Visit Bergerac and the Dordogne Area
Area Overview :
Bergerac, Monpazier, Monflanquin...the countryside here in South-West France, around our cottage and farmhouse gites, is a land of sunflowers and medieval towns, of caves and rivers, of vineyards and plum orchards, of castles and quiet lost villages, of sunshine and tradition, and of miles of beautiful unspoilt scenery.
The gites are found near the border between the Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne departments of France and provide easy access to both of these areas, with their different characteristics and charms. You can see the exact location on the map on the Find Us page. Bergerac is 25km north west, and Villeneuve sur Lot 25km to the south of our gite.
THE IMMEDIATE AREA - MEDIEVAL VILLAGES AND SUNFLOWERS
The property is on a small hill 2 km from Villereal, surrounded by gardens and open countryside, in a beautiful and completely peaceful location. A variety of crops are grown in the surrounding fields, including sunflowers. There are also several plum orchards near the property, and woodlands and meadows. The countryside is dotted with a mix of old stone farmhouses and colombage cottages.
This video above shows Villereal quite well - even if you don't speak French you can admire the village!
The places on this page are all within about 10-15km of La Grange at Villereal. Many of our guests spend much of their holiday at Fonguilleres itself, enjoying the peace and quiet, reading a book, sampling local wine, swimming in the pool, wandering around the property and occasionally going into Villereal for a drink or a meal.
Villereal
Villereal
is the bastide town near Fonguillères. It is an active, 'lived in' town, and
has all facilities. It has a medieval centre with a rare medieval market hall,
and the buzzing activity and cafes in the town square ensure that many of our
visitors name Villereal as their favourite town in the area. In common with
the other bastide towns in the area Villereal has many fascinating houses and
streets dating from the middle ages. It is the perfect place to sit in a cafe
in the town centre and watch the world go by. It is also ideally placed as a
central 'hub' for reaching the many other towns of note in the area. Villereal
has banks, supermarkets, several bakers, butchers, a lively Saturday market,
a post office, two estate agents, several cafes and restaurants, a tourist office
that can provide details of current events, walks and cycle rides etc and a
bike hire shop - not bad for a town of 1500 residents.
Reputedly built during the hundred years war, maisons en empilage (literally
'piled up' since they are made of large wooden beams piled one on the other),
there are several of these houses in the area. This one is a couple of hundred
metres from Fonguilleres and has featured twice recently in magazines celebrating
the patrimony of France. There are also many pigeonniers in the area, some remarkably
elaborate. The common feature is the 'legs' that support the building, constructed
in such a way that rats and vermin can not enter. This one is very close to
Fonguilleres.
Chateau Biron
A lovely castle about 10 kilometres from Villereal, just south of Monpazier,
on a hilltop with views across miles of countryside. Well worth a visit, followed
perhaps by a drive down the Gavaudun Valley to see the castle at Gavaudun.
Biron
The
little village below Biron castle is very pretty, and there is a nice restaurant.
Gavaudun Castle / St Avit
A remarkable keep or 'donjon' in the Gavaudun Valley, about 10 kilometres from
Villereal. VERY old and forbidding, perhaps not for those with a fear of heights.
The village and valley of Gavaudun are very pretty and there is a national pathway
that passes along the valley. Nearby St Avit is a quaint, pedestrian only village,
also in the Gavaudun Valley. One of the best things about the area is the myriad
of small and picturesque villages to be discovered 'off the beaten track' and
set in beautiful countryside.
Issigeac
13
kilometres from Villereal,
Issigeac is an amazingly well preserved medieval
town, with winding alleys and roads hemmed in by ancient houses. Issigeac has
a very popular market on a Sunday morning, loved by everyone who stays in our
gites.
Monpazier
14
kilometres from Villereal, Monpazier is another extraordinary town, with the
central square still much as it was several hundred years ago. With Issigeac,
a town we love to visit again and again. It is one of several towns nearby with the prestigious
'most beautiful villages in France' listing (see also further on
- Monflanquin, Domme, Sarlat, Pujols). Each spring the Monpazier flower and
plant market brings colour to the town.
EXPLORING THE DORDOGNE
The attractions of the Dordogne region are well known - the river, the chateaux, the scenery, the ancient towns and villages, the caves and so on. The Lot-et-Garonne area to the south is less well known. It is often described as 'French Tuscany' and has miles of unspoilt countryside interspersed with small bastide (13th century) towns, and is less 'touristy' (quieter roads) and less developed than the Dordogne.
Several of the towns and villages in the area have the prestigious 'one of the most beautiful villages in France' listing. This is not because it is easy to get the award (there are only about 130 in the whole of France) but because there are a lot of very beautiful towns in the area! There are lots of smaller villages, towns and hamlets, often also very beautiful, that I have not included below.
La Roque Gageac
In
the heart of the Dordogne Valley,
La Roque Gageac
is a beautiful 'step back in time' picture postcard village with exotoc
gardens up the hill.
Beynac
Beynac, also
on the Dordogne River, has a spectacular castle overlooking the river and the
countryside, and a lovely climb through the village to reach it...
The many splendours of the Dordogne are within easy reach of the gites. With
caves and prehistoric sites, beautiful towns and villages and of course the
scenery around the River Dordogne, and swimming and canoeing in the river itself,
there is a great deal to see and do, and to enjoy. La Roque-Gageac and Beynac,
and the scenery along the Dordogne River itself, are perhaps our personal favourites
in the Dordogne area, but there is always something new to discover. The chateau
at Beynac has magnificent views over the river and surrounding area.
Canoeing
Canoeing on
the River Dordogne is very popular and very easy - you get a lift up to a starting
point, and then row downstream only. A lovely way to see the Dordogne Valley
and river, with plenty of places to pull up on the river bank and have a picnic.
Gardens
There are many gardens
that can be visited - this picture is the renowned garden at Sardy.
Eymet
Eymet is another attractive
bastide town in the area.
Limeuil
The
town at Limeuil - there is a nice river beach here where children (and adults)
can play in the river.
Sarlat
Lovely and world-famous
town with numerous buildings of historical interest and attractive streets to explore. Sarlat Gets rather busy in summer (get to Sarlat early if possible) but still an unmissable pleasure
Domme
Another nearby
town listed as 'one of the most beautiful villages in France' . Domme also has
some fine caves, accessed from the 'town centre').
Monflanquin
Monflanquin
is another nearby town listed as 'one of the most beautiful villages in France'.
Pujols - (not on the Dordogne)
And Pujols
is another ...near to Penne d'Agenais, south of the gites.
Bergerac
Little remains of the original town of Bergerac, following
destruction in the Hundred Years War. However it has retained a very attractive old town that leads down
to the river, a very nice place for a wander around. Bergerac is much larger
than the other towns mentioned here, and has a large 'modern' area with shops,
restaurants etc.
Sunflowers!
How
could we not have a picture of the local sunflowers...
Click HERE to find out more about bastide towns
See our Book List page for book, DVD etc recommendations about the area
THE PLACES THE GUIDE BOOKS FORGOT / OUR RECOMMENDATIONS
There are certain lesser known attractions and events that should not be missed but may not feature in your guide book.
- Issigeac market on a Sunday morning - Issigeac is a truly beautiful little medieval town with a myriad of back streets to explore. The Sunday market adds even more colour to the town. All our visitors visit Issigeac and I have never heard anyone be less than totally impressed.
- Go for lunch or dinner at the restaurant 'Des Ramparts' in Castillones. The food is very good, reasonably priced (and they will happily translate the whole menu into English for you if necessary)
- Visit Chateau Biron then perhaps have lunch at the restaurant below the castle. Stop off at St Avit on the way back from the Chateau for a stroll around the (pedestrian only)village
- Sit on the terrace of the cafe (La Moderne) in Villereal 'town centre' and watch the world go by while admiring the ancient 12th century market hall, then amble around the back streets of the town.
- Walk part of the grand Randonnee along the River Lede Valley.
- Buy bread from the bakers called 'Scalagrand'. This bakers is 300 metres from the gites and is rightly famous. Trust me, you will talk about this bakers (and their bread) for ever after.
- Pass a half-day canoeing on the Dordogne (easily done - the canoe company drive you upstream and drop you off with a canoe, so you only need to row 'with the flow' or stop on the river banks for a picnic).
- If you notice that Villereal, Issigeac or Monpazier have their annual Bodega during your stay here, try to attend. The towns turn into great outdoor parties with street music, food and dancing, and everyone has a good time. 'Notting Hill Carnival' French style? These are great fun.
- Visit Pujols, near to Villeneuve-sur-Lot, then over to Penne d'Agenais for a beer on a cafe terrace
- Look in an estate agent window (why? I don't know but everyone seems to enjoy doing it!)
- Buy a tin of 'confit de canard' from any supermarket. This is the tastiest food in the world! Enjoy with salad and a glass of wine. Relax.
- Or go to Sarlat and spend an hour trying to find a parking space...Ok I'm always rude about Sarlat but everyone loves it really despite the crowds
Yes, but what else can we do? Ideas for an itinerary...
An itinerary of things to do during a stay here could include some chosen from the list below (some have already been mentioned above). Most are chosen to include a mixture of things, without being too much driving. None specifically emphasise the scenery that you will enjoy en-route, although this is a key feature! The list is NOT in order of preference:
Villereal is not included below- I’m sure you will see it anyway! The following will each take between ½ a day and a whole day, depending on lunch and how much time you spend wandering around etc. You can ask us of course about places in the vicinity, restaurants etc
- Belves / Cadouin / St Avit Senieur
- Pujols and Penne d’Agenais, lunch at Penne d’Agenais, then shopping at E Leclerc at Villeneuve sur Lot (or a look around the town itself)
- Monazier and Chateau Biron
- Bergerac Old Town, boat trip on Dordogne, lunch in Bergerac, visit to Monbazillac Chateau and cave (wine tasting)
- Tournon d’Agenais and Chateau Bonaguil
- Day (or ½ day) canoeing on the Dordogne
- Sarlat and Jardin du Chateau de Marqueyssac
- Domme including lunch and entrance into the caves
- Beynac / La Roque Gageac / Château es Milandes (Josephine Baker château)
- Walking, possibly through Gavaudun Valley via Lacapelle Biron, Gavaudun and St Avit, lunch in Gavaudun, visit to Gavaudun Castle (numerous other walking routes are available in the tourist office)
- Le Bugue to Montignac along Vézère Valley
- Issigeac market – Sunday morning
- Drive and sightseeing, Villereal - Monflanquin (beautiful hilltop town) – Cancon – Lougratte (swimming lake, picnic) – Montaut – Villereal
- Day cycling (hire bikes in Villereal, routes to suit all abilities in the tourist office, or we can advise you)
Other Options, mostly children related
- Pony trekking / horse riding
- P’arc en Ciel (Lacapelle Biron, animals for small children, treetop adventure for others)
- Park Walibi (Agen, 1 hour drive, large adventure / amusement park)
- Aqua Park (leave Bergerac towards St Foy, about 5 km from Bergerac)
- Paddling / swimming in the Dordogne River at Limeuil
You should check in the Villereal tourist office for activities specific to the period that you are staying – e.g. bodegas (town 'street parties' open to all), medieval days in Monflanquin, vide greniers and brocantes, the annual firework and music display at Chateau Bonaguil (amazing!), July 14th celebrations and so on.
See also 'Activities' for further information of things to do in the area.
Information on this page about Lot-et-Garonne is supplied by southofthedordogne.com. Further information is also available at the Dordogne France site, and Various tips and suggestions can also be found at www.south-of-france.com
Travelling down through France? Try this B&B Paris as a possible stop off point.
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