Why Périgord Vert in France should be on your slow travel radar

Having travelled the world, living in countries including Japan and the UK, she has returned to the national park of her childhood and spent the last few years painstakingly renovating a small collection of historic villas and chateaus, the Domaine de Vieux-Mareuil, to welcome guests.

“In today’s busy world, quiet is the ultimate luxury,” Laetitia tells Country Living – and when we paid the estate a visit, we understood what she means. The area is truly unspoilt, with not a sniff of overdevelopment, mass tourism or modern hustle and bustle – the perfect quiet holiday destination.

Périgord Vert is known for its natural beauty, wine and gastronomy – truffles and foie gras are popular local delicacies – with rolling, wooded hills and chateaus aplenty.

Laetitia Morlat, who renovated Domaine de Vieux-Mareuil in Périgord Vert

Getting there

This unspoilt spot in France is surprisingly accessible from the UK – making weekend breaks an option too. We opted for the eco-friendly route to Périgord Vert, travelling by train via Paris. Although the journey is ever-so-slightly slower than flying, it was seamless, relaxing and scenic – no need for hanging around in airports and checking in luggage – and offered the opportunity to have a quick pit stop in beautiful Paris en route.

After enjoying the easy Eurostar hop from London to Paris, it was then a two-hour journey on the super-fast TGV to Angeloume, the estate’s nearest station. We arrived at Domaine de Vieux-Mareuil feeling relaxed, recharged – and secretly rather smug about our lower carbon footprint and stress levels.

One of Périgord Vert’s pretty villages, Saint-Jean-de-Cole

Where to stay

It’s easy to see why Domaine de Vieux-Mareuil has already proved popular with VIP guests, even hosting members of the royal family. The atmosphere is peaceful, secluded and luxurious (think staying at a celebrity’s house, staff included). Pick from four characterful, all-inclusive properties (Domaine de Bagatelle, Château de Chanet, Domaine de Lavy, and La Roussie Villa) suitable for groups of different sizes, from 8 to 23 people.

Domaine de Lavy, part of Domaine de Vieux-Mareuil

Laetitia has spent years restoring these historic buildings to their current glory: “I love every property because each one contains a part of my soul and my spirit,” she explains. This passion shines through in the interiors – Laetitia’s interior style draws heavily from Japanese minimalism, with a dash of cosy country charm – which are opulent, creative and tasteful while honouring each house’s unique character and history.

The smallest property, Domaine de la Roussie, is a charming farmhouse with a glorious woodland garden backing straight onto farmland – you can even see gently grazing cows in a neighbouring field as you swim in the outdoor pool. It’s a plush home-from-home, with a relaxing and restorative atmosphere ideal for a recharging holiday.

Château de Chanet

The largest, the meandering Château de Chanet, perches on a hilltop with views over rolling woodland beyond – and has extended family get-together written all over it. Children will love playing in the garden and pool, whilst adults will appreciate the multiple living spaces and immaculate décor. It even has a cave to explore, and beautifully-bedecked bedrooms nestled in turrets and towers.

Take a look around some of the estate’s interiors…

Whichever property you choose, from the moment you check in, every experience is taken care of by a team of attentive staff. Although there’s plenty to explore in the area, such as the Medieval town Brantôme nearby – considered one of the most beautiful in France – Laetitia finds that once guests arrive, “they don’t want to leave!”.

Brantôme Abbey in Périgord Vert

Most visitors prefer to relax by the pool, enjoy fine cuisine prepared by your resident chefs, and enjoy in-house activities organised by the team – such as movie nights, complete with a projector, blanket and snacks.

Bagatelle’s infinity pool

After a few hours spent relaxing by the infinity pool at Domaine de Bagatelle, with Périgord’s wooded hills stretching as far as the eye can see, we can confirm that this is officially one of the most tranquil places in the world – and a must-visit for anyone wanting to reset, restore and reconnect with nature in 2025.

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Cara is Commissioning Editor at Country Living, covering everything from style and interiors to sustainability, artisans and the great outdoors. She has previously worked for Good Housekeeping, Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Prima and Red, and has an MA in Magazine Journalism from City University and a BA in Music from the University of Oxford. Follow Cara on Instagram @caralaskaris or Linkedin.