Les Piloux

We have just bought the property and we are looking forward to putting our own stamp on the place.

The property is located in a very tranquil location covering over 10 acres of land mainly woodland that opens up to a 4-acre opening that contains the main house, the static home, the lake and 2 ponds.

The property is located just 1km from a beautiful village with its own small castle, beautiful stone buildings, and a coffee bar.

The surrounding countryside has wonderful walks and bike trails that take you to other villages and a golf course is also located within 1km of the property.

The property is just 30 minutes from the airport and train station in Limoges.

Unfortunately, we are unable to assist with visas and/or documents. Have you secured a visa and made all necessary arrangements to visit us?

Originally from the UK I moved to France in 2006 and tried to buy a place with a lake, I looked at 6 properties in 5 different regions of France, 5 had lakes and I ended up buying the only property without a lake in Brittany. I bought a pair of holiday cottages with a pool and ran a holiday cottage business there until 2022. In the UK I worked as a Financial Advisor and was very much into NLP and goal planning, so much so that during a period of being employed I used to go around the country giving motivational talks and how to achieve your goals in life. In 2022 it was time to finally buy the house with a lake so the search restarted and I found my dream home in June 2022 and moved in just before Christmas. I am a single dad of two young boys, 9 and 6 and now my life is focused on only one thing to make their lives as happy as possible. So we need to build a tree house, install a trampoline, buy a pedalo to enjoy on the larger lake, and enjoy loads of parties and entertaining. Our volunteers will be staying in the static home so they have their own space to relax and unwind. The static home has a kingsize bed, shower, and separate toilet plus a living area/kitchen. The static home is located on a hill and overlooks the larger lake but just 100 meters from the house. Within the kitchen is a fridge, gaz hob, coffee maker, kettle and toaster to allow our guests to enjoy breakfast at whatever time they wish. We look forward to enjoying lunches and dinners together at the main house and for our volunteers to enjoy being part of the family. During the summer months, we will enjoy eating outside and having BBQs overlooking the smaller lake just 5 meters from the main house. Entertainment at the property: we have an above-ground swimming pool to cool off in the hot summer months, archery, a gym, and of course fishing on the larger lake and the 2 ponds - plus movie nights. My goal for the property is to make it as self-sufficient as possible, we are already off-grid for our water supply, and I intend to install a wood burner for heat in the main house and solar panels to become fully off-grid. I have introduced good-eating fish in the lakes, planted an orchard that I wish to expand, and I plan to plant a soft fruit garden and vegetable patch. We also breed rabbits for meat and my intention is to raise turkeys for meat and chickens for eggs. I love watching 'River Cottage ' and on that small holding his animals have good lives before providing sustenance for the family. We have a dog a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Star who is 3 years old.


Reviews

4.5
(13 reviews)13

Staff & Host

5.0

Hours & Tasks

5.0

Hostel

5.0

Learning & Fun

5.0

Brazil

5

Staying with Mark and the kids was one of the most memorable and heartwarming experiences. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed. Mark has a generous spirit, a great sense of humor, and a way of making everyone feel at ease. The children are absolutely lovely.
The environment was very peaceful, the tasks were fair and clear, and I always felt that my time and effort were truly appreciated.I cherished the laid-back moment whether on the barbecues or cinemas. The meals bring you a delightful glimpse into British culture.
Thank you, Mark, James, Jason and Star for all, it was very special!

2 months ago

Chile

5

Mark es excelente anfitrion, generoso, atento y bromista. Cocina muy bien, tuve la oportunidad de probar platos deliciosos de UK. Algunos comidas que nunca había probado, se agradece 😅Además de sus tiernos hijos James y Jason, su adorable perrita Star, que hacen una estadía muy agradable. Su casa está en un lugar hermoso donde puedes conectar con la naturaleza, la vida al aire libre y la paz del lugar. La habitación privada es muy cómoda. Espero volver algún día a ese hermoso lugar

10 months ago

Mexico

3

Mark siempre fue amable con nosotros, siempre nos hizo de comer y nos ofrecia bebidas o postres en cada comida, es un trabajo pesado, lo que fue bastante desgastante para mi cuerpo ya que era todos los días y eso provocó un pequeño desacuerdo entre nosotros pero no pasó a mayores, nos hizo el favor de llevarnos a la estación de tren cada que lo necesitamos lo cual agradecemos mucho.

11 months ago


Mark replied

Hi Cesar I am a little disappointed you gave me just 3 stars when I told you I was giving you 5 despite my true feelings about your work ethos - if you were not working with Melissa I would have asked you to leave after the first week!

You were the last to start each day and the first to finish, and you stretched out jobs every day.

You mentioned the work was hard you were made fully aware before you arrived what jobs were needed and told it was 100% manual and yet because I mentioned it in the last week how disappointed I was with your performance your now painting the picture that the work was very hard when in fact girls half your size did more than you!

Mexico

3

Trabajar con Mark es conectar totalmente con la naturaleza, si buscas alejarte de la cuidad, el ruido y la gente, entonces es el lugar ideal para ti.
Mark y los niños son muy amables y agradables, pudimos usar las bicicletas y lavar nuestra ropa cuando lo necesitábamos.
Ten en cuenta que el pueblo más cercano es Mortemart y solo hay un café, quizá si deseas moverte a otras ciudades necesitarás que Mark te lleve a la estación más cercana que es en Bellac, igual él nos llevó y recogió muy amablemente.
La estadía fue placentera pero las tareas son duras.

11 months ago


Mark replied

Hi Melissa,

I guess when you say the task were hard your commenting on Cesar's performance because I was very impressed with how you worked.

You informed me before your arrival that you enjoyed painting and I therefore saved the job for your stay. Every day you worked hard and every time I asked you, you said you were enjoying your stay and the work.

Very disappointed you gave me just 3 stars after being your private taxi service when needed and always making sure you guys were happy with the meals and your stay.

I guess this is the result of me pulling Cesar up towards the end of the stay when he took an hour to do a 5 minute job!

In truth I would have asked Cesar to leave after the first week it was your hard work that carried him!

Argentina

5

Mark es muy buena persona. Tanto él como sus dos hijos son muy educados. El trabajo a realizar es bastante simple y físico. Siempre tenes descansos oportunos, y mucha compañía y comprensión de su parte. El lugar es enorme y muy lindo, en constante contacto con la naturaleza. El alojamiento muy cómodo. Mark, además de buen compañero, tiene un don para la cocina y sus platos parecen preparados por Dios. Dos semanas en Les Piloux, ni un minuto de arrepentimiento.

about 1 year ago


Perfect for you if you're looking for

Contact with nature

Rural

Contact with animals

Yoga / Meditation

Family