Points of interest

Riberac

Wander around to discover a variety of small shops, café/bars and restaurants. On Fridays throughout the year, Riberac hosts the biggest market in the area. The Office de Tourisme has plenty of local information. 

Aubeterre sur Dronne

A beautiful village with a spectacular monolithic/subterranean church carved out of the rock. There is a tour with headphones in several languages. You can only appreciate it from the inside. The village is arranged around a lovely square with boutique shops and restaurants but do explore the roads around the square to discover the second church and other businesses. At the bottom of the hill there is a sandy beach and river swimming.

Verteillac

A village with cafes and restaurants, but if you’re here on the first Sunday of the month there is a large Brocante (antique) market. Live music often through the summer months.

Brantôme

One of the most visited towns in the area thanks to its beauty and historical interest. A stunning abbey, a stunning riverside setting and a pretty town that’s perfect for wandering and sitting at a cafe watching the world go by. The Abbey’s Church belfry, built into the rock, is said to be the oldest in France dating to the 11th century.

Tip: Behind the Abbey are caves which go back to the 8th century and one of them contains a depiction of the “Last Judgement” from the 15th century  – well worth a look. There is a local producers market on Tuesdays and a bigger market in Friday. There are often huge brocantes in the park, well worth a visit. There are some very good restaurants on the waters edge populated by ducks and otters.

Close to Brantôme in the town of Champagnac de Belair is  Le Moulin Du Roc - Hôtel 5 étoiles et Restaurant gastronomique , on a magical riverside setting. Book early to avoid disappointment….

Perigueux

A beautiful, architecturally stunning city with a maze of medieval cobbled lanes lined with shops opening into squares with cafés and restaurants offering a wide range of international cuisines. The cathedral is beautiful (walk down to the river for the best view) and is illuminated after dark. There is a Saturday market often and the Christmas markets are well worth a visit if you happen to be here in those cooler wintery months. There are two modern shopping centres outside the older central part of the city. The Ice-cream shops are THE BEST!

Le Grand Étang de la Jemaye

Close to Saint-Astier, The Grand Etang de la Jameye is a natural spot for swimming, water sports, a family day out walking the nature trails or just relaxing and admiring the blue waters.  This is a Departmental site, a sensitive natural area that has been renovated to enhance and preserve it. Guaranteed to be a great family day out!

https://www.dordogne.fr/que-faire-en-dordogne/les-incontournables/grand-