© 2006 SARL Classic French Homes

Page Updated November 6, 2007

The Area

Whether you are looking for the peaceful serenity of rolling hills and countryside or the vibrancy of bustling French towns and cities, the South West of France has the answer.

AQUITAINE

The ancient kingdom of Aquitaine is set in the South West of France, perfectly located between the Atlantic and the Pyrenees and Spanish border. The Dordogne, Lot et Garonne and the Gironde are three of the five departments that make up the region of Aquitaine. The climate is hot and sunny with short and milder winters. Classic French Homes is based close to the bustling town of Bergerac in the Dordogne, however we are near to the borders of Lot et Garonne and Gironde and you will find some of our properties in these departments.

Ever since Eleanor of Aquitaine left King Louis VII of France for his English counterpart, King Henry II, back in the 12th century – a marriage which sparked the chain of events that led Aquitaine to becoming a British crown territory between 1361 and 1453 – the region has shared close links with the UK making it now an ideal base or holiday location. With International Airports at Bergerac, Bordeaux and Toulouse and High speed TGV connections into Bordeaux, Libourne and Toulouse this beautiful part of the world is easily accessible from all over the world.

Dordogne

The Dordogne is one of the largest French Departments and offers a varied and beautiful landscape. It is split into four parts, Perigord Noir, Perigord Blanc, Perigord vert and Perigord Poupre, each offering it’s own distinct beauty. The Dordogne is popular with tourists and home owners for it’s many prehistoric sites, stunning bastide towns, abundant vineyards, rolling countryside, local products such as foie gras, prunes, canard, walnuts, truffles……the list is endless.

“Perigord is a quiet litlle corner of countryside where people enjoy a measured, secure existence. The landscape is filled with curve upon curve, in a series of undulating valleys and hills. The villages huddle round a Romanesque church, near the tiny covered market with it’s timber or stone pillars. Battlements, turrets or dovecotes suddenly come into view round the bend of a river, at the top of a rock or on the gently-rolling hillsides”
Guy de Larigaudie

Legend has it that when God distributed his chateaux, he started by the Loire Valley. Going far away from there, his bag burst over the Dordogne river and the Perigord region will be eternally thankful for his clumsiness!
In fact, during the Hundred Years' War, England and France built 1001 châteaux up and down the river. Today, from villages classified as among the most beautiful in France, mediaeval fortresses such as Beynac and Castelnaud face each other, while Renaissance châteaux nestle back in the hills.

The major towns of the Dordogne include Perigeaux and Bergerac.

Perigeaux was founded over 2,000 years ago, and is the capital city of the Dordogne. Originally two cities, one ecclesiastical, the other more mercantile, the oldest remains to be seen today are the Gallo-Roman tower, La Tour de Vésone, and the excavations of a village of the same era, in a new museum called Vesunna. The main shopping precinct is a warren of cobbled alleys lined with boutiques, jolly summer buskers and magnificent Renaissance houses. This pedestrian area, with its shady squares and café terraces, is a marvellous venue for open air events like the mime festival, Mimos, or the free evening jazz concerts, Macadam Jazz, in July and August, as well as more traditional events like the marché au gras (fattened duck and goose products) during the winter months.

Bergerac often known as the “Gateway to Perigord” sits proudly on the banks of the Dordogne River and it’s beautiful old town is packed full of character and history. The lovely boutique style shops, café filled squares, colourful markets on a Wednesday and Saturday mornings all add to a town that keeps busy throughout the whole of the year. The town is primarily known for it’s wine and tobacco. The region has 12 recognized wine AOCs (Appellations d'Origine Contrôlée:

Bergerac, Bergerac Rosé, Bergerac Sec (dry), Côtes de Bergerac, Cotes de Bergerac Blanc, Cotes de Montravel, Montravel (red and white),Haut-Montravel, Saussignac (semi-sweet), Monbazillac, Pecharment and Rosette.

The range is delicious and broad from the sweet wines from Monbazillac to the drier reds of Pecharmant

Lot et Garonne

Lot-et-Garonne is divided into two distinct geographical areas by the Garonne river which flows roughly through the centre of the department. The eastern side is dominated by forested areas and is renowned for the many bastides and châteaux which dot the countryside. Little surprise, then, that this area is also known as 'the Tuscany of France'. To the west, Lot-et-Garonne comprises rich rolling land which, along with the department's climate – it is one of the driest areas in France – makes the area a prime destination for fruit growing. The department's capital, Agen, is regarded as being the centre of the country's prune trade.

Gironde

The Gironde, France's largest department and home to the bustling city of Bordeaux, boasts 2,170 miles of rivers and 72 miles of coastline. Its Atlantic coastline has long been popular with holidaymakers, especially those who like surfing – this stretch of France's coastline is said to possess the country's highest waves. However, the department is undoubtedly best known for its wines – it is the largest wine producing area in the world and is covered by over 117,000 hectares of vineyards.

Bordeaux is a vibrant and exciting city with stunning architecture, masses of culture and stacks of designer boutiques.It’s large International Airport makes it easily accessible to the rest of the world.

Places to visit in the Area

Food and Wine

The places and sites to visit in the area are vast and unlike some areas of France the markets and events continue throughout the year.

Markets
There are markets every day of the week, a fantastic way of life and way to sample local produce. A small selection follows;

Day Market
Monday Miramont, Beynac, La Fleix, St Alvere
Tuesday Castillonnes, Le Bugue, Eymet*, Cenac, Riberac, Thenon, Thiviers
Wednesday Bergerac, Hautefort, La Tour Blanche, Monesterol, Montpon, Perigueux, Gardonne, Jumilhac le Grand, Sarlat
Thursday Eymet, Domme, Lalinde, Montpazier, St Astier, St Julien de Lampon
Friday Sigoules, Brantome, Riberac, Trellisac, Sigoules*
Saturday Bergerac, Beamont, Le Bugue, Lalainde, Montignac, Mussidan, Perigueux, Sarlat, Thiviers, Duras, Villereal
Sunday Issegeac & Limeuil, Monbazillac*

*Eymet night market, every Tuesday night, Monbazillac night market every Sunday and Sigoules night market every Friday night during July and August.
Restaurants
Another way to taste the fantastic local produce is to sample the local restaurants which are abundant, the general standard is high and, frequently excellent value. In Bergerac, there is L’Imparfait, Tour des Vents, L’Enfance du Lard, La Grappe d’Or to mention just a few. In Eymet, La Cour d'Eymet is well worth a visit with the Chef chasing a Michelin star. A recent discovery and acclaimed by all who visit is Ma Maison in nearby Sauvetat du Dropt.

Wine
The winetasting alone could easily fill a lifetime, the variety is so vast. Situated on both sides of the Dordogne river, the Bergerac vineyard covers 13.000 hectares on 93 villages. These vineyards produce 75 % of the Dordogne's production. The cellar of every "wine cooperative" offers its precious wine for tasting, particularly the Bergerac and Monbazillac cellars which are open to visitors. It is important not to forget the smaller family run vineyards, which are full of character and charm as well as superb wine. Among the 12 appellations, the most famous are AOC Bergerac, Côtes de Bergerac, Pécharmant, Rosette, Monbazillac, Saussignac and Montravel. Slightly further afield are the famous vineyards of Bordeaux, St Emilion, Pomerol and Fronsac, yet all still only an hour away from Bergerac.
St Emilion is a beautiful town and must to visit. A walk up the winding roads of the village is justified when you reach the top and the see the views over the St Emilion vineyards. There are some fantastic restaurants in St Emilion and a stopover for lunch is well advised.

Sport

One of the most popular activities in the Dordogne is canoeing and the rivers Dordogne and Vezere offer splendid paths through the dramatic scenery. Trips can vary from 1 hour to several days depending on what you require.There are also fantastic golf courses such as Chateau des Vigiers (where you play through the vines towards the stunning chateau), Golf de Lolivarie (set close to the banks of the Dordogne), Villeneuve sur Lot Golf and Country Club (where you play through the orchards on a rolling and hilly course) as well as numerous championship courses in and around Bordeaux. In addition, the countryside offers great cycling and walking routes, horseriding, tennis and fishing.
Culture

Chateaux
There are over 1000 chateaux in the Dordogne area, although many are in a ruins. One of the most noteworthy is Chateau Monbazillac, described as the"Gem of Périgord Pourpre". It is classified as a Historical Monument (XVIth century) and is located only 15 minutes from Les Roches. Monbazillac was built in the middle of the XVIth century on top of the hill overlooking the pleasant valley of Bergerac. The château combines feudal military architecture and the elegant early Renaissance style. Whilst visiting, you will discover the very interesting Museum of Wine and Vineyard, Museum of Furniture in Périgord, Museum of Protestantism, and the "1001 Châteaux of Périgord". There is a delightful restaurant next to the chateau. Other chateaux are Lanquis, Biron, Chabans, Castelnaud, Brantome and Milandes. There are also a number of beautiful abbeys worthy of a visit such as Brantome, Cadouin and Limeuil.

Caves
There are many geographical caves in and around the Dordogne, one special one is the Cave of the Grand Roc, located close to Les Eyzies. This area has been described as the world capital of prehistory. The Cave of the Grand Roc is embedded in a magnificent cliff overlooking the Vézère Valley, Grand Roc is described as an exceptional jewel. This natural masterpiece offers its cristallizations famous for their variety, their unusual shapes, their abudant crystals, and their varied forms. On the same cliff, is another exceptional prehistoric site: the Shelters of Laugerie Basse. There is also the Roque St Christophe, the oldest and largest cave site in Western Europe and Grottes du Roc de Cazelle where you can discover the life of prehistoric man.
Museums. In Bergerac there is the Museum of Wine and also the Museum of Tobacco. They are situated in the old town surrounded by cobbled squares, lively cafes and boutique shops including antiques and art galleries.