Things to do in the area.

Discover this beautiful region of south-west France

We keep a file in the house with all the details of local attractions, but they include:

• Dining -  The Dordogne is famous for its fine dining, particularly for duck and geese, truffles, fois gras, walnuts, and plums with wonderful seasonal fruit and vegetables.  There are many excellent restaurants within 15 minutes drive.
• Sarlat - 13 miles away. A visit here is a must. It is a wonderfully preserved mediaeval city with many cafes and restaurants. In the summer season street entertainers  wander the streets. Markets are held every week on Wednesdays and Saturdays
• Chateaux - The area was fought over several times during the hundred years war between the French and the English, leaving many castles from that period. The Chateau at Castelnaud has an excellent museum demonstrating the martial technology of the period. Details of all the local Chateaux are to be found in the gite.
• Festivals - Sarlat has a Drama Festival at the end of July and beginning of August. Montignac has a Festival of Dance in August and the Quercy Music Festival takes place in a number of venues in the area. Details of all these events are available to guests.
• Swimming - There is a swimming area in the Dordogne a short drive away. The current is slow but children would need close supervision. There are two safe water parks on lakes with sandy beaches within 20 minutes drive.
• Canoeing - Canoes are available for hire at a number of places. A very pleasant  way to spend a day on the river is to hire a canoe and drift downstream enjoying the beautiful scenery and chateaux as you pass. You can stop and have a swim or picnic as the whim takes you. The canoe company will collect you from an agreed spot down river and drive you back to the starting point and your car.
• Walking - There are many marked walks in this beautiful area. Leaflets describing the walks with maps are available to guests. October and November are particularly beautiful here when the oak and beech forests take on their autumn colours.
• Cycling - There are many quiet lanes to explore and some of the marked paths are also open to cyclists. Bicycles can be hired locally.                     
• Golf - There is an excellent 18 hole course (4465 metres total length) at the Souillac Country Club about 10 miles away. Situated high on the Causse there are some wonderful views. Details on www.souillaccountryclub.com.  There is also a challenging 9 hole course in beautiful surroundings next to the river at Vitrac about 30 minutes drive a way.
• Tennis - There are 2 courts 2 miles away in Salignac. Booking and keys through the Mairie.
• Prehistoric Cave Paintings. Probably the most famous prehistoric cave paintings in the world are at Lascaux near Montignac, about 20 minutes drive away. Prehistoric man flourished in the area and left many fascinating artefacts that can be seen by the public today.
• Gardens - The Jardins D’Eyrignac (about 10 minutes drive) are a great attraction, Mostly formal architectural planting , also containing a lovely Chinese rose garden. The Jardins D’Imagination at Terasson (about 30 minutes drive) have beautiful water gardens and many other features.