Maison Cosette

Eymet is just a twenty-minute drive away, one of the area’s wonderfully preserved bastide towns. An early start on Thursday is rewarded with the chance to explore the varied and colourful wares at the town’s weekly open-air market. From fresh fruit, vegetables and artisanal breads, to clothing and accessories, you’ll find a wealth of terrific local produce and goods. If you prefer a more measured start to your mornings, the central Place de la Bastide hosts the atmospheric Marche Nocturne on Tuesday evenings during July and August. Terrific street food, late openings at the town’s cafés and a tempting array of stalls all add up to make a delightful evening out in this vibrant town.

Sainte Foy La Grande is a port town on the south bank of the Dordogne, and can be found just twenty minutes north of Maison Cosette. Just over the border in the Gironde region, this town has been key to the Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux wine trade over the years, as part of the route transporting casks to Britain and the Netherlands. As well as offering a great choice of spots to grab a bite to eat, a range of charming shops and terrific riverside views – there’s even a paddling beach to cool your feet on a hot summer’s day – you won’t have to travel much further to discover one of French winemaking’s most iconic buildings. The spectacular Château Michel de Montaigne offers guided tours of the castle and its grounds, tastings of the estate’s wines, and the chance to take away a bottle or two of your favourites.

Golfers enjoying a break at Maison Cosette will be just a twenty-minute drive from the spectacular twenty-seven-hole course at Château des Vigiers. With a magnificent lakeside backdrop of oak woods, vineyards and plum trees, the three diverse nine-hole courses are an absolute joy for linksmen of all handicaps, with a particularly stunning view of the castle at the ninth on the ‘Le Lac’ course. There’s a six-hole academy course too, along with driving ranges, training bunkers and practice greens to sharpen your chipping and putting before heading out on one of the picturesque courses. Club and cart rental is available, as well as the chance to treat yourself at the club shop. Visitors can book ahead and enjoy a well-earned meal at one of Golf des Vigiers’ two restaurants, with traditional and gourmet cuisine available.

Head north from Maison Cosette and you’ll reach Bergerac in around half an hour by road. You’ll enjoy a taste of authentic Dordogne town life here, with medieval, half-timbered buildings lining the squares and streets of the picturesque old town, north of the river. There are plenty of restaurants and open-air cafés to choose from, along with a selection of boutique-style shops. From the car park at the bottom end of the old town, you can join boat trips throughout the day, taking you along a picturesque route through the town and out into the countryside. The modern area is equally welcoming, with a range of more modern stores offering plenty to tempt the visiting shopper.

Contrary to popular belief, the town has no connection with Cyrano de Bergerac, but those with a nose for a good wine certainly won’t be disappointed by a visit to the home of Monbazillac, Pacharment and Saussignac. A beautifully preserved, twelfth-century cloister in the old town is home to the Maison de Vins de Bergerac, an exhibition showcasing the town’s rich winemaking heritage. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to sampling the fabulous labels of southwest France too, with a plethora of wineries to discover, offering vineyard and cellar tours – some are even within walking distance of Maison Cosette! 

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The pace of life in the Dordogne is languid, laid back and positively infectious. Relax in bucolic beauty as you drift along the Dordogne River, or wander among the forests and hillside of the Périgord Natural Park.

The foodie scene too, is a relaxed affair. Take your time over your lazy lunches of local duck, black truffles and goats cheese. If you’re feeling energetic, you can even hunt for them yourself. The wine here is second to none, with infamous grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chenin Blanc all having a huge presence here.

The Dordogne is also brimming with history. Castles and chateaux are scattered throughout the region, among the enchanting medieval villages. History of an altogether more ancient sort can also be explored in the incredible prehistoric cave drawings of Lascaux and Grotte de Rouffignac.

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