Award-winning Holiday Farmhouse in Verteillac, Perigord Vert, Dordogne Reviews

There are not enough stars to rate this wonderful holiday home - it's that good! From the moment we booked La Cotte we knew we were going to be looked after as the owner phoned us immediately to make sure we were happy with what we were getting. There were ten of us altogether (outnumbered with four adults to six children ranging from 8 to 14). Frequent detailed emails then followed leading up to our stay where our questions were answered and suggestions made about places to visit etc. The house itself is a delightful converted barn fitted out with all you could need. The pool kept the children amused for hours, while the pingpong barn was just perfect for late-night games over a cold beer. We were lucky with the weather in that it generally stayed around the mid to late 20s, with the odd day hitting 30, and many hours were spent sipping cold drinks (and the odd filter coffee) underneath the walnut and apple trees by the pool with a good book. Dining was generally al fresco, when we were often entertained by the odd scurrying lizard and darting redstart. The redstart, in particular, serenaded us with wonderful songs, while hummingbird hawkmoths hovered over the many brightly flowered plant pots. In fact, if you like your wildlife, you won't get much better than La Cotte. Butterflies flutter around all over the place - especially on the white-flowering mallow bush - and we even saw black kites drift overhead from time to time - and a hoopoe foraging for ants in the garden! The charm of neighbouring villages, seemingly not changed for years, makes this part of the world even more enticing. Brantome (where the whole gang went kayaking on the river Dronne) needs a special mention and is only 35 minutes or so away, while Chateau de Hautefort is just incredible if you like your real-life fairy princess castles. Overall, La Cotte is amazing, the area is outstanding, and the owner is first class. Highly recommended!