La Maison Louverie is uphill 3 kilometers south from the Dordogne river, in the Perigord Pourpre.
With Bergerac 25 minutes to the west and Sarlat 45 minutes to the east, it’s located in one of the most fascinating area’s of France.
Located in the ‘Valley of the 1001 castles‘. The area is filled with fortified villages and city’s that are left after the big battle between the English and French.
The world famous Lascaux caves (I, II, II and just opened number IV) are an hour drive in Montignac. Les Eyzies were there is a museum about the ‘cave people’ that lived in the Dordogne 460.000 years(!) ago, all in the back yard.
La Roque Saint Christophe, on a cliff overlooking a tranquil section of the River Vezere is the remains of a large troglodyte town. The cliff has evidence of use as a shelter for Neanderthal man (50000 BC), Cro-Magnon man (25000 BC) and since then up until the Renaissance in 1588 when the trogolodyte town and fortress that had grown up was destroyed in the Wars of Religion.
The capital Perigueux is an hour north but worth visiting. Sarlat is a toerist attraction just for the old city centre. Bergerac has an old centre, there is a boat the sails over the Dordogne were you can be informed. St. Emillion, the white wine city in the west. Limeuil, classified as “One of the Most Beautiful Villages of France” in 1990, a extraordinary medieval village, standing on its rocky promontary were the Dordogne and Vezere come together. Beynac were the castle up the hill is seen from far away. Chateau de Chastelnaud is the castle of the brother of Beynac. (The history of those two brothers is very interesting) Domme the perfect fortified city on the mountain top. Splendid gardens nearby. Monpazier, about 30 minutes away. This village is also a member of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (“The most beautiful villages of France”) association.
Cadouin (just a 10 minutes drive) is famous for its abbey. Founded in 1115 by Robert d’Arbrissel and taken over by Cistercian monks in 1119 it became one of the most important in the area. It became a pilgrim centre due to a piece of cloth said to be part of Christ’s shroud. Pilgrims flocked to the Abbey which became part of the pilgrim route to Saint Jacques de Compostelle in Spain. Important pilgrims welcomed by the abbey included Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lion Heart. (The shroud is now known to date from the 11th century from Egypt. It is beautifully preserved and on display. Even if the shroud turns out not to be part of Christ’s shroud the Abbey remains worth a visit) Cadouin Abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the pilgrim route to Compostella.
Saint Avit Senieur (15 minutes) is home to an abbey dedicated to Saint Avit who was a hermit who died in 570. Avitus, as he was then called, was resting in the forest by a pagan temple. Avitus, a christian said a prayer and made the sign of the cross and apparently the temple collapsed. Avitus stayed in the area, became a hermit and dedicated the rest of his life to prayer and healing. Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
La Roque Gageac is one of France’s most beautiful villages. (there are just a lot in the area) In a stunning position on the north bank of the Dordogne River, and backed by a steep hill, with little to suggest that much has changed there in the last 300 years, La Roque-Gageac is truly the perfect picture postcard village. It is about 8km from the historic town of Sarlat. Issigeac is a wonderful medieval village which is always particularly popular on Sunday mornings when it hosts one of the best markets in the area. (20 minute drive)
Belves is a lovely and lively medieval town, with a typical bastide layout and centre, and a preserved 15th century covered market hall. The town is well worth a visit. (35 minute drive) In the centre of the town you can visit some troglodyte dwellings that date from around the 13th century. In the town you can also see the medieval belfry and walls, a 14th century castle, and the city hall. Belves is famous as being the ‘town of seven bell towers’.
Le Bugue is a small attractive market town on the Vezere River, between Limeuil where the Dordogne meets the Vezere, and Les Eyzies de Tayac. (20 minute drive) It also has one of the best wineshops in the region, with English speaking staff. Not only good wines but also all kinds of special whiskys they have on sale: www.julien-de-savignac.com/
And so much more..
http://www.northofthedordogne.com/ << This is a very interesting site about the area
http://www.bergerac-tourisme.com/
http://www.perigorddecouverte.com/
http://www.pays-des-bastides.com/
Sarlat-la-Canéda
City in southwest France known for its food markets & redesigned Sainte-Marie Church.
Bergerac
Wine, châteaus, revues, markets, and shopping
Périgueux
Markets, châteaus, museums, and churches
Montignac
Châteaus, caves, world music, and churches
Brantôme
Abbeys, châteaus, markets, and gardens
Le Bugue
Aquariums, golf, châteaus, wine, and canoeing
Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil
Caves, prehistory, museums, and châteaus
Domme
Caves, châteaus, churches, markets, and wine
Beynac-et-Cazenac
Châteaus, castles, middle ages, and rivers
Parc naturel régional Périgord Limousin
Parks, camping, wetlands, nature, and forests
Ribérac
Markets, churches, and horseback riding
Monpazier
Middle ages, history, châteaus, and markets
Eymet
Markets, wine, churches, camping, and castles
Thiviers
Châteaus, churches, markets, and history
Belvès
Churches, hiking, middle ages, and caves
Saint-Cyprien
Markets, abbeys, châteaus, and history
Castelnaud-la-Chapelle
Châteaus, gardens, camping, and castles
Beaumont-du-Périgord
Churches, châteaus, and history
Terrasson-Lavilledieu
Châteaus, abbeys, gymnastics, and sports
Hautefort
Castles, gardens, châteaus, and history
La Coquille
Châteaus
La Roque-Gageac
Châteaus, gardens, cliffs, caves, and castles
Trémolat
Bistros, churches, lakes, and rivers
Limeuil
Châteaus, gardens, beaches, and middle ages
Tursac
Châteaus, prehistory, wine, and rivers
Lalinde
Châteaus, canals, churches, sports, and caves
Vitrac, Dordogne
Camping, châteaus, beaches, and fishing
Saint-Amand-de-Coly
Abbeys, churches, châteaus, and markets
Nontron
Châteaus, art, gardens, sports, and history
Carlux
Châteaus and history
Le Buisson-de-Cadouin
Caves
Saint-Astier, Dordogne
Châteaus, churches, and history
Daglan
Châteaus and shopping
Saint-Aulaye
Beaches, music, rivers, châteaus, and history
Campagne, Dordogne
Hiking, châteaus, and parks
Groléjac
Canoeing, camping, châteaus, and beaches
Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin-de-Reilhac
Châteaus, caves, and history
Issigeac
History, middle ages, markets, and shopping
Thenon
Lakes
La Roche-Chalais
Lakes
Bourdeilles
Châteaus, castles, churches, and markets
Excideuil
Châteaus, churches, history, and hiking
Verteillac
Châteaus, markets, and beaches
Siorac-en-Périgord
Châteaus and history
Mussidan
Churches, hiking, lakes, châteaus, and rivers
Biron
Castles, war memorials, monuments, and wine
Vézac, Dordogne
Châteaus, gardens, churches, and history
Plazac
Châteaus