La Balie

Salles, Lot-et-Garonne
Self-catering
+44 (0)7950 445340
Visit owner's website

From
€238 - €1185
per night
From
€1666 - €8295
per week

A fabulous hilltop setting for three smart self-catering houses (taken together in summer) with shared pool, garden and lovely views

Place

4 places

Sleeps

Sleeping from 4 – 16

Children welcome
Babies welcome

€238 - €1185 per night

€1666 - €8295 per week

The Experience

In the lovely Lot, encircled by bastide towns, are three ancient farm buildings of mellow caramel stone. They sit low in the landscape on a hillside, with long green views over arable farmland and walnut groves. Each has its own outside eating area within a private walled courtyard but have the use of a shared lawn, an inviting pool swaddled by swathes of lavender and a big barn for yoga retreats. Come with friends and family to take all three spaces during the summer – it’s a brilliant place for a group. You can also be catered for by a vegetarian or vegan chef.

Each space is light and bright, with some exposed stone walls and neutral, calming colour schemes. Kitchens are convivial, fine for holiday cooking – mostly you’ll be outside having a plancha. Owner Paul leaves you a bottle of wine, a loaf of bread and some local cheese. Bedrooms (some downstairs) are peaceful with views over the estate.

This is idyllic rural France with hoopoes and hares, wildflowers and wonderful medieval villages to explore with markets.

La Balie - Gallery

We think you'll love

  • The tranquil surroundings and appealing landscapes
  • Getting together with friends or family, organising a yoga retreat
  • Walking, cycling, castles, museums, medieval towns and markets, being off the beaten track
La Balie - Gallery

You should know

  • There's little or no public transport
  • You can see the other gîtes from yours but each has its own private courtyard
  • In the summer months you can't book the spaces independently

Essentials

  • EV charger
  • Self check-in
  • Swimming pool
  • Hot tub
  • Garden
  • Open fire / woodburner
  • Breakfast included
  • Breakfast available
  • Meals available
  • Vegetarian meals
  • Oven
  • Parking on premises
  • Free parking nearby
  • Accessible by public transport
  • WiFi
  • Television
  • Central heating
  • Limited mobility
  • Wheelchair access
  • Mobile reception
  • Hob
  • Barbecue
  • Paid parking nearby
  • Air conditioning
  • Relaxation areas
  • Washing machine
  • Tennis court
  • Microwave oven
  • No smoking
  • Credit cards
  • Working farm
  • Owner has pets
  • Electricity included
  • Dishwasher
  • Pets welcome

Family friendly

  • Baby monitor
  • Books and toys
  • Children welcome
  • Babies welcome
  • Stair gates
  • High chair
  • Fire guard
  • Cot available

Nearby

  • Pub/bar within 3 miles
  • Restaurant within 3 miles
  • Shop within 3 miles

Activities

  • Bikes available
  • Food courses
  • Kayaking
  • Other courses
  • Sailing
  • Surfing
  • Wild swimming

Accommodation

Pricing

Nightly price
from €238
Weekly price
from €1666
Damage deposit
€500
1 Estate for 16
From €8588 bedrooms
1 House for 6
From €2956 beds3 bedrooms
1 House for 4
From €2384 beds2 bedrooms
1 House for 6
From €3256 beds3 bedrooms

Information

Booking information

Check in
4pm
Check out
10am
Other details
Minimum stay: 5 nights, 7 nights in high season. Bookings for all 3 gîtes together during July & August: €858–€1185 per night, €6006–€8295 per week. Can sleep up to 16.
Closed
Christmas, New Year.
No smoking
Smoking not permitted anywhere in the property.
Owner has pets
Animals living on the property
Meals
Restaurants 2km.

Reviews

What an amazing place. The setting is stunning. The hosts are wonderful and so helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. 17 yoga ladies on the most perfect location you could ask for. From the accommodation to the equipment and the cats are the best. The food prepared by Danne was amazing quality with the most beautiful personality. A real treat. Also fab place for anyone looking for a venue for a special occasion.

Jane, Chelmsford

My week-long stay at La Balie was an unforgettable experience, set amidst the stunning landscapes of Lot-et-Garonne. Nestled among charming bastides and vibrant markets filled with locally sourced delights, La Balie is a true haven for food enthusiasts. The seamless blend of historical charm and modern comfort, coupled with the genuine warmth of hosts Paul and Cecile, made my stay truly exceptional. I'm eagerly looking forward to returning to this hidden gem!

Craig, London

What a wonderful week my husband and I had at La Balie. We stayed in Le Pigeonnier cottage which was just beautiful. Bedrooms and bathrooms were comfortable and spacious. Everything has been finished to such a high standard both inside the cottages and throughout the grounds. The estate sits in the most peaceful and tranquil area with delightful views from every angle. The pool is fabulous surrounded by flowerbeds and fields. There are numerous beautiful medieval towns and villages to visit and wonderful markets with fresh produce . The country roads lend themselves to peaceful cycling .

Sheridan, Beaconsfield

Beautiful, calming and peaceful! The accommodation has all the commodities you need when you're on holiday without having to be surrounded by big multitudes. In proximity of lovely fresh market towns with a lot of nature to explore.

Renée

What a lovely location. We enjoyed early morning runs and mountain biking whilst watching the sun come up over the beautiful countryside at one with the wildlife. The nearby towns and villages offered a typically French experience with busy markets and artisan producers. La Balie offered a really high quality base for us to explore the surrounding areas.

Joe, London

What a fantastic place! We arrived as a large group of friends, and everything on offer surpassed expectations. 3 individual properties with plenty of space situated around a courtyard. All bedrooms en-suite and kitchens big enough for cooking, with a lounge in each property to relax. Outside you could put multiple tables together for a group meal in the evening under the stars. The pool area is fantastic, with views across the fields. Additionally the yoga studio is huge and a great area for functions or other large events inside. Only a short drive of 10 mins to the nearest town.

Chris, London

Perfect place for both a relaxed stay “away from it all” or using as a base for exploring the local area. La Bailie has high quality facilities including the pool and is beautifully set. Genial host Paul will always be willing to recommend local places of interest and make you feel welcome! We will definitely visit again.

Jon, Winchester, UK

Thank you so much Paul to welcome us at La Balie for an amazing week-end with my friends and the sunshine 🙂. Thank you for your kindness and your availibility. La Balie is a magic place. This is the third time we’ve been here and it’s always a pleasure. We’ve always been happy with services and the hospitality. Everything is very clean and there is nothing missing for us to be well.

Christine, Bruges

Peaceful perfection. I'd love to stay here with my extended family: pool time, lots of places nearby to visit and grand evenings sat together around the outside dining area with its lovely views. I loved the garden and plantings around the buildings and the way they nestle into the landscape. And the wildlife: hares, hoopoes and hazel plantations. Wow.

Patricia, Sawday's Inspector

Read more reviews

Location

The neighbourhood

There are other houses visible but not remotely near, just their lights twinkling at night. The farm up the road sells honey. The nearest village is Monflanquin, a 5-minute drive for bakeries, a café and a restaurant under the arcades in the square. Gavaudun is a 12-minute drive and has a medieval castle and a good rural restaurant. This is non-touristy France so the locals are very friendly.

Local points of interest from Paul Finch

  • La Balie is a short drive from Monflanquin, a pretty bastide village chosen as one of the 100 most beautiful villages in France. There are shops, restaurants, bakeries and everything else you'll need for your stay.
  • The beautiful valley of Gavaudun is a short stroll from the house where you'll find the opportunity to walk through open woodland, the pretty village of St Avit and the stunning rock-hewn tower of Gavaudun.
  • There are masses of things to do in the local area; bustling markets for fresh fruit and vegetables, châteaux to visit, vineyards and wine tasting, kayaking on the river Lot or Dordogne or relaxing by our beautiful, heated, saltwater pool.
  • Originally a hill-top farm, all the cottages at La Balie have stunning views over rolling countryside. For some serious relaxation grab a glass of chilled rosé, listen to the ancient church bells peal across the valley and watch a spectacular sunset.
  • The location lends itself perfectly to a family or group of friends renting all three properties exclusively for their celebration or special occasion. The configuration of the cottages allows for both privacy, or an environment for larger gatherings.
  • There is a beautiful studio building perfect for yoga retreats or hosting special occasions for your group or family. Opening up onto the swimming pool terrace and lawns providing that special ambience for a private function or event.

Introducing

Paul Finch

Paul worked in the financial services industry before chucking it all up to come out here and live the dream. He's friendly, welcoming and will meet you on your arrival. He's a keen cyclist so can advise on the best routes nearby. Do ask him about the catered yoga retreats too.