The Périgord region
The Périgord boasts more castles and palaces than the Loire valley and more porcini mushrooms and truffles than anywhere else. Here you will still find the small, typical French grocery stores, bakeries, butcher shops and bistros, those great little restaurants with opulent menus and busy weekly markets on the picturesque market squares.
The Périgord is located in the south-west of France, 500 kilometres south of Paris and 100 kilometres north-east of Bordeaux. The old county around the river Dordogne formerly belonged to the Roman province of Aquitaine and was in the possession of the English Crown from the 12th to the 15th century.
The Périgord vert
Re-discovered by English artists years ago, the Périgord vert is hilly, idyllic and picturesque. A conglomeration of woodlands, vineyards, meadows and wheat, tobacco and sunflower fields makes for ideal walking and cycling. Practically on the doorstep you can hire horses, go kayaking or canoeing on the streams and rivers, fish in wonderfully peaceful lakes or in the nearby river Dronne, alternatively you can play golf or tennis in the neighbouring villages. It is only a 120 km drive to the miles of sandy beach on the Atlantic coast. Also within easy reach are the world-famous prehistoric Lascaux and Les Eyzies caves, the wine cellars of the Bordelais and the historic towns of Périgueux, Bergerac, Saint Emilion, Brantôme, Aubeterre, Cognac and Sarlat.
Lusignac
One of the smallest villages in the Dordogne département, Lusignac lies 8 km from the market town of Ribérac, a culinary centre for foie gras and confit de canard. Believed by art historians to be the most beautiful of the Périgord villages, Lusignac is just a cluster of quaint old houses and a bistro, set around the focal points of a medieval castle and a 13th Century Roman fortified church. The ministère de la culture in Paris have placed a preservation order on the entire village.
Petit Bersac
Petit Bersac is located in the riverside landscape of the Dronne, close to the historic town of Aubeterre, with its ancient underground monolithic church, carved entirely out of rock. Petit Bersac’s history takes us back 2,000 years to the days of a Gallo-Roman settlement. The archaeological museum next to the 11th century Roman church houses precious Roman findings. Petit Bersac is a sleepy village with a bakery, a restaurant and the Renaissance castle le Mas de Montet.
Our country homes are located in the lush green Périgord vert, in villages virtually untouched by tourism.
Excursions & Sights
The prehistoric caves of Lascaux and Les Eyzies are world-famous - tickets for Lascaux II should be booked a few days in advance depending on the season. Less well-known, but almost as impressive, is the Grotte de Vilars near Brantôme. Combine your visit to Brantôme with a meal at one of the gourmet restaurants there and a detour to the châteaux of Bourdeilles and Puyguilhem as well as the picturesque village of Saint-Jean-de-Côle. Idyllic lakes amid large pine forests can be found in the Forêt de la Double between Ribérac and Montpon. Another rewarding excursion leads to the more southern part of the Périgord, to Périgueux, Sarlat and Bergerac. Do not miss the monolithic church of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, ideally combined with a meal on the shady market square. On the way to Bordeaux, it is worth stopping in Saint-Émilion with its medieval old town and famous wine cellars. From there it is only a short distance to the Atlantic's miles-long sandy beaches.
Restaurants
Chefs and tenants at restaurants in the area tend to change frequently, so reliable recommendations are difficult. At lunchtime, almost all restaurants offer an affordable 3- to 4-course set menu. Good addresses can be found in Verteillac, Ribérac and Aubeterre; Le Chabrot in Ribérac is currently well regarded. There are further good restaurants in Périgueux, and the best are in and around Brantôme.
Sport & Leisure
Tennis courts can be found in Saint-Martial-Viveyrol, Verteillac, Ribérac and Aubeterre. The nearest 18-hole golf course is in Marsac-sur-l'Isle near Périgueux, with a family-friendly 9-hole course (Le Manoir de Longeveau) in Pillac. Canoes and kayaks can be hired in Aubeterre or at the campsite in Ribérac. Horses and riding lessons are available at the Poney Club in Ribérac.
Wine & Markets
A good wine selection is available at the large supermarkets, such as Leclerc in Ribérac or Auchan in Périgueux - regional wines such as a Bergerac rouge or a dry Entre-deux-Mers are recommended. The weekly markets in the area are well worth a visit: Mondays in Chalais, Wednesdays in Périgueux, Thursdays in Saint-Astier, Fridays in Ribérac, Saturdays in Saint-Aulaye and Sundays in Aubeterre and Bergerac.
Practical Information
In Ribérac you will find dentists as well as dermatologists and ophthalmologists, plus the general practice of Dr. Fallacher. The hospital in Périgueux and the French emergency numbers (15 ambulance, 17 police, 18 fire brigade) are kept on file for emergencies.
