The Dordogne is without doubt the most beautiful and most interesting part of France. The Dordogne has far too many attractive towns and villages to mention here, so we have chosen just a small handful of them, all within 30 minutes drive from Le Chevrefeuille to wet your appetite.
Les Eyzies de Tayac (7 kms from Le Chevrefeuille)
Les Eyzies de Tayac is located in the Vezere valley, famous for its pre-historical remains. It is one of the main centers in the world for research in this field. Numerous interesting objects and ancient works of art have been discovered in this town and the surrounding areas. Many of these can be admired in the museum, or by visiting local caves.
Sarlat (17 kms from Le Chevrefeuille)
The capital of the Perigord Noir carries legimately the nickname “the Medieval Jewel”. There is a wonderful ensemble of narrow streets with restored Gothic and Renaissance buildings. A variety of street artists turn every walk through this city into an unforgettable experience. In Sarlat you can also visit: ‘la Maison de La Boëtie’ (15th century), the cathedral built in the 16th-17th century (built on the remains of an old Latin church) and (for the enthusiasts) the museum of the motorcar.
Beynac (14 kms from Le Chevrefeuille)
This delightful village on the bank of the Dordogne is built against a steep cliff and dominated by the famous castle from the 13th-14th century. The castle offers one of the most amazing views of the Dordogne valley. Several houses were built during the 15th to 17th centuries. Also visit the archeological park and the museum of primal-history. Paul Eluard came to this marvelous town to spend his last days.
Domme (24 kms from Le Chevrefeuille)
This settlement was founded in the 13th century on top of a lime plateau. Domme carries the nickname “Acropolis of the Perigord”. There is an asmazing panoramic view on the Dordogne-valley and the river. Don’t miss the opportunity for a romantic walk along the steep cliff and on top of the town rampart. The public garden, the city hall built in the 17th century, several remarkable edifices from the 13th to the 17th centuries, the fascinating caves and the museum of ‘Art and Traditions’ make Domme one of the ‘must see’s’ of the Dordogne.
Le Bugue (13 kms from Le Chevrefeuille)
Surrounded by wooded hills, built on the right bank of a bend in the river Vézère, the welcoming little town of Le Bugue, with it’s 3,000 inhabitants, is one of the main attractions in the Périgord Noir. Situated at the crossroads of the Périgord, Le Bugue dominates the southern entrance of the Vézère valley.
Le Bugue offers numerous opportunities for holiday makers: modern sports facilities, excellent restaurants, interesting and unusual sites to visit, which, added to the 18th century architecture and the beautiful setting, make this a great destination for all types of visitors.
Limeuil (19 kms from Le Chevrefeuille)
At the meeting of the Dordogne and Vezere rivers, Limeuil offers canoeing and a river beach, and a pretty little village that is well worth exploring. The village is still partly surrounded by its original fortified walls, and is another of the ‘picture postcard pretty’ villages of the Dordogne, with cobbled streets winding between honey-coloured houses and pretty gardens.
Despite its picturesque location it is not usually completely overrun with tourists in the way that some places are, and the Parc Limeuil at the top of the town, while not spectacular as a park, has some fine views and is usually quiet.