Villa Mont Joie

Villa Mont Joie, in the village of Beynac-et-Cazenac is dramatically perched above the Dordogne  river in a land of caves and medieval castles. From our initial contact, we were impressed with the owner, Vincent Shrader. He sent a  full overview of the property as well as all of the essential sites in the area. We were pleased that the  information was sent at the time of booking, thus giving us ample opportunity to include the data in our trip plans (note: many of the places that we stay do not provide any such information until just before we arrive). We were greeted and shown around the property by Martine, who does not let her lack of English (or our French) stop her from conveying enthusiasm for our stay, and a lot of details about the house. Our welcome included a basket of food and snacks.

Villa Mont Joie is  a remarkable property in a picture-postcard village. The house is in the historic section of Beynac-et-Cazenac, and has been beautifully restored and tastefully decorated. Windows from the main floor living area look over the river with swans floating by, and castles in the distance. There is a terrace off the master bedroom where you can enjoy the same romantic view. During our stay, the weather was rainy, but we still enjoyed sitting on the terrace, enjoying the ambiance of the Dordogne river. We had problems with our rental vehicle and were able to stay some extra nights at a special rate. So, a special thank you to the owner who uses this lovely place as a second home. We couldn’t wish for a more delightful place to spend extra days in France.

We had no trouble parking. The hike from the parking lot to the Villa is a bit steep, and we needed  stops to catch our breath. Walk a little further uphill, and you reach the majestic chateau that overlooks the village, and enjoy a panoramic view of the river. It is one of the most beautiful villages in France and Villa Mont Joie is the perfect spot to explore the area.