There
are many activities round and about including golf, canoeing,
walking, horse riding, hot air ballooning, go-karting, tennis
and fishing (which is possible at the bottom of the garden, a
licence can be obtained at the local shop).
You can do as much or as little as you want, there is something
for everyone. The Dordogne is a beautiful part of France
with a very nice climate. It offers thousands of places to visit
including Chateaus, Bastide Towns, Gardens, Caves filled with
prehistoric paintings, and many restaurants specialising in traditional
cuisine.
Bergerac
was once a flourishing port for the wine trade. It still today
has a picturesque harbour where you can take a boat trip along
the river Dordogne, or a miniature train ride around the Bastide
town, viewing the many half timbered houses with terracotta
decoration. Being famous for it's wines and tobacco there are
the museum's Musee du Tabac and the Musee du Vin, de la Batellerie
et de la Tonnellerie on the industries recording their history
throughout the centuries.
Sarlat-la-Caneda
is really worth a visit. In the heart of the Perigord Noir,
Sarlat grew up around a Benedictine abbey founded in the 9th
century. It has a distinct medieval feel about it, with numerous
magnificent buildings around every corner you turn. The town's
Saturday market is also a main feature with it's truffles, foie
gras and mushrooms (depending on the season).
Les Eyzies
de Tayac is an archaeologist's paradise with many caves
containing prehistoric paintings and deposits.
Lascaux
the famous cave was only discovered in 1940, by four young boys
who's dog had fallen down a hole. The cave is made up of four
galleries, the walls of which are covered with more than 1500
representations, either engraved or painted. These works were
created from around 1700 B.C. Unfortunately opening the cave
had a damaging effect, and in order to preserve such treasures
was closed.
Lascaux
II this is a replica of two of the galleries. The artist Monique
Peytral used the same methods and materials as the cave artists
so the atmosphere of the original cave has been made possible.
Chateau
de Monbazillac is a relatively small chateau, which was
built in 1550 and is surrounded by a dry moat. Its elegant silhouette
is eye-catching, the architectural style halfway between a defensive
castle and a Renaissance chateau.
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