Great Things to Do Near La Petite Maison
Walk up to Castillonnès
From the house, walk up and have a coffee in the main square in Castillonnès and admire the arcades and the stonework. Take a guided tour around the town and learn a bit more about its history and architecture. The guided tour in English takes place every Tuesday, leaving the Tourist Office at 5.30pm.
Golf courses
The famous golf course of Château des Vigiers (18 hole) is about 30km away, and there are also spa facilities on site for those who prefer some pampering! In the other direction there is also an 18 hole golf course near Castelnaud-de-Gratecambe. Enjoy a round of golf and then come back and relax by the pool.
Garden lovers
will enjoy the fabulous collection of waterlilies at La Tour-Marliac in Le Temple-sur-Lot (45 minute drive).
Visit Bergerac
The old centre is a beautiful jumble of cobbled streets, timbered houses, little shops and cafés overlooking the squares. Visit the museums, sit on the riverbank and watch the boats go by or, even better, go for a 50 minute trip on one of the gabarres.
Lake at Lougratte
The village of Lougratte, about 12km south of Castillonnès, has a great lake where you can go swimming, hire pedalos, go fishing or canoeing. On the lakeside, you can play table tennis, volleyball, or just relax and have a picnic. Open mid June to end August.
Visit the Medieval Bastides
of the Lot et Garonne and the Dordogne, such as Villeréal, Monflanquin, Beaumont-du-Périgord, Monpazier, Issigeac, Miramont-de-Guyenne. The best day to visit them is on market days when there is such a lovely, lively atmosphere!
Vineyards and châteaux
Whilst in the area around Creysse, visit the Pécharmant vineyards and the wonderful Château de Tiregard at the heart of a working vineyard – visit the barrel hall and the formal gardens and of course, taste the wine. Don't miss the château of Monbazillac (16km) with its fine collection of XVIIth century furniture, and a museum of wine and its vineyards. Discover the wonderful wines in the area by tasting them at the château.
Lots of walks in the area
Pick up a walking itinerary/map from the tourist office in Castillonnès and discover the local area from a different perspective. There is a range of walks and bike rides to suit all.
Saint-Emilion
Do not miss a wander around the famous wine town of Saint-Emilion (80km). It is the first wine growing area listed by UNESCO so it is definitely worth a visit. There is also a huge monolithic church carved out of limestone rock, as well as miles of underground tunnels and caves.
The city of Bordeaux
This beautiful city sits on the banks of the Garonne and teems with culture and history, much of which is focused on wine! The lovely streets lead to squares where you can happily sit awhile and watch the world go by.
Why not visit Périgueux
...an hour's drive away. The beautiful old centre with its Cathedral St Front, the Vésone Tower, picturesque streets and squares and all the liveliness of a large French town. Lots of nice restaurants and, in the summer, little musical groups play gently on the little squares of the old town. There are also lots of festivals, the most famous one is Mimos, in the streets, the last weekend in July.
Water park for the children
Take the children to Aqua Park Junior Land, 10 minutes from Bergerac in the direction of Bordeaux. There are four pools, with a water slide and direct access to the river for canoeing. Mountain biking, quad bikes, beach volleyball and table tennis are always on offer. The park is open daily from May to September from 10:00 to 01:00 the following morning – floodlit at night!
Delicious fresh produce from the markets
Don't miss all the great food markets. The area is well known for its locally grown produce so head to Castillonnès on a Tuesday, or Bergerac Wednesday or Saturday, Eymet or Monflanquin on Thursdays, Villeréal on Saturdays, Issigeac on Sundays... In July & August, head to the evening marchés gourmands where you sit with the locals at long tables and eat food that you will buy from the local producers that have cooked for you. You can also buy local wine and drinks. Bon appétit !
A spa day
If you wish to relax even more, visit Les Bains de Casteljaloux (just over 1hr drive) where you will find thermal spas, massages, Japanese baths, and both indoor & outdoor pools.
Le Cinéma
The French love the cinema and produce some great films. There is a cinema in Castillonnès (Place Jasmin), which shows both French and English films (look for Version anglaise - VO - sous-titrée if you want to watch the English version).
Extraordinary frescos
In Allemans du Dropt, visit the church to see the 15th century frescos – they depict lively devils and gruesome goings-on!
Medieval Roaming
Through the month of August, the villages along the Dropt valley go back in time to the medieval era for a day or two. Visitors are welcome to join the festivities. In some places, such as Monflanquin, you can even rent a Medieval costume!
Take the children to the Parc-en-Ciel
in Lacapelle-Biron (28km) - 14 hectares of trees and fields where you will find mini golf, a farm of baby animals and an adventure playground through the trees with different courses depending on the age of the children.
The magical walks
At Saint-Eutrope-de-Born, near Villeréal, you are invited to take a magical walk at nightfall every Wednesday and Thursday (and themed Fridays: enquire), in July and August. Young and old alike will enjoy a poetic journey through an environment where the work of nature and the fruits of chance are given free rein. Forgotten wood, driftwood and natural sculptures await discovery at the twists and turns of the path. Go at your own pace and immerse yourself in the poetry and magic of this walk which is accessible to all.
