Out and About - The Local Area

Lalinde lies on the border of the Black and the Purple zones of the Perigord region, in other words it is surrounded by oak forests and some of the most renowned vineyards in the world. It is also in the heart of the Dordogne valley, known for its thousand and one castles, medieval fortresses, its bastides, the prehistoric caves of Cro-magnon man and troglodytes, its honey coloured villages and markets, sunflowers, tobacco barns and maize fields, and friendly people!

The limestone cliffs and gently rolling hills offer endless opportunities for the artist, the photographer, the hiker, the fisherman or the cyclist, and the foie gras and other duck specialties, the truffle and walnut products of the region make this a paradise for those who love to eat well.

Guests can walk across the village square to the Boules court to try their hand at pétanque or spend a leisurely hour or two in the little café on the square or the delightful tea room enjoying something to drink while watching the villagers come and go about their daily lives.

The area around Lalinde is a treasure trove of history, art, culture and fine cuisine. To read more about Lalinde and its environment visit the weblog where you can also leave your comments.

Chateaux and bastides

• Beynac (once home of Richard the Lionheart)
• Les Milandes (home of Josephine Baker)
• Montbasillac (famous for its noble rot wine)
• Montpazier, Beaumont, Issigeac, Domme, Eymet

Prehistoric sites

• The world famous Lascaux Caves
• The Roc de St Cristophe
• The excellent prehistoric museum at Les Eyzies

Just a few of the other sites

• A visit to a wild boar farm or an ostrich farm
• A leisurely trip down the river in the flat-bottomed Gabarre
• A more energetic kayaking or canoeing expedition down the river
• Cycling routes abound for any level of fitness as well as hiking trails to suit everyone

Markets

The French country market is an event not to be missed. You can rub shoulders with the locals who come to meet their friends while doing their weekly shopping and indulge in a feast of fine food. You will discover everything from fresh oysters or mussels or fish brought that morning from Arcachon, to home made cheeses, delicious foie gras, a hundred different kinds of dry sausages, truffles, giant mushrooms freshly picked in the surrounding forests, and an array of nut oil and olives. The market abounds in dew covered vegetables and fruit, every kind of meat, cut flowers and interesting plants, books, textiles, pottery, handicrafts. The list goes on, and you can be sure to discover something that will either take your breath away or make you laugh, but most certainly will give you pleasure.

Make it a full day’s outing, or combine it with sightseeing in the area, taking a closer look at the market town or village, enjoy a picnic lunch on the banks of the river, an afternoon of wine tasting, or simply a leisurely few hours sitting at a little café, sipping the house wine, soaking in the local way of life and watching the world go by.

Here are some of the markets in the area -- each town and village has interesting places to visit as well:

Monday	Beynac, St Alvere (main truffle market), Les Eyzies
Tuesday	Beaumont, Bergerac (organic market), Brantome (July and August), Le Bugue, Riberac, Tremolat
Wednesday	Biron, Cadouin, Bergerac, Cahors, Sarlat, Perigeux
Thursday	Lalinde (main market day), Domme, Monpazier, Mouleydier, Brive
Friday	Brantome, Bergerac, Brantome (all day), Sigoules, Le buisson, Souillac, Riberac
Saturday	Sarlat, Lalinde (smaller market), Beaumont, Belves, Bergerac, Le Bugue, Bergerac, Perigeux
Sunday	Issigeac, Bergerac, Brantome, Couze, Creysse

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