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 it's 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 it's 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.
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