Welcome to Beausoleil Gite

Providers of quality self catering gite accommodation, bed and breakfast

 

Information on the local area

 

Beausoleil is nestled in the small hamlet of Le Bost providing a peaceful location for a relaxing holiday but is only 1½ kms from the centre of Jumilhac le Grand famous for its magnificent chateau, where shops, bars and restaurants can be found.

 

Fishing, tennis, cycling and horse riding can all be found and enjoyed locally.

The chateaux of Hautefort and Perigueux and the popular market towns of Brantôme, Thiviers and Excideuil are all within easy driving distance along with many other places to visit in this area of the Dordogne.

 

The Local Area & Attractions

 

When you visit us at Beausoleil you will be amazed at the variety of things to do and places to visit in the local area.

If you like history, water sports, cycling, fishing, shopping or just walking through the countryside you will find opportunities for all these things in the hills, valleys and lakes that surround Beausoleil and if you want to sample French cuisine the area is famous for its truffles, cèpes and foie gras.

 

Jumilhac le Grand - on the D79 has a spectacular chateau, open to the public and well worth a visit. It has a good bar and restaurant in the square where children are made welcome. If you want to enjoy French life at its best it is a very pleasant location for dinner on a warm summer's evening. There is also a Boulangerie and Boucherie and small supermarket where you can require all your daily needs. The tourist office is situated in the main square where you can find all the information you need on places to visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brantôme - Approximately an hour's drive from the gite, this is a charming town which is well worth a visit. Brantôme is an island encircled by a loop of the river Dronne, linked to the outside world by five bridges, which explains its nickname of 'Venice of the Perigord'. Its gabled bell tower rising from the rocks is held to be the oldest and one of the finest in France.

 

The original Benedictine abbey was founded in 769 by Charlemagne, no less, who endowed it with the relics of Saint-Sicaire, a child martyr and slave of Herod's who was massacred after he converted to Christianity.

 

The beautiful abbey which runs alongside the river is steeped in history, destroyed twice and rebuilt in the 18th century, with its Romanesque bell tower.

 

The abbey, as it stands today was rebuilt is the 18th century and is now a museum with prehistoric remains and a permanent exhibition of the mysterious trance paintings, drawings and engravings of the medium-cum-artist Fernand Desmoulin (1853-1914), who also painted portraits of Hugo, Zola, Ferry, Poincare and other contemporaries.

 

There are regular events held in Brantôme from the weekly traditional market, donkey fete, loft sales, to the many concerts held in the abbey church. Events do not stop after the months of July and August, there is also the Winter Truffle Market and Car Rally to keep you occupied.

 

You can explore the river Dronne in a hired canoe, great fun especially going down over the small weir in the centre of Brantôme, or you can travel more sedately in a ‘rosalie' pedal-powered boat.

 

There are plenty of lovely places to take a coffee or a relaxed lunch after visiting the lovely craft and antique shops that Brantôme has to offer. All you need for a relaxing or energetic day out.

 

Thiviers - Only a 20 minute drive away through wonderful countryside. It has 3 good size supermarkets, Atac, Leader Price and Champion. It is know as the Foie Gras Capital and hosts an excellent market every Saturday morning. There are also Night markets and a Wine and Antique Fair during the summer months.

 

 

St Jean-de-Cole - One of the loveliest towns in the Dordogne situated on the D707.

It  has a 12th-century church and the Chateau de la Marthonie and the main square is surrounded by half-timbered houses. During May it hosts a renowned flower show, and during the summer months holds musical concerts and recitals in the church.

 

 

 

After visiting St Jean-de-Cole why not carry on the D98 to visit the Grotte de Villars, the caves here are a maze of tunnels running about 13 kms which form the largest network in the Perigord. These caves have been inhabited since prehistory and have a fine example of Aurignacian paintings, including bison, antelopes and witches. There are also spectacular examples of stalactites and stalagmites.  

 

This is definitely a place to visit!

 

 

Perigueux - the capital of the Dordogne only a 45 minute drive away.

A lovely medieval town, with a beautiful Cathedral situated on a hill. Lovely cobble stone winding alleys with beautiful shops where you can buy traditional local goods. It also host two markets, a large market on Wednesday and on a Saturday morning a wonderful food market selling fresh vegetables, cheeses, wines and beautiful flowers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Markets

 

If markets are high on your 'must do' list when on holiday you will find the local ones listed below.

 

Most markets are only held in the morning. The word 'marché' is usually a food market.

'Foire' usually has everything you might want including a food market. It is quite common now to see 'marché des producteurs' which is a 'farmers market'.

Aixe sur Vienne (87) - Saturday 

Brantôme (24) - Friday

Chalus (87) - Friday

Eymet (24) - Thursday morning

Jumilhac Le Grand (24) - Sunday Farmers Markets, July and August

La Coquille (24) - Thursday

Ladignac Le Long (87) - Farmers market each Tuesday 4.00 pm to 7.00 pm, Place de La Mairie, from 20 April to 31 August.

Perigueux (24) - Wednesday mornings

Thiviers (24) - Saturday

St. Junien (87) - third Saturday of each month

St Yrieix (87) Every 2nd Friday in the month

 

 

For horse lovers

 

If you love horses plan a visit to Arnac-Pompadour - one of France's National Studs. Breeding Anglo-Arab horses. Show jumping Competitions, Dressage etc. in fact, loads of events held mainly at the Haras National de Pompadour. www.pompadour.net

 

Golf

 

Golf Courses in nearby Limoges and Perigueux.

You may contact us by telephone

(from UK) 00 33 5 53 52 24 78 (in France) 05 53 52 24 78

mobile (from UK) 00 33 6 09 92 31 99 (in France) 06 09 92 31 99

Email Beausoleil Gite

Request for links or advertising Web Master Beausoleil