Experience Award-Winning Hospitality in Southwest France
Meet Vanessa and William, your hosts at Beaux Souvenirs. After running The Eye of Time, a successful vintage boutique in Clare, Suffolk—which supplied costumes for the BBC's acclaimed 'Call the Midwife' series—they traded the English countryside for the bucolic North Dordogne. Their passion for design, culture, and hospitality has created something truly distinctive: France's only gîte with an on-site vintage fashion museum.
A New Chapter Begins
In 2016, after building a successful vintage boutique business, Vanessa and William decided it was time for a new adventure. Vanessa, with her marketing expertise in community engagement, events, and public relations, and her fluency in French, had spent years sourcing exceptional vintage pieces for The Eye of Time in her spare time. William, a skilled craftsman and the shop's charismatic stylist, ran the boutique daily and dressed countless clients for prestigious events such as the Goodwood Revival and classic car rallies, becoming known for his ability to create show-stopping vintage looks. Combining Vanessa's curatorial eye with William's carpentry talents and styling expertise, they envisioned creating something truly special in France. A chance meeting at a French trade show in London led them to the Dordogne region—a place that instantly captured their hearts. For Vanessa, it was the realisation of a dream she'd held since visiting France on a school exchange years earlier. They were ready to embark on a promising new chapter in which William could put his renovation skills to work, and Vanessa could create a unique hospitality experience.
The Perfect Place
Their search took them through around 30 properties across the Dordogne—from crumbling water mills and rustic farmhouses to châteaux and village cottages. They knew exactly what they wanted, but finding it all in one place seemed impossible: a truly French village with a bakery, shops, and a restaurant within walking distance, yet peaceful enough for guests to unwind. They needed scenic village walks and good transport links to airports and train stations. The property itself had to have space for a large pool (rare in rural village locations), room for William's renovation projects, and crucially, enough space for Vanessa's vintage clothing collection and William's growing collection of Tintin and Napoleonic memorabilia.
Then they discovered an old stone coach house in the village of Mialet in the North Dordogne—and it was perfect. A rare find: a village property with the space and potential they needed, surrounded by the Dordogne's wealth of tourist attractions. After one visit, they made an offer. Six months later, having sold their home in Clare, Suffolk, they held the keys to their dream.
Your French Stay
William's first project was transforming an adjoining building to the main house into Beaux Souvenirs, the comfortable gîte that has become a favourite retreat. But their work didn't stop there—since then, they've continued to add new features and improvements, including a vintage fashion museum, gardens, and a gym with further plans for 2026. It's simply who they are: hosts who are never satisfied with "good enough" and continually look for ways to enhance the guest experience.
Thus, Your French Stay was born. Their first creation, Beaux Souvenirs (meaning "beautiful memories"), was explicitly designed for adults seeking comfort, charm, and authenticity. Nestled in the peaceful village of Mialet, it offers relaxation and a touch of elegance. Every detail has been thoughtfully curated to blend vintage character with modern convenience, creating a truly unique retreat in the North Dordogne. This exceptional gîte invites guests to experience the perfect combination of comfort, culture, and tranquillity.
Award-winning accommodation
Vanessa and William wanted something that would use their passions and skills to give their gîte a unique selling point—one no other gîte in France could offer: a private fashion museum. William set to work transforming an old on-site redundant barn into a stunning exhibition space, which Vanessa then curated with her exceptional collection of 20th-century women's clothing and accessories—from elegant 1920s flapper dresses to bold 1970s prints. She planned to offer free guided tours to guests, sharing stories about social change across the century so that anyone would find the visit enjoyable, not just fashion enthusiasts. Guests can also shop from a carefully curated vintage studio collection. This dedication to creating something exceptional hasn't gone unnoticed.
Your French Stay has been recognised for excellence in hospitality:
- Self-Catering Holiday Home of the Year 2025 - Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Guest Experience Excellence Award 2025 - European Travel Awards
Ready to Create Your Own Beautiful Memories?
For complete peace of mind, Beaux Souvenirs has been personally inspected by and listed with Sawday's Special Places to Stay—a curated collection that accepts only exceptional properties meeting their exacting standards. The gîte is also registered with the Périgueux Tourist Board, providing additional assurance of quality.
Beaux Souvenirs welcomes guests each year to experience the perfect blend of French countryside tranquillity, vintage charm, and modern comfort.