The area is a favourite with French as well as foreign tourists and there is plenty to do, especially in the summer. Once you have explored Bourdeilles and its château (well worth a visit) and Brantôme (the ‘Venice of the Périgord’) you are still spoilt for choice. In the immediate vicinity, apart from the wonderful scenery and delightful towns and villages, there are several châteaux that can be visited and some caves, including the "Grotte de Villars" with its prehistoric cave paintings; there is a very good visitors' centre and guides.
If you don't fancy canoeing you can take a boat trip on the Dronne from Brantôme and get a different perspective of the town.
Slightly further afield, but within easy reach for day trips are the Dordogne river itself with spectacular views from places like Domme and wonderful towns such as Sarlat. This is the area that most people think of as "The Dordogne", and it can get very crowded in the summer. The famous caves at Lascaux (or at least the "copies" - they've had to close the originals) are only some of a great number of truly spectacular caves not too far away.
Although you'll see lots of small vineyards around us, these are all for private consumption and you have to go down towards Bergerac or Saint Emilion (about an hour) to find serious wine country. Cognac is a similar distance to the north east.
You can swim in the public pool in Bourdeilles or in the river at Lisle (about 8 miles) where there is an organised "beach" in July and August with a lifeguard and a roped-off area for toddlers. There are also fairly local lakes for swimming, boating, etc.
There are tennis courts in Bourdeilles and Brantôme and horse riding and rock climbing nearby.
The Dronne is ideal for canoeing, with several weirs to make life more interesting. You can hire canoes in Brantôme or Bourdeilles or use ours at your own risk if you can sort the logistics out (ie how to get back to where you started!). It is also full of fish and you can buy a licence to try your luck.
We have a range of bicycles, including a tandem (new in 2003), which you are also welcome to use at your own risk. Please look after them and leave them in working order.
Click here to download a guide to the Dronne Valley.
