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 Dordogne. Their passion for design, culture, and hospitality, combined with Vanessa's marketing expertise and William's craftsmanship, has created something truly unique: France's only gite with an on-site vintage fashion museum.
A New Chapter Begins
In 2016, after years of dedication to running their boutique, Vanessa & 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. William, a skilled craftsman and the shop's charismatic stylist, had dressed countless clients for prestigious events like 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 breathtaking Dordogne region—a place that instantly captured their hearts. With excitement and hope, they bid farewell to their home in Clare, Suffolk, ready to embark on a promising new chapter where William could put his renovation skills to work and Vanessa could create a unique hospitality experience.
The Perfect Place
Their journey took them through 30 properties—from crumbling water mills and rustic farmhouses to chateaux and quaint village cottages. Their ideal home needed to feel truly French, with a refreshing pool, a village bakery, scenic walks, and easy access to transport links such as airports and train stations. Proximity to local attractions and excellent dining were also high on the list, as was space for a vintage clothing collection and William's growing collection of Tintin and Napoleonic memorabilia.
Then, as if by fate, they found an old stone coach house in the North Dordogne (Perigord Vert) that checked every box. After one visit, they made an offer, sold their UK home and six months later, held the keys to their dream.
William's first project was transforming the adjoining building into Beaux Souvenirs, the comfortable gite that now welcomes guests from around the world."
Your French Stay
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, aiming to delight guests from the moment they arrive. Every detail has been thoughtfully curated to blend vintage character with modern convenience, creating a truly unique retreat in the North Dordogne. This exceptional gite invites guests to experience the perfect combination of comfort, culture and tranquillity.
Award-winning accommodation
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.
For complete peace of mind, Beaux Souvenirs is personally inspected and listed with Sawdays Special Places to Stay—a curated collection that accepts only exceptional properties that meet their exacting standards. The gite is also registered with the Périgueux Tourist Board, providing additional assurance of quality standards.
Beyond these credentials, there's one feature that truly sets Your French Stay apart: an on-site vintage fashion museum. William transformed an old barn with a muddy floor into a stunning exhibition space, which Vanessa then curated with her exceptional collection of 20th-century women's clothing and accessories—the only museum of its kind attached to a gite in France. Guests enjoy exclusive access via guided tours and the opportunity to shop from a carefully curated vintage studio collection.