Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Accessible Rural Tourism in the Dordogne
It’s started getting really hot here in Barcelona so I decided to pay a visit to a place I’ve been several times in the Dordogne, France, to cool off a little. There are now two properties in the small village of Gresingac provided by www.accessholidays.com which are designed to be accessible for wheelchair users. Gresingac is situated in the Dordogne near towns such as Riberac, Brantome and Perigueux. I first stayed at La Petite Maison in the summer of 2001 when I was traveling through France on my way to Spain.
Right: The bathroom at La Petite Maison
La Petite Maison is perfect for couples or small families. It has one bedroom downstairs which can sleep up to three people (One double bed and a single bed) and there is also a separate alcove where a small fold up bed can be place for a fourth person. The bathroom is en-suite and wheelchair accessible with a level-access-shower and a shower wheelchair is also provided. Also on the ground floor there is the kitchen which may be a little small for some wheelchairs but I managed perfectly well in mine. 
The living room is all on one level and spacious enough to swings cats, wheelchairs and whatever else may take your fancy. It has two glass doors leading into a small patio which is a beautiful suntrap filled with flowers and most importantly it’s where the BBQ is located. Although the upstairs isn’t accessible for wheelchair users it is important to note that there is another bedroom which can be used by able bodied companions.
Below: the patio Right: Monica and Salvador in the living room.
On this occasion I stayed La Grande Maison a new addition to accessible tourism in Gresingac. This is a fantastic barn which has been converted by the owner Ed Passant to provide a large accessible house for wheelchair users. Currently only the ground floor is wheelchair accessible, but this in itself is an immense amount of living space. There is a large entrance area with sofas, entertainment system and log burning stove. The kitchen is very large and most of the cupboards and fittings are accessible.
Leading off from the kitchen is the accessible bedroom, I have never seen such a large bedroom for wheelchair users in my life. The bathroom is also very large with a level-access-shower, bath and WC.
The outside of the building is also impressive with a large terrace and BBQ area which is flat and smooth, creating an easy place to sunbathe and take in the sights and sounds of the countryside.
Right: La Grande Maison
Although Gresingac is a small village there is plenty to do in the area, Brantome is a particularly picturesque town and the local town of Riberac is also a great place to go for lunch in the summer sun. For more information about what to do in the local area please visit their website below.
Once again I was very pleased by the facilities provided by Ed Passant. I had a very relaxing time and returned to Barcelona feeling very refreshed, now it’s back to the grindstone, oh well I can’t live in paradise forever.
Below: The bedroom and bathroom in La Grande Maison
Links:
www.accessholidays.com
Right: Brantome
