Château La Cellette
Celles, Dorgogne, 24600

Spacious Nine-Bedroom Château:
Six Bedrooms with En Suite Bathrooms
Three-Bedroom Cottage on the Grounds with Bathroom
Sleeps 18

The restored château, next to the church in the very center of Celles, whose bells toll three times a day, is vintage 15th-century built by the family of Dulau d'Allemans. Their name is identified in the letterpress edition of the papers of George Washington. It was a ruin until the current owner employed a master architect from the region who fully understood the character of the house, and whose investigative powers led him to find the hidden massive stone fireplaces and secret stairwells. Together they restored the 15th-century manor into a 21st-century splendor.

The entrance to the château was originally next to the church on the main street through a small garden, but the renovation plans reverted the entrance to the back side of the house and added a circular pebble driveway one enters through electronic iron gates from a small road. The full length of the house is visible from this vantage point along with a detached "orangerie" and a "maison des amis" (guesthouse) at a right angle on the left, a large pool and grassy plane on the right several steps lower.

Behind the ecru gauze drapes added to the orangerie arches lies a long dining table and cane chairs for cool repasts sheltered from summer showers. The tool shed was transformed into a detached cottage and now comprises a living room, kitchenette, bath and three bedrooms on two levels. Between the main house and these two structures is a small courtyard grounded by a round stone table and curved stone benches, protected by an ivy-covered wall and the towers of the château -- a perfect corner for reflection, meals or casual conversation.

While the main entrance is on the same level as the driveway on the left side of the house, most visitors seem to want to climb the few steps to the inviting and spacious kitchen behind the glass French doors. This is the room where everyone gathers. A square table for eight is the center of activity, and along with the warm golden cabinetry ("antiqued" with a touch of burnt sienna) makes you feel right at home. The black iron eight-burner French stove with double ovens just beg to be lit and utilized and the black American size refrigerator with ice maker begs to be filled with fresh produce from a local market.

An adjacent formal dining room is absolutely elegant and fitting for the finest of parties. Further on across the entry foyer and down a few steps is a cozy living room filled with overstuffed sofas and chairs. The focal point is a massive stone fireplace fit for a king and several roasting pigs. In the corner sits a large armoire that a "trompe l'oeil" artist created for the room using objects symbolic for Audrey and names of her friends are in the hand painted motif.

On that side of the house, a stone spiral staircase leads to three suites. One is the master suite consisting of a bedroom with large stone fireplace, bathroom with a free-standing tub, with beautiful turned legs next to a table of bath oils and scents, a separate shower room with toilet and bidet and a closet/dressing room. In the corner of the room within the round tower sits a small reading nook furnished by two silk brocade arm chairs and table. It speaks of an era long ago.

The guest room below the master bedroom is almost equally charming, with a queen size bed, fireplace and beautiful private bathroom with tub.

The bedroom on the highest level is "la chambre la plus belle dans le château" -- under the eaves of the house, with high ceilings, wood beams fully exposed -- the room is masculine, spacious and charming. In one corner, there is the round tower with a gaming table and two chairs, with a traditional large stone fireplace for friskier nights. A full bath and dressing room is hidden by a wall with no doors, only entrances at both the right and the left.

There are another three bedrooms on the opposite side of the house, each stacked over the other, off an original 18th century staircase, each with its own private bath. Fitted with either a double bed or twin beds, each is decorated sweetly in traditional decor, each with a fireplace. The baths are all contemporary and tastefully appointed.

Throughout the house, the furniture style is harmonious and in perfect keeping with the rustic period of the château. Every corner has some beautiful "objet d'art" and the walls have interesting original paintings. The owner herself skillfully found the perfect pieces, and lay claim to being the "author" of the work -- her good taste and sharp eye to have created such a sumptuous environment for all to enjoy.

La Cellette under excellent care of the "gardienne" who lives just opposite the château.

Celles, Dordogne

To reach the quaint little town of Celles (population 597) in the heart of the Dordogne (postal code 24600), you can drive or take the TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) to Angoulêmes (about 2.5 hours), then another 45 minute drive down departmental roads leads you to Celles. The fields lining the route are filled with sunflowers and corn. There is no question why the inhabitants of the Dordogne think it is such a special corner of the earth -- its beauty is overwhelming with rolling hills, solid fields of agricultural life and quaint stone villages reminiscent of centuries long past.

Transportation:

By car: Estimated travel time 5 hours 21 minutes, 511 kilometers, Tolls 30€, Gas 45€. We will provide driving instructions.

By public transportation: Train from Gare Montparnasse, Paris, to Angouleme, 2 hours 28 minutes.

Amenities:

- Queen-size bed in 7 of the bedrooms
- Double-size bed in 2 of the bedrooms
- 6 Bathrooms + 1 guest toilette on the lower level (3 have bathtubs, 3 are simple shower stalls)
- Kitchenette in the guest cottage
- Bathtub/shower
- Laundry room with washer and dryer
- Lots of lovely linens and towels
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Eight-burner stove
- Double oven
- Dishwasher
- Dishes and cutlery
- Toaster
- Coffee maker
- TV
- Cable TV Chanels
- Phone
- High-speed WiFi Internet access

Price (everything included) per Week:

Low Season: January - May Except Easter Week, September - December Except Christmas/New Years Week
Mid Season: Easter Week, Christmas/NewYears Week
High Season: June, July, August

Reservation: 50% advance payment of rental. Balance due 30 days prior to arrival.

Cancellation policy: 50% of reservation payment refunded with cancellation more than 60 days of rental. No refund within 60 days of rental.

Security deposit: 2000 Euros due upon arrival and returned within 30 days of departure date if no damage.

Minimum rental 1 week Saturday to Saturday. All linens are supplied, as well as weekly housekeeping, electricity, heat, local telephone (exclusive of calls to cell phones) and Internet.

For an indication of the rate in your own currency, refer to:

To reserve your stay, click here!