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.