Situated at the heart of South-West France, this land-locked department is home to spectacular sites and monuments which provide endless opportunities for cultural discovery - the local way of life, prehistoric remains, charming villages, delightful scenery and famous castles, as well as a feast for the senses... This feature appeared within Choice Villas & Apartments Britain's most read villa magazine. For further details please go to www.tlmags.com or for more accommodation visit www.choicetravelinfo.com

1. Choice Holidays
Situated at the heart of South-West France,
this land-locked department (département)
is home to spectacular sites and monuments
which provide endless opportunities for
cultural discovery – the local way of life,
prehistoric remains, charming villages, delightful
scenery and famous castles, as well as a feast
La Roque Gagea
for the senses... c ©CRTA 1 J-J.
Brochard
T
Grand Roc Les Eyzies
©CRTA 1 J-J. Brochard
he subtle differences in the relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Dordogne landscapes are The Périgord has championed the development of
highlighted by four different high-quality, rural-based tourism, including the creation
colours… Green, extending in a of a protected Parc Naturel Régional.
crescent across the north of the Traditional cuisine is based on time-honoured local
department, encompasses the recipes and produce, such as chestnuts, walnuts and
verdant vegetation (even in the cep mushrooms in the autumn, and strawberries in
driest of summers) of the area of April, in addition to the renowned truffles and foie
Nontron and Dronne Valley and gras, perhaps bought from a farmer at a duck and
includes the protected land of the goose market (marché au gras) in winter.
Parc Naturel Régional Périgord A visit to the markets in Sarlat or Périgueux offers a
Limousin. White, in the central fascinating insight into the value attached to the
part of the department and treasures of its soil, and their symbolic role in the life
covering Périgueux and the Vallée of the Dordogne and its inhabitants.
de l’Isle, is criss-crossed by the Auvézère and Perigueux, the capital of the Perigord has over
Isle rivers, and is so-named as a result of the 2000 years of history: from the ancient Gallo-Roman
chalky soils which bestow a white appearance city of Vesunna to the Renaissance period and the
to the stone in this area. The colour Purple Cathedral of Saint-Front (classified as a UNESCO
covers the south-west of the department, World Heritage Site, the cathedral is an important
including the Bergerac area, an area famous stage on the St James of Compostella Pilgrim’s Way).
for its wines, and the fascinating bastides or A total of 39 buildings are classed as Historical
"new towns" built during the Middle Ages to Monuments in what is one of the largest conservation
a well-ordered street pattern. Black, areas in France (56.25 acres).
extending across the south-east of the The International Mime Festival, nocturnal markets,
Dordogne, and including the Sarlat area, is the International Show room of the Greedy Book and
distinguishable by its forests of holm oak the International Baroque Music Festival, all help to
and limestone plateaux (causses) which make Perigueux the cultural centre of the Perigord.
extend into the Quercy. This area is home
The Bergerac region "a bounty of pleasure" in the
to the world-renowned prehistoric sites
of the Vézère and Dordogne valleys.
A
visit to this unique region takes
you back in time to discover
and explore the fascinating past
through the many sites and
attractions dating from numerous
periods in the Dordogne’s
illustrious history.
The luxuriant natural Hautefort ©CRTA 1 J-J. Brochard
landscapes extend throughout
the department, providing Further information
countless opportunities for Dordogne Tourism
nature-lovers to enjoy a
Tel : 00.33.553.35.50.24 Fax : 00.33.553.09.51.41
whole range of outdoor
activities (swimming, fishing, E-mail : dordogne.perigord.tourisme@wanadoo.fr
canoeing, cycling…) or just Web: www.dordogne-perigord-tourisme.fr
8 Choice Villas & Apartments April 2009

2. The Dordogne, Aquitaine
South West of Périgord, is the town of Cyrano,
Bergerac, with its historical district, narrow Local Handicraft
medieval streets and Renaissance houses. Nontron knives, distinguishable
Next, a visit to the prestigious Monbazillac, by their boxwood handles
Lanquais and Biron castles lead you to the edge of decorated with the famous
the Bastide region where the delightful architecture inverted "V", are produced using
of Monpazier, Beaumont and Issigeac awaits. the clear waters of the River
Monbazillac, is also a delicious nectar and a Bandiat, abundant wood from the
crucial compliment to foie gras, which belongs to surrounding area and iron ore
the family of Bergerac wines of which there are 13 used by local forges. In Nontron’s
knife workshop, visitors can learn
appellations. Begin to discover these regional wines about the various stages of
at Recollets Cloister where a hundred and thirty production required to
vintners are ready to welcome you and share their manufacture the oldest pocket
Perigueux Escalier
©E.Martin – OT de Périgueux passion of their craft. knives in France.
Sarlat, the jewel in the crown of the Périgord Charentais slippers, which
Noir is one of the most famous towns for were originally made from pieces
medieval art and history in France and has the of used or unwanted felt
highest number of listed buildings per square metre discarded by local felt-paper
in Europe. workshops in the 18C and 19C.
Another of the Périgord Noir's world famous Traditional crafts which used
sights is the renowned prehistoric cave at Lascaux. the wood and fruit of the sweet
Since its discovery in 1940, the cave has been chestnut. The work of the
nicknamed the Prehistoric Sistine Chapel. Today, the "feuillardiers", whose task was to
site of Lascaux II is home to an exact replica of the provide chestnut for the barrel-
original paintings created by our ancestors. hopping industry, has given rise to
the name of an area known as Le
Dordogne in Aquitaine: A magical place to visit. Pays des Feuillardiers.
Other related artisan industries
Sarlat Porte ©CRTA 1 J-J. Brochard include wickerwork and sweet
chestnut cakes.
Castelnaud Beynac ©CRTA 1 J-J. Brochard

3. Dordogne
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