‘Laudonie’, a fabulous holiday retreat in France

 

If you plan to spend this year’s holidays in France, you absolutely should stop nearby the village of Rouffignac–Saint-Cernin de Reilhac (Dordogne) and spend a few days at the fabulous Château Laudonie!

Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

‘Laudonie, nestling between woods and hills, is located 4 km to the east of Rouffignac–Saint-Cernin de Reilhac. The estate comprises 53 hectares that are partly in the commune of Plazac and partly in the commune of Rouffignac–Saint-Cernin de Reilhac. A little communal no-through-road leads to the property. The buildings will impress you as soon as you arrive. They are perched on a ridge offering a stunning view over the surrounding valleys and hills.
The inner courtyard is the heart of the estate. It is bordered by the Manor House, the four towers and the barn.’ (text  Laudonie website)

Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

The old accountancy books reveal that Laudonie had been bequeathed to Sieur Debord, Lieutenant of the Port of Bordeaux, sometime around 1500 AD. This family took the name of the Laudonie locality for the family.

Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

The Laudonie estate has been sold and re-sold on several occasions. In the late 1990’s, this ‘castle’ was bought by Pierre Caron who fell in love with the property. With a huge enthusiasm and dedication he started the renovation of the historical estate to share it with family and friends.

After Pierre Caron passed away in 2005, his wife Fanny Van Herzeele, continued the restoration and completed the work of her husband with the help of the Belgian architect Stephane Boens.

Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

 

The Manor House can easily accommodate twelve people.

Manor House hall first floor  Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

Manor House salon  Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

Manor House kitchen  Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

Manor House one of the bedrooms  Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

Manor House terrace  Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

 

In the North Tower, there is an apartment of about 100m² (1000ft2) that is ideal for two people.

North Tower living room  Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

North Tower kitchen  Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

North Tower terrace  Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

 

The West Tower is similar to the North Tower, in terms of accommodation. However, it does not have a private terrace.

West Tower living room  Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

West Tower Bedroom  Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

 

The South Tower is the smallest of the four and serves as an extension to the Manor or Tower North. It has four beds (bunk beds) and is equipped with a bathroom but with no kitchen. It is ideal for a group of youngsters.

South Tower seating area  Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

South Tower bedroom  Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

 

Laudonie offers his visitors an extended recreation area, where you will find a swimming pool, a sauna, a tennis court and a petanque pitch. In addition, Laudonie is located in close proximity to a golf course.

Swimming pool  Image source website Laudonie – Photo credit Dirk Goethals

 

I would love to recommend you to visit the gorgeous website of LAUDONIE, where you will find much more to read about the history of the estate and were you will find more information together with an extended photo gallery of the property.

http://laudonie.fr

Lieu dit Laudonie - 24580 Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin-de Reilhac - France
Fanny Van Herzeele
E-mail : info@laudonie.fr
Telnr : +32 476 41 88 81

You can find Laudonie on FB HERE.

 

I am curious to know your thoughts about this French ‘jewel’.

xx

Greet

Belgian Luxury B&B ‘Vaucelles - The Little Monastery’

 

Those who are following my blog since a few years, will have noticed that in September 2009 I wrote a blogpost about the opening of the new showroom of Belgian renowned antiques dealers Brigitte & Alain Garnier (click HERE to read this blogpost).

Years ago the Garnier family bought the old property ‘Vaucelleshof’, used to be an abbey with about 10 monks living there. The family restored the house with passion and with respect for its history.

‘Vaucelleshof’ is wonderfully situated in the green and open surroundings of the medieval village of Damme, only 10 minutes from Bruges. The property now consists out of buildings of the 17th, 18th and 19th century, all carefully restored.

‘Vaucelleshof’ Sources : Image 1 website Garnier; Image 2 photo by me; Image 3 Claude Smekens Fotografie; Image 4 Magazine Vivere Country 2011 Photo credit Claude Smekens Fotografie; Image 5 Photo by me; Image 6 Magazine Vivere Country 2011 Photo credit Claude Smekens Fotografie; Image 7 Magazine Veranda March 2011; Image 8 Claude Smekens Fotografie 

Who doesn’t remember the cover of Veranda Magazine March 2011, where the dining room of the Garnier family was shown. Or the orangerie of Vaucelleshof that made it on the cover of the gorgeous book Quiet Living.

‘Vaucelleshof’ is not only the residence of the Garnier family, but also accomodates the showroom, full of antiques!

To discover the antiques collection, please visit their website http://www.garnier.be.

Opening Showroom Garnier Antiques – Summer 2009 Photo by me

The property with its facilities is even rented out for several events as weddings, parties, photoshoots and seminars.

Wedding table setting at Vaucelleshof Photo source website Garnier

 

Four years after the opening of their antiques showroom, the Garniers are pleased to announce the opening of their Luxury B&B ‘Vaucelles’ – The Little Monastery.

The small hotel currently counts 3 rooms. Two more rooms will be finished in 2014.

All rooms are decorated by Brigitte Garnier.

Let’s take a look inside the rooms.

 

The Landlord’s Room

A luxury mezzanine room with spa-haman & sauna and a large livingroom. Offering minibar, nespresso coffee & tea facilities, flat-screen TV, WIFI, custom made bedlinen, bathrobe.

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , The Landlord’s Room

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , The Landlord’s Room

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , The Landlord’s Room

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , The Landlord’s Room

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , The Landlord’s Room

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , The Landlord’s Room

 

Marguerite’s Room

A second luxury mezzanine room with minibar, nespresso coffee & tea facilities, flat-screen TV, WIFI, custom made bedlinen, bathrobe.

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , Marguerite’s Room

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , Marguerite’s Room

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , Marguerite’s Room

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , Marguerite’s Room

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , Marguerite’s Room

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , Marguerite’s Room

 

The Summer House Room

Romantic room above the orangerie, offering coffee & tea facilities, custom made bedlinen, bathrobe.

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , The Summer House Room

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , The Summer House Room

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , The Summer House Room

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , The Summer House Room

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , The Summer House Room

Vaucelles – The Little Monastery , The Summer House Room 

 

For more information and reservation :

 info@garnier.be 

www.vaucelleshof.be

T + 32 50 313119

The new website of  B&B ‘Vaucelles’ will be online soon.

 

If you plan to visit Belgium and if you love to spend some time in the countryside, then B&B ‘Vaucelles – The Little Monastery’  is definitely your place to stay !

 

xx

Greet

All images posted with permission of Brigitte Garnier.

White Rooms in Bruges

 

 

The past weekend the charming guesthouse ‘White Rooms in Bruges’ opened its doors.

My friend Natalie Haegeman of Natalie Haegeman Interiors is the lady behind this gorgeous brand new guesthouse in Bruges, the most romantic city of Belgium.

Combining her passion for interior design with her fascination for historic buildings, Natalie restored this typical Bruges house, respecting the original features, and created a uniquely charming environment that she wanted to share with her guests.

White Rooms in Bruges

 

Bruges by night

As an interior designer Natalie has decorated the rooms of her guesthouse in the most wonderful way. She made of White Rooms the most cosiest guesthouse of Bruges, decorated in the typical Belgian style.

Let us take a look inside the house.

The living room with an open fire place and original oak floor. As you can see Natalie’s dog Billie definitely feels at home!

Who wouldn’t love to sit here, curled up with a good book, having a glass of wine, after an inspiring walk in the city of Bruges?

 

The kitchen, with its Belgian limestone floor, is completely decorated in the Belgian style.

Even a small Aga cooker is at your disposal!

Beautiful kitchen table and table lamp.

Natalie is renown for her hand made lampshades. She offers a wide range of hand made lampshades, for sale in her webshop here.

Notice the beautiful pottery and wicker baskets.

 

I so love this view from the living room towards the kitchen.

 

The guesthouse has a small terrace that Natalie decorated with garden pots and wooden barrels.

 

The living room is decorated with antique furniture and objects. Paintings are of the artist Jean-Marc Louis, for sale in Natalie’s webshop here.

 

Let’s go upstairs to see the bedrooms of the guesthouse.

The house can accomodate 4 people who will be torn between choices of these 2 beautiful decorated bedrooms!

Both rooms are painted white and decorated with accents of celadon.

First bedroom

 

 

What a gorgeous idea to hang this group of wicker trays above the bed here!

 

Second bedroom

 

All bed linen available at Natalie Haegeman Interiors.

 

Love this bathroom with the marble topped bath, placed in an alcove.

 

As no other Natalie knows exactly how to choose the right fabrics for every single room.

 

A Suzani tablecloth on the table in the dining room.

 

‘White’ flowers, of course!

 

Not to forget to mention that a bike is at your disposal.

If you are planning to visit Bruges and if you want to know how it feels to live in a house completely decorated in the Belgian style, then WHITE ROOMS IN BRUGES is your place to be!

Or maybe you might think about surprising friends or family with a weekend stay in Bruges… ? WHITE ROOMS will offer them a memorable stay.

 

For online reservations click HERE.

www.white-rooms.be

Niewe Gentweg 94

8000 BRUGGE

Belgium

info@white-rooms.be

 

Next to all the historic monuments, gardens and picturesque streets that the medieval city of Bruges has to offer, this guesthouse really is a fine acquisition!

 

White Rooms in Bruges, guesthouse by Natalie Haegeman 

www.white-rooms.be

www.nataliehaegeman-interiors.be

 

I wish you a wonderful stay!!!

xx

Greet

 

Images with permission of Natalie Haegeman