Frequently Asked Questions
What would you like to know?
This is everything you need to know about staying at Beaux Souvenirs, your adults-only North Dordogne retreat.
The accommodation
What makes Beaux Souvenirs unique?
Beaux Souvenirs is the only gîte in France with an on-site vintage fashion museum. While there are many beautiful gîtes in the Dordogne, ours combines award-winning accommodation (Self-Catering Home of the Year 2025 Nouvelle-Aquitaine) with a curated 20th-century fashion collection and private museum tours.
How many guests can stay at Beaux Souvenirs?
The gîte comfortably sleeps four adults in two bedrooms, each with a king-size bed.
Is Beaux Souvenirs good for couples?
Beaux Souvenirs is perfect for couples seeking a romantic, adults-only retreat. With a private pool, a peaceful setting, and proximity to five Michelin-starred restaurants and two Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants, it is ideal for anniversaries, honeymoons, or romantic getaways.
Is the property suitable for young children?
Beaux Souvenirs is adults-only (18+), ensuring a peaceful environment for all our guests.
Will you accept children at all?
We would consider accepting a single responsible child over the age of 15.
What facilities are included?
You will enjoy a fully equipped kitchen, a comfortable living area, a modern bathroom, fast Wi-Fi, a work-friendly space, a private garden, a gas BBQ, and exclusive use of our 12m x 6m swimming pool. We also provide Egyptian cotton bed linen, towels, and pool towels. Guests may use the gym and enjoy a personal tour of the fashion museum.
What are the dimensions of the beds?
The beds are French king-size (160cm x 200cm).
Is the property accessible for guests with mobility considerations?
We want to make sure Beaux Souvenirs is the right choice for you. The bathroom is on the ground floor, and the two bedrooms are upstairs, with a handrail on one side of the staircase. The pool is accessed via steps, and the last step into the water is slightly larger than the rest, which some guests may find challenging. We welcome guests of all ages and regularly host guests in their eighties, but would encourage anyone with limited mobility to contact us before booking so we can discuss whether the property suits your needs.
Is the pool heated?
The pool is unheated and open from late May through to the end of September, depending on the weather. We will let you know the exact dates when you book.
Will we have to clean the pool during our stay?
No. William cleans the pool daily in the early morning (weather permitting).
Will we have to pull a cover over the pool at night?
No, the pool has no cover.
Is there air conditioning?
The gîte has traditional thick stone walls that keep the ground level naturally cool during summer. We also provide fans for the bedrooms. In spring, if it's cold, we have a pellet burner in the gite and electric heaters in the bedrooms and bathroom. We will show you how to use the pellet burner and clean it out for you every few days while it is in use.
Do you allow pets?
For the benefit of all our guests, we do not accept pets, nor do we have pets ourselves.
Is Beaux Souvenirs good for remote work or digital nomads?
We provide fast, reliable Wi-Fi throughout the property, a comfortable work-friendly space, and a peaceful setting that suits focused work. Some guests combine workdays with holiday relaxation, with mornings at work and afternoons by the pool.
Booking & practical information
What are your check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 5:00 PM, and check-out is by 10:00 AM.
What is your minimum stay?
Our minimum stay is seven nights during peak season (June to September) and four nights during other periods. Please check our booking calendar for specific dates.
How do we pay?
We accept bank transfers to our Co-operative Bank account in the UK or our Crédit Agricole account in France, both in euros. A 25% deposit is required to confirm your booking, with the balance due ten weeks before arrival.
Are there any additional costs?
There are two additional charges to be aware of:
1. Damage deposit. A deposit of £250 (or €300 if paying in euros) is required one week before arrival, paid to the same bank account as your booking. We will return this within a few days of your departure, assuming no issues. We ask that the property be left in the same clean condition as you found it on arrival. All cleaning fluids and equipment are provided to make this straightforward. In the rare event that the gîte is left in an obviously uncleaned state, we reserve the right to deduct a cleaning charge from the deposit before returning it.
2. Tourist tax. A local tourist tax (taxe de séjour) of €1.10 per person per night applies to all guests aged 18 and over, payable in euros at the end of your stay.
What is your cancellation policy?
Please refer to our Terms and Conditions page for full details. We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance to protect your booking.
Do we need to bring anything?
We provide all essentials, including bed linen, towels, and pool towels. You might want to bring walking shoes, sun hats, binoculars, and any specialist items you prefer.
How do we pay for goods and services in the area?
All shops accept credit and debit cards, except the village brasserie (Casa O), which accepts cash only. Market traders and car boot sales generally accept cash only. The nearest cashpoint is a ten-minute drive at Crédit Agricole, La Coquille.
Do you have electric vehicle charging at the property?
We do not provide electric vehicle charging at the property. For the nearest public charging points, we recommend checking Chargemap (chargemap.com) or PlugShare (plugshare.com), both of which show live availability and include user comments on the status of individual stations, which can be helpful in rural areas.
What if I am arriving late and need something to eat?
If you are arriving late, just let us know, and we will do our best to help.
Location & access
How far is the nearest airport?
Limoges Airport (45 minutes) offers year-round direct Ryanair flights from London Stansted and Manchester, with seasonal services from Bristol, Leeds Bradford, and East Midlands. Bordeaux Airport (2.5 hours) has more international connections. Bergerac Airport (1.5 hours) has seasonal flights from the UK, including Edinburgh. All airports have car rental facilities.
Is a car necessary in the Dordogne?
Yes, we recommend having a car. While the village is walkable, you will want a vehicle to explore the Dordogne region, visit restaurants, and enjoy day trips to châteaux, markets, and attractions.
Is there public transport in the Dordogne?
There is no public transport outside of the cities of Périgueux and Bergerac. Mialet is a ten-minute drive from La Coquille, where you can take a train to Limoges or Périgueux and on to Bordeaux. Taxis are possible but very expensive.
How do we find you?
We are located at 2 Rue des Grives, Mialet, just ten minutes from the N21. We will send you detailed directions and our contact numbers before your arrival. Sat nav coordinates work perfectly.
Where do we park?
Very close to the gîte's front door, making it very easy to pack and unpack the car. The gîte is at the end of the main coach house.
What's in Mialet village?
Mialet is a charming village with a bakery (fresh croissants daily; note that the bakery and all small village stores are closed on Mondays), a butcher, an eco-shop, a brasserie, a hairdresser, a post office, and the beautiful Barrage de Mialet lake. There is also a small Tuesday morning market and a pizza van on Tuesday and Friday evenings. Everything is within easy walking distance.
Where's the nearest supermarket?
The nearest supermarkets are in La Coquille (ten minutes), Thiviers (twenty minutes), and Chalus (twenty minutes). These towns have weekly markets, pharmacies, cashpoints, petrol stations, and all amenities.
The fashion museum
What is the fashion museum?
Our on-site museum houses a curated collection of 20th-century women's clothing and accessories. Each piece has its own story, offering a fascinating glimpse into fashion history and social change across the decades.
What does the collection cover?
The museum collection spans the major decades of 20th-century women's fashion, from Edwardian and inter-war elegance through to post-war couture and the transformative styles of the mid to late 20th century. It covers both formal and everyday dress, and the story it tells is as much about women's lives as it is about clothes. Vanessa, who has been collecting for over 40 years, curates and personally leads all tours.
When can we visit?
Complimentary private tours are available exclusively to guests. We ask for 24 hours’ notice so we can prepare, and we are happy to arrange a time that suits your schedule.
How long is the tour?
Tours last 60 to 90 minutes, but we are happy to adapt to your interests. Fashion enthusiasts often spend longer.
Is the museum suitable for non-fashion enthusiasts?
The collection speaks as much to social history as it does to fashion. The story of how women dressed is the story of how women lived, and many guests who arrive with little interest in fashion find themselves genuinely absorbed.
Is the museum open to the public?
The museum is private and can be viewed by both gite guests and the occasional vintage enthusiast.
Can we purchase vintage items?
Guests are welcome to browse and shop The Vintage Collection at Your French Stay, our on-site boutique, featuring an exceptional selection of vintage from 1900 to the 1980's and high-end designer pieces from major houses including Dior, YSL, Mugler and many more. Guests may try any item on, but to do so, it's kindly requested that guests be free of suncream, perfume, strong-scented deodorants, and make-up.
What activities are available for fashion lovers?
Beyond the museum, the region offers exceptional vintage shopping in Dordogne at weekly brocantes and vide-greniers, as well as at selected vintage stores. As vintage dealers ourselves, we are well placed to point you towards the best markets, what to look for, and how to negotiate. Many guests combine museum tours with treasure hunting at local antique markets. The Périgueux Vintage Days is the number one vintage event in France and takes place in late August, just 50 minutes from Beaux Souvenirs. Ask us for details when you book.
Are there other museums in the area with fashion links?
Yes, we can recommend the Cité de Cuir in St Junien (50 mins), which is dedicated to almost a century of high-end glove production in the area. Also, you can visit the Museum of Costume in Toscane St Apre (55mins).
Your stay
Will you be on-site?
We live on the property, but your gîte is entirely private and self-contained. We are available if you need anything, but we completely respect your privacy.
Do you speak English?
Your French Stay is British-owned and has English-speaking hosts, making everything straightforward for English-speaking guests. We also speak some French.
What's included in the welcome?
Your complimentary welcome hamper includes a chilled bottle of local wine, regional specialities (such as preserves and desserts), crackers, fresh milk, coffee and tea, detailed area maps, restaurant recommendations, and our personal guide to the area. We also provide current event information and festival dates for your stay.
Are you available for recommendations?
We love helping guests discover the best of the region, from little-known restaurants to favourite local beauty spots. Do get in touch before you arrive, and we will put together some personal suggestions.
What if we need help during our stay?
We are on-site and available by WhatsApp or mobile. Whether it is a question about the property, directions to an attraction, or a restaurant recommendation, just ask.
Can we celebrate a special occasion at Beaux Souvenirs?
Beaux Souvenirs lends itself beautifully to milestone celebrations, from anniversaries and significant birthdays to honeymoons and engagements. We can arrange flowers, champagne, and restaurant reservations at Michelin-starred venues, and we are happy to add personal touches to make your stay memorable.
Can William take us to a local restaurant?
If you fancy a relaxed dinner at Les Voyageurs, our favourite local restaurant just ten minutes away, William will drop you off and collect you. Ideal if you would both like to enjoy a glass of wine without worrying about driving. Just ask us in advance.
Local area & activities
What makes the North Dordogne (Périgord Vert) different?
The North Dordogne, known as Périgord Vert (Green Périgord), is less touristy than the southern Dordogne, offering authentic village life, rolling hills, pristine nature, and peaceful countryside. Located in the Périgord-Limousin Nature Park, it is perfect for travellers seeking the real France without the crowds, while still within an hour of major attractions such as Limoges and Périgueux.
What's the best time to visit?
The Dordogne is beautiful year-round. Spring (April to June) brings wildflowers, warm days, and fewer crowds. Summer (July to August) is the warmest, with festivals and markets in full swing. Autumn (September to October) brings the cep (mushroom) season, harvest festivals, and stunning foliage.
Can we combine culture with relaxation at your gîte?
Beaux Souvenirs combines the tranquillity of countryside living with rich cultural experiences. Visit our on-site fashion museum, explore medieval châteaux within 30 minutes, attend local festivals, shop at antique brocantes, or simply relax by your private pool. Culture entirely on your own terms.
What activities are nearby?
The region offers golf, horse riding, swimming lakes, ziplining, the Vélorail bike adventure, extensive walking and cycling trails, and numerous historic sites. We provide detailed information on arrival.
What are the best day trips from Beaux Souvenirs?
Popular day trips include Brantôme (Venice of the Périgord, 30 minutes), Jumilhac-le-Grand château (25 minutes), Périgueux for markets and museums (50 minutes), Saint-Jean-de-Côle (one of France's most beautiful villages, 20 minutes), and Oradour-sur-Glane memorial (50 minutes). We provide detailed maps and recommendations.
What food experiences are nearby?
The Dordogne is a gourmet destination, renowned for its gastronomy. Within an hour of Beaux Souvenirs, you will find five Michelin-starred restaurants and two Michelin Bib Gourmands, traditional auberges, foie gras producers, and honey farms, a foodie holiday in itself. We would love to point you in the right direction.
I'm a vegetarian or vegan - can I eat out in the area?
The Dordogne is famously duck and truffle country, so menus are traditionally meat-focused. That said, vegetarian options are increasingly available, particularly in Périgueux, Brantôme, and Thiviers, and many restaurants will happily adapt dishes on request. Vegan dining is more limited, though farmers' markets are an excellent source of fresh local produce, artisan bread, and seasonal vegetables. We can suggest restaurants we know are accommodating.
Are there good walking routes?
Excellent walks surround us, including scenic routes around the Barrage de Mialet lake and through the Périgord-Limousin Nature Park. We provide maps and recommendations based on your interests and fitness level.
What wildlife and nature can we see?
The Périgord-Limousin Nature Park surrounding Beaux Souvenirs is home to deer, buzzards, owls, nightingales, golden orioles, and numerous butterflies. The area has minimal light pollution, making it excellent for stargazing. Spring brings wild orchids and other seasonal flowers. The Barrage de Mialet also has a dedicated birdwatching hide with good sightings throughout the year.
What about markets and shopping? The region is famous for weekly markets selling local produce and crafts. We will let you know which markets are on during your stay. There are also excellent brocantes (antique markets) and vide-greniers (car boot sales) throughout the summer.
Still have questions? We're here to help
For a quick answer, why not take a look at this page first. If you cannot find what you need, do get in touch: 📧 yourfrenchstay@gmail.com 📱 UK: +44 7736 066768 📱 France: +33 6 83 69 89 35 We typically respond within 24 hours.