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The Area
Visiting this area you will enjoy the pleasures of rural life and the chance to escape from the noise and bustle of urban living. Stroll through old villages and visit the markets full of smells and sights you thought had long disappeared.
The following ideas and links may help you:-
VISIT A MARKET
Most towns and villages have a weekly market usually held in the morning. These markets are a magnet for tourists and a meeting place for the local populace and well worth a visit. A market to visit can be found somewhere in the region everyday except Monday. A list of all markets is available at the Studio with a recommendation of the better ones to visit.
TAKE A TRAIN
The local station at Thiviers (8miles) gives easy access with a regular service to the principal towns of the region. Limoges @ 50 mins, Perigueux @ 20 mins and Bordeaux @ 1hr 50 mins.
GO TO A RESTAURANT
With its gastronomique specialities fois gras and truffes, the Dordogne is where gourmands and gourmets can savour the experience of fabulous cuisine and sense of well being. La Vieille Abbaye is within easy reach of a variety of restaurants. From the farm auberge serving local fare at a modest price to the more luxurious 3 and 4 star establishments with an excellent cuisine and prices to match. In between you have a good selection of 2 star establishments which offer excellent menus at a very reasonable price. The holiday cottage owners can recommend individual places.
ATTEND MUSICAL EVENINGS AND FESTIVALS
Throughout the year there are numerous concerts held in the locality of La Vieille Abbaye. Always top class musicians and sometimes held outdoors. In addition, most towns and villages hold festivals celebrating everything from chestnuts and mushrooms to seafood. Music to suit all tastes can be heard at these festivals and again of a high standard. Restaurant food and the opportunity to shop for a variety of goods and produce is always available at these festivals.
SHOP TILL YOU DROP
The major towns of Perigueux, Limoges and Angouleme with their excellent shops and attractions are within an hour by car.
VISIT A POTTERY
Limoges, famous for its porcelain, is an hour by car and has numerous potteries that one can visit. Aixe-sur-Vienne is even closer(40 mins) with potteries to visit and some superb retail outlets.
VISIT A CAVE
Land of prehistoric man, the Dordogne has an abundance of excellent prehistoric sites. Nearby we have the celebrated Grottes de Villars and further afield we have the more famous Lascaux caves at Montgnac. Market day at Montignac is Wednesday - combine a visit to this beautiful town with a visit to the world famous caves. Cro-magnum man can be found just down the valley from Montignac at Les Eyzies.
GO FISHING
The area around La Vieille Abbaye abounds with small lakes. A fishing licence can be obtained from the local tabac giving access to selected lakes.
RIDE A HORSE
Riding school/stables 2 miles from Abbaye Studio offers guided rides through the forests and locality.
GET ON YOUR BIKE
Wonderful scenery,lots of villages and small towns with bars and cafes combined with hundreds of miles of traffic free roads make La Vieille Abbaye an ideal cycling center.For the mountain biker,no mountains,but hundreds of miles of forest and farm tracks.
TAKE A WALK AND ENJOY THE NATURE
We are in the Perigord-Limousin Parc Naturel, a lovely setting for walks and birdwatching. Lots of walks on the roads (no traffic) or through the forests via, lots of small villages with their attendant bars/boulangeries etc. Birds of prey are protected here and are everywhere to be seen as are deer and polecats. Wild boar abound in the woods and lynx are reputed to be there also.Take the 5 mile walk around the Miallet Barrage - grebes, herons on the lake; and polecats and deer in the woods.
PAINT A PICTURE
We are deep in the heart of the Dordogne, one of the most picturesque regions of France. Enjoy the landscape that Constable, Turner, Birket Foster, Helen Allingham and others experienced - miles of unspoilt natural beauty. Many sites are within easy reach of La Vieille Abbaye: one of France 's prettiest villages: St.Jean de Cole and Brantome where Russel Flint painted.
www.ville-saint-jean-de-cole.fr
GO TO THE BEACH
Yes, you can go to the beach, 6 miles from Abbaye Studio, at St.Saud Lacoussiere. There is a large lake there with a beach and safe bathing area where one can easily spend the day relaxing. Bar/café/restaurant on site and also in the village.
WATCH MOTOR RACING
The Angouleme Circuit Des Remparts Races third weekend in September.The high spot of the programme is a race devoted to Grand Prix Bugattis and typically 20 or more race around the narrow streets of the old town. Friday evening starts with a Concours d'Elegance. Saturday - Rallye Touristique International with over 60 classic cars. Sunday - race day - Bugattis, Fraser Nash, Porsche, Renault Alpines etc. Everything for the classic car and motoring enthusiast.
GO TOURING
Lots of places to visit. South to Sarlat and the Perigord Noir with all the beautiful towns of the Dordogne and Vezere valleys. South again, through Perigueux and on to Bergerac and Eymet or north through Limoges to the Limousin and Lac de Vassiviere. Further afield (2-3 hrs) go west to the coast at La Rochelle and Royan.
EXPERIENCE THE SECOND WORLD WAR
For an emotional experience, visit to Oradur-sur-Glane left unchanged since the end of the War as a memorial to the victims of the slaughter which took place there in 1944.
Other Useful Links
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