See all properties
Save
Entire home

The French House Cottage

Step into this charming cottage's historic charm where late afternoons are spent relaxing on a swing or sipping coffee by morning light.

Photo gallery for The French House Cottage

Exterior detail
2 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Interior
Smart TV, DVD player, books
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The French House Cottage

Historic cottage circa 1850. Originally was the kitchen of the french house bed and breakfast. 2 bedroom home with full bath. Claw foot tub that also has overhead shower. Full kitchen. A front porch with swing is great for late afternoon relaxing. Wireless internet,cable tv.
A favorite of film actors & writers. 4 blocks from cape fear river, located in the heart of the historic district. Walking distance to all the great restaurants and bars, antique shops and a beautiful stroll on the river walk.

Property manager

Janice Thomas, Portia Thomas

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking
  • Car not required

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Paper towels
  • Spices
  • Toaster
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet paper
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room
  • Dining room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • DVD player
  • Books

Outdoor areas

  • Porch or lanai

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near laundromat

Work spaces

  • Desk

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Concierge services
  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near the sea
  • In the city center
  • Near a health or beauty spa
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Water park
  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Golf nearby
  • Theme parks nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Winery tours nearby
  • Marina nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Power boating nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

Similar properties

Welcome to The Art Loft on Princess!!

The Art Loft - A Luxurious 2-BdRm in the Heart of Historic Downtown Wilmington

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (9)
The Art Loft - A Luxurious 2-BdRm in the Heart of Historic Downtown Wilmington

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:30 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is not required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

French House Cottage Wilmington
French House Cottage
The French House
The French House Cottage Cottage
The French House Cottage Wilmington
The French House Cottage Cottage Wilmington

About the neighborhood

Map
Wilmington, NC

What's nearby

  • Riverwalk - 8 min walk
  • Cape Fear Community College - 11 min walk
  • Wilmington Convention Center - 16 min walk
  • Live Oak Bank Pavilion - 3 min drive
  • Battleship North Carolina - 4 min drive

Getting around

  • Wilmington Intl. Airport (ILM) - 11 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Prost Biergarten - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪The Husk Seed Store And Bar - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Beer Barrio - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Reel Cafe - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Savorez - ‬5 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is The French House Cottage pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The French House Cottage?

Check-in begins at 3:30 PM.

What time is check-out at The French House Cottage?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The French House Cottage located?

Located in Wilmington Historic District, this cottage is within a 10-minute walk of Bellamy Mansion Museum and Riverwalk. Latimer House and Burgwin-Wright House are also within 5 minutes.

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

The French House Cottage Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 30 out of 35 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 35 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 35 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Doreen M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
French House vacay
We ended up staying at the French house due to renovations on this cottage property. Same owners who were absolutely lovely hosts. Beautiful accommodations, close to downtown and Riverfront. A wonderful girls trip. Thank you Janice and Portia
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Place Great Host
Perfectly suited to our family of 4. (5yo + NB). Close to downtown on a perfectly shaded and nestled street away from noise, but walking distance to all of downtown. The hosts made sure we had everything we needed and were a pleasure to deal with . We will be renting the French Cottage again for SURE. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ryan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home in such great location!
This was a perfect home for a weekend getaway! We loved the history and story that this home told and the hosts were incredibly kind all weekend long, providing great insights and tips of things to see and do! We definitely will be staying here again in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Amanda D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing experience of warmth and charm!
The French House is a beautifully appointed and charming cottage. Owners Portia and Janice are delightfully welcoming, continually attentive, and generous souls, who exude warmth and kindness. The property, along with its owners, exceeded my expectations. Truly, all who have the honor of meeting them, and staying within the walls of the French House, are blessed.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Platinum U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent stay
Beautiful cottage in the historic district of Wilmington nc. Everything within walking distance, and a short drive to Wrightsville beach. Portia could not have been more helpful with recommendations of attractions and eateries. Wonderful stay, enjoyed it.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

James D., San Francisco, California

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place to stay and a great location in the best part of town.
The house was cute, clean, safe, everything worked, and it was in a great part of town. The managers of the property were very attentive, friendly and ensured a great experience. We would definitely stay here again on our next trip.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Sandra ("Sandy") L.

Quaint & charming
The French Cottage was an ideal rental for 2 people. The bedrooms had comfortable, firm beds, the small kitchen was well appointed, and the location couldn’t have been beat! I agree with other reviewers that the shower would be tricky for tall individuals as the ceiling in the restroom slopes and is at its shortest directly above the shower. If we ever return to Wilmington, we would definitely stay here again. Thank you, Portia & Janice!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Richard H., Hillsborough, NC USA

Wonderful, quaint, rustic, near historic riverwalk
The cottage is very much as it appears in the photos-- a quaint, historic cottage. Not a right angle or a level surface in the place, and that is absolutely part of its charm. Bed was very comfortable, nice linens, lots of historic touches here and there. The neighborhood is lively and nice, and only about 5 mins from the riverwalk. Our host, Janice, went way out of her way to make us feel welcome and help us find local restaurants and a venue for New Year's Eve. Highly recommended!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Mary P.

Amazing cozy cottage
Really loved our stay at this amazing cozy cottage. Great location, so well cared for and very comfortable.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

David R.

Cozy French House
Surprised my wife with a stay in this cozy, little cottage. She absolutely loved it. I believe she noted in the guest book that it was something right out of Pintrest. Portia was a great host, never got to meet her, but we communicated via text and she let us know about different restaurants and events going on in the historical area. Hope to stay there again in future visits. David & Renee
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Amanda H.

Small quaint cottage walking distance to downtown
Overall really enjoyed my stay here. I rented this for my wedding - my maid of honor and myself stayed here the night before the wedding and my new husband and I stayed my wedding night. Management was nice enough to let me place my wedding cupcakes and flowers inside the house before it had been cleaned for our check-in, which was much appreciated. The only thing I would say is to be aware that this is an old and tiny house. For instance, I am 5 ft 1 in tall and the shower head was maybe an inch above my head. I wouldn't want to shower there if I were a regular sized person. I also would have liked more communication in terms of specific check out instructions (bedding, trash, etc) as I like to follow the rules and couldn't find them in my VRBO info or anywhere in the house. Overall very happy with my stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Nick S.

Great historic cottage/relaxing time...
This was a great little cottage in the historic district, close to all downtown venues, relaxing quiet neighborhood. We had a great time. Thanks so much to the wonderful owners.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Veronica B.

Unique Experience
Everything was very clean and uniquely decorated. I loved the easy access to all the historical sites. Janet was very accommodating and helpful. We had access to the washer and dryer in the next door property.
Stayed 11 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Gina A.

Quintessential cottage! Everything was perfect from soup to nuts. Loved this place. Will return!
Scale of 1-10: 100
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Gale A.

Perfect location!
We enjoyed leisurely walks aling the river, visiting great shops, many restaurant choices and an historic home tour. We’ll be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jenny C.

Perfect location, nice amenities, very accommodating owner :)
Would stay again! Quaint, quiet, and quintessential cottage.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

tonya m., reidsville

We loved this little cottage! We stayed for our 25th anniversary and would go back again.
We stayed at the French House Cottage for our 25th anniversary. It was a wonderful long weekend. The owners put in the extra effort to make us feel welcome. Coffee, bagels, fresh fruit and water in the frig were just a few of the things that they provided for our stay. The house was as advertised. I appreciate that the pictures and description online were exactly what we found. We walked to the riverfront for exploring and dinner one night. The next day we were within a 20 min ride to Wrightsville Beach where we spent the day. Coming back to the cottage after a day at the beach was a luxury. It was much nicer than any hotel room we could have rented and I loved it was private. Parking wasn't a problem as we had access to the drive beside the house. My favorite memory was sitting on the porch with my husband in the evening and hearing the horse drawn carriage tour come down Dock St. It made us feel like we were taken back a few hundred years. We would definitely recommend it for a romantic get-away. It would also be great for a ladies' weekend or a quiet place to stay for conferences, work etc. Unfortunately if you want a family get away you may want a larger home. It sleeps 4 but it is a small dwelling. The kitchen is functional however tiny and cooking in it is difficult. To say that though doesn't prevent us from wanting to return.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

2/10 Terrible

amie h.

Overnight stay at the French House Cottage
While the French House Cottage looked charming on site, it was misleading and overpriced. The rooms was terribly small and uncomfortable and having unexpected maintenance before check out didn't help
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Bill M.

More convenient than expected
Loved my stay here; it was clean, was walking distance to downtown and very private. We had everything we needed. Some tips: buy whole bean coffe from java dog and brew the best cup of coffee you'll ever have and stop by "The Peppered Cupcake" for some awesome snacking. Will be coming back for sure!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

John M.

Excellent.
Great location easy access to the riverfront.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Maggie M.

Delightful,cozy retreat!
Janice is an excellent host, the epitome of Southern hospitality. The historic French House cottage was the perfect getaway for us. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

8/10 Good

Joseph M.

Quaint historic property in downtown historic district
150+ year old property is situated in a quiet downtown neighborhood near shopping, restaurants and nightlight. Short walk to Cape Fear River waterfront. Comfortable, but the bathroom is challenging for tall individuals. The owner is delightful and readily helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Maureen N.

Wonderful getaway cottage!
My husband booked this cottage as a birthday weekend getaway in Downtown Wilmington, and it was perfect! So cute, with an amazing location just a few blocks from all restaurants, shops, and the riverfront. Even being so close to everything, it was so quiet and peaceful, and our hosts could not have been more accommodating. I am already planning our next trip!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Glenn B., Centreville

Charming Historic Cottage
We loved this little cottage! We were in Wilmington for a wedding and this was a delightful get-away for the weekend. Nestled in a tree-lined neighborhood, with its own off-street parking, this was a perfect location for walking just four blocks into the heart of historic downtown Wilmington. The cottage is clean, quiet and features small and thoughtful touches that celebrate its historical charm. Janice is lovely and kindly shared information about historic house and garden resources.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2018

10/10 Excellent

Kari F.

Quaint downtown cottage
This was the perfect place to stay for a little getaway. It is only a couple blocks from the shops and restaurants downtown, yet is quiet and peaceful. Janice and Portia are wonderful hosts. I will return!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2018