Welcome to the beautiful Chateau du Rayet, a magnificent 18th century chateau that will captivate and enchant you. Less than 5 minutes away is Villeréal, recently recognised as one of the most beautiful villages in France. The chateau has been lovingly restored. The chateau has 7 beautiful bedrooms, each with their own luxury bathroom and a heated swimming pool of 14 x 5 metres.
Rent this beautiful chateau in South West France for 14 people with private heated pool
Description
The chateau sleeps up to 14 people.
There are 7 spacious bedrooms each with their own luxury bathroom. The studio on the ground floor in the courtyard has a double bedroom with an open plan sitting room, while the other 6 bedrooms are on the first floor of the main chateau.
The kitchen has the original fireplace with a magnificent Aga, equipped with cooking and simmering plates and multiple ovens controlled by a digital touchpad. There is also a hob with 4 gas rings and a conventional grill and oven. If you have never cooked on an Aga before, you will find it easy and enjoyable to use. There is also a separate Siemens combi microwave built into the cooking island. Above the oven is a brass swivel tap for easy filling of pots. The generous two-door Gaggenau fridge has freezer drawers with an ice maker underneath. There are two dishwashers (full size and half size) and the Belfast sink has a Quooker tap for instant boiling water. There is a Magimix juicer, a Nespresso machine and Aeroccino for frothy coffee, a Dualit toaster and an Ooni electric pizza oven to bring a taste of Italy to France. There is a large pantry for neatly storing your food. On the island are custom-made trays and chopping boards. This really is a kitchen that makes cooking fun.
The kitchen opens onto the cosy, light and welcoming room with large windows on two sides, a TV on an easel and a spacious L-shaped sofa. It is the perfect place to curl up for a cosy movie night in front of the open fire (firewood included!) or to binge watch your favourite series. The kitchen also leads into the dining room, a bright space with views over the fields beyond. The table seats up to 14 people and many happy family meals have been enjoyed under a beautiful pair of metal chandeliers.
Between the dining room and the snug is a large utility room with practical facilities including a washing machine and tumble dryer, a downstairs toilet, a dog shower and an external door to the side of the castle. From here the back staircase also leads to the bedrooms on the first floor. The entire ground floor has underfloor heating.
If you want the castle in France with a smaller group, that is also possible. Our rates are based on 14 people. If you are with 8/10 or 12 people, ask for our adjusted rates!
First Floor: As you ascend the stone staircase from the hall to the first floor you will find yourself in the bright upper hall which opens onto a spectacular central hallway leading to 6 of the 7 bedrooms. Each of the chateau’s bedrooms features elegant Versailles parquet flooring, high ceilings with exposed beams, air conditioning, central heating, Wi-Fi extensions, wardrobe and shelving, as well as an en-suite bathroom. The impressive 3.6 metre ceilings on the first floor add to the sense of space and grandeur. The 7th bedroom is located in the studio, just a short walk across the chateau courtyard.
Bedroom 1 is the master bedroom at the rear of the chateau with a superking bed and period furniture. The beautiful bathroom has a double shower, a roll top bath, a double sink and a pair of washbasins under an antique mirror, a chandelier and a separate toilet.
Bedroom 2 is a romantic bedroom and has a roll top bath. An original stone fireplace adds to the charm of the room. The en-suite bathroom has a large shower and sink and has access to a toilet next door in the hallway. Bedroom 3 is a charming double room (with 2 single beds that can be made into a double) with lovely views over the courtyard. The en-suite bathroom has a shower, vanity unit with wash basin and WC. Interconnecting doors provide access to bedroom 4 if required.
Bedroom 4 is a beautiful double bedroom. The room has a superking size bed, antique furniture and a large en-suite bathroom with striking black shower, wash basin and WC.
Bedroom 5 is a mirror image of bedroom 4, this room has a superking size bed and an en-suite bathroom with a large grey shower, a large wash basin with an antique mirror above and a WC.
The exposed stonework and solid beams in this room add to the charm, with interconnecting doors leading to bedroom 6.
Bedroom 6 is also a twin bedroom (which can be made up as a double) overlooking the courtyard. Off the bedroom is a private hallway leading to the en suite bathroom. The bathroom has a large shower, a stone wash basin under the window overlooking the moat and a WC.
Bedroom 7 can be found in the corner of the courtyard. The Studio, a century old converted coach house now offers a sleek and contemporary living space. This open plan space has a double bedroom and en suite bathroom. A sitting room complete with comfortable sofas and a television. If you are looking for privacy and your own personal living space then the Studio is the ideal choice for your stay. On the other side of the coach house you will find the games room equipped with a table tennis table, darts board and table football table. Outside there are football goals, a boules court and a go-kart for your entertainment.
Between the studio and the games room is a serious gym equipped with a Pelaton bike, Concept 2 PM5 rowing machine, Bodycraft Jones Smith Max Rack and bench, a range of dumbbells, Fitbounce Pro gym trampoline, aerobic step, gym balls, mats and even mirrored walls for dance practice! For your convenience, the gym also has a separate shower, sink and toilet.
Outside
The courtyard is the heart of the property, a charming space where you can gather for meals under the shade of the trees, relax with a book by the canal and breathe in the fragrant wisteria that climbs the walls of the outbuildings. A large dining table with seating for 14 guests is the perfect place to enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner al fresco. Conveniently located near the dining table is a smaller table under the kitchen window, ideal for passing food, glasses and plates outside. A barbecue allows you to prepare delicious al fresco meals. For more relaxing moments, there is a lounge area set up under another mature tree in the courtyard, where you can sit back and admire the elegant architecture and symmetry of the buildings. The large heated swimming pool measuring 14 x 5 metres is ideal for swimming lengths, playing games or just floating around on an inflatable pool. The pool is open and heated from April to October. The pool area is fully enclosed by a gate for safety and accessed via a door in the pool house. In the pool house you will find a shower, toilet and wash basin and a covered lounge area where you can relax out of the sun and which also has a fridge. There is also WiFi at the pool.
Sun loungers and parasols are set up around the pool, offering green views over the surrounding fields and woodland. There are also tables and chairs for sitting in both the sun and the shade. In the enclosed area there is a football goal, cricket stumps and a badminton net. It is a wonderful space where your friends and family can relax and unwind together during your stay.
On the east side of the castle, Fatboy hammocks are situated under the trees by the moat, providing a peaceful spot to enjoy the sweeping views. You will also find herb gardens to enhance your cooking skills. On the other side is a boules court for the true French experience.
The courtyard has two lawns separated by limestone gravel paths, all enclosed by walls, buildings, gates and the surrounding moat. The courtyard is in an elevated position, meaning there is no noise from the quiet country lane at the end of the drive and when the gates are closed, there is no access to the driveway leading to the country lane. Parking: There is ample parking under the shade of the trees just before you reach the bridge, on the right. For easy unloading of luggage or shopping, you can drive over the bridge, through the gates and up to the castle.
Chateau du Rayet offers complete privacy and tranquility and is set in beautiful countryside, secluded from any immediate neighbours, yet only a 5 minute drive from Villeréal, where you will find lovely restaurants, cafés, bakeries and patisseries, two supermarkets, a petrol station, artisan shops, a chemist and one of the best weekly markets in the region. Bergerac airport is conveniently located just a 30 minute drive away.
See the overview of all the sights and activities nearby. Click on a symbol for details.
