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Settling In—And One Unexpected Visitor
Arriving at my Airbnb in Dordogne, it always takes me a few days to settle in—to find a rhythm, unpack, and just be. After a wonderful first week at Manor and Maker, where my friends Sara and Stephen graciously hosted me, it was time to move into my own space. They were hosting a creative retreat otherwise I would have happily rambled around in their gigantic chateau. I had arranged a three-week stay in a converted pigeonnier, a historic dovecote, through Sara and Stephen’s connection to their neighbours. Luckily it’s also listed on Airbnb, so you can a take detailed look here. It was just across the little river from Manor and Maker, on the opposite side of the village—who knew which side was the ‘right’ side of the tracks in a place this small? Wink. The setting was idyllic, peaceful, and perfect for soaking in the beauty of the Dordogne countryside.
Getting Comfortable in My Pigeonnier
The first few days were about settling in—buying groceries, unpacking my suitcase (thank goodness for my packing cubes keeping everything organized), and lounging around in my comfiest clothes. I always need a little time to “land” in a new place before fully diving into adventure mode.
The weather played along with my slow transition. A few days of rain made it feel cozy inside, then the sun returned, bringing an unexpected summer-like warmth. Taking full advantage, I headed out for a long walk with my camera, my Sony α7 III (check it out here), to capture the stunning autumn landscape close up—so different from what I was used to back home in Ontario. The golden light bathed the rolling hills, casting long shadows across the quiet country roads. The crisp air carried the earthy scent of fallen leaves and ripened fruit, and as I wandered, I stumbled upon wild brambles bursting with ripe, blackberries. Their deep purples and reds contrasted beautifully against the golden fields, making for the kind of scenes I love to capture.
Further along, I was drawn to a patch of yarrow in full autumn bloom. The delicate white flowers swayed gently in the breeze, their soft-focus beauty enhanced by the warm, hazy sunlight. I took my time composing shots, using my lightweight tripod to get the perfect angle. The stillness of the moment, interrupted only by birdsong and the occasional rustle of leaves, made it one of those walks I wished could last forever. Some of these images are now available as prints—memories of a perfect fall afternoon in the French countryside.
A Nighttime Surprise—Starring a Bat
Just as I was finally getting into a routine—waking up refreshed, making coffee, enjoying the quiet evenings—something decided to shake things up.
One night, snuggled under my duvet, I drifted into a deep, peaceful sleep. And then… I woke up to the sound of something landing softly on the roof. Since I was sleeping under the eaves, I assumed it was birds. In my half-asleep state, I barely registered that it was pitch black outside—not exactly prime bird activity hours.
Then I heard it again. But…was it inside?
I turned on the light and—SWOOSH—a black shadow darted past my bed.
Oh. My. God. A bat.
I thought I wasn’t scared of any creature but apparently I’m terrified of bats! My heart pounded, my skin went clammy, and the only logical thing I could think to do? Pull the duvet over my head. I know, I know—bats don’t actually get tangled in hair, but with long hair like mine, I wasn’t about to take any chances.
I reached out, turned off the light (thinking this would somehow help?), and grabbed my phone to frantically Google: What to do when a bat gets into your house?
The advice? Open all windows and dim the lights.
Great. Except I was in a loft with no windows. I had no choice but to slip out of bed—duvet still draped over my head, and tiptoe down the open spiral staircase to the main floor, where I flung open every window and the front door. Then I quickly stepped outside to wait on the stone wall. I felt relieve immediately as the cool night air bathed my sweaty face as i took the duvet off my head.
Since it was only 9 PM in Canada, I called Maurice, who was there for work. He answered immediately, sounding concerned. “Hi, everything okay honey?”
Cue his laughter. “I thought this was an emergency.”
“It is an emergency!” I replied, laughingly indignantly. But just as I was about to launch into a dramatic retelling, I saw the bat fly out the window. Sweet, sweet relief. I hurried inside, shut every window and door tight, and crawled back into bed. It took a while to fall asleep after that, though. Turns out the bat most likely got in through the chimney, so I lit a fire the next day and the lingering smell of smoke helped keep them away.
Finding a Rhythm in the Countryside
Aside from tiny invisible vampires, flying intruders, and the occasional unexpected nature lesson, my Airbnb in Dordogne stay was exactly what I had hoped for. The peaceful mornings, the beauty of the Dordogne, and the slower pace of life made me appreciate this unique experience even more.
As the days went on, I settled into a rhythm—one that included daily walks with my camera, making the most of my Sony α7 III and my tripod, capturing golden-hour shots of the countryside and magical medieval sites (more to come in the next post).
Would I stay in the pigeonnier again? Absolutely. It’s the perfect place to unplug and perfect as a base to explore the are from. And the hosts couldn’t have been better.
What is your favorite place to unplug at? Let’s share some love for our favorite holiday places. Let me know in the comments!
Just a heads up: This post includes affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through them, I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you. It’s like a little nod of support for the creativity I share, and I’m so grateful! 😊
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