Fontalbe

25/09/2026

Looking forward to hosting this wonderful retreat at Fontalbe next June.

Get ready for Art De Vivre: French Retreat where paint, play and pastries await!

25/08/2026

Paint Your Wagon!
What started with a lavender tractor on a beautiful New Zealand lavender farm has inspired something rather more unexpected at Fontalbe… a nineteenth-century French hay wagon!
When Peter returned with a trailer full of what I initially thought were simply “huge pieces of gnarled wood and wheels”, I was… underwhelmed!
But after months of sanding, painting, piecing together this enormous jigsaw puzzle and a lot of help from friends, the result is something rather special. Our beautiful cornflower blue hay wagon is now sitting proudly at Fontalbe.
And the story doesn’t end there…
It turns out the farmer had two old hay wagons in his barn — and Peter came home with both! So there’s another restoration project waiting in the wings.
Now we just have to decide where the first one should live… the wildflower meadow, the orchard or in front of the house? What do you think ?
Read the full story on our blog to discover how our very own “Cornflower Blue French Hay Wagon ” came to Fontalbe — and what happens next!
🔗 Read the blog: Paint Your Wagon!
https://fontalbe.com/paint-your-wagon/

18/08/2026

The garden and fields around Fontalbe light up with colour in the summer. Here are a few of my favourite flowers in bloom. The fields of sunflowers nodding their heads in the summer sun always make me smile. What's your favourite?

22/03/2026

A Day Trip to Bordeaux

Jump on a train from Lalinde - only 15 minutes drive from Fontalbe . Park up in the quiet station and relax . The journey to Bordeaux takes around an hour and a half and is an experience in itself . French trains arrive on time , are comfortable and the views of the countryside on the journey are stunning .
Bordeaux is a city that shines in every season, offering wonderfully contrasting experiences whether you visit in the heat of summer or the cosy charm of winter. On a summer’s day you can stroll along the sun-drenched Garonne riverfront, relax in leafy gardens, take a w**e-tasting tour to nearby vineyards, or enjoy long lunches on buzzing café terraces before an evening cruise or rooftop cocktail at sunset.
In winter, Bordeaux becomes beautifully atmospheric, with elegant streets glowing under festive lights, warm w**e bars and bistros inviting you in for rich local dishes, fascinating museums and galleries to explore, and historic w**e cellars offering intimate tastings away from the crowds — perfect for a slower, more indulgent way to experience this great w**e capital.
A recent visit with some friends during winter began with a beautiful sunrise and views on the train of glistening frosty rows of vineyards . When we arrived we had to grab a coffee in an did a bit of shopping, meandered around the squares and cobbled streets , and popping in and out of the lovely artisan and terroir shops . Having worked up an appetite it was time for lunch - a long lunch , before heading back on the team to the station . It’s a great place to spend a day, take in the beautiful architecture and sample the regional dishes and w**e . Finish the day off in the cafe on the square in Lalinde for aperols . What better way to end a day in Bordeaux.
To find out more about our day trip read our blog at https://fontalbe.com/a-day-trip-to-beautiful-bordeaux/


Bordeaux

10/02/2026

June brings long, sun-warmed days without peak-season intensity. The pool becomes the heart of the day — slow swims, reading in the shade, shared laughter. It’s summer energy without chaos.
Explore June dates via the link in our bio.

10/02/2026

Almost full for summer 2026 . Some availability in June and September.

Looking for that special place to holiday with family and friends. Fontalbe set in The Dordogne region of France is perfect for your special holiday.
Watch our video to find out what our previous guests think.
Fontalbe is a stunning refurbished paper mill set on its own private island surrounded by woodland grounds. A perfect get away to make special memories with family and friends. It has six king sized ensuite bedrooms, a large, heated swimming pool, indoor and outdoor eating areas, luxury living areas, a yoga studio and beautiful grounds to explore. Fontalbe is a place to relax and enjoy the beautiful rural setting, only 5 minute’s drive to its local Bastide town Beaumont du Perigord. Only half an hour’s drive from Bergerac airport.
The local area offers so much from markets, w**etasting, chateaux visits, walking, kayaking….and so much more. There is something for everyone.
To find out more visit our website www.fontalbe.com or DM
Siret 97809754100012

28/01/2026

The most meaningful retreats aren’t about polish. They’re about how people feel when they arrive. At Fontalbe, nature does the heavy lifting — the river, trees and light — while the spaces gently support whatever experience you’re creating.
For more information about hosting a retreat here, DM me.

26/01/2026

May is calm, warm and unhurried.
May is one of those months that surprises people. The days are warm and golden, the countryside is lush and green, and everything feels unhurried. Villages are lively but not busy, visit the flower markets, colourful without the crowds, and afternoons stretch gently into evenings. May offers space to breathe, time to connect, and the feeling that you’ve arrived just before everyone else.
Visit our website via the link in bio to check May availability.

03/01/2026

02/01/2026