At Sur de Colline you are surrounded by glorious countryside views yet you can walk down to a little hamlet in twenty minutes where you will find two restaurants, a bar and a bakery. You can also wander down to the beautiful Dordogne in about fifteen minutes where you can find spots for swimming.
Just a little further by car is the local village (3km) which has a supermarket, butchers, pizza restaurant and Sunday summer market.
As well as canoeing along the Dordogne, there are many other brilliant activities in the area including hikes for all abilities, cycling routes, horse-riding and golf within half an hour. Another way to see the stunning countryside is by taking a hot air balloon and viewing the remarkable Dordogne from above.
Nearby La Foret des Ecureuils Adventure Park (5km) has tree-top activities and paintballing, kids will also love the Dinosaur Park (40km) or the Aquarium du Perigord Noir (38km) whilst the more adventurous can try go-karting just south of Périgueux (60km).
The nearby town of Sarlat (8km) is one of the most beautiful towns in the region with a maze of medieval narrow streets to explore, lovely squares and a fascinating cathedral. The town can get busy during the summer months but you can usually avoid the crowds by heading there early and enjoying the morning light.
There is host of other interesting things to see and do in this part of the Dordogne, for example the Lascaux caves, just outside Montignac (34km), stunning castles across the region such as those in Castelnaud-la-Chapelle (16km) and Beynac-et-Cazenac (15km), pretty villages along the river including Domme (8km) and La Roque-Gageac (10km) plus stunning gardens such as those at Marqueyssac near Vézac (14km).
The Region
One of France’s most visited destinations, Sarlat-la-Canéda is a beautiful medieval town with a superb reputation for its gastronomy. Staying near Sarlat allows you to experience the town’s rich heritage alongside its fine cuisine, whilst also being close to idyllic villages and natural scenery of the Périgord Noir, never far from the meandering Dordogne River.
Exquisitely restored, explore the old town with its warren of winding lanes with inviting shops, restaurants and characterful cafes. Take a guided tour to truly appreciate Sarlat’s rich history dating back to medieval and Renaissance times – the small yet attractive Cathédrale Saint-Sacerdos de Sarlat, once a Benedictine abbey, is one of the main highlights of the town.
Spend time learning all about the region’s gastronomy, best experienced at the traditional outdoor market on a Saturday or Wednesday morning. Local specialities are of course served in Sarlat’s many excellent restaurants or bought in little shops across the town – look out for foie-gras, truffles, honey, chestnuts and walnuts. There is also an organic market on Thursday afternoons and a charming covered market near the cathedral.
If staying in the height of the summer, join in one of the region’s marchés nocturnes in nearby villages where you can enjoy local food amongst locals accompanied by good wine and music.
Elsewhere, visit the grand châteaux of the Dordogne (Château des Milandes and Château de Beynac are both less than half an hour away from Sarlat), stroll around elegant gardens (Les Jardins de Marqueyssac by candlelight is especially atmospheric) and visit picture-perfect riverside villages such as La Roque-Gageac and Domme, both classified as ‘Plus Beaux Villages’. Heading north instead, the famous caves of Lascaux are also within easy reach.
Hot air balloon rides are a great way to admire the landscapes of the Périgord Noir or simply canoe along the Dordogne River in glorious surroundings. There are of course wonderful walks, tree-top adventure centres and fantastic cycling routes including the 29km-long voie verte stretching from Sarlat to Cazoulès following a former railway line passing magnificent Dordogne countryside.
