FAQ’s & Practical Information:
Where are you located?
We are in the village of Lavardac. We are a old world rustic house, sitting by a sleepy river. Lavardac is half way between Bordeaux and Toulouse. The village is surrounded by vineyards and sunflower fields as far as the eye can see.
What is the closest international airport?
The closest international airport is Bordeaux. You will be met at the airport. Airport transfer is included. It is approx 1 hour to our village from the airport.
If I wanted to fly into Paris, is there a way to get to you from there?
Yes. There is a High Speed Train from Paris to Agen (the closest station to our village), both airport and train station are 1 hour and a bit by car to village. Paris to Agen takes approx 3-5 hours, we are in the beautiful south.
What is the average age of your guests?
The average ages are between 30 and 50. 10% are couples. The majority of our clients are females.
What are the accommodations like?
We are not a hotel, or a B+B but a house, where you can feel at home. lounging on the sofa or raiding the fridge for a glass of wine. There are 5 large bedrooms in the house, in each are two beds, rooms are large. Most guests have their own room, at times you may have to share. We find that our guests enjoy the bonding experience of sharing a room. The house is adorned with four hundred years old oak beams. Outside it's an explosion of colors, old stones, vineyards, and marvelous food, lovely beaches and SUN, SUN, SUN....
What are some of the local activities?
Walking among sunflower fields.
Dining alfresco.
Visiting craft markets.
Visiting Medieval Villages.
Kayaking, boating, fishing, swimming in the river.
Painting and drawing.
Dining on a restaurant boat.
Cycling.
Wine tasting.
A holiday in South west France, created so that you can have a week of relaxation, make new friends in a supportive group and have fun. A holiday tailored to your needs, doing as little or as much as you like. Whether you choose to read quietly in a deckchair by the river or join one of our many activities, art, walk, swimming.
Your day is filled with pleasure and delicious food.
This is a holiday which boosts your happiness and re-energizes you.
What is your season?
Our season is from 1st of May to the first week in October.
Are there restaurants nearby?
Yes. There are few lovely restaurants within walking distance from the house.
I am traveling by myself. Will I have to pay extra?
No. We do not charge our solo travelers an extra charge. There are no single supplement
When should I arrive?
Arrival is Sunday afternoon ,leaving Saturday morning the following week.
Is wine offered at meals?
Wine is offered at the first meal. There is a lovely little grocery shop at the top of the street and plenty of occasion to go wine tasting in the area and buy lovely wine.
Can I stay less than a week?
We prefer to welcome people on a full week basis in July, August and September, we are flexible about people staying for few days in May and June.
If I want to explore on my own, will I need a car?
Yes, if you want to explore on your own, you will need to rent a car, either at the airport on arrival or at Agen station, if coming by train.
Can I get up in the morning on my own time?
Yes. You can get up on your own time. We usually decide what we are going to do on the day, over breakfast.
There are a lots of activities to choose, from drawing classes, walking, swimming, sunbathing at the lake, hire a boat, visiting places, cycling, wine tasting etc....
A relaxing holiday has two main components, not having to cook and organize and to live at your own pace for a change. We have found in the past, we have had to choose from either being very energetic on our holiday (walking 12 miles a day) or a at very contemplative pace, which was too quiet. So we decided to create a holiday, where you could do a bit of both.
You do as much or as little as you like....
On my last holiday I had a toothache, are there any medical facilities nearby?
We have two dentists in the village, three GP surgeries and two state of the art pharmacies. We will be there to assist you in every way we can. Don't forget to get a medical insurance form from the post office before you come.
Do I have to stick to a rigid timetable?
No, if you want to get up at midday feel free. You do as little or as much as wish. Everyone has their own way of relaxing.
OUR ETHOS:
Our Village
Lavardac is a timeless village, although not far from the Dordogne, it is not yet on the tourist trail. Which is a good thing for us looking for a calm and picturesque place, but not so good for local people, who are struggling to maintain their economic independence.
Employment is scarce, especially that the "Lavardacais" doesn't like working outside the village.
The "Lavardacais" are Gascon's home to the original mousquetaires, jolly and always ready to organise festivities, with music, fancy dress and good wine. A great number of villagers are involved in voluntary work, through running committees, some double as firemen too. Everyone works tirelessly to maintain the village. I can think of three festivities which come back every summer.
The International Championship of bottle openers
International by name, although, only Lavardacais participate. It is set up at the Cafe des Sport; you have four men lining up, in front of a row of wine bottles, surrounded and cheered by the whole village. On the whistle start, each one of them races to open the most bottles. Later on, in the evening one of them will be presented with the trophy.
St Mary' s Parade 15th of August
The statue of the Virgin is carried from the city hall to the river, few hundred yards away. In the last few years for some strange reasons, we have an addition to the parade of three Brazilian dancers (in their G-string). Most peculiar, if you can visualize the samba dancers, the father, the statue of the Virgin Mary, followed by everyone dressed in medieval, and sometimes star trek costumes. Marvelous with all dances to the samba music to the river where it ends in a beautiful firework on the water.
Last but not least, every year on the first weekend of October, the whole village dresses up in country western outfits, from the youngest to the oldest, and I have even spotted a couple of pets with their cowboy’s scarves. For three days, the village leaves to the “country western " beat.
When they are not celebrating, the villager’s life is quiet. As a member of Responsible Travel Agency, we place importance on working in harmony socially and ecologically speaking.
The social aspect is one with the ecological balance. Here, everyone is very special. Working with the environment begins by working in our heart with respect and care of each other. Being unpleasant to someone is like leaving a greasy paper on a beautiful lawn.
We do not like noise pollution, they are no T.V or radios, and everyone is required to give a rest to their mobile phone, or use it outside.
We use local produce. I always buy at the market,from elderly people who brings their garden's produces.
Visitors bring so much needed trade, be it in the shops or restaurants.
The house is maintained by local tradesmen. The good part of being a small community, each artisan will give you their best, and maintain their reputation.
The house doesn't use much energy , being closed in the winter months. Double flush toilets and showers keep the water consumption low. It's not a hotel so guests are in charge of their room . A village lady helps with cooking and cleaning. Sheets are changed weekly , the laundry is done by the dry cleaner in the village. She has an industrial machine which uses less energy and water that if I were going to wash in my small machine at home.
We do a couple of trips to the recycling booths, which are within walking distance , good excuse to stop at the cafe on the way back.
We encourage travelers to save energy, we use ecologically friendly products.
Our group is of maximum six to ten people , so we also feel that it is on a human scale.