Sun bathing by the pool

The fenced pool is 0.9 metres deep at the shallow end and 1.9 metres at its deepest point at the other end.  The terrace around the pool is ample for just lazing on loungers as it comprises 120 square metres of terraced area and is partly shaded.  

At night the pool can be floodlit from a switch in the large pool house.

Woodland walks or mountain bike rides.  We are reliably informed (we have not physically measured them) that there are over 100 kilometres of marked tracks and walks through the local woods where wildlife including deer abound.  Wild Cepes, mushrooms and chestnuts can be picked from late August until October.

Bastide Towns and Castles

Dating from the Middle Ages bastides were built with military defence in mind criss-crossing roads and strong walls.

Monpazier which is 10 kilometres away is a superb example.  It has a Thursday Market when you can capture the real atmosphere in the large central square. 

Monflanquin also has a Thursday Market and is as attractive as Monpazier in many ways with a higher position looking out over the countryside. 

Biron Castle is just 3 kilometres away standing on a promontory dominating the landscape around it.

Gavaudun has a dungeon perilously perched on a rock, 6 kilometres away.

Bonaguil - beautiful Castle in a fairytale setting which never saw hostilities - approximately 15 kilometres.

Beynac, Castelnaud…There are too many to mention in the Dordogne valley and nearby and all within an easy drive of less than an hour. 

Other activities

Walking

Organised walks go from the centre of the village each Wednesday morning in the summer – led by an English lady!

Cycling

We love our cycling and running in the area and so there are four bikes in the pool house and you can go off road or on quiet country lanes for miles and miles.  Use our maps.

A couple of rides for you:-

If you want a gentle ride to start go up to the Chateau de Biron and turn left and head back towards the village in a circular route or go further onto Monpazier, stop for a drink and then head out towards Biron and back through the village or take the bikes to St. Avit and visit the Bernard Palissy pottery museum or more hilly and demanding is the ride to Chateau de Bonaguil (about 30 kilometres round trip) but there are a couple of welcoming cafes at the Chateau.  Head for St.  Front and go straight on at the crossroads.

Running

Try the local woodland trails and quiet lanes.  There is a local 10 kilometre and half marathon race on the 15th August every year.  Its route goes out to St. Chalies which is sharp left at the bottom of the road into the village and once you reach St. Chalies keep turning right to come back to the village. 

Canoeing

Lovely scenery and great fun. You arrive at the place of hire, the principles are explained and you drift downstream in your boat before being collected at an agreed spot and brought back in a van. Vitrac on the Dordogne is a good starting point. 

Canoes on the lake at Le Moulinal Campsite 3 kilometres away cost 2 euros per half hour and fishing is free.

Rock climbing at Gavaudun can be organised.

Horse riding near Biron.

Le P'arc en Ciel on the road to Gavaudun just outside the village, extensive climbing apparatus in the woods, rave reviews from our guests with children.

Tennis - with floodlights if needed, next to the Rugby ground in the village, ask for keys in Le Palissy bar

Golf - there are lots of good courses near Villeneuve sur Lot and see information in the house.