Cicadas and birds sing to the setting sun

Welcome to L'Ours et Son Petit Oiseau (The Bear and his Little Bird), set in 8 acres with views over a wild valley run with deer and sanglier. Cool off in the saltwater pool, relax in a hammock, unwind in the wood-fired hot tub, or get to know the many animals who also call this place home. Cicadas and birds sing to the setting sun, and there's not a human soul for miles. Fields and vineyards lead to the winding streets of medieval Issigeac, a boulangerie, a café and the perfect afternoon. Once a farm house, pigioniere and barn for animals, La Grange is now a lovingly renovated home with original French charm. We’re not sure exactly how old it is. In the old days, the animals would have slept downstairs as central heating for the people upstairs. Kitchen, dining and salon are a big social space with a bar. Windows in all directions make it bright all day, and thick stone walls keep it warm in winter and cool in summer. The master bedroom looks out over old Walnut trees and has a freestanding bath for two. Doors open to the garden in each of the downstairs bedrooms. You can get to know the dwarf goats, sheep and pigmy pigs. Chickens wander round all day supervising. Fresh eggs are nearly always available. The animals who live here have been rescued. The back door leads to a terrace for alfresco dining, swimming pool, log-fired hot tub, comfortable chairs, hammocks and of course, the view. The property stretches to the bottom of the valley and you are free to explore beyond. All around, there are walks through woods and meadows and past fields of sunflowers. There is no light pollution here. The nights are dark and the stars clear and dramatic. The private swimming pool is open Spring to Autumn. An air-source heater will be added in 2026 to increase those months. As well as holidays, we will offer retreats in plant-based cookery, personal development and healthy and sustainable living. If you would like to add a unique life-changing experience to your holiday, just ask. Linda is a chef - we may be able to provide breakfast, lunch or dinner on request. Guests are welcome to enjoy the whole property. We like to take care of our guests and are happy to help you. Feel free to message us or ask about anything. Nothing is too small. We can help you choose your place to eat, tell you where the party is tonight, how to find the chateaux or a great place to taste wine... we might even book it for you! The house is 4km from the stunning medieval village of Issigeac and its famous Sunday market, popular restaurants, friendly cafe bars, pizzaria, patisserie, boulangerie, creperie and supermarché. Issigeac is surrounded by many beautiful towns, including Beaumont-du-Périgord, Castillones and Villereal. In the summer months, a marché nocturne with food and wine, dancing and live music can be found most evenings. Canoeing on the Dordogne is a fabulous experience and easy when the water is high. There are numerous amazing Chateux to visit nearby. Daytime food markets can be found most days of the week, all year round. The house is in a peaceful, rural setting, 4km from the nearest village of Issigeac. This is a 2 minute drive a 40 minute walk through fields, or a 15 minute cycle ride. Bigger supermarkets are 20 minutes away by car. Our favourite is Grand Frais in Bergerac. Bergerac airport is 14 minutes drive with car hire available. The area is popular with cyclists. There are many km of chemins rural (grass or gravel 'green lanes') through forests and fields. They're perfect for walking, cycling, motorcycling or 4x4. You can share our journey and see more of the house and projects on Channel 4's ‘A New Life in the Sun’, Series 5, Episodes 11-15. We offer two 3-bed holiday homes each with their own private entrance and terrace. Other guests may be staying next door. These can be combined to a 6 bedroom home : www.www.airbnb.com/h/bearsnbirds ANIMALS You will be staying on a working farm and animal sanctuary. As our guest, you are our priority. We ask that you to let us know about anything that is not the way you want it to be - so that we can put it right. Animals don't get eaten, by the way. The dogs run free. They can be boisterous. Please tell us if you need them to be put away or if you are at all nervous. Children with the dogs must be supervised by an adult. Please, please, please, please, CHECK WITH US BEFORE FEEDING ANY ANIMAL. They all have individual, managed diets. The dogs will tell you otherwise, but please don't listen to them. HEATING If you are visiting in colder months, the house is heated by a wood stove in the lounge, warming radiators in the bedrooms. You'll need to carry logs from just outside to tend the fire regularly. If you are out for the day, it can be turned down low to be warm on your return. You can find out more about running the stove in the house manual. We will explain fully. HOT TUB/NORWEGIAN BATH The perfect place to lie and explore the milky way - or enjoy your breakfast! The Norwegian bath is available April to October and possibly in other months with a small charge for the extra wood. Depending on the season, it can take half a day and 40kg of logs to heat up! The FREE option We light it with you and show you how to tend, to get to the right temperature. It needs tending every 20 minutes at first, and then every hour. The Posh option: By special request, we'll prepare the hot tub for you. Just tell is when you want to lie back and enjoy, and we'll serve an ice-cold bottle of fizz. Prices vary according to the time of year. Enjoy your holiday! It is the most important thing after all...