Local Attractions:
You will be ideally placed for access to all the beautiful sites in the Dorgogne and Charente. There are chateaux to visit, prehistoric caves to explore or pretty market towns to meander around. Not to be missed is market day in Riberac on Friday or you could go to Villebois Lavalette for their modest market on a Saturday morning under an incredible old oak structure, where you can join in with the locals eating oysters with beer. The Perigord region is renowned for its quality food and wines and there are numerous good yet affordable restaurants locally. Typically a four or five course lunch costs between 10 and 12 euros, often with wine included! For the serious wine lover, Bergerac is just over an hours drive away or you could take a day trip to St Emilion (1hr45mins) or Bordeaux (2hrs). Cognac is another interesting day out where you can take a tour around one of several brandy houses and then take a wander around the shops or along the river.
Activities:
For the more energetic there are plenty of outdoor activities. Try canoeing along the river from Brantome, the little Venice of the Dordogne, to Bordeilles with its fortified chateaux, or explore the quiet but well signed lanes by bike or on foot. Several river beaches are within easy reach where the children can play in the sand & swim or you could visit Lake Jemaye, well worth the 40 minute drive, where there’s a beach with bars & restaurants overlooking the waterfront & safe paddling & swimming areas (life guards at peak times). Facilities at Chez Devallon include swimming in the pool, boules, badminton, table tennis, table football, swings & slide, 14ft trampoline, sandpit, trikes, BBQ, & 8 aces of grounds to wander around. We also have a large selection of books, games, toys & a DVD/ CD library on request. To help you get the most out of the area we have put together a comprehensive guide with leaflets & lists of local events (eg. village festivals, night markets & brocantes).
Getting Here:
The nearest airport is at Bergerac being just under an hour and a halves drive away, other possible airports being Bordeaux ((2hrs), Poitier (2hrs), Limoges (2hrs) and La Rochelle (2hrs30mins). Flybe, Ryanair and BMI Baby all have regular flights coming into the area.
Angouleme, the capital of the Charente is only a 45 minute drive away and is where you can get the TGV train up to Paris (in just over 2hrs) or to Lillle for links on to London via Eurostar.
Depending on the traffic Calais is an 8 to 10 hour drive, St Malo a comfortable 6 hours and Caen or La Havre a relaxed 6 to 7 hours.
Other Activities:
canoeing, crazy golf, hire our tandem for a day!
