The nearby village of Payzac
Within 2 kilometres is the historic village of Payzac which is situated 1200 feet above sea level. Every first and third Tuesday of the month there is a small market in the village square and dominating the scene is the famous 12th century church. Payzac also has two cafes, two bars, two restaurants, an antique shop, bank (with cashpoint), pharmacy, newsagents and a large supermarket
Within a 15 minute drive is the pretty market town of Saint Yrieix la Perche where you will find a large selection of shops, restaurants, supermarkets, banks. The villas are ideally placed for visits to prehistoric sites, grand chateaux, vineyards or to the historic city of Limoges – world famous for its porcelain. With easy access to neighbouring Dordogne - you can enjoy interesting days out and discover the beautiful rolling countryside with medieval villages and the quiet country lanes make walking, cycling or driving a pleasure.
Local Markets
There are many farmers markets, antique fairs and brocantes to discover locally and during the summer months, the area is alive with activities. The nearby market at Objat which is held every Sunday Morning is one not to miss where traders from all over France come to sell their goods and produce.
http://www.france4families.com/Dordogne/RegionsDordogneMarkets.htm
Jumilhac le Grand
The grande chateau at Jumilhac Le Grand dates, in part, from the XIII Century. As well as daytime tours, an evening tour by candle light is offered, with the guides dressed in period costume. There are 2 pleasant short walks adjacent to the chateau. Visit www.best-of-perigord.tm.fr
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Pompadour
On the route of Richard the Lionheart. is the historic town of Pompadour with Its magnificent Chateau which was once the home of Madame de Pompadour - favourite mistress to Louis XV. Pompadour also has regular horse racing events and is an international equestrian eventing centre.
www.pompadour.net
Within walking distance is the 40 hectare Lake Rouffiac. On the shores of the lake there is a sandy beach where one can swim or take a pedelo ride. For the more adventurous, there is teleski-ing, canoeing and kayaking. Surrounding the shores there is another 60 hectares of woodland walks.
Oradour-sur-Glane
Oradour-sur-Glane is 25 kilometres north-west of Limoges and is not a place to stay, but a place to visit in quiet contemplation. Oradour-sur-Glane was a village that was completely destroyed by the SS in June 1944, after killing all the inhabitants, as retribution for the activities of the local resistance, during World War 2. The men of the village were all shot, and the women and children burned to death in the church, before the village was razed to the ground.
The village has been kept exactly as it was at the end of that terrible day, as a tribute and memorial to those who died. You can still see the wrecked cars and machinery, and the gutted buildings, exactly as they were left.
Brantome
Brantome is known as 'Perigord's Venice' and is a genuine 'must see'. It is celebrated by visitors and archeologists alike for its museum of prehistory, prehistorical and megalithical sites, and troglodyte houses carved into cliff faces. Its belfry is said to be the oldest in France and its Benedictine abbey was founded by Charlemagne.
http://urban.csuohio.edu/%7Esanda
/pic/travel/france/perigord/brantome/
Grotte de Villars
One cold, winter evening at the end of the year 1953, a team of local pothollers were wandering around the woods at Cluzeau and by some large rocks they discovered an opening blocked by stones. Behind it was an underground passage. The narrow entrance was quickly cleared to reveal a dark passage which plunged down into the unknown: The Villars cave had been discovered.
After the passage had been cleared - the discoverers: Marie Claude FERRES - Yann JEZEQUEL - Robert de FACCIO - Bernard PIERRET and Pierre VIDAL made their very emotional journey into a magical cave of fantastic surroundings. Five years after their initial discovery another potholer from the same club spotted a number of prehistoric paintings hidden under the calcite: Villars was a painted cave!
http://www.grotte-villars.com/Index-gb.htm
 
Beynac
The site of Beynac and its castle is undoubtedly one of the finest in France. The village was featured in the film Chocolat and the castle in the film Joan of Arc. The medieval castle, which stands high on a rocky outcrop and overlooks the Dordogne river, remains as it was in the middle ages, and is very atmospheric! You can also take a guided boat trip on the Dordogne river or kayak if you’re feeling adventurous. Take a picnic on the shores of the river or enjoy a meal in one of the riverside restaurants and watch the world go by. The town of Beynac also has some interesting shops and all in all a wonderful days outing.
http://www.casteland.com/puk/castle/
aquitaine/dordogne/beynac/beynac.htm
Domme
Even if it wasn't one of 'Les plus beaux villages de France' Domme would still be high on the list of places you must visit in the Dordogne. This is a marvellous example of a walled bastide town with several fortified gateways in the town walls. It is situated high above the river with outstanding views of the Dordogne and the main châteaux in the area. Underneath the market square there is a cave with stalagmites and stalactites. There are a lot of tourist shops to browse and we recommend that you wander around some of the back streets to add to the atmosphere.
http://www.ot-domme.com/
Please visit the links below for more tourist sites:
http://www.tourisme-perigueux.fr/default.asp
www.tourismelimoges.com
http://www.ot-sarlat-perigord.fr/
http://perso.orange.fr/prehistoparc/scenes.htm |
