of the rent is payable not less than 8 (eight) weeks before the start of the rental period. If payment is not received by the due date, the Owners reserve the right to give notice in writing that the reservation is cancelled. The Client will remain liable to pay the balance of the rent unless the Owners are able to re-let the Property. In this event, clause 5 of these conditions will apply. Reservations made within 8 (eight) weeks of the start of the rental period must be paid for immediately by cheque or in cash on arrival.

4.   Any chargeable expenses arising during the rental period (eg telephone calls) should be settled locally with Peter and Jill Joiner (“Local Caretakers”) before departure.

5.   Subject to clauses 2 and 3 above, in the event of cancellation, refunds of amounts paid will be made if the Owners are able to re-let the Property and any expenses or losses incurred in so doing will be deducted from the refundable amount. The Client is strongly recommended to arrange a comprehensive travel insurance policy (including cancellation cover) and to have full cover for the party's personal belongings, public liability, etc since these are not covered by the Owners' insurance. Evidence of cover may be required on the Client's arrival at the Property. The Client is also advised to obtain an E111 form from the Post Office to give basic health cover. However, the Client should note that any treatment received may have to be paid for initially and only a percentage may be refundable.

6.   The rental period shall commence at 4.00 pm on the first day and finish at 10.00 am on the last day. The Owners shall not be obliged to offer the accommodation before the time stated and the Client shall not be entitled to remain in occupation after the time stated.

7.   The maximum number to reside in the Property must not exceed the number stated on the booking form unless the Owners have given written permission.

8.   The Client agrees to be a considerate tenant and to take good care of the Property and to leave it in a clean and tidy condition at the end of the rental period. The Client also agrees not to act in any way that would cause disturbance to those resident in neighbouring properties.

9.   The Client shall report to the Owners or the Local Caretakers without delay any defects in the Property or breakdown in the equipment or appliances in the Property and arrangements for repair and/or replacement will be made as soon as possible.

10.  Prices quoted are per week and not per person. Prices do not include travel to and from the Property. Arrangements for this must be made separately.

11.  If the Client is prevented from travelling (not merely disinclined) then the Client may transfer the booking to another person. The Client must give at least 14 (fourteen) days notice in writing of the transfer along with the name, address and telephone number of the person to whom the Client is transferring the booking. Any payment received from the Client is not refundable until the person who has taken over the booking has paid in full.

12.  The Owners shall not be liable to the Client for:

a.    any temporary defect or stoppage in the supply of public services to the Property, nor in respect of any equipment, plant, machinery or appliance in the Property or garden;

b.   for any loss, damage or injury which is the result of adverse weather conditions, riot, war, strikes or other matters beyond the control of the Owners;

c.   for any loss, damage, inconvenience caused or suffered suffered by the Client if the Property shall be destroyed or substantially damaged before the start of the rental period.

13.  If the Client is prevented from occupying the Property due to events at clause 12c, the Owners shall, within 7 (seven) days of notification to the Client, refund to the Client all sums previously paid in respect of the rental period.

14.  Under no circumstances shall the Owners' liability to the Client exceed the amount paid to the Owners for the rental period.

BOOKING FORM        (Please note that when you print this booking form it will print in black and white)

LES HIRONDELLES , GUINET, VILLEFRANCHE DE LONCHAT
SOUTH WEST DORDOGNE

Block Capitals Please
FULL NAME: ................................................................…………………………………………….........

ADDRESS: .........................………………………………………………................................................

HOME TELEPHONE: .................……..……............ DAY TELEPHONE: ...............................…………

FAX: ………………………………………….......……… EMAIL: ……………………………….……………....

BOOKING PERIOD: .........................................………………………………….....................................

NUMBER OF ADULTS & CHILDREN (children's ages please) IN YOUR PARTY AND THEIR NAMES:

……..................………………………………………………………………………..………….......……….……

.......................................................................................................................……………...………….

................................................................................................................................………...……….

SPECIAL REQUESTS: .........……………..............................................................................................

…………………………………………………………………………………………...………………………….....…

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...........………


COST OF YOUR RENTAL:

TOTAL RENTAL COST:        £..........….

LESS DEPOSIT:                 £..............                   (25% of total rental cost)

BALANCE:                         £..........….                   (Payable 8 weeks before rental period commences)

NB: The deposit that is required before a booking can be confirmed is non-refundable. You are
advised to take out a Travel Insurance Policy with a cancellation clause, such as Europ Assistance,
which may enable you to recover non-refundable monies.

I HAVE READ YOUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND ACCEPT THEM ON BEHALF OF ALL MY PARTY
WHO WILL RESIDE IN THE PROPERTY, ON WHOSE BEHALF I AM DULY AUTHORISED TO MAKE
THIS AGREEMENT. I AM OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE.

SIGNED: ............……………………………….......................... DATE: …………..........................

Thank you for booking LES HIRONDELLES at GUINET for the dates

........................………... to ............……....…….

We accept your deposit and await your final payment on or before ........................................…

We hope you will enjoy your stay at LES HIRONDELLES

Please post and refer all enquiries to:
Andrew & Zoe Mackarel, 40 Seabury Crescent, Malahide, Co Dublin, Ireland
Tel:  00 353 (0) 1 845 2331         Email:  a2zmack@hotmail.com
Cheques to be made payable to Andrew and Zoe Mackarel
Bank transfer details are available by email request