If you are looking for a peaceful place to stay in the Dordogne, away from the busiest tourist centres but close to the region's most famous villages, castles and attractions, Les Parmeries in Carlux offers a different kind of Dordogne holiday.
Set in 14 acres of private countryside overlooking the Dordogne Valley, Les Parmeries is home to three characterful holiday gîtes, surrounded by oak woodland, open countryside and beautiful views.
The location is one of the property's greatest advantages. Les Parmeries is close to the traditional village of Carlux, approximately 15 minutes from Sarlat-la-Canéda and around 12 minutes from Souillac, making it a convenient base for exploring the Périgord Noir and the Dordogne Valley.
Les Parmeries is not a large holiday complex or a busy resort.
It is a small, private countryside estate where guests can enjoy space, tranquillity and the freedom to explore the Dordogne at their own pace.
There are three individual gîtes, each with its own character and outdoor space. Guests can book a single cottage or, for families and groups of friends, the entire estate can be reserved for exclusive use for up to eight people.
The estate provides a natural setting for a relaxing Dordogne holiday, with a heated outdoor swimming pool, extensive grounds and views across the surrounding countryside.
Choosing where to stay in the Dordogne can make a significant difference to your holiday.
Sarlat is one of the region's most famous destinations, and it is an essential place to visit. But staying outside the town gives you the opportunity to experience a quieter side of the Dordogne.
Carlux offers that balance.
You can spend the morning exploring Sarlat, visit a château in the afternoon, canoe on the Dordogne or browse a local market, and then return to the countryside and the tranquillity of Les Parmeries.
Carlux itself is a traditional Périgord village with the remains of its medieval château and surrounding countryside that is well suited to walking and cycling. The village lies between Sarlat and Souillac, making it a practical base for discovering the wider region.
One of the things that makes Les Parmeries different is the amount of space.
The estate covers 14 acres, approximately 5.6 hectares, with countryside, oak woodland, gardens and views towards the Dordogne Valley.
There is room to slow down.
Have breakfast outside.
Read beneath a tree.
Take a swim.
Enjoy lunch on your terrace.
Walk around the estate.
Or simply sit and look across the valley.
A Dordogne holiday does not always need to be about fitting as many attractions as possible into every day.
Sometimes the best part is having somewhere beautiful and peaceful to return to.
Les Parmeries offers three independent holiday cottages, making it suitable for different types of Dordogne holidays.
A one-bedroom cottage designed for two people, Oak Cottage provides a comfortable base for couples wanting to explore Carlux, Sarlat and the Dordogne Valley.
River View Cottage is also designed for two people and enjoys views across the Dordogne Valley. It is particularly suited to couples looking for a peaceful countryside escape close to the region's attractions.
Vine Cottage provides two bedrooms and is suitable for up to four guests, making it a useful option for families or friends travelling together.
For larger groups, all three gîtes can be booked together.
For families or groups of friends looking for exclusive-use accommodation in the Dordogne, the three gîtes can be reserved together for up to eight guests.
Exclusive use provides your group with the three gîtes and the estate's outdoor facilities, including the swimming pool, grounds and pizza oven. The unusual Dog House bar area, created in the property's historic mini tower, is another feature available when the estate is booked exclusively.
It offers a very different experience from staying in a conventional hotel or holiday complex.
You have your own space, your own group and the freedom to enjoy the estate together.
Carlux sits in an exceptionally useful position for exploring the Périgord Noir.
From Les Parmeries, you can easily spend your days discovering some of the Dordogne's best-known places.
Around 15 minutes away, Sarlat is famous for its beautifully preserved medieval centre, golden stone buildings, markets and restaurants.
The river is central to the character of the region, with opportunities for canoeing, swimming, riverside walks and exploring the villages along its banks.
The hilltop bastide of Domme offers spectacular views across the Dordogne Valley and is one of the area's most distinctive historic villages.
Built beneath the cliffs beside the Dordogne River, La Roque-Gageac is one of the most recognisable villages in the region.
The castles of Beynac and Castelnaud provide an opportunity to explore the medieval history of the Dordogne while enjoying spectacular views across the valley.
The Château des Milandes combines history, gardens and the story of Josephine Baker and makes an excellent day out from Carlux.
The wider region is also home to some remarkable prehistoric caves and underground sites, including Lascaux and the Gouffre de Padirac.
The advantage of staying at Les Parmeries is that you can explore these places without having to change accommodation every night.
The countryside around Carlux is particularly attractive for people who enjoy being outdoors.
There are walking routes through the surrounding countryside, while the quieter roads and lanes of the Dordogne Valley are ideal for exploring by bicycle.
Les Parmeries also provides secure bicycle storage, making it particularly useful for guests bringing their own bikes on a cycling holiday in the Dordogne.
After a day of walking or cycling, you can return to the estate, enjoy a swim and relax in the countryside.
Perhaps the greatest attraction of Les Parmeries is that you do not have to spend your entire holiday sightseeing.
The location makes it easy to explore Sarlat, the Dordogne River, the castles and villages of the Périgord Noir.
But you can also stay at the estate.
Spend a morning beside the pool.
Have a long lunch.
Read in the shade.
Watch the changing light across the valley.
Enjoy an evening outside.
The current Les Parmeries website describes the property as a peaceful retreat where guests can combine exploring the Dordogne with time to relax and enjoy the countryside.
For anyone searching for gîtes in Carlux, holiday cottages in the Dordogne or a peaceful gîte near Sarlat, Les Parmeries combines several advantages in one location.
The beauty of staying at Les Parmeries is its combination of location and tranquillity.
You are close enough to Sarlat and the major attractions of the Périgord Noir to explore easily, while Carlux provides a quieter countryside setting in which to stay.
After a day discovering medieval villages, visiting castles, canoeing on the Dordogne, cycling through the countryside or exploring the region's markets and restaurants, you can return to the peace of your own gîte.
That is the experience Les Parmeries offers.
A peaceful place to stay in Carlux, a beautiful setting in the Dordogne Valley and an ideal base for discovering the Périgord Noir.
If you are planning a holiday in the Dordogne and are looking for gîte accommodation near Sarlat, a peaceful holiday cottage in Carlux, or somewhere to stay in the heart of the Périgord Noir, discover the three gîtes at Les Parmeries.
Explore the Dordogne by day, then return to 14 acres of countryside and enjoy the quieter side of southwest France.