From Suffolk vintage dealers to South-West France
We're Vanessa and William, your English-speaking hosts at Beaux Souvenirs, an award-winning, Sawday 's-listed, and passionate duo dedicated to making every stay exceptional. Read on to discover our journey from the UK to the Dordogne, what we bring to your stay, and why there is nowhere quite like it in France.
A new chapter begins
In 2016, after building our vintage boutique business, we decided it was time for a change. Vanessa had spent years working full-time in marketing, community engagement and public relations, while sourcing exceptional vintage pieces for The Eye of Time in her spare time - a labour of love that quietly grew into something remarkable. Her fluency in French and curatorial eye made her the natural force behind the collection, while William, a skilled craftsman and the shop's stylist, ran the boutique daily and dressed countless clients for prestigious events such as the Goodwood Revival and classic car rallies.
A chance encounter at a French property trade show in London led us to the Dordogne, a place that instantly captured our hearts. For Vanessa, it connected with a love of France that began on a school exchange visit years earlier. For William, it was the opportunity to put his renovation skills to work on something really worthwhile. We were ready for a new chapter - and the Dordogne was calling.
The perfect place
Finding the right property was no small task. We viewed around 30 properties, from crumbling water mills and rustic farmhouses to châteaux and village cottages, searching for something that ticked every box: a traditional French village with a bakery and brasserie within walking distance, scenic walks, good transport links to Limoges Airport, a large pool, room for William's projects, and enough space for Vanessa's vintage collection and William's ever-growing collection of Tintin and Napoleonic memorabilia.
Then we found an old stone coach house in Mialet and knew immediately it was the one. After one visit, we made an offer. Six months later, having sold our home in Clare, Suffolk, we held the keys.
Creating Beaux Souvenirs
William's first project was transforming an adjoining building into Beaux Souvenirs, the comfortable, characterful adults-only gîte it is today. Since then, we have added the vintage fashion museum, the boutique, a private gym and developed the gardens. This includes a herb garden for guests and attractive planted areas that give the property its character. We are simply never satisfied with good enough.
We spend several weeks each year living in the gîte ourselves, the best way we know to spot what needs improving. Every guest is invited to complete a short survey at the end of their stay, and we act on any feedback straight away.
Over the years, we have learned that small details really do matter — a proper teapot for our British guests, a cheese slicer for the Dutch. And if you share our passion for vintage fashion or Napoleon, we can certainly entertain on both fronts.
Award-winning accommodation
Many people come to France to run a gîte as a business — most are perfectly pleasant but largely interchangeable. We wanted to stand out. Our genuine USP is simple: we are the only gîte in France with a private on-site vintage fashion museum and boutique. Add a private pool in a traditional village with a bakery and brasserie on your doorstep, a gym, and personalised hosting — and you have a combination that is rare to find anywhere.
The pool draws people to us. The museum, boutique and everything else are what make them come back. As one guest put it: "A standard far above most gîtes in the area."
Our commitment hasn't gone unnoticed:
- Self-Catering Holiday Home of the Year 2025 — Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Guest Experience Excellence Award 2025 — European Travel Awards
Ready to create beautiful memories?
For complete peace of mind, Beaux Souvenirs has been personally inspected by and listed with Sawday's Special Places to Stay—a trusted guide that accepts only exceptional properties that meet its exacting standards. The gîte is also registered with the Périgueux Tourist Board.
Whether you're seeking culture, adventure or simply the pleasure of living like a local in a charming French village, Beaux Souvenirs has been created with exactly that in mind. Every stay is personal to us, and we look forward to welcoming you to Mialet.
Take a look at the accommodation, check availability, or simply get in touch — we are always happy to answer any questions personally.
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