Explore The Dordogne

Attractions & activities in this beautiful region of The Dordogne

Local Leisure Activities

For families not wanting to spend their holiday driving, La Grange is the perfect location.

Only minutes from the house, and a short walk through vineyards brings you to the large well equipped Lac-de-Gurson. This lake complex was built about 20 years ago by all the local communes. It has two large lakes, one for fishing and one for swimming (life guard on duty during high season). There is a safe beach, a children's swing area, a water slide, pedaloes, tennis, pétanque court, horse riding, shady picnic areas, beach type cafés and several lakeside restaurants and snack bars. Teenagers can come and go as they please to the lake. The lanes are superb for walking or cycling.

For the more energetic, you can go canoeing on the River Dordonge or River Isle.

There are two golf courses one Eighteen hole and one Nine hole at Les Vigiers near Ste Foy La Grande within half an hours journey.

Villefranche-de-Lonchat is only 3km away. It has a pretty tree lined square, an excellent restaurant, three cafés, boulangerie, post office, pharmacy and a general store.

On the continuing theme of transport - we find it extremely pleasant to be able to wander along to one of the lakeside restaurants for a quiet drink or a nice meal without the designated driver dilemma - everyone walks!

Because of the rolling countryside, although only minutes away, the lake is out of sight and earshot of the house, which is located in a small hamlet. There is very little traffic on the nearby lane which is used mostly by local residents and their farm vehicles.

Wine

La Grange is surrounded by acres of vineyards. There are dozens of small local vineyards in this part of the Dordogne - hence the name "Perigord Pourpe" given to the Bergerac wine-growing region. Locally grown wine can be found at the friendly wine cooperatives located in Carsac, Villefranche and St. Vivien. Wine tasting at some of the local small chateaux is unpretentious and not at all intimidating for the uninitiated.

St Emilion

An exceptionally beautiful medieval town with steep cobbled streets running between ancient limestone buildings, St. Emilion is famed for its association with some of the finest wines in France and even the world! Here there are a wealth of restaurants and small shops selling local produce and of course many caves selling wine.

Ste Foy La Grande

With the Dordogne River running through it this Bastide town is lovely place to visit. There is a museum of the Dordogne River and a large market every Saturday morning.

Bergerac

Set on the Dordogne River with its outdoor pavement cafés and summer evening entertainment, Bergerac is a large town with many small individual shops. There is a market every Saturday morning.

Further Afield

Further afield, at Lascaux you can see the famous prehistoric cave paintings, the breathtaking stalactites and stalagmites to be found in the Grottos of Les Eyzies, home of Cro-Magnon Man; the beautiful unspoilt medieval town of Sarlat, the panoramic view from the fortified town of Domme and the magnificent Chateau de Beynac. A trip on the Dordogne River by canoe or kayak.

A trip to the Atlantic Coast and Arcachon is less than 2Hrs away. Here you can see and climb the Dune De Plya, the highest sand dune in Europe. Alternatively,also less than 2Hrs away, just west of Bordeaux, you can enjoy the exhilarating Atlantic surf at Le Cap Ferret or Lacanau Ocean.

Restaurants

There are many excellent restaurants in the area where you can sample many of the local specialities.

Markets