Le Pavillon D’Or

The apartment is located in the right-wing of a glorious Château in a small village in the Dordogne, dating back to the 16th and 17th century. In the mid 19th century the Château was unusually separated into five apartments, each now owned by separate residents. The Château has a rich and interesting history which you will no doubt learn about during your stay. One part of the Château is owned by the Mairie and is sometimes used for local events such as fairs, weddings and the annual wine and jazz festival.

The village is small with two restaurants just a few minutes walk away, usually open from late April to October and during the summer there is a pop-up pizzeria once a week. There are communal tennis courts you can use in the village, free of charge.

There are other good restaurants within a short drive in local villages plus a bakery within five minutes and a supermarket within ten minutes by car. There are of course some wonderful food markets to visit across villages and towns of the Dordogne including Bergerac (20km) on a Wednesday and Saturday morning, Eymet (20km) on a Thursday morning, local Sainte-Foy-la-Grande (11km) on a Saturday morning and a little further to the incredibly charming Issigeac (30km) on a Sunday morning.

The Dordogne river is only 4km away where you can leisurely paddle a canoe amongst stunning scenery and golf lovers will appreciate the nearby Château des Vigiers where there is a 27-hole golf course as well as two restaurants.  This area is very popular with cyclists and walkers, the pilgrimage route of Santiago de Compestela is also nearby. The whole region is a true haven for nature and activity lovers with horse-riding, boat trips, castles and even a bowling alley, paint ball centre, go-karting and an Aqua Park near Bergerac.

Wine-lovers are in the perfect location with vineyards surrounding the local village, some of which are organic. One of the bio-dynamic vineyards just on the edge of the village has several wine courses and tours. As well as the famous La Route des Vins de Bergerac, you also have the Bordeaux vineyards to the west with beautiful Saint-Émilion (45km) less than an hour away.

You are surrounded by idyllic villages and towns, full of history and character, worthy of a visit for a leisurely lunch and explore. The bastide town of Eymet (20km) is just 20 minutes away, the warren of medieval streets at Issigeac (30km) a little further or visit the attractive Sainte-Foy-la-Grande (11km) facing the Dordogne. Not forgetting beautiful Bergerac (20km) with its medieval architecture, narrow streets of boutiques and great restaurants as well as the unmissable Maisons de Vins.

In under an hour you can access two of France’s Plus Beaux Villages, Monflaquin (58km) and Monpazier (56km) or follow the Dordogne east all the way to beautiful villages such as Beynac-et-Cazenac  (80km), La Roque-Gageac (84km) and Domme (90km) before heading north to delightful Sarlat-la-Canéda (92km) or the UNESCO World Heritage site at Lascaux Caves (97km). For a change of scene you can also head west for a day trip to the coast to sample some local oysters at Cap Ferret (160km) or Arcachon (150km).

Read more about Bergerac

Experience the magnificence of the Dordogne River whilst staying close to Bergerac, a historic town with a fine reputation for its wine, gastronomy, history and art. What’s more, Bergerac is easily accessible with its own international airport and it is just over an hour from Bordeaux with TGV connections to Paris.

In the Périgord Pourpre and wonderfully located for reaching the Lot-et-Garonne and Gironde regions of south-western France, Bergerac is classified as a city of art and history. A stroll around Bergerac’s old town will be high on your itinerary – explore medieval cobbled lanes as you admire half-timbered houses, pretty squares as well as inviting shops and restaurants as you follow the fictional footsteps of Cyrano de Bergerac. On a Wednesday and Saturday morning, don’t miss the delightful market near the handsome Notre-Dame de Bergerac.  

Sail along the Dordogne from Bergerac on board a traditional gabarre vessel or take a walk by the river’s edge before finding an idyllic spot for a picnic. Cycling enthusiasts will adore the voie verte from the Canal de Lalinde towards Mouleydier, Creysse and Bergerac, partly following the banks of the river. There are of course ample opportunities for canoeing along the Dordogne or hiking through the Périgord Pourpre’s forests, orchards and vineyards - the region’s natural beauty will captivate you with its mild climate and idyllic riverside scenery.    

Wine lovers should visit the Château de Monbazillac, just south of Bergerac, or spend time sampling other wine appellations at vineyards and wine châteaux near the likes of Montravel, Pineuilh and Saussignac. Back to the charming town centre, taste a range of excellent wine at Bergerac’s Maison des Vins by the old harbour.

Beyond Bergerac, there are so many pretty places to discover. To the south-east is picture-perfect Issigeac and the bastide town of Beaumont-du-Périgord, both hosting enchanting weekly markets. Market lovers will also adore Sainte-Foy-la-Grande by the banks of the Dordogne, home to one of the Gironde’s most beautiful markets on a Saturday morning.