Le beau Pierre

People who work with images for a living often develop a special eye for places—not just for their beauty, but for the details that make them unique: The light filtering through a canopy of leaves, the shadows that move across a wall, the colors of a landscape, and the atmosphere of a place. Berlin-based photographer Alana Range found exactly that at Le Beau Pierre—a former country home in the Marmandais region, between Bordeaux and the Dordogne. She and her husband discovered the property, with its light blue shutters, as a place for family vacations—one they now also share with guests. From nearly every window, the view stretches across vineyards and hills to the horizon. Inside, there are natural stone walls, old beams, and a historic fireplace. Vintage finds, works of art, well-stocked bookshelves, and carefully selected toys all show that this isn’t just a vacation home, but a place that's truly lived in. The heart of the house is the large eat-in kitchen. This is where the day begins with fresh coffee and often ends many hours later at the long wooden table with its red chairs. The kitchen is equipped just as you’d want it in a real family home— well suited to long evenings of cooking together, enjoying long meals, and conversations reaching into the night. The red chairs add a cheerful pop of color that recurs throughout the house. Four hectares of land surround it: Old oak trees cast shadows over the meadows, a small wooded area borders the back, and with a bit of luck, deer can be spotted in the morning. There’s plenty of space for reading, playing, swimming, or simply doing nothing. The pool blends into the landscape just as naturally as the terraces, where you can spend the day alternating between sun and shade. The surrounding area is also worth exploring. The Marmandais is one of France’s lesser-known wine regions. Small family-run wineries, weekly markets, and bastide towns characterize the area. Marmande itself is just a few minutes away and is known for its tomatoes far beyond the region. Their rich red colors the market stalls, vegetable gardens, and menus in summer, before turning up again on the dining table at Le Beau Pierre: A little reminder of just how closely the house and the region belong together.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• How inviting the former family country home looks from the outside, with its warm natural stone facade and light blue shutters
• Its hilltop location, which gives the house something of a box seat above the landscape
• The way the region's light constantly transforms constantly transforms house and landscape, conjuring wonderful plays of light and shadow in the rooms
• That Le Beau Pierre offers everything a family vacation needs: a pool, a large and well-equipped kitchen, plenty of space for everyone, and even games and books
• The spacious living and dining area, the main hub of activity—from chatting and planning to puzzling and pasta-making
• Its secluded setting and the spacious grounds with plenty of beautiful places to sit
• The balance between a lived-in family home and a stylish vacation retreat
• A fenced-in pool (child-safe!) with its lounge chairs
• Life happens outdoors: There’s a sun terrace out front and a covered, shaded patio behind the house
• Carefully selected works of art, paintings, and prints can be found in every room
• The pretty kilim rugs throughout the house 
• Large, beautiful arched windows on the ground floor
• An interior that brings together vibrant colors, natural materials, vintage finds, and select modern furniture

Good to know

• Le Beau Pierre is a home for families and friends. It can accommodate up to ten guests in four bedrooms, with four people in bunk beds. There are three bathrooms
• Out you go: the pool, a ping-pong table, an outdoor kitchen, and the generous grounds with terrace and meadows leave nothing to be desired
• Children are very welcome: a high chair, a crib, and family-friendly amenities including games, books, and baby gear are provided
• The house was named after the host couple’s late father/father-in-law to honor his memory: “He would have really liked it here,” say Alana and Adam
• There’s no air conditioning, but the old stone house can be kept pleasantly cool even in summer—and the hosts are glad to share their tips
• The little town of Marmande, with its restaurants and shops, is about ten minutes away—be sure to visit the weekly market on Saturday
• The Côtes du Marmandais wine region stretches along both banks of the Garonne. Here you’ll find red and rosé wines to enjoy on the terrace in the evenings
• You should definitely try the famous Marmande tomato—an heirloom variety known for its heavy, ruby-red fruits and a sweet-savory flavor: tomato carpaccio, tomato sauce, tomato salad, grilled stuffed tomatoes… there are many ways to enjoy this ruby-red delicacy of the region!
• For walking or biking fans, the Canal Latéral à la Garonne is well worth a trip—there’s a car-free and pleasantly shaded walking and bike path running right alongside it. It’s part of the Canal des 2 Mers, a bike path that crosses France, connecting the two seas
• Bordeaux (about an hour and a half by car) and the Atlantic coast (about two hours) are great for day trips. Toulouse is two hours away
• It takes about 75 minutes to get to Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport. A car is recommended