LE DOMAINE DU TILLEUL: PERFECT BASE
The Dordogne is often described as one of the most beautiful regions of France. The region offers everything you could wish for as a holidaymaker.
Booking your holiday in one of the holiday homes of Le Domaine Du Tilleul is a good decision for those who want to explore the region.
WHAT'S ON THE MENU
WHEN YOU COME TO EXPLORE
THE PÉRIGORD NOIR?
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Culinary delights: the Périgord has its typical regional dishes, such as duck confit, truffle-based dishes and delicious wine that you can taste directly from the winegrower.
Within walking distance of Le Domaine Du Tilleul in Saint-Chamassy is the Cave le Petit Pigeonnier, where you can book a tasting. -
Castelnaud-La-Chapelle: Visit the small French village best known for its medieval castle and museum of medieval warfare.
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Sarlat-la-Canéda: This famous town is definitely worth a visit. In the historical centre, you can still feel the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. More than seventy buildings have been preserved as historical monuments, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays, it is lovely to stroll through the market full of local products.
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Musée Nationale du Préhistoire: Important museum in the beautiful village of Les Eyzies-de-Tayac.
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Active holiday: Enjoy an afternoon kayaking on the Dordogne River and relax on one of the many beaches beside this beautiful river. Discover family walks with dozens of kilometres of nature trails or rent a mountain bike for a trail ride through the green and rolling landscape.
VISITING CASTLES
The Dordogne-Périgord is also called the 'region of a thousand and one castles'. Admittedly, there may not be a thousand and one, but there are a lot of them! You will find beautifully restored castles in many styles, from medieval to renaissance and classic.
These buildings have stood the test of time, and the stones tell their ancient history full of revolutions and legends.
Some castles to visit in the Dordogne:
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Château de Beynac
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Château de Castelnaud
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Château de Saint-Geniès
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Château des Milandes
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Château de Hautefort
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Château de Beynac
MARKET
It is the traditional celebration in the countryside: market day. Not only buying and selling but also music, a cup of coffee on a terrace, looking at beautiful things... They come in all shapes and sizes, the markets of the Périgord.
TIP: Wednesday morning vegetable market in Sarlat: buy a fresh artichoke and get the best strawberries on the square in front of the town hall! Skip the Saturday market: far too busy and far too touristy. Wednesday mornings are much more fun!
Prefer to go to the market on another day?
Search for 'market days in the Dordogne’
CAVES OF
LASCAUX OR PROUMEYSSAC
The Caves of Lascaux The famous Lascaux Caves are home to the most famous cave paintings in France. The discovery in 1940 suddenly put this area on the map. The many rock paintings in the narrow caves are extremely detailed and colourful. Lascaux is located in the Vézère Valley. This valley in the Dordogne is called the cradle of prehistory. With numerous caves, of which, according to scientists, Lascaux is the most richly painted prehistoric cave in the world.
Caves of Proumeyssac
A part of these magnificent Caves of Proumeyssac is also called the Crystal Cathedral of the Dordogne - and with good reason! You travel through a tunnel under the ground to the immense underground vault with walls covered in crystals. The highlight is a magnificent space that looks like a cathedral, hence the nickname. These are truly magnificent caves and must be seen.
WINE TASTING DORDOGNE
Highly recommended::
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Cave le petit pigeonnier
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Julien de Savignac
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La grande maison
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Château de Monbazillac
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Wijgrot van Verdots
JARDIN DE MARQUEYSSAC
The Jardin de Marqueyssac is a park of more than 22 hectares and is situated on one side opposite the Château de Castelnaud and on the other side at the Château de Beynac.
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TIP: Thursday evening in Jardin de Marqueyssac: In summer, you can visit the gardens of Marqueyssac every Thursday evening. The garden is completely lit with candles.
A magical experience! -
Also, great for lunch!
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Climbing/walking route in the gardens: The gardens of Marqueyssac are very restful, educational and at the same time beautiful, so you don't expect that right under the gardens, a real climbing course is waiting to offer you an adrenaline rush. However, under the gardens against the rock is a steel path; follow a course at a very high altitude if you are not afraid of heights! This walk is no ordinary walk. The walk starts very simply on a path, and then you walk (secured) with a steel cable and harness along an iron path against the rock, so fear of heights is not desirable. The complete route along the rock is 200 metres. This is indeed not very long, but it is very exciting!
GOOD FOOD
IN THE DORDOGNE
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Garden Party in Limeuil: Nice and quiet food at Garden Party in Limeuil with a view over the valley.
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Salon de The in Jardin de Marqueyssac: Situated at the gardens of Marqueyssac, possible for a small snack as well as an extensive menu.
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Le Cro Magnon, Ruud and Jan are two Belgians who moved to France to fulfil their big dream. Starting their own hotel and restaurant. Certainly, worthwhile to go and eat.
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Coffee with homemade tarts at Les Delices Aux Noix in Domme, at this bakery, you can eat homemade tarts with a cup of coffee.
VILLAGES VISITS
IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
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Sarlat
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Monpazier
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Beynac-et-Ccazenac
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Les Eyzies
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La Roque-Gageac
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Limeuil
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Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère
CANOEING
Canoe, kayak and SUP board on the rivers Vézère and Dordogne Enjoy a unique multi-sensory experience in a canoe, kayak, alone, with family or friends.
Looking for an outdoor leisure activity to enjoy alone, with a partner or with the family? Embark on a descent by canoe or kayak. In the heart of the Périgord Noir, our Canoe base is ideally located in Le Bugue, where there are many family and nature activities.
With our eight routes ranging from 5 to 26 kilometres, you can cruise at your own pace, on the Vézère, the Dordogne or both! Enjoy a sporty cruise or float down the river to discover the beauty of the Vézère valley and the breathtaking landscapes along the Dordogne. Montignac-Lascaux, Les Eyzies, Limeuil, reveal a magnificent nature mixed with prehistoric interest.
On the way to Beynac, La Roque-Gageac and Domme, the Dordogne offers you views of the architectural and historical treasures of our Périgord. You can take your time, stop for a break, swim, picnic, sunbathe or rest.
Canoeing: Possible departure from Le Bugue (4km from the holiday home)
CYCLING
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In the heart of the Green Périgord you will find Dordogne Cycle Hire, where you can rent bikes for the whole family. You can also rent child seats for the back of the touring bikes or children's bikes that are attached to your bike. If you don't have any transport, they will even deliver them to your holiday home! This way, you can enjoy wonderful cycling trips on the green cycle paths between Thiviers and Saint Pradoux (17 km). Another option is to hire a Merida mountain bike equipped with a GPS so you can set off on your own. You can find various cycling routes online for a fun day out.
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For an organised bike trip in the Dordogne, contact Amy and Robert Owensmith of Aquitaine Bike in Coux en Bigaroque. They specialise in tailor-made cycling tours in the Dordogne. The way they organise these tours keeps the costs down. They design a tailor-made route with recommendations, suggestions and information based on your interests. This service is included in the cycle route.
WALKING
Online you can find various walking routes for a nice day out with a picnic on the Dordogne river.
BALLOON TRIP
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Discover the Dordogne by hot air balloon
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Dordogne Montgolfières organises balloon rides, contact person is Thibault Carves.
GOLF COURSES IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
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Golf de la Marterie
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Golf club d’Essendiéras
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Golf club de Brive
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Golf club de la Forge
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Golf club de Lolivarie
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Golf club de Saint Méard de Gucon
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Golf club du Château Les Merles
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Golf club Periqueux
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Golf club Vigiers
HORSE RIDING
Horse riding in the Dordogne is fantastic. The beautiful landscape offers many paths through the woods. There are open valleys and beautiful hilltops, ideally suited to horse riding. In the Dordogne, you can organise a trip at several riding schools or castle farms.
If you don't want to go on a trip but want to ride a horse? It is also possible to take a few lessons at the many riding schools or just ride a horse for an hour. For the youngest among us, you can often arrange for them to be accompanied on a pony for a few laps. Children love this.
There is a wide range of riding schools in the Dordogne. There are large castle farms and gîtes where you can hire horses for a ride.
Other suggestions:
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Cavaliers de la Vézère (Les)
La Ferme de Clérans
SAINT LÉON SUR VÉZÈRE
www.cavaliersdelavezere.fr
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Au Bos Cheval Rouge
Bos Rouge
BELVES
https://www.boschevalrouge.fr
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Ferme du Castanet
Castanet
BEYNAC ET CAZENAC
AQUARIUM PÉRIGORD NOIR
Aquarium du Périgord is the largest private freshwater aquarium in Europe. With four thousand square meters of pools divided into sixty-six aquariums with a total of three million litres of water. The aquarium is very impressive and educational. Admire the many carp, catfish and various other beautifully impressive fish.
Apart from the wonderful aquarium, you can also play mini-golf, climb on the Bigbird, and visit a prehistoric maze. Of course, you also have the opportunity to eat here. You can easily spend a couple of hours in this fun park.
AQUATIC LAGOON
In this area of more than 2 hectares, you will find all kinds of activities for the whole family. The giant slides of more than 16 metres, a free fall on an airbag, and an extraordinary VR kayak descent. You will also find many water sports activities and a children's swimming paradise.
More info about Aquatic Lagoon
QUERCYLAND
This giant water park is located on the Dordogne river in the town of Souillac (Lot). It is also the starting point for the canoes operated by the company Copeyre.
This amazing water park is about 30,000 m² and has no less than five swimming pools, two giant slides, a jacuzzi and a paddling pool. A water park where everyone, from big to small, can enjoy themselves all day. Of course, there is also plenty to eat and drink.
Open from May to September
AQUA MONKEY ISLAND GOURDON
This water park is built in a lake near Gourdon (Lot).
This water park with slides and bouncy castles in the water is definitely worth a visit. Suitable for all ages.
Open from June to September
More info about Aqua Monkey Island
CALVIAC ZOOLOGICAL RESERVE
Reserve Zoologique de Calviac is a small, friendly zoo with a forest and lots of natural beauty. Walk among the animals, something children love. The zoo is divided into four geographical areas: Europe, the Mediterranean, Madagascar and South America. The zoo is beautiful and spacious.
