Fontalbe

30/08/2025

Martin Walker’s series of books are better than any travel guide. Through the investigations of Bruno, Chief of Police Walkers tales of crime will immerse you into the culture, history, food and community that make up the rich tapestry of village life in the Dordogne. Based on the village of Le Bugue, Bruno, the town’s only police man, solves cases linked to international crime, historical murders and smuggling. (don’t worry they are not real!) His methods are not traditional; they include sharing a glass of Bergerac, preparing a truffle omelette or chatting to suspects at the local market. These are must reads for anyone who loves everything that is the Dordogne.

30/08/2025

Must visit when you stay at Fontalbe . Only 20mins drive away .

Monpazier is one of the best-preserved bastide towns in southwest France. Founded in 1284 by Edward I of England, it still follows the original grid plan with its central square, arcaded walkways, and straight streets branching out. Walking through, you can clearly see why it was built for both trade and defense.

The main square, Place des Cornières, is where markets have been held for centuries. Today it’s lined with cafés and small shops, but the layout hasn’t changed much since the Middle Ages. Many of the houses still carry carved stone details that hint at their age.

A tip if you visit: check the calendar for local festivals. The town often hosts medieval fairs and summer night markets that bring the square back to life in the way it once was.

📍 Monpazier, 24540 Dordogne

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24/08/2025

One of our favourite tasks at the start of the season is choosing the wine for the guests welcome hamper . We invest a lot of time sampling the various options and making sure we get it right ! It’s hard work and can be quite exhausting but we know how important our research is to you . Here’s this years choice …..
we’ve already started work researching for next year ! Peters loves a red wine and is thinking maybe a Pechamant - but which one ? We’ve not decided on a white yet as I think there’s a bit more sampling to be done but I am narrowing it down.
Making sure you feel welcome at Fontalbe is really important to us . To find out more about the welcome that waits you read our blog at https://fontalbe.com/youre-welcome/

22/08/2025

A few posts back I mentioned we had a new project to start . No one came close to guessing what it was . Here’s a quick preview ! A few weeks ago Peter arrived back with an old French hay cart - heritage he called it ! It had been looked away in a barn for over 100 years . It’s a bit of a jigsaw - in fact we may even have 2 hay carts . We are going to restore them and paint them the original cornflower blue that appeared after a freak rainstorm washed away the grime . We’re not quite sure where they will go or how we will use them . Any ideas please add in the comments 😊

17/08/2025

Room with a View.

15/08/2025

Pure Indulgence Retreat !
Where better than Fontalbe to host a ‘Pure Indulgence Retreat’? We are so excited to welcome Retreat Yourself. Run by Jodie and Claire whose aim to combine wellness activities such as yoga, detox and meditation with personal development and fun activities with like minded women. There’s the itinerary…
Sept 26th – 30th Wine, Cheese, Pamper treatments, Conversation, Cafe Culture
(and maybe a spot of cycling if you fancy!) Join us for 4 nights on a luxury retreat in the French countryside - immersing yourself in French culture, plenty of wine & cheese, indulge in some pamper treatments and lounge by the pool! Whether you want to spend your time relaxing by your own private pool or fancy something a little more active then there is something for everyone. You can enjoy horse riding, vinyard tours, amazing cycling and walking and even a canoe along the beautiful Dordogne river.
You are surrounded by some of the best food and produce in France and can easily while away a morning wandering around the bustling village markets picking up amazing cheeses, foie gras, bread & delicious cakes.

We’ve been setting up our stunning yoga studio, with views over the pool and woodland in preparation.
Sound like a bit of you? Click on the link Retreat Yourself Ltd to book. There are only a few spots remaining.
To book or for more information www.re-treat-yourself.com or DM me.

13/08/2025

When the temperature is in the thirties and the sun is shining not even our friendly croc will keep you out of the amazing salt water pool at Fontalbe. Grab a lilo and a glass (plastic of course) – chilled wine, a beer or a mocktail. What will cool you down ?

03/08/2025

Mid day and the sun is shining at Fontalbe. Where better to be than in the shade after a cool dip in the river? That’s Bonnies preference. What about you ? A dip in the pool, a cold drink in the bar or chilling on a sunlounger ?

03/08/2025

Beautiful Bastide town . A regular favourite for guests at Fontalbe . Fantastic restaurants , quirky shops and beautiful French architecture .

02/08/2025

Love these posters.
A meal without wine is a day without sunshine.
Better to drink red wine than brood in darkness.
Picked them up at the wonderful art gallery in Cadouin. They are now hanging in our lovely little self contained apartment. Hoping they will design one for rose. What would it say ?

28/07/2025

Probably one of the most frequently asked questions by our guests – Which restaurants do you recommend? Here’s a new one we have just added to our list.
Set in the picturesque village of Lanquais, just 15 minutes from Fontalbe, Les Marroniers came highly recommended by friends I’d received a dinner voucher for two from my kids for Mother’s Day (though Peter seemed to benefit from it too—he did offer to drive, to be fair!). It was a beautiful evening, perfect for dining on the terrace. Roses scented the entrance, and we were warmly welcomed and offered our choice of tables.
Choosing wine was easy: a petit Chablis for me, and our favourite local red—Pecharmant—to share. We’d left Bonnie at home but instantly wished she were with us; the couple behind had a border collie, and the resident cats were lazily watching from the windowsill. We promised to take Bonnie a doggie bag to make up for it.
There were two set menus, and we chose the more indulgent one—at €39.90 for three courses, it was excellent value. I went for the prawns (huge and hands-on), while Peter chose Ris du Veaux—definitely his thing, not mine! We both had duck breast, a regional favourite, served with a divine asparagus mousse, rich sauce, and a basket of the most delicious chips we’d had in ages. The Pecharmant paired beautifully.
Cheese was a step too far, but dessert was a must: crème brûlée for me and strawberries with whipped cream for Peter. As the evening wound down, one of the cats took a shine to Peter—perhaps lured by the cream! We lingered a little longer and agreed: we’ll definitely be back.
To find out more of our restaurant recommendations read our blog at Our latest delicious restaurant adventures in the Dordogne.

27/05/2025

French cuisine . So wonderful to experience the delicious culinary delights when holidaying at Fontalbe . But it’s not always easy . Which dessert to choose from? Crème brullee ? Chocolate praline ? Merangues with rhubarb and ginger ? Strawberry mouse ? What would you chose ? 🇫🇷