Special Places to Stay - More than a bed for the night

A pair of owls sometimes takes up residence in the tower of this 15th-century pigeonnier, you might spot roe deer in the woods. Inside is rustically charming, with nooks, crannies, big old beams and the scent of woodsmoke in the air. Windows have flyscreens and furniture is basic and mostly retrieved: an upright pale green sofa, a set of pine shelves with yellow crockery, a corner kitchen with a gas cooker. There are rugs scattered on creaky floorboards, a fine armoire, pastoral views; the almost-as-big shower room reveals its pigeon holes charmingly, and its crookedly paved floor. You may not be steeped in luxury but the simple pleasures of a farm and friendly livestock should more than compensate. Hidden in the woods is an eco-organic goat barn and milking parlour – do visit: guests are welcomed with delicious goat's cheese, and you can buy more at the local market. Hire bikes or bring your own, the nearest shops, market and restaurant are a mile away in La Tour Blanche. Down the road is the wonderful Limousin-Périgord National Park; in the Limodore reserve nearby there are rare orchids.