It is the 21st of March, the first day of spring, and everything around La Maison Louverie is waking up. The trees are budding, the birds are getting louder, and the Dordogne light is doing that lovely thing it does when it suddenly makes everything look more hopeful.

Last week, Pontours had a soft spring mix of days and nights: cool mornings, milder afternoons, and that in-between feeling that tells you winter is finally on its way out. It is exactly the kind of weather that makes you want to open the windows, step outside, and start planning where to put the next bench.

A few spring changes behind the scenes

We also had a delivery from Chausson: 7 bags in total, made up of 6 bags of gravel and 1 bag of sand. Three of those bags are already going to work on the driveway, helping to make it smoother and giving Louverie a little extra curb appeal.

And the other three bags? Well, that is part of our still-secret project. We are thinking, planning, adjusting, and prepping as we go, because sometimes good things need a little time before they are ready to be revealed.

New places to sit, pause, and enjoy

Spring also brought us some new additions outdoors:

• A new bench for the front of the house, perfect for poets, thinkers, writers, and of course butterfly and bee enthusiasts.
• A bench under the old oak tree in the field, reached by following the path from the end of the garden and walking over the broad mowed lane. It is the kind of place where you sit down, look out, and suddenly decide the sunset deserves your full attention.
• Hammocks, new seats, chairs, and a table, all helping to create more idyllic corners around the property.

For the best version of that oak tree bench? Take a glass of local wine with you. Nature and a good Dordogne bottle tend to get along very well.

The pool area is having a makeover

We are also changing the pool area, although this one asks for a little patience. There is hacking away, fencing out, rearranging, and a little battle with the cement mixer going on behind the scenes. But slowly, this corner is becoming exactly what we want it to be: a small, beautiful space in the best sunlight.

Sometimes a project looks a bit messy while it is happening. That is normal. A little patience is a virtue — especially for us.

Dates still available

If you are thinking about a spring or autumn stay, here are the dates still open:

• 18 to 27 April
• 10 to 14 May
• 17 to 24 May
• 20 to 24 June
• From 19 September onwards

The really lovely months for booking are September and October, and if you are coming with 2, 4, or 6 guests, just inquire for an adjusted price for the spring and autumn season. http://www.lamaisonlouverie.com/cal

Why we love this time of year

Spring at La Maison Louverie is not only about new flowers and longer days. It is also about making the place more welcoming, more comfortable, and more beautiful, one little project at a time. We may not reveal everything at once, but we do promise this: there is more coming next week, including a special reveal.

So stay tuned, follow the blog, and keep an eye on this little corner of the Dordogne.