Cottage Dordogne Périgord Noir, South West France

Périgord Cottage

The Dordogne

Belves

The Dordogne is one of the mightier rivers in France and flows from the heights of the massif central to the wide and fertile basin around Bordeaux. The Périgord Noir overlooks the valleys of the Dordogne and the Vezère rivers. The latter has, for millions of years, worn away the rock that now reveals clearly the cave shelters and dwellings of pre-historic man. At Breuil there are also bories or Gaulish stone huts, built using methods unchanged since Neolithic times.

There are scenic drives to the bastide villages of the 13th century: Beaumont, Castillonnes, Domme, Lalinde, Molières, Monpazier, Monflanquin, Villefranche-du-Périgord and Villréal.

These bastides were the new towns built by the sovereigns and were more generally used as military strongholds to defend the valleys during the many feuds of a past era. There are at least thirty outstanding chateaux within easy driving distance. Their formal French gardens are meticulously maintained.

The prehistoric sites are well served with museums, especially the Musée Homo Sapiens at Les Eyzies and the Musée du Périgord in Périgueux that houses the Chancelade skeletal Neanderthal remains.

Dovecots, in which pigeons were kept, are characteristic of the region. They are commonly built on stone pillars well above the ground or attached to country houses. Pigeons were kept as a source of food and their manure was used as a fertiliser on the rich agricultural land of the valleys. Geese and ducks are raised and force-fed to produce the silken foie gras. Other specialties of the region are the truffles of Périgord, the goat's cheese cabécou, trout (abundant in the meandering streams), mushrooms in their great variety. At the markets you will find confit of preserved duck and goose, walnuts and walnut oil. The wines of Bergerac, including the Pécharmont and the Monbazillac are nearby, as are the reds of Cahors, and the famous wines of Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion and Margaux are about two hours drive to the west.

The capital of Périgord Noir, Sarlat, is a renowned cultural centre. Its outstanding ensemble of mediaeval and renaissance architecture has made it a famous centre for film production. The prestigious drama and music festivals take place from July to October and the whole city becomes a hive of artistic activity.

The Sentiers de Grande Randonnée or walking paths (the GR6 and the GR46) meander largely within the Périgueux-Sarlat-Bergerac triangle and provide a splendid way to see and enjoy the countryside.