The Dordogne Valley
All our properties are situated in the Upper Dordogne Valley, home to medieval villages, stunning Chateaux, prehistoric caves, rolling countryside and of course the Dordogne River. Whether you are looking for outdoor pursuits, historic buildings, local markets or simply an opportunity to switch off from your busy lives, we have the ideal properties for you!
The Villages
We are surrounded by several 'Plus beaux Villages de France'. To the west is Collonges-la Rouge, the “city of little castles”, and Turenne, a 15th century village whose high pitched roofs surround two chateaux from which the foothills of the Massif Central can be seen. The small market town of Beaulieu sur Dordogne, on the banks of the river, offers several bars and restaurants and a twice-weekly market. The Benedictine Abbey and Chapelle des Penitents are in the centre of the town, and canoes can be hired at the river, as well as boat trips on the traditional
“Gabares”.To the south and east is the Dordogne valley, with a wealth of villages such as Argentat, Loubressac, Autoire, Carennac and Martel. The Chateaux of Castelnau, Belcastel and Montal are all close by, while the citadel of Rocamadour is a 35 minutes drive away.
Our home village of Curemonte is stunning. Dating back to the 11th Century, the village boasts 3 Chateaux, 3 churches and a market hall, a bar/restaurant and two local produce shops.
Rivers and Caves
From Argentat to Souillac, the Dordogne meanders through walnut groves, medieval villages, limestone cliffs and farmland. Hire a canoe for the day, take a ride on a traditional Gabares from the quayside in Argentat, visit the barrages of Borts les Orgues where you can join a tour of the hydroelectric dam, go fishing, or simply enjoy a picnic on the riverbanks and maybe a swim! The caves of Padirac, Lacave, la Fage and de Presque are all within 30 minutes, while the world famous Lascaux IV and Les Eyzies are easily reached in an hour.
Outdoor activities
Canoeing down the Dordogne River, tennis, cycling (for those who are not keen on hills, we highly recommend a local company hires electric bikes and organise half and full day cycling itineraries), beautiful walks, horse riding, three nearby golf courses and hot-air ballooning trips. For children there is also an ‘acrobranche’ park if they enjoy climbing and adventure, water parks, the Foret de Singes, Rocher des Aigles and Parc Animalier de Gramat, not forgetting the steam train running along the banks of the Dordogne in the summer months.
Gastronomy
We are an area rich in gastronomic delights, with specialities such as foie gras, truffles, walnuts, strawberries, cassoulet, confit de canard and cabecou cheese. Local wines include a delightful red, Mille et Une Pierres from the nearby vineyard of Branceilles, and the aperitif wines “Vin de Paille” and “Vin de Noix”. Throughout the year our local markets offer high quality produce sourced direct from the farm. Local restaurants range from traditional 'menu du jour' to Michelin Starred tasting menus, something for everyone!
