Les Bouleaux
Les Bouleaux – is our half-acre of France, situated in an elevated location on the edge of the village of Villetoureix. There are views towards mainly open countryside and the Dronne river valley. Being an inland location there is rarely much wind, except perhaps in the winter. Most nights in Summer you will experience a clear sky, so take the opportunity to turn off all the house lights and just repose on a lounger gazing upwards at the most incredible display of stars. The Milky Way is obvious and shooting stars (the persids) are active in August.
Villetoureix
Villetoureix – is a working (that is to say it is not a sleepy dormitory) village with a population of 400. The very attractive church is in the centre with a with a village shop and restaurant. On the edge of the village is an Aldi discount supermarket. There is a lane down to the river, and the possibility of swimming there. Although undulating, the local lanes and byways are very rewarding to the walker and cyclist. Besides the mixture of wooded and open countryside you will chance upon interesting little hamlets and farms. Many forms of wildlife rarely seen in Britain nowadays are relatively easily spotted as you explore. Red Squirrels, Buzzards, Red Kite, Owls and many smaller birds and animals are resident locally.
Ribérac
Ribérac – is the local market town, only 2 miles from the house. Although Ribérac has a population of only 3600, there are 2 well-ranged supermarkets and a lively high street with a good variety of shops, banks and cafés. Every Friday the town centre really bustles with the spectacle of one the most celebrated markets in Périgord. A multitude of stalls selling everything from mattresses to bricabrac, but to many people the highlight is the food area. Not only do the French cook food well, they really know how to display it as well! A real photo opportunity! Bicycles can be rented in Ribérac and canoes are for hire on the nearby river Dronne.
Aubeterre
Aubeterre is a hillside village 30 minutes away by car that is a must
visit, especially on a summers day when the riverside beach is full of
activity, the river is good for swimming, canoes are for hire and a
picnic on the grass with plenty of trees for shade is always enjoyed.
Then you can visit the village itself, climb the narrow street to the
pretty tree lined village square, enjoy a light lunch in the popular
crepérie, and visit the monolithic church, it is an enormous cave hewn
from the cliff face, unique and fascinating.
Verteillac
Verteillac is another country town, that holds a market on Saturdays, and has an Alladins cave of a store called Merlauds, from 6 eggs to a grand fireplace all sold from higgledy-piggledy displays in the narrowest aisles you will ever see.
Comberanche-Et-Epeluche
is only 4 miles away, a pretty but unpretentious village for most of the year, then on the last Saturday in August every year, the place erupts into a blaze of colour during the day when rafts are dressed up with flowers and costumed children. The floats are all part of the Epeluche festival which culminates in the evening with a firework display worthy of comparison with the best of the millennium celebrations.
Brantôme
also 30 minutes away, but in the opposite direction from Villetoureix, is mentioned in all the guide books as the Venice of Perigord. The river Dronne loops through the town, otherwise dominated by an impressive abbey and former monastery. The Moulin De L’Abbaye sits alongside the river with it’s working water wheel and one star Michelin restaurant, go on spoil yourselves, the food is delicious!
There are several bathing/leisure lakes in the area, the closest and one of the most popular is at La Jemaye, about 7 miles south of Ribérac.
As you spread your wings, perhaps on a cycling tour or maybe a half-day in the car, there are many interesting villages and locations to visit. The Michelin yellow series no.329 is a good detailed map for local touring, although if you intend to do some serious walking then the IGN blue series maps are even better.
The region is justifiably famous for it’s food, and there is a large choice of restaurants to choose from. All the most popular are listed in our housebook.