Walking & Cycling

Through fields and wood, by rivers and chateau, on and off track; there are so many beautiful pathways to explore. We have many routes and pathways for you to enjoy, many ending next to a restaurant/bar for that welcome drink and food as a reward for your efforts.

Here in St Jean De Cole we have the ‘Voie Vert’running right through the outskirts of the village. This disused railway line offers tree canopied walks and cycling as far as Thiviers in one direction and beautiful Nontron at the other.

Our holiday rental in St Jean de Cole has two bicycles for your use which provides a great way of exploring the area.

Canoeing & water activities

Cool waters and gently flowing rivers can be explored nearby and all over the Dordogne. You choose the distance and starting point. Watch the clear river bottom glide by the underneath of the canoe as the fish stay still in the gentle current. Pull up on a gentle beach or island and watch time drift by with a glass of wine and a picnic basket (provided) - simply perfect!

The expansive and stunning Lac de St Paradox offers boat & water ski hire, jet skiing, pedals and lots more.

There are a number of leisure lakes (Nantheuil, Ruffiac & lac de St Pardoux) around that have multiple activities and after all that exertion you can treat yourself to local ice cream or waffles at the local onsite cafes

Swimming/Tennis/Fishing

Enjoy the summer, we have several local lakes where you can kick off your shoes on man made beaches that give that summer beach holiday feel. Plenty to do for all ages. Stretch out on your towel after a swim, lay out your picnic and enjoy the peace.

Our local village has tennis courts for hire so bring your rackets and step out early or late to build your appetite. There are also local swimming baths/fun parks nearby but remember no swimming shorts allowed, trunks only, its a French thing!

Local rivers and lakes available for coarse and carp fishing, day tickets or local vacation rod licences can be sorted in a jiffy.

Markets & Music

There are so many colourful markets in a nearby town every day of the week. Super fresh fruit and veg, a dazzling array of fish and meats, too many cheeses to count and fabulous food to eat there and then. In fact everything is catered for including tools, baskets, kitchenware, clothing, artisan beers and local truffles. Take the baskets and find all you will ever need.

Enjoy the hubbub or step to one side for that favourite pass time ‘people watching’.

Best markets are Brantome, Piegut Pluviers (one of the oldest recorded), Thiviers, Excideuil, Montignac, Issigeac, Bergerac & Perigueux.

Summer is the time for Music festivals in France. Live music can be seen and heard in the streets and squares of towns and villages across the Dordogne.

Step into the ambiance that is France and enjoy the simple things in life.

Brocantes, Fetes & Art

Brocante/antiques fairs are a plenty in France. They are scheduled throughout the seasons and we will link you up with forthcoming events. Come prepared as there are plenty of bargains if you have some spare cash in your pocket.

Fetes - throughout the summer the local villages and communities come together to offer afternoon and evening soirées with dancing, inexpensive wine and themed food. These fetes welcome your participation and enjoyment.

In our village here is also ‘Le Floralies’ which is usually the 2nd weekend in May. Its an amazing flower market/festival and the whole village dresses the narrow streets for the occasion with live music and great food/drink being served.

Interested in Art? Then bring your sketch book and paints and follow in the footsteps of many artists including Russell Flint who’s painting of the Mill Pool here in St Jean De Cole is incredibly well known. There are many Art galleries and exhibitions in the local area, are you ready to be inspired?

Chateaux

The imposing Chateau Juminhac , 13th century castle dominates the village, a magnificent roof set with pepper pot towers and skylights.

The fairytale Chateau de Hautefort stuns with its beautiful turrets and is simply the most majestic. The chateau is surrounded by antique and brocante cafes and restaurants that will leave you memories to savour.

Chateau de Castelnaud sits on the intersection of the Dordogne and Ceou valleys. Because the Caumont family, Lords of Castelnaud during the 100 years war sided with the English, the French laid siege to the castle in 1442. Segur Le Chateau offers music and dancing in the main square by the river. Take your picnic and simply find a place to sit and absorb yourself in the culture of the region.

Chateaux Bories offers wine tasting and the impressive castle at Bourdeilles is well worth a visit.

The 16th century Chateau de Puyguilhem is also well worth a visit with its elegant main house, towers, dormer windows and battlements.

Other local attractions

So much to do in this beautiful area. Here are just a couple of local attractions that may ‘float your boat’.

Grottes de Villars - take a tour down into the depths, see the beautiful prehistoric cave paintings, stalactites and mites. This is one of many Grottes in the region which include the ’Sistine chapel of prehistory’ Grottes de Lascaux, Lascaux II and Lascaux IV. The paintings date back from 18000 BC. Discovered in 1940 by some french school boys a visit here will not disappoint.

Eating out

Surely one of the main reasons anyone comes to France is for the food, oh and the wine of course. Well in this area you will not be disappointed with the array of fabulous restaurants as well as local bistros and cafes. We are extremely lucky to have such a variety of places to eat great food and enjoy the fine wines. We have listed a few of our favourites, all the contacts are in the welcome pack.

Le Temps des Mets - St Jean De Cole. - This is actually our favourite place to eat. The setting underneath the trees next to the river Cole is magical. The food never disappoints and the wine is very reasonable. Book to avoid disappointment as this is a very popular location especially on warm summer evening.

Cote Rivière - Brantôme - This restaurant sits on the River Dronne and the photo attached to this is taken from there. The food again is excellent especially the Thai curry. The staff speak english and the service is superb. Situated right in the centre near the abbey its a great location for a lunch whilst exploring the shops and market

L’Escapade des Sens - Thiviers - is another fine dinning experience. The food is simply stunning and the wine offered is some of the best in the region. The set menu is very good value or you could treat yourself to the excellent La Carte menu - enjoy!

Shopping

For avid shoppers there are great locations for shopping what ever interests you, We can point you to the best spots and luckily for those who dislike browsing the shops these locations are always flanked by great bars and restaurants. So something for everyone.

Here are two of our favourite shopping locations:

Perigueux - Around the cathedral is the city’s pleasant, pedestrianised medieval area which has many excellent shops - clothes, jewellery, artisan products, and many more.

Brive - Brive-la-Gaillarde, There are shops here to tempt at all prices in a centre that is described as ‘Little Paris’. even though it was first settled around the 1st century the City only started to grow much later. In the 12th century walls were built around the city however these fortifications no longer exist, now replaced by boulevards teeming with beautiful shops. The old town centre takes some beating.

World War II

There were many resistance groups in this area during the war. You see the history and memorials on some of the walks where planes dropping supplies had crashed and airmen and resistance fighters died.

However the most emotional memorial is ‘Oradour Sur Glane’ which is a village where in response to a resistance attack the SS massacred all the residents. When the area was liberated days later a wall was built around the village and it remains as it was then. This is an emotional place to visit and very thought provoking.

Horse racing

Throughout the summer the splendour of Pompadour is a spectacular day out on race days.

Inexpensive, take your own picnic or make use of the restaurants on site.

Enjoy the myriad of colours worn by the Jockeys, the shining coats of the horses, as they walk and prance in anticipation.

Get close and make your bets! Truly a great experience