Sightseeing



From a touring point of view, the property is most conveniently situated for taking trips into the entire Perigord region. Our house is located in the Perigord Noir and is approximately in the center of the region. In the Dordogne, the Perigord Noir is the most popular area as it is richly sprinkled with medieval chateaux , fortified towns and prehistoric caves. The local houses are of ochre stone with charming balconies and outside staircases covered with flowers and vines so typical of this part of France.

The pretty village of Montignac on the river Vezere is fifteen minutes drive away. This is the site of the Lascaux caves considered to be one of the greatest pre-historic finds in Europe. Les Eyzies de Tayac, the capital of pre-history, is about the same distance away. In 1868 the Cro-Magnon skeletons were found there and the National Prehistoric Museum is housed in a sixteenth century chateau. The Lascaux, Font de Gaume and Combarelles caves (all nearby Marance) are on the world heritage sites list. Sarlat is a sympathetically restored medieval city famous for its Saturday morning Goose Fair. It is so popular among the English that, in summer, one hears more English spoken than French. Perigueux is a Gallo-Roman city of much charm, famous for truffles and foie-gras; thirty minutes drive from Marance. It has a colourful market twice a week, on Wednesday and Saturday. The cathedral there is worth a visit, built on the foundations of a sixth century chapel, it is Byzantine in style, with the ground plan in the shape of a Greek cross. Old Perigueux is closed to traffic so one is able to walk around the narrow streets surrounded by fine Renaissance dwellings, or take a coffee at one of the innumerable outside cafes.

Thenon is the nearest village to Marance, about seven kilometers away, with an open-air market every Tuesday morning. It has a small supermarket, bakery, pharmacy, four doctors and four dentists providing most of one’s immediate needs. There are many good eating-places in the region, from Michelin starred, to more modest local establishments, all offering excellent value.

The Dordogne also boasts the greatest number of castles and chateaux, close to 1,000, of all the French departments. A large number date from the 13th and 14th centuries, reminders of the Anglo-French struggles when the Dordogne was the frontier region in the wars between England and France during the 100 years war. Others, however, date from the Renaissance.

Activities close by


Riding

Canoeing

Cycling

Tennis

Fishing

Walking and jogging

Wine tasting

Picknicking

Discovering prehistoric caves

Chateaux

Mini-golf and golfing

Shopping