Are you dreaming of a vacation in French countryside? (Who isn't?!) Then I have the ideal bed & breakfast hotel for your family! Located in Dordogne in South West France, Le Chèvrefeuille is the friendliest B&B I've ever encountered. It's more than simply a place to sleep. Le Chèvrefeuille provides a relaxing retreat experience for families. Plus, the Dordogne region makes a great choice for families with its welcoming vibe, beautiful scenery, and kid-pleasing activities. Read this review to discover why you'll want to book a stay at Le Chèvrefeuille with kids.
Le Chèvrefeuille Bed & Breakfast in France (Photo credit: Le Chèvrefeuille)
Welcome to Le Chèvrefeuille
The Dordogne is about 10 hours by car from our house in the Netherlands. When I told my husband where we were going he thought I was crazy to suggest such a long road trip with our three little ones. But, mon Dieu, the long journey was worth it! Our trip to France coincided with a summer heat streak and we drove (without car air conditioning) along the lengthy, hot, and dusty trek to the small village of Saint Cyprien, home to Le Chèvrefeuille Bed & Breakfast and Gîte. Our three young boys talked about one thing the whole way: swimming in the pool!
Chickens on the lawn near the pool (Photo credit: Le Chèvrefeuille)
My husband and I were sweaty, tired, and crabby by the time we finally turned onto the drive at Le Chèvrefeuille. All we could think about was cooling off. We looked around at the turreted roof towers above, horses to our right, and chicken scattered all around — and tried to figure out if we were in the correct place.
Sara, one of the inn's owners, heard our approach via the gravel drive and met us on the terrace. She greeted us with a jovial, “Hello! Please, sit down. What can I bring you to drink?” As our boys chased the hens and gaped at the huge courtyard fishpond, I knew immediately we had arrived at a place of French countryside perfection.
My family at Le Chèvrefeuille bed & breakfast (Photo credit: Farrah Ritter)
A Bed & Breakfast for Families in Dordogne
Sara and her husband bought their bed and breakfast from the property's original farm descendants. The main house is over 400 years old, which the inn owners converted from the barn/house where the previous tenants slept together with their animals. Eventually the current owners added additional rooms for rental. If you'd like even more space, book one of the two gîtes (self-catering apartments) available on-site.
Breakfast spread (Photo credit: Le Chèvrefeuille)
We stayed in the family suite, a large and airy space made from brick, with classic French wrought iron accents. The suite provided plenty of space for two adults and three little kids. Our private bathroom came equipped a tub/shower plus room to store all of our bathroom needs. The inn offers neither air conditioning nor screens on the windows. However, it was 90+ degrees Fahrenheit during our stay and I can honestly say that our ceiling fan provided adequate relief from the heat and we were not pestered by any bugs.
Passaflore apartment at Le Chèvrefeuille (Photo credit: Le Chèvrefeuille)
Things to Do at Le Chèvrefeuille
Our first order of business: jumping into the inn's beautiful saltwater pool to cool off! Set upon a hill overlooking a rolling green valley, this was just what we had been dreaming of. This cool, clean watery oasis was surrounded by lounge chairs and umbrellas for shade. There were even water wings, toys, and other flotation devices available. My boys are still talking about their fantastic vacation…to the pool.
My kids playing in the inn's saltwater pool (Photo credit: Farrah Ritter)
Outfitted with a croquet yard, swings, and a bunny hutch — there was plenty to keep our kids occupied outdoors. Inside the main house we found an entire children's playroom filled with nearly every kind of toy imaginable, from Thomas the Tank Engine and Mega Bloks, to video games and books galore.
As an added bonus, other guests' children provided a delightful diversion for our offspring. Although the kids spoke a menagerie of languages…French, Dutch, English…it made no difference. Children speak the international language of play.
Children's playroom (Photo credit: Le Chèvrefeuille)
Dining at Le Chèvrefeuille
Included breakfast is part of the allure of staying at a bed and breakfast, and Le Chèvrefeuille's delicious spread did not disappoint. Since Sara and her husband (a gourmet chef) serve dinner to their guests three nights per week, my husband and I decided to celebrate our anniversary here. To start, we dined on a homemade tapenade served with fresh breads and a tricolor salad of avocado, tomato and one-day old goat cheese with basil, balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Our main course of duck confit with cherry sauce and market vegetables was as good as it sounds. To top it off, we savored a cheese plate, followed by berries with vanilla ice cream. Everything tasted as if it were grown and picked right on the farm.
Tables in the garden (Photo credit: Le Chèvrefeuille)
Explore Dordogne, France with Kids
Beyond relaxing and playing at Le Chèvrefeuille B&B, there's a seemingly endless list of things to do in the gorgeous Dordogne area. Children will enjoy exploring the Grotte de Rouffignac prehistoric caves, learning about dinosaurs at Le Conquil Park, and viewing 6,000 fish at Aquarium Perigord Noir. And, all ages will enjoy visiting Chateau Castelnaud‘s medieval fortress and museum. If you tire of the onsite pool, then head to the nearby Aux Etangs du Bois Water Park for even more splashy fun. Meanwhile, parents will appreciate the area's charming villages, plentiful local wine shops, and night markets. Discover five castles in the area during a guided canoe or kayak tour or sign up for a half-day tour of the villages of the Dordogne. Learn about more things to do in Dordogne.
The picturesque village of Saint Cyprien in Dordogne, home of Le Chèvrefeuille (Photo credit: packshot, Depositphotos.com)
Book a Stay at Le Chevrefeuille Bed & Breakfast
There's a special warmth and relaxed feeling that comes along with a family bed & breakfast like Le Chèvrefeuille. If you're interested in visiting this inn, then be sure to reserve your room or apartment early. Le Chèvrefeuille is a popular inn, with many families returning here year after year. I can see why! Read more reviews of Le Chèvrefeuille and book your stay via TripAdvisor now.
The iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris (Photo credit: frenta, Depositphotos.com)
Explore More of France
France is a beautiful country with much to explore! Not sure where to begin? Take a look at the best destinations in France for families.
Of course, Paris is a must for any first-time visit to France. Here are our tips for a Paris vacation with kids. Disney lovers will also want to read these Disneyland Paris tips.
For another amazing family-friendly place to stay in France, check out my review of the nature-focused CenterParcs Trois Fôrets.
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What do you think about staying at a bed and breakfast with children? Let us know in the comments below!
A Note from The Nomadic Travel Mama: My family stayed at Le Chèvrefeuille Bed & Breakfast at a discounted media rate. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About Farrah Ritter, The Nomadic Travel Mama
Oh, this place sounds heavenly. That breakfast spread alone is worth adding this to my list. We love going to Provence and have found a couple of very special B and B’s there, but we haven’t yet been to Dordogne. I will definitely add this one to our list!
I could really enjoy this – even though we don’t have kids to travel with any more.
We stayed here 2 years ago for a week in the family suite and loved, loved it. And Rouffignac was my kids’ favorite cave out of the 3 we visited – a train ride always makes history more fun especially when you can’t understand a word of French…aah – I need to go back – where else can you scooter through sunflower fields?
We just booked our trip for next July! Can’t wait- we didn’t do that through the sunflowers- I need to know how to do that 🙂
What a lovely place to stay – you’ve started me dreaming about a return trip to the south of France!
We highly recommend it! It was our first time, and won’t be the last.
I’ve always wanted to visit the Dordogne. It looks like you were abel to combine the best of both worlds – a pool and lots of kid-friendly attractions for the wee-ones and a charming B&B with fab food for the parents. Well done!
It was so wonderful! We really hope to get back there again. By far my favorite trip of the summer.