This is a lovely area for a holiday, and the barn has been converted and equipped with great care and attention to detail. It retains the feel of a barn, including one centre beam, of which my head bears impressions (but then, I am 6' 2''!). My wife and I had oodles of space, and could have taken an additional family of four without anyone having to sleep downstairs.

The area outside the gite is secure for dogs, and our golden retriever made friends with the neighbour's dogs through the light fence. We never saw our hosts' dogs at all. We used the decking area for most of our meals, and spent many happy hours there, eating (mostly from the barbecue). quaffing wine, and just relaxing. We are not telly addicts, but as a golf fanatic, I was delighted that Sky Sports enabled me to follow The Open!

This part of the Dordogne is a delightful corner of rural France, with lots of villages and a few small towns all within a short drive. There is plenty of guidance in the gite, and personally from the McNeils, on local activities and events, markets and long lazy village Sunday lunches. River activities on the Dordogne are no more than 15 minutes away.

The gite is hidden away, and normally very quiet, save for the occasional interruption from the grain hopper in the store at the back (not visible from the gite).

The McNeils, who live in the property next door, could not be more helpful, without being in any way intrusive. The arrival dinner which Megan served to us very late in the evening,after a long and tiring journey from Calais, was a really welcome welcome! She is an star and an excellent cook, and offered us samples of her home baking all through our stay. (But do check French Bank Holidays - Bastille Day is not a good day to travel!)

We most liked this area of France, the spacious and cool interior of the give, and the decking and BBQ outside. And we particularly appreciated the McNeil's helpfulness, both through the very straightforward booking process, and as our hosts next door all through our stay.

We thoroughly recommend this as a comfortable and spacious venue for a family holiday in rural France.

Just spent 11 nights at Tuksumduin, one half of a beautifully converted and furnished former tobacco barn on a French farm.
We were met by owner Megan, who had, for a little extra cost per person, provided a hot meal - a welcome end to a long day driving from Calais, and the three-course meal was accompanied by lots of little touches that impressed us immediately (a home-made cake, milk, butter, bread etc).
Beautiful kitchen, comfortable lounge and lovely bedrooms, but most of our time was spent on the decking, enjoying the sun or taking advantage of the shade from the tree.
As well as being comfortable, the barns had free wi-fi, an iPod dock and Sky TV, welcome touches, especially with a teenager in tow.
The barns are close to quite a large country store, about which we were a little dubious at first, but it was well screened and any incoming traffic was infrequent and didn't disturb us.
All in all, a great place to spend a holiday in an area of France that we love anyway.