Our local region

Age and glasses of wine should never be counted

The Dordogne region rightly has a reputation for being one of the most beautiful and picturesque regions of France.

Whether you want to spend your time relaxing by your own private pool or fancy something a little more active then there is something for everyone. You can enjoy horse riding, golf, amazing cycling and walking and a canoe along the beautiful Dordogne river is a must-do.

You are surrounded by some of the best food and produce in France and can easily while away a morning wandering around the bustling village markets picking up amazing cheeses, foie gras, canard (in all sorts of variations), bread, cakes and the freshest fruit and vegetables. Fill your basket and then go back home and enjoy lunch on the terrace.

If you aren’t into cooking then there are lots of local restaurants and bars for you to enjoy. In the local village of Saint Avit Senieur we are lucky to have the brilliant Table de Leo. You can eat some of the freshest and most imaginatively prepared produce in the whole of the Dordogne, all sitting under the wisteria and in the shade of the medieval Abbey. Within a twenty minute drive you will find a plethora of beautiful villages where you can dine and drink with the locals. Monday nights in the Summer are not to be missed in Beaumont du Perigord where there is a fantastic night market.

You can arrange visits to local vineyards for your party, as well as private wine tastings at Fontalbe should you prefer. As well as the local vineyards, there are the world famous vineyards of Bordeaux: Saint Emilion; Chateau Latour; Margaux and Haut-Brion to name just a few, all within an hour and a half.

For history buffs there are the nearby prehistoric cave paintings for which the Dordogne Valley is world renowned; in Saint Avit Senieur and Cadouin there are medieval, UNESCO listed Abbeys along the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela and the plethora of spectacular chateaux.

We want to make your stay here relaxing and hassle-free. We will provide you with a welcome booklet 8 weeks before your arrival with contacts and recommendations for various activities so you can book these before your stay.

Here is a taster of what you might want to do while you are here:

Private chef and wine tasting

In the comfort of your own holiday home you can have a gourmet five course dinner prepared for you, or simply ask for a quiche, lasagnes and a cheeseboard to be delivered. If you are celebrating a special occasion, then let us know so we can provide you with contact details for some recommended chefs who will cater to your every whim.

Vineyard tours and wine tasting

Chateau Feely is a 25 minute drive away and is a small, family run vineyard that is organic and biodynamic. (www.chateaufeely.com). You can do anything from an hour long tour to a whole day winemaker experience. Caro Feely is a knowledgeable and enthusiastic host and will happily ship any wines that you inevitably end up buying back home for you.

Or try Wine tasting in the comfort of your own holiday home with Dordogne Vineyard tours . Sue and Vince will pick you and your friends up and take you to their vineyards or organise tastings and paired food at Fontalbe. www.dordognevineyardtours.com

Canoeing

Based in Limeuil where the Dordogne meets the Vezere river, Canoes Limeuil (www.canoes-limeuil.fr) offer a wide range of adventures. Take a canoe for an hour or a whole day, they will pick you up at the end of your trip when you can return to the medieval village and enjoy a chilled drink in a local bar.

Horse riding

Take a hack through the woods and enjoy the delights of the Dordogne countryside on horseback. Visit www.cepb.free.fr. All levels of experience are catered for. Or try something completely different….horseback archery! Arrange for an evening just for your party to try your skills at shooting targets while on a horse. Spectators are welcome too, take a picnic. An experience to remember!

Bike hire

Cyling is a fantastic way to see the beauty of the Dordogne. Many of our guests bring their own bikes but if you would prefer to hire them contact www.aquitainebike.com. They will even deliver your bikes to Fontalbe with helmets etc ready for you to explore the region.

There is always something going on, particularly during the Summer months.

Before your visit we will provide you with an information pack with an up to date list of all our favourite restaurants and bars and leaflets from various tourist attractions provided by the tourist information.
You wont be short of amazing things to do!