LUXURY RURAL HOLIDAY RETREAT IN THE FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE
Rupert Springfield and husband Franck van der Hooft really are ‘living the dream’. They swapped their hectic careers, corporate stress and city life for rolling fields, orchards, big blue skies, and a stunning farm in the Dordogne region of France. Which they converted into their residence and two stunning luxury holiday lets. But their journey started way before that, while on holiday in France to celebrate Ruperts 38th Birthday, he managed to persuade his Dutch husband Franck they should quit their successful careers as fundraiser and theatre producer in Amsterdam and move to rural France and start running a luxury holiday rental business, right here in this charming part of the country.
The Dordogne region attracts visitors to its beautiful countryside, amazing wines and fresh produce, and long sunny days with a much slower pace of life. Something that many visitors can only dream of, and on some rare occasions those dream can become a reality. The couple knew they wanted to do something in hospitality, and with properties in the region affordable, the knowledge of gite owners’ earnings, they soon realised this could become a reality. Rupert and Franck then sat down and proceeded to work out if they really could afford to, not only move here, but also afford to buy a property big enough to turn into a successful luxury holiday rental business. As both would be giving up regular incomes from successful careers. Rupert had to convince Franck that it would work, even though neither one had a clue or any experience in running holiday accommodation. They realised that if they were to start a tourist business in an already saturated market, they would have to offer something very different and quite unique. This set the criteria for the house hunting search for the perfect gite, which commenced in 2013. After viewing 69 properties over two years and almost giving up, the 70th property they saw was to the ‘the one’.
The property they found was perfect and ‘love at first site’. Rupert remembers, “Our hearts were already beating faster as they came up the drive and saw a bundle of old farm buildings”. The cluster of buildings on the farm dated from the 16th century and constructed in local honey coloured sandstone, exposed oak beams and terracotta roof tiles is surrounded by fields and woodland and located just 10km from the bastide village of Monpazier, and close to the town of Bergerac.
Their vision was set on this hamlet of two lovely buildings; The main farmhouse – Le Mas, would become the large gite, and the charming cottage next door – Le Mazet. The other outbuildings would transformed into social areas and a summer kitchen. The old wooden barn used to dry tobacco a little way off, even though full of farm machinery and junk, had the potential to be transformed into a wonderful home for the couple. They were sold on this unique property as it fulfilled their vision. But concerned their budget would not stretch far enough to cover all the building work and also furnishings, they met with locally based interior designer from the Netherlands, Joris van Grinsven who understood exactly what Rupert and Franck’s design vision and aesthetic was and introduced them to recommended and trusted local builders, artisans and craftsmen in the Dordogne area.
The Farm was purchased for €427,500, funded by selling their apartment in Amsterdam. They set aside a budget of €300,000 to renovate the gite, the cottage and several outbuildings including excavating for a 10x5m saltwater swimming pool. The tobacco-drying barn was to be converted into a two-bedroom home for Rupert and Franck. Their building team were brilliant and worked six days a week, 12 hours a day while living on site.
Rupert and Franck are living their dream in rural France and making a living from it.
Every decision on interior design or finishes was made for the comfort of our guests
Images of the Interiors Rooms, Summer kitchen and Living area.
The buildings were renovated and finished in eight months. Finishing both on budget and to deadline, Le Mas & Le Mazet would open to paying guests in June 2016 for the big summer holiday months. With five bedrooms all ensuite in main farmhouse; Le Mas and one bedroom cottage; Le Mazet.
Since opening in 2016, year on year two-thirds of bookings are returning guests and they have a long season, with a five-star rating and six bedrooms they are a rarity in the Dordogne region.
Design and guest experience
From the start the couple knew they wanted to create luxury holiday accommodation and all Interior design fittings and fixtures were to be carefully selected to deliver both quality and luxury guest experience. The buildings were lovingly restored, with a new lease of life with beautiful and contemporary interior design which complement the great views out over the farm fields.
The interior design is both luxury and elegant, yet understated and charming which compliments the rustic French farm house. Each bedroom is tastefully decorated with exposed stone walls, wooden floorboards, exposed beams and sophisticated colours on the built-in millwork and bathrooms. Concrete countertops continue the elegant and luxury feel. Rain showers and the toiletries are supplied by the White company. Guests also experience quality crisp white Egyptian cotton linen four pillows, hotel beds with cushion toppers. full length mirrors, light switches at nightstands and sufficient power plugs in the rooms and next to the sink for a shaver and hairdryer. Every decision on the design or finishes were made for the comfort of their guests and for practical reasons too. reasons too like cleaning and maintenance. Where they could incorporate contemporary design furniture, they did. In the chef’s kitchen they did not install cupboard doors, as there is nothing worse than being in a strange
place and not being able to find a plate or glass. Open shelves give the kitchen a clean and ordered look, but also saved us money on our very tight budget. The appliances are top of the range and compliment the kitchen countertops.
Perspex dining chairs and polished concrete worktop and hard floors with no carpets are all easier to maintain and keep clean. In the ensuite bathrooms, the walk-in showers are huge and have no glass doors. “As glass shower doors are a nightmare to clean”, says Franck.
The living room has comfortable sofas and a fireplace for cosy winter evenings and twelve seat
dining table. Design and functionality were considered, both for the interiors and outdoor
space. The pool deck has plenty space for sun loungers exposed and under parasols. The summer kitchen is well equipped with a top of the range Weber gas barbeque, small kitchen and winefridge and a table with seating for 12, topped off with an amazing panorama of fields and hay bales.
Even the outdoor landscaping was considered for guests’ privacy and
comfort, screening the farmhouse from the cottage and from the couple’s private residence.
We knew what we wanted and expected from a luxury holiday rental, and that’s what we based our design and guest experience on.
“Our guests work hard throughout the year, and only have five precious weeks off. They don’t want stay
in a place that is worse than their own home”.
Le Mas & Le Mazet are offered as selfcatering and guests are welcomed with a complimentary bottles
of wine from nearby Ch.teau La Rayre, local cheese, bread, milk, farm eggs and homemade plum and rosemary jam. Both properties have an honesty bar with a carefully selected range of both red, white and ros. Wine from nearby Ch.teau La Rayre, waters and soft drinks. The nearest supermarket
is only 15 minute drive away in Beaumont-du-P.rigord.
Checkout our website for more information and to book online.
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