REVIEWS
During our time as holiday let and long term let hosts these are all comments taken from our cottage guestbooks
or left for us by our lovely guests on Air BNB.
Thank you - they mean so much and help us to improve our standards even further!
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Here's what some of our Long Term Winter Let guests had to say!
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Thank you Karen & Craig, you have been the perfect hosts.
We have had a lovely stay in the cottage and hope to return in the not too distant future. You are kind, thoughtful & very generous people, who are prepared to go above and beyond in order to help your guests. We will miss being here & we will
keep in touch to let you know how we are getting on.
Lots of love and best wishes Charlie, Dawn & Jesse Boy (the beautiful Siamese Cat)! X - Wakefield, UK - November 2023
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A big thank you to Karen & Craig for their friendliness and kindness during our stay at the cottage.
We loved the wonderful walks and beautiful countryside and most of all the peace and quiet!
Allan & Nikki Wood - Stratford-Upon-Avon - Feb - April 2023
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What good fortune it turned out to be to find Karen and Craig Marsh’s gîtes on
rentaplaceinfrance.com. We arrived at the beginning of May 2022 looking forward to staying a
month in an area we hadn’t visited before and ended up staying for two months and finding an
exquisite cottage to buy.
Karen and Craig are lovely people. They are kind, generous and very understanding of the joys
and disappointments of house hunting in France. It isn’t an exaggeration to say that they not
only leant tremendous support, they also became one more excellent reason to choose this
area to move to.
We had the opportunity to stay in both gîtes and recommend them both unreservedly. While the
kitchen in Violet’s Cottage is smaller, both have lovely indoor and outdoor spaces, welcoming
sitting areas, comfortable beds and spectacular views. The quiet is broken only by birdsong that
one very rarely gets to hear anymore and the lowing of cows.
Within easy walking distance are forest paths and a river beach for summer swimming.
Just down the road a few feet is a year-round spring that provides quenching,
chemical-free drinking water.
Close at hand are bustling villages, farmer’s markets and spectacular nature to enjoy.
We couldn’t have asked for a more idyllic two months.
Thank you Karen and Craig!
Lori & Dale - Oregon, United States - May & June 2022.
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Lock-down Haven .
Our original plan was to tour Spain & France in our motor-home but when Coronavirus struck Karen & Craig came to our rescue and Honeysuckle House became our lock-down haven. Karen & Craig have been wonderful hosts, always on hand to give advice and friendship during our stay. Honeysuckle House is a real home from home. With bars and restaurants closed we found ourselves cooking more than we had planned. This was made easier with a magnificently stocked kitchen. There was no utensil or pot or pan that we lacked!
We are really going to miss the peace and tranquility of this area and the daily walks which we have come to love.
We have been very comfortable here and this area will always have fond memories for us.
Thank you for making our lock-down experience a positive one. We hope to have the original trip we had planned next year and will certainly re-visit the area and pop in to see Karen & Craig.
Phil & Marg from Shrewsbury, Shropshire March 23rd - May 30th 2020.
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We have spent several months in Honeysuckle House on a Long Term Winter Let, while searching the Limousin for our new house in this lovely region. Karen & Craig have been the most wonderful hosts, providing magnificent support and assistance with any of our needs during our stay. The location is breathtaking, with the most wonderful views, with local amenities only seven minutes away and larger towns only twenty minutes away. Honeysuckle House is a spacious, beautifully furnished property and just beautifully finished and has everything you could ask for. The additional benefit of a newly installed wood-burner which is brilliant for the cooler months. There is an added bonus of a large, dry barn attached to the property, which is perfect to store furniture etc.
We would like to thank Karen & Craig for making our stay in St. Julien Le Petit such a very happy, memorable time on our new adventure and we would highly recommend visiting this amazing place and staying in Honeysuckle House.
Vinny & Jean Clarke from Manchester - December 2019.
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Here's what some of our Holiday guests had to say!
This house is a real gem! The decor, the bedding, the little touches: everything is designed to make us feel like we are in a refined bubble from the moment we arrive
Keren and Craig are just like their house...
And what can I say about the view... Breathtaking.
We were sorry to have to leave and dream of being able to come back.
Genevieve and family August 2026 - Dijon, France - AirBNB rating 5 out of 5
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A moment suspended in time, calm, nature—everything we were looking for. The hosts are very welcoming, and although they live next door, they are very discreet. Thanks again for this moment.
Guillaume and family - August 2026 - AirBNB rating 5 out of 5
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It was the best Airbnb experience of my life. I absolutely loved the house, the location, and the jacuzzi. My cat loved it too and was made to feel very welcome.
Karen and Craig are warm, kind, and delightful people. They did everything they could to make our stay comfortable and were incredibly helpful throughout. I will never forget you both.
Lake Vassivière has several beautiful beaches, and Broussas is my favorite. I will definitely come back with great affection and joy. I highly recommend this place a thousand times over!
Rita and family and the cat too! - Heyrieux, France - July 2026 - AirBNB rating 5 out of 5
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We have had a great time at Honeysuckle House, Karen and Craig are fantastic hosts, communication was very easy,
the house and garden are beautiful and had everything we needed, the scenery is also beautiful,
especially Lac de Vassiviere, where we spent most of our days.
A perfect holiday for us and a big thank you to Karen and Craig!
Sonny and Family - Amsterdam, Netherlands - August 2025 - AirBNB Rating 5 out of 5
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Thank you for all your kindness! We have had a wonderful holiday and loved every minute staying in this beautiful cottage
It is the perfect base from which to explore the area.
We've enjoyed St Leonard de Noblat, Eymoutiers, Peyrat le Chateau & especially the various lakes.
You really went above & beyond for us when we lost our car keys & we can't thank you enough for your thoughtfulness & generosity. Merci Beaucoup.
Rachael & Steve - Normandie - June 2025
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Les hôtes sont très accueillant. L'emplacement est magnifique, si vous cherchez du calme et de la nature ce logement est parfait. La vue depuis le jardin plongeant dans la vallée est à couper le souffle.
Proche du lac de vassivière et de plusieurs activité, il est plutôt bien situé. Séjour et lieu superbe.
The hosts are very welcoming. The location is stunning, if you are looking for calm and nature this place is perfect.
The view from the garden plunging into the valley is breathtaking. Close to Lake Vassivière and several activities,
it is pretty well located. Superb stay and place.
Pierre - Indre, France - August 2024 - AirBNB Rating 5 out of 5
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Nous avons adoré notre séjour, Violette cottage est très confortable. La terrasse et le jardin sont vraiment top pour prendre le petit déjeuner avec la vue sur la vallée qui est magnifique. Le coucher de soleil dans les chaises longues…
Une plage au bord de la rivière est accessible à 15 minutes à pied. Nos chiens aussi ont bien profité des balades à proximité.
Bref le séjour idéal.
We loved our stay, Violets Cottage is very comfortable.
The terrace and garden are really great for breakfast with the view of the valley which is beautiful.
The sunset in the sun loungers…
A beach by the river is a 15-minute walk away. Our dogs also enjoyed nearby walks.
In short, the ideal stay.
Céline - Grigny, France - August 2024 - Air BNB Rating 5 out of 5
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We had a wonderful time. Karen and Craig are great hosts! This place is a 'must' to visit if you like France, nature and a great relaxing time. Honeysuckle House has everyting you need and for us the jacuzzi was absolutly fantastic. Sitting in the tub with a great view!! There were some good things in the neighbourhood too of course like - the beach just along the road, wonderful nature, great boucherie & lovely Wednesday market at Bourganeuf.
WE LOVED IT!!!!
Reint and Lydia - Netherlands - September 2023
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Idyllic stay with Karen and Craig, The comfort and cleanliness of Honeysuckle House was perfect. We sleep very well.
Absolute calm. The unobstructed view over the valley with the cows and the bull. The deer that passes around 9 p.m. when you dine in the garden. Hiking and swimming in the lake… Exceptional week.
Clementine & Pascal - France - August 2023
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We had a very pleasant time in Violet's Cottage, in an idyllic and preserved setting.
The sunsets are beautiful, and from the hot tub I can confirm that it becomes unforgettable.
The accommodation as such contains all the necessary comforts, with a beautiful view on the Limousin Mountains.
Karen and her husband are lovely people.
We were able to attend a stained glass making session also hosted by Karen: very interesting and nice!
In short: a place we won't forget anytime soon, and where good rest is guaranteed!
Laurent and Family - France - August 2023
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The cottage is an ideal place to stay if you are looking for peace and quiet. Karen and Craig are great hosts,
always available but very unobtrusive. We shared two apéros with them and other guests and spent great moments.
The place is ideally situated to tour Haute Vienne, Creuse and Corrèze, even the North of Dordogne.
Many adjectives can qualify the view from the cottage or from the hot tub : fantastic, stunning, awesome.
The forest is just across the quiet road, lots of places to visit waterfalls, streams, and a fountain with delicious spring water a few yards away from the cottage.
The place to be if you want to escape from the crowd and a crazy pace of life.
Jean Guy & Dominique - Vallet, France - June 2022.
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The view from Violets Cottage is insanely gorgeous - the pictures cannot do justice, you have to see it to believe it!
The cottage is spacious, functional, well-equipped.
I'll say it one more time: everything is great but the highlight really is the breathtaking view from the lounge, the terrace, the room upstairs. I highly recommend this place!
Karen and Craig are wonderful hosts. Thank you so much for this wonderful stay. I'll definitely recommend it to all my friends! Take care.
Jacques - Paris - May 2021.
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We had a very pleasant time in Karen's home, in an idyllic and unspoiled setting.
The sunsets are beautiful, and from the Jacuzzi, I can confirm that they become unforgettable. The accommodation itself has
all the comforts you need, with a beautiful view of the Limousin mountains. Karen and her husband are lovely people.
We were able to attend a stained glass making session also led by Karen: very interesting and fun!
In short: a place we won't forget anytime soon, and where a good rest is guaranteed!
Laurent - Marcilly-en-Villette, France - August 2023 - AirBNB Rating 5 out of 5
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We have had quite a few people staying with us for long lets while they find a house to buy now and we have learnt
so much from them about how to, or not to, go about the transition. Everyone's experience is different.
If you think you may want to live in this area Helene at The Familles Rurales office in Peyrat Le Chateau is a great person to talk to. Her job is to help people with their move to the area before and after you arrive.
Helene answers all our questions and helps with anything we are having problems with.
If your French language is not that great (Who's is?) she can help with translations, making appointments, sorting out bills with utility companies, helping us re-register our cars, sorting out visa issues, our residency status
and so much more.
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How to Book the Accommodation.
The arrangements described below, as far as possible, ensure that everyone knows where they are.
The situation is flexible, if you want to leave early or extend your stay you can.
It means we are able to advertise the gites and avoid having periods where the gites aren't occupied.
We totally understand that if you are looking for a property to buy and then waiting for completion on your property
or have decided to move areas as you are not finding what you are looking for
that it can be very difficult to predict how long you need to stay.
So this arrangement can work really well for you and for us. All we ask is that you talk to us and
keep us in the picture and give us as much notice as you can as to what you need to do.
To Secure a Long Term Let :-
For the minimum of a two month stay we require, at the time of booking, advance payment for the two months rent.
Plus, as a refundable security deposit, the equivalent of one months rent, to be paid 48 hours before your arrival date.
For a three month stay we require, at the time of booking, advance payment for the three months rent.
Plus, as a refundable security deposit, the equivalent of one months rent, to be paid 48 hours before your arrival date.
Guests already booked or currently staying will have first refusal over any enquirers who may wish to
book time that is within their ‘penciled in’ period.
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Barn Storage - If you have decided you are definitely going to buy in France we may be able to offer secure dry storage space in our very good, solid, damp free barn, for your furniture and belongings if you want to arrange to bring them with you to.
The barn is straight off the road with easy access for removal vans/lorries. We have approximately 60 sqm. of barn space.
You can book part of this space or all of it. The monthly cost is 5€ per square metre of floor space.
It's a very high roofed barn so if some belongings can be stacked this can save on the square meterage you may need.
To give you some idea - when we moved out here, the furniture and boxes of small items from our average sized
three bed-roomed cottage fitted into a 20ftl x 8ftw standard container - a space of approximately 15sqm.
The container was packed to the top and admittedly our wardrobes, beds and three piece suite could all be taken apart and more or less flat packed, so maybe somewhere between 15 and 25 sqm. if we help you to stack it sensibly.
If your belongings are going to be stored for several months it's also a good idea to bring some large tarpaulins, (can be purchased quite cheaply in our local diy stores), to cover your furniture etc. to keep them dust free.
We always make sure we are available to help, if you need us to, when unloading/loading!
Don't forget to insure your furniture and belongings for the duration of the time it is in storage here.
Although the barn is secure our insurance does not cover for it.
Barn Storage - Available all year round.
Approx. 60 sqm available. 5€ per sqm pcm.
Fully Booked at the moment.
Our barn storage is secure and dry but we do advise taking out insurance cover for your possessions for the duration.
How to Book the Barn Storage.
Just let us know at the time of booking your accommodation if you need storage as well and we will let you know how much space is available.
If guests staying with us who are also renting storage space want to continue to use storage space once they leave it may be possible to arrange this.
The Barn Storage sq meterage will be accurately calculated and costed once your possessions arrive and are stacked and stored to your satisfaction. The rental cost will start from the day your possessions arrive a month in advance.
If when your storage is collected it is a part month the cost will be calculated on the number of days you have used the storage for in that month.
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The Refundable Security Deposit is the equivalent of one months rent and must be cleared to our account 48 hours before arrival. It is against breakage or damage to the gite and its contents. The security deposit will be refunded to you less any costs of damage within 48 hours of vacating the gite (please see our Terms & Conditions for further details).
Please email or call us to discuss further if you are interested in long term lets/storage.
For full Terms and Conditions Click Here.
Karen's
Stained Glass Studio.
Karen is a stained glass artist with many years experience of this fascinating craft.
Karen has a small Stained Glass Studio where she continues to design and create wonderful items in glass.
If you would like during your stay Karen invites you to join her for an afternoon or morning
(approx. 2 hrs.) demonstration of this wonderful craft.
It will be a taster session of the copper foil method of making projects with stained glass.
This is the method used to make the original Tiffany Lampshades.
Violets Cottage
Long Term Let
2 Fontchauvaux, Saint Julien Le Petit, 87460, Haute Vienne, France.
Owners Mr & Mrs Craig & Karen Marsh. Email: kcmpropertyrentals@gmail.com
Tel: H +33 (0)9 83 23 06 59 M +33 (0)7 77 80 05 35 www.fontchauvaux-holiday-gites.co.uk
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. The property known as Violets Cottage (the property) is offered for long term rental subject to these Terms and Conditions and confirmation by the owner to the renter (the guest). These Terms and Conditions will be sent to the guest with the Booking Form. It is expected that, if the guest makes a booking, makes payment and returns the completed and signed Booking Form, that they will have read, understood and accepted the Terms and Conditions.
2. Before booking and making a payment for rental of accommodation it must be understood and agreed to that it does not form a long term
rental contract. The booking can only be a verbal agreement with the owners to let Violets Cottage on a basis of two months up to ninety days.
The accommodation cannot be deemed as your principle residence. An alternative address must be provided to the Violets Cottage owners as your principle residence. The Fontchauvaux address can be used as a temporary place of residence and for the forwarding of mail. On vacating the accommodation a forwarding address must be provided to the owners so that future mail arriving after your departure can be sent on to you.
3. Enquiries, reservations and bookings.
A booking must be a minimum of two months up to a maximum of ninety days. For a booking to be confirmed the full payment for the rental period
is required at the time of booking to reserve the rental period. For rental periods of two months to ninety days the gite will be confirmed to you
as booked but the gite will still be advertised unless the whole period booked for is paid for. Guests who have booked the complete period required, in advance and paid for occupation, will have first refusal over any enquirers who may wish to book time that is within their confirmed booked period.
3.To book Violets Cottage directly with the owner an enquirer should contact the owner by email or telephone and request the dates to be reserved. If the reservation is accepted by the owner the dates will be 'penciled-in' only for a period of two weeks. The enquirer will be informed if another enquiry is received before the Advance Rental Payment is cleared to our account. The first enquirer will be given first refusal but the Rental Payment must be paid within the two week period starting from the date the reservation was accepted by the owners to secure the booking, otherwise the second enquirer will be allowed to take the booking.
4.Notice to Extend the Stay or to Leave.
We require one months notice to extend the stay for longer than agreed.
We require one months notice to leave. Guests must either give the owners one months notice to leave as soon as practicably possible but at least one month in advance of the actual leaving date whether this is the originally agreed leaving date or a revised leaving date. If guests leave earlier than the agreed and paid for date a refund can only be given if the owners manage to secure another booking for the period agreed.
5.Making Payment & Methods of Payment.
In order that the Advance Rental Payment may be paid, the owner will pass bank account and sort code details, or if preferred the PayPal details to the enquirer. Until the completed and signed Booking Form and cleared funds for the Advance Rental Payment is received the booking will not be confirmed but the dates will remain 'penciled-in'. Following receipt of the Booking Form and Advance Rental Payment, the owner will send a confirmation to the guest and this is the formal acceptance of booking. The guest will also be sent a link to these Terms and Conditions.
Payment may be made in Euros direct into the owners' French bank account.
in Sterling direct into the owners UK bank account.
PayPal payments are also acceptable although any fees payable to PayPal will be charged to the guest.
The owner is able to accept credit or debit card payments only through PayPal.
6.Refundable Security Deposit & Owners Right to Termination of Agreement to Rent.
A Refundable Security Deposit equivalent to one months rent is required by bank transfer 48 hours prior to your start date. The owner will have given clear verbal instructions to the guest on arrival as to their responsibilities and how to maintain and manage the accommodation throughout the duration of the guests stay. This is also outlined in the accommodation instruction and information manual. If the guest has not adhered to these responsibilities and instructions the owners right to terminate any agreement to let beyond the time period paid for in advance will be activated. If there is clear evidence (photographs of which will have been taken) that the guest has caused damage or breakage to the accommodation and its contents the Security Deposit will be returned to the guest minus any costs of damage or breakages to the gite and its contents within 48 hours of vacating the gite on the agreed date. We reserve the right to extend this 48 hour period if quotations are required for repairs to damage which may take longer than 48 hours to obtain. However, this Security Deposit shall not limit the guest's liability to the owner should the level of damage exceed the deposit. Please note clause 10 regarding insurance covering this damage.
7).Chargeable Expenses.
Any chargeable expenses arising during the rental period will be settled with the owners on site, before departure. Failure to do so will result in the expense being deducted from the security deposit. Expenses eg. Electricity, logs, etc.
8)Cancellation
Cancellation within eight weeks of the start of the rental period will result in the loss of the paid Advance Rent but not the Refundable Security Deposit. If the agreed rental period has been fully paid for and then cancelled, the owner will attempt to re-let the property. If this is successful the Advanced Rental fee will be refunded less any re-advertising and administration costs. If only part of the agreed rental period is let only that part of the Advance Rent will be refunded.
10)Insurance.
The owner has insurance to cover third party risks in relation to the property. This does not include third party liability for actions taken by occupants of the property. The guest is strongly advised to arrange a comprehensive insurance (including cancellation cover) and to have full cover for the party's personal belongings, public liability etc., since these are not covered by the owner's insurance. This needs to include damage to the property which exceeds the security deposit.
Please pay particular attention to this clause if you are also using the Barn Storage facility and ensure you have the correct cover for all of your belongings.
11)Arrival and Departure Times.
The rental period commences not before 4.00pm on the first day and ends at 10.00am on the last day. The guest is asked not to arrive before 4.00pm (unless by prior arrangement). The guest shall not be entitled to remain in occupation after 10.00am on the final day and is asked to ensure that they vacate the properties and facilities by this time unless a special arrangement to leave later is possible with the permission of the owner.
12).Occupation.
The maximum number to sleep in the property must not exceed four people.
All persons who stay in the properties must be named and ages of children stated on the booking form and no other person may stay in the property or use the facilities without the express permission of the owner.
The person who booked must ensure their party are made fully aware of the rules that apply within the properties and there facilities. The person who booked will be responsible for any damage caused by their party.
The guest agrees to be a considerate tenant and to take good care of the property and facilities and to leave it in a clean and tidy condition at the end of the rental period. The owner reserves the right to make a charge of 70€ (which will be retained from the security deposit) to cover cleaning costs if the guest does not leave the property as it was found or in an unacceptable condition in any other way. Photographic evidence of the condition will be made if such a charge is levied.
Fontchauvaux is a peaceful area and the guests agree not to act in any way which could cause a disturbance to the owners or neighbours.
The guest and their party acquire no rights whatever over the property excepting occupation as a long let for the period booked. The guest shall not sub-let the property.
The guest shall report to the owner without delay any defects or damage in the property or it's facilities, or any breakdown or defect in machinery or appliances. Arrangements for repair and/or replacement will be made by the owner as soon as possible and the guest will be informed of any charges liable, either directly or taken from the security deposit. The cost of repair/replacement for damage found or items missing from the property after the guest leaves will be charged to the guest and deducted from the security deposit.
13)Owners' Liability.
The owner shall not be liable to compensate the guest in residence for occurrences outside the control of the owner such as:-
a. for any temporary defect or stoppage of public services to the property, nor in respect of any equipment, appliance in the property or garden.
b. for any loss, damage or injury which is the result of adverse weather conditions, riot, war, strikes and other matters beyond the control of the owner;
c. for any loss, damage or inconvenience caused to or suffered by the guest if the property shall be destroyed or substantially damaged before the start of the rental period rendering it unlettable. In such an event the owner shall notify the guest as soon as possible and within seven days of that notification refund to the guest all sums previously paid in respect of the rental period.
d. if an advertised facility is modified or not available, for example, due to necessary maintenance, unsuitable weather
conditions or local circumstances.
Under no circumstances shall the owner's liability to the guest exceed the amount paid to the owner for the rental period.
The use of the property and it's facilities is entirely at the guests risk and no responsibility can be accepted for injury to a guest or pet and loss or damage to the guests belongings.
Children must be properly supervised when using the facilities.
No responsibility can be accepted for any loss or damage to any motor vehicle or its contents.
Pets are allowed on the properties only with the express permission of the owner and with the understanding that the owner also has pets. The guest will be responsible for and liable for any pets they allow onto the property and will be charged for any damage or injury caused or extra cleaning and gardening required as a result of their presence.
14. A no smoking policy applies at the Fontchauvaux site in the accommodation and all the garden areas.
This contract shall be governed by French law in every particular including formation and interpretation and shall be deemed to have been made in France. Any proceedings arising out of or in connection with the Contract may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in France.
