Category Archives: @LaMaisonLouverie

Barn and Recreation, The Reveal is Finally Here!

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Mind and Body workouts in the Barn

The wait is over. The story we’ve been talking about for a while now — the one you’ve been curious about — is finally ready to share.


Welcome to Barn and Recreation, the brand-new heart of fun, fitness, and creativity at La Maison Louverie.


We’ve turned the old tobacco barn into a sporty, creative studio where you can be artsy, get your creativity flowing, and let off some steam.
If you’re competitive, this space is right up your alley. We’ve got a sporty corner with a home trainer, rowing machine, weights, yoga mats, and an exercise ball. So if you need a warm-up — or a cool-down — after your run, forest hike, or trail running, this is your spot.


Want to be creative? Maybe you’re finally finding the time on your holiday? Then you’ll love the large table waiting for you, equipped with tools to help you accomplish that masterpiece. It’s also great for a game of chess (very strategic, very quiet… until someone starts gloating).


With the barn doors open to the west, you get a fresh breeze and a beautiful view. Yes, we’re biased. But you’re welcome to judge for yourself.
Family and friends fun starts with a competitive game of ping-pong, rain or shine. We’ve also got a small Foosball table that doubles as a pool table or ice hockey table (sorry, no cold air included in this model). And for fans of darts — yes, we’ve got that too.


Don’t Panic: The Barn’s Supposed to Look Like This


Don’t be spooked by the state the barn is in. These barns, very well known in the area, are meant to breathe.
Until the European Union stopped subsidies for the tobacco industry about 16 years ago (between 2006 and 2010), farming tobacco was one of the major trades in the southwest of France. The big, beautiful plants had massive leaves that had to dry in an area where the wind could rustle through them, so they didn’t get moist and mouldy.
That’s exactly why the wooden planks aren’t airtight — the barn was designed to let the air flow.


Bienvenue à la Nouvelle Grange!


We’ve brought back some lovely seats and benches in the garden and beyond, so there’s even more space to relax, create, and enjoy the outdoors.


If you’re one of our guests this year or in the future, we really hope you love this addition to La Maison Louverie. We think it’s a winner in making a family and friends holiday even more complete and fun.


Let us know what you think in the comments. More new additions for the property are coming up, so follow us and subscribe.


#MakeGuestsHappy. Bienvenue!

First Day of Spring at La Maison Louverie

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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.

Spring Awakening at La Maison Louverie: Behind the Scenes

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Saturday, March 7, 2026 @ 10:30 CET

Like Périgord bears waking from winter sleep, we at La Maison Louverie have emerged after weeks of biting cold and frost. Then came storms Nils and Pedro — read our full story here. Suddenly, our first spring burst forth: yellow butterflies dancing, magnolias blooming, soft white flowers blossoming. We’re now pruning fruit trees in T-shirts instead of fleece, with March sun hitting 22°C (mostly 16-19°C).

Waking the Grounds

We’re clearing trees toppled by Storm Nils. We are mindfully pruning the orchard before birds nest. Although it means less fruit overall, the remaining fruit grows bigger and stronger. With summer storms, some of which are spectacular with electric thunderstorms. Un-pruned branches grow too long. They bear too much weight and snap under wind gusts building from our lower valley fields. We are always eco-friendly. We skip regional burn practices. Instead, we pile branches into hedges for shade, moisture, and homes for hedgehogs, bunnies, and other wildlife. Keep an eye on our blog for more about our environmental friendliness and sustainability efforts.

House & Gîte Revival

We open the shutters, so the house warms naturally with March sun — and they’re soon to be freshly painted. We clear the gutters and do a full spring-clean. Barns get cleared for the season. We’re adding and refreshing new things inside our 4‑star gîte. The pool area is prepped, and new features are arriving. Gardens are raked, with raspberries budding. Bedrooms are fluffed and almost ready for guests.

Guest Plans & Pride

Super proud to welcome returning and new guests (and of course their furry family members — dogs always welcome!) for their stays. Our biggest compliment? Greeting guests with a royal jester saying “Welcome home” at the door. La Maison Louverie is a home away from home. (8–10 guests and dogs come for free)

We’re working hard to get our new reveal out — finalizing plans and turning ideas into reality. We’re so eager to share what’s been waiting for you. This is for you as a returning guest. It is also for new guests. Additionally, it’s for those who might become our guests soon. However, we need just a few more steps before telling the world (and our booked guests) WHAT AWAITS!

Your Spring Availability

Entire private gîte open:

  • April: Until 27th
  • May: 10th–14th and 18th–24th
  • June: 20th–24th
  • July: 29th June–4th July
  • Autumn Bliss: After 19th September through October (our most beautiful months!)

Stay Updated: Subscribe to our blog for behind‑the‑scenes, Dordogne discoveries, Bergerac/Périgord news, and La Maison Louverie exclusives. Book direct via this link: lamaisonlouverie.com/cal

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