In the Lot-et-Garonne, a short drive from the Dordogne border, Écuries Claria is located close to a pretty village and lake around half an hour south of Bergerac.
Surrounded by farmland and countryside landscapes, Écuries Claria is set in the same open grounds as the impressive Château Claria, situated just off the country road leading to the local village. You can reach the characterful village in around 1.5km by car or on foot (no pavement) where you will find a boulangerie, restaurants, small grocery store, pharmacy and other amenities. Walk through the village admiring half-timbered houses, medieval lanes and the old Renaissance château. A small Farmer’s market takes place on a Saturday morning and showcases delicious local delights (also look out for night markets in the height of the summer). The lake is very picturesque, perfect for gentle walks, bird-watching and even a spot of fishing when allowed (with a licence).
Other pleasant walks can be found nearby (the owners can provide a guide of walking tours) as well as cycling routes (bike hire is in the local village). There is summer canoeing within a short drive near Allemans-du-Dropt (17km).
There are larger supermarkets just outside Miramont-de-Guyenne (11km) and Castillonnès (13km). The bastide town of Castillonnès is charming with its rich heritage and bustling Tuesday morning market whilst historic Miramont-de-Guyenne is another pretty place to discover with a Monday morning market, close to the attractive Lac du Saut du Loup fishing lake.
Crossing into the Dordogne, Eymet (9km) is yet another attractive bastide town that dates back to the 13th century. Pick up fresh bread and picnic items from the Thursday morning market, then wander to the banks of the Dropt for lunch by the river. Other beautiful villages to discover include Issigeac (20km), Villeréal (26km), Monflanquin (31km) and Monpazier (40km), some of which are officially classified ‘Plus Beaux Villages’.
Wine-lovers can visit nearby vineyards and wineries to sample local wines or spend time in the historic towns of Duras (28km) and Bergerac (30km), both known for their wine heritage. Taste the sweet wines of Château de Monbazillac or venture a little further to the world-famous vineyards of Saint-Émilion (72km), a UNESCO World Heritage site. Further afield, the wine city of Bordeaux (120km) and its surrounding vineyards is less than two hours by car.
Meanwhile, gastronomes have a seemingly unending choice of markets to choose from each morning from local villages to larger towns such as Marmande (32km), Sainte-Foy-la-Grande (37km), Bergerac (35km) and Agen (63km). Local produce includes tomatoes from Marmande, Agen prunes and Tonneins ham alongside strawberries, asparagus, walnuts, hazelnuts, truffles and of course foie gras.
