Village life

Leafy terraces, flowing fountains and timber-clad buildings sum up the look of Bergerac. Wander the flower-filled cobbles looking for statues of the famous literary hero, Cyrano de Bergerac, and stop for a long lazy lunch in the central square. The nightlife’s pretty low-key, but you can brush up on your French with friendly locals and expats over a glass of red.

Discover the Dordogne

You’ll soon get to grips with Dordogne life as you explore countryside hamlets, soaking up the sunflowers and watching the locals play bowls. There are also over 1,500 chateaux around these parts, not to mention some of the world’s oldest paintings hidden in the Vézère Valley. Activity-wise, the Dordogne River is the perfect place for canoeing and kayaking, and its banks are ideal for picnicking.

A foodie favourite

Cheese, pâté, truffles – the food here is deliciously French. Signature flavours include the prized Périgord black truffle, river trout, rich goose and earthy walnuts. Look out for market days where you can scour the stalls, oh, and don’t miss the strawberries in spring. When it comes to wine, there are plenty of varieties that have the exclusive AOC seal of approval, so take a tasting tour or two.