Eating Out

'Gastronomy'
"The Dordogne is a region where food is a cornerstone of life, from the 2 hour lunch breaks to the daily ritual of a visit to the local boulangerie. This region is famous for its ducks and geese; in all the towns and villages, you will see countless shops selling foie gras, pates and rillettes. It is also one of the principle places where 'black diamonds', otherwise known as truffles are found. Walnuts feature heavily in the regional cuisine, from oils for salads, gateaux, liquors and chocolates. The charentais melons and strawberries can be found in all the markets during the summer months. The famous goats cheeses (cabecous, crottins) can be enjoyed on a traditional cheeseboard or warmed and served with a salad as a starter. The wines of the region are of excellent quality, the Cahors region producing a very distinctive full bodied red wine and the Bergerac region producing a full range of white, rose and red wines, including the very famous sweet wines of Monbazillac."

'Local Restaurants'
"The Dordogne region is considered by many as the home of French cuisine. There are countless restaurants catering for all tastes and budgets. Among the outstanding are Le Relais de Cinq Chateaux at Vezac, La Meynardie at Salignac, Le Bistro de l'Octroi in Sarlat and Le Redouille in Souillac. Within walking distance, there is the GR6 in the centre of the village. This is our local bar/restaurant offering simple, sensibly priced menus of regional cuisine. Located just behind us is the Hostellerie de Bequignol, a small hotel with a gastronomic restaurant where you can enjoy fine al fresco cuisine. If you are looking for vegetarian cuisine, a number of our local restaurants now offer suitable dishes/menus."

Local Area and Activities

'Aerial Parks'
"If you fancy swinging through the tree tops, then there are 2 aerial parks located about 10 minutes from the gites. The biggest, the Foret d'Ecureuils, has 120m slides and some of the tyroliennes are reputedly 40m high. The complex is divided into different zones, from young children through to adults. Since it opened, it has been a very popular attraction for families staying at the gites."

'Beynac and Castelnaud'
"Two of the great chateaux of the Dorodogne dating from the 13th century and playing pivotal roles during the Hundred Years War. Castelnaud has an impressive museum of warfare and both have spectacular views of the Dordogne River (and each other!)."

'Canoeing'
"We can arrange canoe trips for you on the Dordogne; our partners are based at Cenac and offer half day and full day outings taking in the 2 most beautiful stretches of the river, Carsac to Cenac and Cenac to Beynac. Suitable for all ages (over 4), it is a unique experience watching history pass you by as you float gently downstream. Once you have reached your destination, a bus service brings you back to your car."

'Collonges-la-Rouge'
"The 'red city' located between Souillac and Brive. A stunning medieval town built from red sandstone which seems to glow in the sun. The buildings are beautifully preserved and there is a wonderful atmosphere as you explore the town."

'Cycle Track'
"The former railway line between Sarlat and Souillac has been restored and tarmaced and now provides an excellent cycle and walking track. It runs for around 22km, often by the river, and is ideal for families as it is free of cars and is relatively flat."

'Domme'
"The city in the sky perched on the cliff tops overlooking the Dordogne Valley, the medieval Bastide of Domme is one of the treasures of the Dordogne. The views down the valley are stunning and you will feel very much part of history as you walk around the streets. Market day is on Thursday."

'Gardens of Marquayssac and Eyrignac'
"Two contrasting styles of gardens. Marquayssac perched on the cliffs above the Dordogne Valley has small formal gardens and then extensive walks along the cliff tops to the Belvedere overlooking La Roque Gageac (one of the prettiest villages in France). Eyrignac, located about 7km from us, is one of the foremost gardens of France - very formal and mainly green! The gardens of Cadiot (in the English style) are also in the vicinity."

'Gouffre de Padirac'
"The biggest geological cave in the region, the Padirac chasm is over 100m deep and 32m wide. You descend into the cave complex by way of a boat journey on an underground river. The biggest cave (the Grand Dome) is a staggering 91m high."

'Grotte de Font de Gaume, Les Eyzies'
"Les Eyzies, know as the Capital of European Pre-history (National musuem of pre-history, Grotte du Grand Roc, Abri de Cro-Magnon). Font de Gaume located at the entrance of the village hs one of the finiest collections of pre-historic paintings still open to the public. Admission is limited to only 200 per day so you need to plan ahead. In the summer it is normally booked up to 3 weeks ahead! If you want to visit, ring and make a reservations (05 53 06 86 00)."

'Horse Riding'
"There is a very popular equestrian centre at Vitrac (about 15 minutes drive away). They have a full range of facilities for all ages and abilities."

'La Roque St Christophe'
"One of the most incredible attractions in the region, a UNESCO World Heritage site, La Roque St Christophe is a 1km long cliff, 80m high with 5 enormous galleries. Since troglodyte days, it has been a place of safe refuge. You get to see how the city was arranged and there are working replicas of the lifts which were needed to bring supplies up the cliff face."

'Lascaux II, Montignac'
"In the Vezere Valley, you will have the opportunity to visit a replica of some of the most important pre-historic cave paintings ever discovered. The Lascaux cave is outstanding and the paintings are breathtaking. See bison, mammoths and cave dwellers dating back 10,000 years."

'Rocamadour'
"One of the most visited sites in France a must see. Stunning architecture, the village clings to the hillside. Kings of France have been crowned here and it is one of the key pilgrimage points on the route to Santiago. A total of 7 churches are located on the religious level. There is also an excellent wild bird sanctuary (Rocher des Aigles) and children also love the monkey forest (Foret de Singes)."

'Sarlat'
"One of the finest examples of a medieval town in France. The centre of the town is picturesque and all the buildings are beautifully preserved. Market days (Wednesday and Saturday) are well worth a visit and an evening visit is a must as all the old town is lit up. During the period between mid-July and early August, there is a theatre festival and throughout the summer you are able to watch the street performers and listen to the musicians who perform in the streets of the old town."

'The Dordogne Valley'
"the 60/70km stretch of the Dordogne River flowing through the Lot and the Perigord Noir must be on eof the most picturesque river valleys in Europe. With countless medieval villages, breathtaking scenery and cliff-top chateaux, a trip either upstream or downstream is a must. Travelling upstream, you get to see the beautiful villages of Creysse, Carennac with its fortified abbey, Loubressac, a cliff-top village with panoramic views of the Chateaux at Castelnau and Beaulieu, a market town where the river widens. Downstream takes you past some of the major chateaux of the Dordogne, Montfort perched overlooking a loop of the river, Fayrac, Beynac, Castelnaud, Les Milandes and through the village of La Roque Gageac."

'Walking'
"The GR6 runs through the centre of Carlux so you can use this national footpath to walk to Sarlat or Souillac. There is also a series of local circuits suitable for all abilities. We have detailed maps available."

Markets and Shopping

'Local Shops'
"Our local village offers a full range of shops, butchers, bakers, mini-supermarket and the halle paysanne. In July and August, there is a weekly farmers market and there is a weekly market throughout the year in the village of St-Julien-de-Lampon. There is a Post Office in the village and a pharmacy and bank in St-Julien. Sarlat and Souillac are both 15km away with a full range of shops and a choice of 5 major supermarkets and 4 discount outlets."

'Markets'
"There is at least a market a day, the most famous being the Saturday market in Sarlat and the Sunday market in St-Cyprien. Go early to get the best selection and to avoid the crowds. There is a local producers market in Carlux on a Wednesday morning in July and August and a small market in the local village of St-Julien-de-Lampon on Thursday mornings."