 Restaurant Montéchristôt is Situated in Planèze, a small village a mile and a half from La Rose is our favourite restaurant Montéchristôt. We try and get to the place at least once a week as the food is superb, the people lovely and it is so cheap. We always go for the Menu de Jour for 11.00 Euros which gives us often a 7 course meal including wine, its good advice to go there very hungry. The other nice thing is that it is within walking distance so nobody has to worry about being designated driver. Booking is recommended at the weekend as it is a very popular place. |
| La Palombiére is a lovely little restaurant is situated in the Centre of St Astier right by the church and about 5.5 miles from La Rose. The building is beautifully decorated and the food is lovely with menus starting at 17 Euros for three courses. Like Montéchristôt, it is wise to book. Sample menus are in the information packs. |
 Sarlat is probably the most popular destination in the Dordogne Sarlat is a beautiful place but very very busy in the high season. Stunning architecture, wonderful restaurants and lots of typical Périgordian produce for sale and a huge market on Saturday. We love it but it is busy so go early in the season or early in the day. |
 Les Eyzies is about 12 miles this side of Sarlat is the lovely little town of Les Eyzies. The town runs along the Dordogne River and is stunning, offering lovely restaurants, the beautiful Grotte Du Grand Roc with its amazing crystal structures. Cap Blanc with its stunning prehistoric cave paintings is very close and it is only a few miles from Lascaux. Canoes are available in the town if you want a more energetic day. |
 Montpazier is simply beautiful. Founded in 1284 by King Edward the 1st of England and changed hands many times during the 100 years war. Stunning mediaeval architecture and set in a beautiful location Montpazier is a must for those who love antiquity. The town is about 48 miles from La Rose situated South of Bergerac and in the heart of the Bastide country. Other towns worth visiting in the area are Biron and Eymet. |
| St Emilion is the most famous town in the most famous wine growing region in the world is only 45 miles away and takes about an hour on the motorway. The town is beautiful with lots of mediaeval architecture, lovely restaurants and wine glorious wine. Our friendly tame wine merchant Fabien who is based in the town will point you at the right restaurants and places to go and will ply you with some glorious vin and I am sure that you will take some away with you. |
 Biscarosse Plage If you get on the road by eight o clock you will be on the beach before ten. Biscarosse is lovely and has miles of golden beaches, great restaurants and lots of things to do and see. You may also want to take in the Great Dune at Pyla or just take a canoe out at Biscarosse Lake. Well worth the visit if you like the beach. The water is shallow and warm and you get some great waves so grab the body board and go surfing. |
 The Great Dune At Pyla, near Arcachon, is one of the greatest national sites. This 2.7km-long dune, the highest in Europe (117m), is shifting a lot. In winter, depending on storms, it moves back from 3 to 10 meters.
You have got to climb the dune but do it before lunch. Jamie runs up but it takes us a little longer. The golden sand contrasts with the sky blue ocean and the fragrant green pine forest. You can also see Cap Ferret, the passes of the Arcachon Basin and the ornithological reserve of the Arguin Sandbank. The oysters here are magnificent by the way. |
 St Astier is only 5 miles away from us has a wonderful market on Thursday and is a lovely little Périgordian town. Nice restaurants, little shops and a covered market selling all things to do with ducks and geese. The Le Clerc supermarket is the best in the immediate area and has a great fish counter and sells the best selection of local produce to stock up the gîte kitchen. You may just want to go and have a cold one there and perhaps a spot of lunch. |
 Ribérac, called by some "Little Guildford", is a popular destination for British holidaymakers and those that intend staying longer. There is a lot of English spoken in the town especially on market day (Friday). The large market is well worth a visit and is one of two that we would heartily recommend. Good restaurants selling local dishes could complement the visit or you may want to be a little more energetic and head back to La Rose via Le Grand Étang De La Jemaye. ( We call it Jamie’s big pond) |
 Le Grand Étang De La Jemaye is a mere twelve miles from La Rose, we call this lovely place ‘’Jamie’s big pond’’. The large lake is set in the middle of the Double forest and offers a lake beach, large children’s play area, restaurants, showers and a snack bar. There is a floating platform offshore for swimming to and diving off, pedaloes are available to hire and there are picnic tables all around the site. We love to walk around the lake where there are activities for the kids to do and a bird watching platform at the end of the walk. La Jemaye is popular all year round and is truly stunning and very well done. If you are up to it believe it or not there is a discotheque at the lake in the evenings or you can just go swimming. |
| Bergerac Bergerac Airport is 27 miles away and the town itself is even nearer. This lovely wine centre is placed on the Dordogne river and surrounded by vineyards offering tasting and sales. Markets are on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and there is lots to do in this bustling town. The old town is stunning and there are restaurants bars and lots of shops to keep you busy. You might just want to take advantage of the dégustation and stock up on some lovely wine to take home with you. |
