Discover

Our house is located just south of the Dordogne in the Lot-et-Garonne, in the middle of “le pays des bastides”. This region was the border between France and England during the Hundred Years War, 14th to mid 15th century. In that period, bastides were founded by both parties on top of the hills, such as Villeréal (5 min), Castillionès (7 min), Monflanquin (15 min), Monpazier (15 min). These villages belong to 'Les Plus Beaux Villages de France'. Throughout the summer there are music festivals, marchés gourmands (night markets where you eat at long tables), vides greniers & marchés aux puces (flea markets). Every day there is a market somewhere and they have all nice restaurants. Issigeac, a beautiful medieval village (10 min), is famous for its Sunday market: discover the local specialties.

The wine town of Bergerac (20 minutes) not only has an airport but also a beautifully restored medieval center. Of course there is a statue to Cyrano.

Our location is also ideal for exploring the Dordogne (or Périgord) with its many castles, towns and sights. Just think of Sarlat (one of the oldest cities in France), the caves of Lascaux, castles above the river Dordogne such as Belvès, Beynac, Castelnaud. Or visit Bordeaux, 1.5 hours away and definitely one of the most beautiful cities in France. The coast (the Arcachon basin, with the Dune du Pyla) is a 2-hour drive away and is an ideal day trip. You can take the ferry in Arcachon (1/2 hour) to the Cap Ferret peninsula: beautiful!

Good food and to the market!

Let yourself be pampered by the culinary specialties of the region: many types of goat cheeses, plums, figs, truffles, mushrooms, duck. Every season is a celebration here and on the markets you will find organic fruit and vegetables, oysters, fish and meat. There are many nice bistros where you can enjoy delicious food for a reasonable price. There are also many culinary restaurants, both in Issigeac and Villeréal and Monpazier. Barely a 10-minute drive away, in Sainte-Sabine-Born, there is a Michelin star restaurant. We are really spoiled here! Would you rather have a nice and very affordable lunch? You can do that anywhere! And best of all? These are the famous 'marchés gourmands': for a very low price you can join in the evening, at long tables on the village square. You bring your own plates, glasses and cutlery and you eat the local specialties that are prepared on the spot to the accompaniment of live music.

Forget the supermarket - although there is one within 5 km (ideal for your basic purchases). But be part of the community and go to the market, have a chat and buy the specialties of the area. And then take a delicious aperitif in the sun on a terrace. In Le Moulinot you will find an information folder with interesting sights in the region, the nicest bistros, lunch and culinary addresses, the market days.

Bergerac: fantastic wine region

From Le Moulonot you have an ideal base to explore different wine regions: Bergerac, Montbazillac, Pécharmant and Rosette (north), Duras (west), Carhors (south-east). In the Bergerac area there are many winemakers who distinguish themselves by a modern way of winemaking: organic, even sometimes biodynamic, averse to classic labeling, sometimes resulting in stunningly tasty wines. We provide good addresses and tips in our information folder. The people here are exceptionally friendly and welcoming. Also make contact with the local winegrowers at the markets, they tell fascinating stories.

The famous Bordeaux wine region is also easily accessible. Saint-Emilion is an hour's drive away and the famous Sauternes is barely an hour's drive away!

Cycling, canoeing, tennis

We provide bicycles for young and old because this is an ideal environment for small and large bicycle tours. For the real sports enthusiasts there is also the "Circuit Bastide Royale". A 75 km course through small villages that passes in Doudrac . And nobody forbids you to jump on your bike in the morning and get croissants or baguettes in Villeréal (only 15 minutes by bike).

Discover the splendor of this region by water. You can rent canoes to take a trip on the rivers Dordogne, Vézère or Lot, and you can also sail down our river Dropt with our polyester canoe. In the summer the river is sometimes narrow and shallow (and therefore very safe), but it is definitely a great adventure! Sailing back is perfect because the current is negligible. If you like to play tennis in the morning or evening (if it is not too hot), you can go to the tennis courts in Villeréal or Castillonès. You can make a reservation and pick up the key at the tourist office on the market square.