Chateau Raysse looms from one of the sweeping hills that circle the Dordogne. At every extremity of the estate ancient walks and cycles file to the distance.

There are twenty acres of undulating grounds with two swimming pools, two kitchen gardens, an orchard, pear, fig and cherry trees, a trampoline, centennial trees, acres of wilderness and forestry and the Big Field where the donkeys, our goat and the Chateau deer all congregate to greet the passerby. Settle down, read that book, walk around.

Forget the smog, the drilling of the phone, your place in the traffic. You' re in Chateau Raysse - you've escaped!