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Summer sunset

About Us

Summer sunsets at Rêves au Soleil gîtes in Dordogne

Bienvenue! We’re Louise and Lottie – best friends for over 20 years, partners in adventure (and occasional mischief). Now, the proud owners of Rêves au Soleil, our little slice of paradise in the Dordogne.

We both spent years living in the UK, building long careers in hospitality, working hard and living life at full speed.

Louise, originally from Ireland, is a proud mum to two grown daughters – Emma (now sunning herself in Australia) and Katie (studying hard at university in Cardiff).

Lottie, less lucky in love, gives her heart to her true soulmates: her dogs, Milo and Luna. Louise is equally besotted with her own four-legged family members, Roxy and Heidi, who made our move to France an even more chaotic and exciting adventure.

Louise & Lottie
lottie's and louie's dogs

After years of conversations and daydreams about a slower, more balanced way of living, we fell head over heels for the Dordogne.

When we stumbled across this gîte business, something just clicked. So, naturally, we did what any sensible person wouldn’t do – quit our jobs, sold everything we owned, crammed four bemused dogs into a camper van, and headed to France!

Before settling in, we spent six glorious summer weeks exploring the Dordogne in our trusty campervan. From bustling markets and riverside villages, to secret beauty spots and must-see attractions. That adventure gave us a real feel for the region, and we’re always delighted to share our honest recommendations with guests.

We arrived in January 2026, ready for a new chapter and a better way of living. Now, we’re pouring our hearts into creating the kind of place we’d love to stay ourselves: relaxed, welcoming, family-friendly, and full of laughter (and a few muddy paws)!