“So here is our story…”
People are always asking how we ended up living in France. Very happy memories of family holidays in the 70s and rugby and golf trips later in life definitely left a lasting impression. Andy particularly has carried these memories with him. He is a committed Francophile, so perhaps there is an element of destiny in this…….deep down perhaps he always felt the pull and now this affection for France has percolated through our family. That said, turning a sentiment into something tangible is a whole different matter and this is where fate lent a hand.
The story for Andy and Uliana started in London around the dawning of the new millennium. Both based in West London, working for an American corporate, we met and fell in love and got married a couple of years later. We loved being 30 somethings in London – what a place to enjoy (relatively) young married life. But when the company offered us the chance to go to work in Geneva, we decided to take the chance and off we went. Life in Geneva was great. In the end we stayed for 10 years. Andy re-learnt to ski, Uliana learnt French and we both learnt all there is to know about cooking cheese. Critically, after 3 years we moved across the border to live in France. We became « frontaliers » – people who live in France but cross the border everyday to work in Switzerland. All good, but most importantly, we were now in France – in the state system, embedded in village life and relishing our life in the countryside of Haute-Savoie.
We soon started to realize that working on the property and the land felt so much more fulfilling than the corporate work that we were doing in Geneva. Our beautiful boy Michael arrived in 2016 and then the company announced a re-structure and suddenly we were presented with the opportunity to do something different as a family. Could we adapt our way of life to support living in the French countryside – was it possible? So the research began and soon it was clear that we had a shot. So stick or twist ? Stay or go ? There was only one way to find out.
Over the next 6 months we made 3 trips to the SW of France. Was it the weather or the scenery or the food and wine, the ambience or the memories that seemed to be pulling us to the region ? Probably it was all of these for we determined very soon that this was the region where we would choose to write the next chapter of our lives. We saw around 30 properties and unluckily for us we didn’t see Les Hirondelles until our third trip. Because when we saw it, we fell in love with the property and with the Dordogne. Quite simply, the rental accommodation at Les Hirondelles was a cut above anything else that we saw and the location is perfect. The hamlet of Carmensac Haut in the commune of Meyrals is located in the centre of the Perigord Noir and balances the peace of a rural sanctuary with proximity to the multitude of sights and attractions that the Dordogne offers to the visitor. You will be amazed with the beauty, the history and the all the activities that are here to enjoy.
Privacy, peace, and tranquility !!!
At Les Hirondelles you will have a wonderful villa or cottage to stay in that is full of history. Both originate in the 17th century and we are careful to preserve echoes of the past but the upgrades bring all the comforts of home. There is a gorgeous garden to relax in with a multitude of beautiful plants and flowers and a panoramic countryside view. How about a swim in the heated salt water pool or a romantic evening in the jacuzzi hot tub. If you prefer an active holiday then running and cycling options are limitless and there is a gym for your use on site. So whether you are a couple on honeymoon, a group of friends on vacation or an extended family enjoying that long awaited reunion there is something for everyone to enjoy at Les Hirondelles.
We await you here in our tranquil hamlet of Carmensac Haut. Our life is now dedicated to providing our guests with the best possible holiday experience. We are so happy to be here and to look forward to welcoming you. We know that you will enjoy it as much as we do. We encourage you to come to the Dordogne and hope that you will choose to stay at Les Hirondelles.
Please do contact us if you have questions or need additional information.
We are only to happy to help.
Kind Regards, Andy, Uliana and Michael Horler
Basy
Contact Us
292 Route de Carmensac Haut
24220 Meyrals
France
+33 (0)7 67 61 60 98 (Andy) or +33 (0)6 79 84 67 02 (Uliana)
LesHirondellesDordogne@gmail.com
