About Our Beautiful Accommodation in France

Le Moulin de Pensol is a delightful former water mill and barn, converted into holiday accommodation. It is in the Parc Naturel Regionale Perigord-Limousin in Haute Vienne, Nouvelle Aquitaine. The area is known as the Limousin, although this doesn’t exist as a department any more, and also as Perigord Vert.

The pretty River Bandiat flows through the middle of the site between the buildings which are set in 8 hectares of wildlife-packed gardens and grounds.

A Day at The Mill

A typical day could start with freshly baked croissants delivered to your gîte. Then perhaps a cup of coffee while watching the trout in the river from one of the 4 bridges. After lunch (prepared in your well-equipped kitchenette or taken at a local restaurant) you could take a wander round the grounds and see how much more nature you can find. You might spot a red squirrel, an orchid or a golden oriole. 

Relax with a drink by the pool and watch lizards chasing each other on the sunny stone walls of the mill house. Have a chat with one of our donkeys, then return and join us for home-made stone-baked pizza by the river.

The site has an informal, rural feel. There is little outdoor lighting as we don’t want to spoil the stunning views of the stars, and the paths to the gites from the grass carpark are not surfaced. The grass can be damp first thing in the morning.

Our Accommodation in France

Our accommodation in France consists of three gîtes: Bouleau and Cerisier, which sleep two people, and Chataignier, which sleeps six. In addition the B&B rooms are let together as a large gite called Le Moulin Gite in the summer which sleeps up to seven people. If you book the whole site we can accommodate up to 17 people. Regrettably we don’t have any accommodation without stairs.

All the gîtes have new bathrooms. The kitchen/living room is downstairs with the bedrooms upstairs. Sheets and towels are provided free of charge. When you arrive your gite will have enough olive oil, salt and pepper, tea, coffee, tea towels, hand soap, washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets and toilet roll to last you a few days until you can get to a supermarket. There is decent wifi inside and outside the buildings.

Each cottage has an outdoor area with furniture and BBQ.  There is a small, unheated, outdoor pool, shared between our guests and easy access onto the miles of walking trails through the chestnut woods of the Limousin. The gardens are dotted with hammocks, benches, fruit trees and picnic places. 

There are lots of things to do and see in the local area including markets, golf, riding, swimming lakes, medieval towns, caves, restaurants and walking. The nearest shop for bread etc is a 5 minute drive away or a 15 minute cycle ride. The Dordogne border is just 5km away and the Charente border not much  further. Limoges is the nearest airport (45 minutes) and Angouleme is the nearest TGV station. We can pick you up from the station for a small fee.

Nature

We have eight hectares of gardens, meadows and woods for you to explore and enjoy. We have recorded 66 species of butterflies on our land. We can run a moth trap for you overnight – just ask – or you can bring your own.

Our own animals (which are not used for meat) are an important part of the team and provide re-wilding processes, grazing management, weed control, manure, security, eggs, transport and entertainment services to the business. 

We have dogs, hens, donkeys, a mule, horses, a pig and hens. Goats may be coming soon. 

We are committed to making Le Moulin a low carbon and sustainable  business. How we plan to do this is explained in our Environment and Nature Policy.