Bed and Breakfast (B&B) in Haute-Vienne: La Maison du Musicaïre

You will find this house in the small mediaeval town of Le Dorat in a quiet region north of Limoges. Le Dorat is classified as Small town with Character. La Maison du Musicaïre is the private residence of the Dutch conductor Wim Baarens who left his position as artistic leader of the Netherlands Radio Chamber Orchestra 20 years ago to start a new musical life in south-western France. Once you have passed the entrance, with its inviting heart above the doorway, carved in local granite, your are immediately struck by the overwhelming charm of the patio with its flowering wisteria and the large beautiful garden with an abundance of roses, herbs, fruit trees and a variety of other plants. This completely walled garden hides several small buildings including an orangerie, a horse-stable and woodsheds. The beautiful ocre colors of the outside walls, the old round roman tiles and the split level garden give the impression that you are on holiday in Tuscany

La Chambre du Musicaïre (the musicians bedroom) has been completely restored to its original style of the end of the XVIIIth century. Here the colours are Venitian red for the beams and ocre for the walls in which striking cut stones appear. The original wooden floors in the famous stepladder style from the Dordogne have been completely restored and you can be assured of a deep sleep in the attractive period canopied bed Two large French doors open directly onto the terrace and the garden where, during the summer, your breakfast will be served with a fresh croissant, fresh bread, three different homemade jams and marmalades, a boiled egg and fruitjuice, tea or coffee. On request we can add ham, bacon, cornflakes or scrambled eggs !

The Countess Marie d’Agoult Room is named after the great, great, grand mother of Mr Baarens French wife Véronique (who also speaks very good English). Marie d’Agoult was the enemy/friend of the well known French female author Georges Sand and the mistress of the composer Franz Liszt. Of the three children born of this relationship Cosima was the most famous because she married the great German composer Richard Wagner. This room on the 1st floor has woodpanelling , a canopy bed, period furniture and is completely decorated in pastel colours. In the room you will find a stunning original etching of Marie d’Agoult and her daughter Claire by the famous French painter Ingres