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"What to do and places to go in the Dordogne"

We are often asked if there is plenty to do for all ages in the Dordogne region, so I have put together this report to give you some idea.

Chateaux There are two types of châteaux in this area, those who make wine and those who don’t. In the latter group, it is said that there are more Chateaux in this region than in the Loire Valley. Some are very small and some are grand and imposing, but all are said to have fallen out of an Angels sack as she flew over this area. Some are open to the public and are well worth a visit. As this area changed hands many times in the Hundred Year war, some were built heavily fortified whilst others are more famous for it’s later occupiers e.g. Josephine Baker. Some now have concerts or the ballet in their grounds. Our village chateau (not a large one) burnt down in the last century.

Museums As this area has been occupied since pre-historic times, there are many museums and historical sites. One of the most famous is Lascaux, which although a copy (the original is preserved), is well worth a visit to see the cave drawings you recognise from history lessons. There are museums on other periods including the Roman period. A place to visit on you way through the Limousin is Oradour-sur-Glane which is the martyr village of the 2nd World War.

Other museums include:

Paper making
Calligraphy
Tobacco
Wine

Cars
Rural Life
Plums
Corks

This list is by no means complete so that if you have any special hobbies or interests speak to the Tourists office that will have a more information.

Water This area has many lakes and rivers as well as being about 2.5 hours from the sea. The rivers and lakes are used for many hobbies and sports including:

Canoeing - 1 hour to 1 day rental
Swimming Lakes
Fishing - Coarse and Fly
Garbares - converted wine carrying boats used for scenic cruises
Boats on the Canal du Lateral
Aquariums
Waters Parks and even a
Fish Ladder

Air One of the great ways to see this area is from the air. This can be done slowly by glider or hot air balloon or more rapidly by plane or microlite. There are also aerial parks where you can walk in the trees and a Space museum in Toulouse.

Land For those of you who wish to stay near terra ferma, there is still plenty to do. Some suggestions are:

Horse riding
10 pin bowling
Quad Bikes
Cycle hire
Walking
Go karts
Monasteries
Night markets
Frescos
Pilgrim Sites

Farmers markets
Gardens
Bird watching
Vide greniers
Car tours
Bastide towns
Markets
Churches
Fetes and Festivals
Truffle hunting
Shopping in Bordeaux and Bergerac

Food and Wine This area has more vineyards than you can visit in a life time. As well as the Bergerac wines including Perchamont and Monbazillac, there are also the Duras and Bordeaux wine regions nearby. Many vineyards offer tasting sessions as they hope you will buy some. Look out for the sign saying Degustation which is usually free. Some vineyards do tours of their wine making facilities which are worth going on. St. Emillion, about 60 Kms away, is a very pretty town surrounded by the vineyards of the Bordeaux region; it is here that you can go on a short wine tasting course or just try the wines in the caves (wine shops) or vineyards.

To complement the wine of the area, the food is superb. Unfortunately it is not suitable to vegetarians on the whole. You can still get a 5 course lunch for as little as 12 euros plus wine at a local Relais and in the evening you can choose between Italian, Chinese, and Indian and of course French. There are often village meals in the summer. Just book your place and take your own crockery and cutlery. (This saves them the washing up!) Fetes often have meals e.g. Eymet has a Medieval Banquet and an Oyster and Wine Festival. Whilst driving around you can buy things like Agen prunes, Marmandaise tomatoes, walnuts, truffles and Fois Gras which this area is famous for.

As you can see, there is plenty to do if you want to leave your gite and pool. I hope this has wetted your appetite for this region and that you enjoy coming to this area.

Markets

Sunday - Issigeac morning market.

Monday - Miramont morning market.

Tuesday - Castillones & Beaumont du Périgord morning markets.

Wednesday - Bergerac morning market

Thursday - Eymet morning market

Friday - Sigoules and Monpazier morning markets.

Saturday - Duras, Bergerac, Villereal, & Ste. Foye la Grande morning markets.

Daily markets in Perigueux

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La Grande Maison

Le Poulailler

La Ferme

La Petite Maison

Le Studio

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