Frequently Asked Questions

We hope you have a wonderful time here.
If you need to contact us Nicky is on Whatsapp telephone number 07590 909194.

Accessibility

All bedrooms are on the ground floor, 2 are accessible for wheelchair (there are steps up to the other 2 bedrooms. All areas have tiles or hard flooring. Outside the car park area is gravel.

Aeroccino

Insert the correct whisk into the bottom (with the spring for froth; without the spring for hot milk)
Fill the Aeroccino with how much milk you desire, up to the max marking for your chosen whisk
Press the start button to select the mode, the 4 modes from left to right are hot frothing, heating milk, cold frothing and heating chocolate milk. When you press the button a beep will sound and show 2 flashes and then stay on, other indicators will be off, indicating the frother enters the selected mode and starts to work.

Airports

Maison du Cluzeau is 35 minutes from Bergerac airport and 1 hour 40 minutes from Bordeaux.

ATM

Castillones: Crédit Agricole on the main square
Lauzun: Crédit Agricole, on the main road through the village set back after the hairdressers.

Books

There is a sideboard in the corridor full of books, including some children’s books.

Bakeries

There is a bakery in Montignac de Lauzun (inside La Poste) and one in Lauzun.

Barbecue

Open the doors under the barbecue, where the gas bottle is housed
On the side of the valve (on top of the gas bottle) there is a knob, turn it so that the red flames are facing upwards
On the opposite side of the valve is a green button, press this in
On the barbecue itself, turn on one of the burners (one of the three dials on the front) and push the ignition button
Lift the lid of the barbecue to check that the burner is on
If you want more burners on, turn the dial and press the ignition button
Leave the lid down to keep the temperature high

Bed linen

All the bed linen is 100% Egyptian cotton and provided.

Beds and bedrooms

All the bedrooms are en-suite and on the ground floor. Bedroom 3 can be made up as 2 single beds, please let us know when booking if you need twin beds.

Bikes

There is a bike rental shop in Eymet (about 15 minutes away). Click here to go directly to their website RENTAL - GOODTURN CYCLES

Bins, compost and recycling

Compost: you can throw your left-over vegetables and fruit in the green compost bin next to the green house.

The kitchen bins are divided between recycling and general rubbish. There is a bin for glass outside, please rinse all glass and make sure there is no liquid inside. When the indoor bin is full please place the rubbish (in tightly sealed bin liner) in the black bin outside. All cardboard, paper, tin cans etc should be clean and placed loose in the yellow bin . Please place the recycling directly into the bin do not place bin liners in the recycle bin.

Bonfires and outdoor fires

Please do not light any outdoor fires because of the risk of wild fires. We must apply to the Mairie 3 days in advance to have a bonfire outside between October and February. In other months outdoor fires are strictly forbidden. If caught in these months or without permission results in a €1,500 fine from the gendarmerie.

Breakages

On checking out, please let us know if there are any breakages so that we can replace them. If you need something replaced during your holiday, please ask!

Canoeing

Canoeing on the Dordogne approximately 1 hour from Maison du Cluzeau.

canoes-loisirs.com

Cars in France

If you are driving with your own car to Maison du Cluzeau, be aware that you’ll need a Crit’air sticker to drive in low-emission zones. You’ll find all the information on this government website.

Check-in

Check-in is from 4pm, please don’t arrive even a minute before as we want everything to be at its best for you and it takes us until 4pm to clean and arrange everything.

If you are delayed on the day itself, please do let me know via email or WhatsApp.

Check-out

Please check out by 10 a.m. on the day of your departure, when our cleaning team will need to access the property. Before you check-out, please:

put everything back where you found it (adapters, outdoor & games, books etc.)
place your rubbish and empty bottles to the outside bins
run the dishwasher on quick cycle with any last items

Children

We provide a travel cot with mattress, a high chair, children’s cutlery, plates and bowls, a potty, a step-up bathroom stool and some books, indoor and outdoor games.

Cleaning products

We provide dishwasher tablets, washing-up liquid, detergents, bin bags, loo paper and other cleaning products for your use.

Coffee

There is a Bosch Tassimo coffee machine in the kitchen and the Tassimo capsules are available from us at cost price.

Fill with water to the Max
Insert Pod into the brew head with the barcode facing down.
Close the lid firmly.
Place the cup on the cup stand (250ml minimum).
Press Start to make your drink.
Don't forget you can froth your milk in the separate milk frother.

Compost

Please put any veg or fruit waste in the compost bin by the greenhouse.

Cooker

The gas hob is connected to a gas bottle outside. If it runs out, please inform us and we will connect the spare bottle.

Cooling the house in the summer

The trick to keeping rooms cool in the heat of the summer is to prevent the sun from entering them. During the day, it is advisable to keep the shutters and blinds shut, and to open them and the windows at dusk to allow the cool air in. All the bedrooms have air-conditioning which is coin fed. The meter is outside bedroom 4.

Deliveries

If you want something delivered, please use this address: Nicola Parker, 3 Chemin du Cluzeau, Montignac de Lauzun, Lot et Garonne, 47800 France.
If you would like something delivered before your holiday (wine, nappies via Amazon etc.) just arrange a date and time for us to be here to accept it on your behalf.

Dishwasher

To use the dishwasher:

Once the dishwasher is loaded, take a dishwasher tablet out of the wrapper and put it in the machine (the salt and rinse aid are topped up)
Close the door, press the Power button, to switch on the machine.
Choose a program, the response light will turn on.
ECO: for a normal wash cycle, but with reduced energy and water
Intensive (pot and pan icon): very dirty items including pots and pans
Delicate (glasses icon): lightly dirty, delicate items: lightly dirty items with a very short cycle time.
90min - 90 minute wash
Rapid (fast forward icon) 30 minute wash
Press the Start/Pause button, the dishwasher will start its cycle.

Doctors

If you need a doctor’s appointment, try phoning the surgery in Duras on 05 53 88 05 60 Dr Didier Gauvin speaks English. You can also try Dr Chrisian Navez in Saint-Colomb-de-Lauzun on 05 53 64 38 74 but can be difficult to get an appointment.

There is a lack of doctors at the moment and not all of them have the time to see non-residents.
If there is a medical emergency then call 15 and ask for either an ambulance or which A&E you can get to. Usually it’s Bergerac hospital.

Driving in France

Drying, ironing and cleaning

Please use the washing line next to the greenhouse (behind the pool house).
You’ll find a clothes horse and ironing board in the cupboard in the hallway and an iron in the sideboard in the lounge. Cleaning products can be found under the sink in the kitchen and there is a mop and bucket and vacuum cleaner in the cupboard in the corridor.

Electricity

In France the power plug sockets are of type E. The standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. This means, if you’re coming from North America, check whether your chargers and appliances are 110 V, as they’ll fry in a 230 V system!
There are UK adapters available in the houses.

Emergency numbers:

Mobile: GENERAL EMERGENCY NUMBER 112

FIRE BRIGADE 18

AMBULANCE 15

POLICE 17

EV charger

There is a designated parking space with a fast EV charger (22kW; type 2 connector). We’ll give you a card for you to swipe when you use the

charger, so that you’ll receive an itemised bill for the electricity at the end of your stay (€0.40 per kwH).

Fireplace

The fireplace can be used from October to April. Extra kindling and firewood are to be found outside the front door. Please empty the ash around the base of the rose bushes.

When you’ve lit the fire, leave the door open a millimetre or two to help the fire catch.

First Aid Kit

There is a basic First Aid Pack located in the kitchen. If you have need of it, please tell us what has been used so that we can replenish it.

Food order

We can order prepared food for you from a local chef who will also deliver it. This is especially handy on your arrival day.

Freezer bag

There is a cold bag for you to use for picnics or when you go to the supermarket to buy ice cream!

Games

There are a selection of games, inflatables for the pool, a football goal, table tennis, darts, a pétanque court etc. for you to enjoy.
There board games in the cupboard in the sitting room. If you require a PS4 please let us know.

Golf

Chateau des Vigiers – 38 Mins drive from Maison du Cluzeau. Golf des Vigiers offers a 27-hole course made up of 3 combinations of 9 holes offering a variety of 18 holes for exciting rounds of golf amid plum trees, oak woods, lake and vineyards.

Golf de Lolivarie – 1 hour from Maison du Cluzeau. An exceptional setting between castles and picturesque sites, an 18-hole, 6,000-metre course with a highly varied layout and facilities for players of all levels.

Chateau les Merles – 44 minutes from Maison du Cluzeau the edge of the beautiful Liorac forest and the Bergerac vineyards, you find Hotel Chateau les Merles Bergerac’s 2550meters, nine hole golf course par 35.

Hairdryers

There are hairdryers in each bedroom in the top drawer.

Hot Water

There are 3 hot water tanks serving Maison du Cluzeau, so there should always be lots of hot water. If not, please let us know.

Ice-cubes

There is an ice making machine on the sideboard outside the kitchen door.

Instagram

If you are posting about Maison du Cluzeau, we’d love it if you tag us @maison_du_cluzeau

Iron and ironing board

The ironing board is in the cupboard in the corridor and the iron is in the sideboard in the sitting room area.

Long stays

If you are staying for 2 weeks or more we will provide you with fresh bed linen and towels weekly.

Markets

There are many markets and night markets in the Lot et Garonne and Dordogne which is just up the road. Please see this link to the markets in Lot et Garonne The Markets of Lot and Garonne - Guide du Lot et Garonne (guide-du-lot-et-garonne.com) and the Dordogne Périgord & Dordogne Markets - Fairs - Night Markets (guide-du-perigord.com)

Microwave

To use the microwave:

For microwaving: press the Microwave but and turn the dial to choose power P100 is max

Press Start/Confirm button
Turn the dial again to choose the time.
Press the Start/Confirm button

Mosquitoes

There is an electric mosquito repellent to be used in your bedroom at night, there are also mosquito rings and a holder for use outside and citronella candles.

Oven & Hob

The electric oven’s functions are controlled with the dial switch on the left.

To turn the oven off, return the left hand dial switch to 0 (at 12 o’clock).

The hob is gas, turn the nob and press the button to light the spark. Please let us know if the gas runs out and we will come and change the bottle over.

Owners

We (Graham, Nicky) live in the farmhouse. Whilst we are around in case you need us, we will only go onto your part of the property to clean the pool. We occasionally will need to do some gardening and mowing, As this can be noisy, we’ll find a time to do it when you’re out.

Parasols

We’re responsible for the parasols when they are closed and tied up.
You’re responsible for them when they’re either open or not closed with the ties.
There are gusts of wind which come up the hill, so we advise not keeping the parasols open when you’re not using them, when you’re out and about, and definitely not at night.
The parasols cost €650 excluding delivery to replace.

Passports

To enter France from outside the EU, you must have a valid passport issued less than 10 years before and valid for at least 3 months after the envisaged departure date.
We have had a guest turned back at a UK airport for having a passport older than 10 years – UK passports are valid for 10 years 6 months; EU passport for 10 years.

Petrol station

The closest is Lauzun, the Intermarché supermarket in Miramont de Guyenne is cheaper so good to fill up when you do your shop.

Pets

Sorry, no pets are allowed.

Pharmacy

Eymet: 45 bd National, 24500 Eyment 05 53 23 81 63
Lauzun Pharmacy: 26 Eugene Mazelie, 47410 05 53 94 10 28
Pharmacie Des Arcades LDT Rebequet, 47800 Saint Pardoux Isaac 05 53 93 37 82

Reviews

If you’re happy to leave us a review on Google we would really appreciate it, reviews are so important in reassuring potential guests about the property.

Security

You will have keys to the front door. Keys to the other external doors will be in or near the locks. Please ensure all windows are closed and all doors locked when you go out.

Septic tank & loo

Please only put loo paper and natural waste down the loo. The plumbing and the septic tank cannot deal with tampons, wet wipes, condoms or any other products. Sanitary products should NOT be flushed down the lavatory – a sanitary bag dispenser can be found next to the toilet, please put them in the bins provided.

If there is a blocked loo, please let us know and we will deal with it.

Shopping

There are reuseable shopping bags in the kitchen next to the fridge including a freezer bag.

Sundays: The Intermarché in Castillones and the Grand Frais in Bergerac are open from 9am to 12.30pm and the Sunday morning market in Issigeac is brilliant for local produce such as fruit, vegetables, meat, bread, cheese etc.

Bergerac has 3 fantastic supermarkets, all on the same road (Route de Bordeaux). From the airport, drive towards Bordeaux and when you are at the McDonalds/Leclerc roundabout, take the road signposted Bergerac.

Leclerc is a big supermarket on the roundabout, where you can buy everything.
Grand Frais is the best supermarket in the area – fantastic fresh fruit and veg great cheese, meat and fish counter, bakery (only food, no general items). It’s like Waitrose but half the price. It’s on the second roundabout from Leclerc (direction Bergerac centre) on your left.
Lidl is further down the road towards Bergerac centre, on your left.

Intermarché Super, Au Rebequet, Saint Pardoux-Issac, a large supermarket where you can get everything.
Lidl in Miramont de Guyenne 770 Av. Afred Court is also open on Sunday until 12.15.

Smoking

Please refrain from smoking indoors.

Snakes

There are snakes in France, the majority of which are not venomous. It is unlikely you will see a snake, even less that you will be bitten by one. If this does happen, get medical attention immediately.

Speaker – Bose

Please keep the speaker out of the sun (otherwise it will overheat) and away from the pool.

Check the Speaker is plugged in
On your phone, tablet or laptop open your Bluetooth devices and choose LAYEN BS-1
You will be connected to the speaker ready to choose your music

Swimming pool

The cover is for security and to keep the water warm, so please cover the pool when it’s not in use, and especially at night. To open the pool:

Undo the 3 clips connecting the cover to the pool steps (if you forget and you open the cover, the clips might break. They are expensive to replace, costing €20 each).
There is a key provided (keep out of reach of children) to open the pool insert key and turn to open.
If you prefer us to close the pool please let us know.

To close: Use the key to close and close the clips.

Graham will clean the pool several mornings during your stay, at about 8.30am.

Taxi

Taxi: Eymet Private Driver based in Eymet www.eymetprivatedriver.com +33 6 85 61 36 50

Ticks

There are ticks here in the countryside, so if you’ve walked through long grass or through the woods, do check yourself for ticks. There is a tick-pen in the first aid kit. Gently slide the prongs of the pen under the tick’s body and turn the pen until it is removed. If the head of the tick is still in the skin, contact the doctor.

Tourist tax

The Ministry of Tourism requires that we collect Tourist Tax on their behalf for all direct bookings. If you booked your stay via Airbnb or another platform, they will have charged you. Tourist tax is calculated per adult per night: €1.61 per adult per night (2024 tourist tax). Please fill in the form on the envelope and leave the money in it at the end of your stay.

Towel rail

All the bathrooms have electric towel rails.

Towels

There are cotton bath and hand towels provided. In the summer there are also swimming pool towels, these are in the sideboard in the lounge.

TV

Turn on the TV by the remote control and it should automatically go to the Freesat TV channels. If not, press the Source button (top right of the remote) and choose HDMI1.

If you experience any problems with the picture quality, it might be due to heavy rain or cloud cover which affect the dish’s reception. Otherwise come and tell us.

Washing machine

To use the washing machine:

put your laundry in the drum and close the door
press the power switch on
add your detergent
Select the appropriate cycle and options for the load (see below)
Press one of the WASH CYCLE SELECTOR buttons to select the required wash cycle; the name of the wash cycle will appear on the display. A temperature and spin speed is set for each wash cycle; these may be adjusted. The duration of the cycle will appear on the display.
CUSTOMISE THE WASH CYCLE. Use the relevant buttons:
Modifying the temperature and/or spin speed. The machine automatically selects the maximum temperature and spin speed set for the selected wash cycle; these values cannot therefore be increased. The temperature can be decreased by pressing the temperature button until the cold wash 'OFF' setting is reached. The spin speed may be progressively reduced by pressing the spin button, until it is completeley excluded (the "OFF" setting). If these buttons are pressed again, the maximum values are restored
Press start

Washing-up liquid

Washing up liquid is provided.

Water

The tap water is drinkable and delicious!

Wi-Fi – high-speed internet

PinkSpruce
Password: Cluzeau1

If there is a lightning storm then the WiFi will be disconnected. The access point in the house is cabled to the main router, so the connection should be strong and consistent.

Please don’t visit websites with discriminatory, seditious or illegal content or to download illegal files or to perform other illegal activities via the internet/WiFi network.