Self guided hikes through stunning Dordogne

August 26, 2008


Walking Dordogne has posted on their web site that as of next spring they will have 5 self-guided hikes, all of about 30km, however the hikes can be combined to create much longer or shorter hikes.
Walking Dordogne will supply the walkers with a detailed map and a hand held GPS with all the routes incl. places of interest, places to eat / drink, accommodation if needed and lots more.

Details about the hikes, or prices have not yet been published on their site.

The original article can be found here: http://walkingdordogne.com/wdnews/

Written by admin · Filed Under Activities 

Fishing in the Dordogne

May 24, 2008

The Dordogne is without doubt the nicest and most diverse region in France, famous for the stunning scenery, Prehistoric caves and dwellings, Medieval towns & villages, fortified castles and strongholds, Bastides, and list goes on and on.. Ooohhh and let’s not forget the friendly people, great food, excellent wine and all the activities you can imagine… the word “bored” does not exist in the Dordogne Dictionary.

Fishing is very popular in France, and there is no better place to fish, relax and enjoy life, than at Sweet Chestnut Lake.

The lake is situated midway between the large towns of Limoges, Perigueux and Angouleme, approximately a 50 minute drive from each. We are just below the Limousin border in the very desirable department of the Dordogne.
The lake nestles in attractive woodland, 3 km’s north of Saint Saud Lacoussiere a small and attractive village with a few shops, a couple of bars and 2 character hotels. The towns of Nontron, Cussac, Chalus and Thiviers all have supermarkets and are each only a 15 minute drive

Sweet Chestnut Lake.

A beautiful stream and spring fed mature lake of just under 4 acres, 200 metres long and 70 metres wide. Depths vary from 1 metre, where the stream enters, to up to 5 metres at the dam end.

The lake has a certificate of Private Status awarded by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, which wwas secured in 2007. This means anglers do not need to buy any form of licence, there are no seasonal restrictions and fishing is permissible 24 hours a day.

Levels are always maintained in the lake by the incoming streams and also by springs that can be seen bubbling from the lake bed. In the severe drought in France, in summer 2006, when many lakes actually dried up, sweet chestnut lake retained it’s full height

The lake bed has a combination of hard areas and silt, and there is no significant weed or snags.

Half of the lake has lovely flat grassed banks, level with the waters edge. The remaining half is left more undisturbed as a wild life haven, but we have created access points for anglers between the trees, ideal for stalking.

The lake is surrounded by native woodland . The predominant tree species being Sweet Chestnut and Oak with Birch, Alder, Poplar and Willow also in abundance. Beneath the tree canopy is a profusion of other native vegetation, including Gorse and Broom, Alder Buckthorn and Bracken. Orchids have been seen growing in the shade of the trees.

It is altogether a very healthy environment.

The Lake

Fish Stocks at Sweet Chestnut Lake.

In November 2006 and early January 2007 the lake was stocked with half a ton of ‘Royale’ strain
Carp, from 20lbs to over 40lb’s, supplied by premier french fish dealer Simon Horton. These
These big framed fish, mostly mirrors, are gorgeous specimens and have already made huge
weight gains in their first year. We now have a good head of mid 30’s and 40’s.

In January 2007 6 catfish were introduced, including 3 x 30lb’ers and one of 42lb.The Cats
have settled in very well and have put on 1lb a month since their stocking. The largest in the
lake is now over 50lb.

Original Fish Stocks

Sweet Chestnut Lake has not been emptied for over 20 years and currently supports a healthy
range of fish species. These include original Carp, Tench, Pike, Zander, Chub, Perch, Roach,
Pumpkinseed and wild Trout. The lake is free of Poisson Chat and problem Crayfish.

The lake contains at least 150 original carp, probably quite a few more. These are predominantly
commons and some of the specimens may be over 35 years old. In late Spring 2007 we
counted 145 originals basking in the sun on the surface of the lake. The biggest carp recorded
from the original stock is a 30lb 13oz mirror to a Dutch angler. The majority of these fish are
doubles but some long lean 20lb+ mirrors and commons were banked in 2007 by our customers.

With favourable weather conditions and good angling they are very much a ‘Runs Water’with
plenty of carp of all sizes.

ACCOMMODATION.

The apartment itself is contained within the main house and has recently been refurbished and decorated to a high standard. It is a spacious self-contained, first floor open-plan apartment with a small well equipped kitchen,including a larder fridge, separate bedroom* and en-suite bathroom with English toilet and shower.

The accommodation is situated on the lake side, less that 10 metres from the water’s edge. Access is by way of an external stairway with a small viewing balcony and french doors to the living/dining area.

Outside the apartment exclusive to our guests, there is a lovely area with a stone barbeque, table, chairs and parasol, ideal for sitting out and relaxing. Below this, accessed by natural steps, on the lake’s edge, is a hardstanding which can also be used and you can even fish from here if you like.


The Fishery
The fishery is primarily run as a fly and survive or a drive and survive venue with anglers sleeping in the bivvies provided. The lake size ideally lends itself to exclusive use, for parties of 3 to 4 carp anglers fishing at any one time. Rods, Pods, Double-bivvies, Bedchairs, Chairs, Landing-nets, Unhooking-mats, Weigh-slings, Scales, Stoves, Water Container and Insulated Mugs are included in the package. Bait, including boilies, pellets and freshly prepared particles are available on site.

All our guests will have exclusive use of the apartment and facilities and we can on request provide a fully made up double bed in the bedroom of the apartment at an additional charge. A food package is also available if required:

Breakfast: choice of full English or continental
Lunch: choice of filled baguettes or sandwiches
Evening Meal: two courses - freshly cooked dishes from the menu
Coffee, tea and water included
All meals can be delivered to your swim or served in the apartment.

For Booking enquiries, and up to date info about Sweet Chestnut Lake Fishing Holidays Please visit the official web site at:
www.sweetchestnutlake.co.uk/

Written by admin · Filed Under Activities, News 

Horse Riding in the Dordogne

March 21, 2008

One of the best ways to see the Dordogne is without doubt on horse back.
Leave your car behind, and get onto some real horse power, leave the hussle of the tourists behind and get off the roads and onto the tracks.

1000’s of years ago, there was a very high abundance of wild horses in this region, this can be seen in so many cave paintings found in the region. “Man” has always had a good friendship with horses, and that is still the case today.
For hundreds, if not thousands of years, our ancestors would travel to far away places to trade goods, for hundreds of years, and many generations, would follow the same tracks and trails to get to these often remote places. Along the way they would rest at places that have now become villages, hamlets and even towns. These tracks and trails quickly disappeared with the invention of the train and later the automobile.. lost and forgotten forever..
Well almost, we take you on a trip of a lifetime following these long forgotten trails.. Get on a horse and let us retrace the routes our ancestors took hundreds of years ago.

Ferme de Fonluc is without doubt the place to be, for everyone interested in seeing the Dordogne and Vezere Valley on horse back. Situated in Les Eyzies de Tayac, in the hart of the Vezere Valley, and just 150m from the Vezere river and the famous clifs of Les Eyzies that is home to many prehistoric dwellings and the famous “Grand Roc”

Ferme de Fonluc have a range of unforgettable horse trips and over night tours, suitable for all ages.

For more information please visit their website : www.fonluc.com

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Vezere Valley- 4 Excellent Venues

January 16, 2008

The Vezere river is a tributary of the Dordogne, and the two meet near Les Eyzies-de-Tayac before the Dordogne continues on toward Bordeaux and the Atlantic ocean. Near the village of Montignac, about 30 kilometers upstream on the Vezere, are some excellent and unique venues, including the famous Lascaux cave. Here are four that can be visited in one day.

1. Lascaux II- Lascaux is considered to be the number one prehistoric site in all of Europe. The paintings on the site date from 17,000 to 15,000 years ago. Shortly after that the cave entrances were closed by mudslides or other natural means, and thus the paintings were perfectly preserved until the modern era. The cave was rediscovered in 1940 by two local boys who were chasing their dog, and several years later it was opened to the public. However, in 1963 it was closed again, as it was discovered that too many people in the cave were causing the paintings to deteriorate. Since then only a few scientists, scholars or art historians per day were allowed in for several hours maximum. For the past few years even those limited visits have been stopped, as new signs of further deterioration have been observed. The French government, however, took up a 10 year project to make an exact duplicate of the cave. This effort, which opened in 1983, uses exactly the same pigments that were used by the Cro-Magnon artists thousands of years ago, and is dimensionally accurate to less than one inch of error. It is called Lascaux II, and is located only about 400 yards from the original cave.

The quality of the artwork is the main reason that Lascaux is considered the finest example of prehistoric cave paintings. Done with only oil lamps for light and using high scaffolding, the prehistoric artists who created this site were highly accomplished artists. Most of the guided visits to Lascaux II are conducted in French, but there are tours in English on most days. One needs to call the Lascaux ticket office in Montignac or the Montignac Office of Tourism to find out if and when there is an English tour on any given day. If you have a group they will probably set up an English tour for you and other English speakers, but this needs to be arranged in advance through the ticket office. Even though Lascaux II is a replica and not the original, it is very well done, very informative, and not to be missed.

2. St. Leon sur Vezere- This is another of the “Most Beautiful Villages of France”. Built in a picturesque loop of the Vezere river, this charming village possesses two castles and one of the finest Romanesque churches of the Perigord. The church was part of a Benedictine priory which was founded in the 12th century. It was built on the ruins of a Gallo-Roman villa. The remains of one of the villa’s walls can be seen on the river side. There is a picnic area next to the church on the banks of the river, and a café is nearby as well. This is an excellent spot to have a pleasant lunch or a refreshing drink.

3. La Roque St. Christophe (St. Christopher’s Rock) is a huge Troglodyte cave complex. For about a half mile in length this majestic cliff rises vertically above the Vezere valley to a height of over 250ft. It is like a huge hive with about 100 caves hollowed out of the rock on five tiers. Excavations have proved that the cliff dwellings were inhabited from the Upper Paleolithic Age onwards. In the 10th century the cliff terraces served as the foundation for a fortress which was used against the Vikings, and again later during the Hundred Years War. It was subsequently destroyed during the Wars of Religion at the end of the 16th century. The self-guided tour explains the evolution of human life at La Roque St. Christophe, which took place over many centuries . In fact even Neanderthal fossils have been found at this site and at other locations nearby.

4. Chateau de Losse- This renaissance chateau sits on the right bank of the Vezere river, and it has a large terrace that overlooks the river and offers picturesque views. The chateau is well known for its excellent furniture and tapestries, which can be seen on the guided tours. The tours are in French, but foreign language guides are available, and these are easy to follow so one does not miss anything. The tours are quite good, and one can also visit the well kept gardens and stroll around the outside of the chateau in the former moat area.

As stated earlier, these four venues in the Vezere Valley between Les Eyzies de Tayac and Montignac can easily be visited in one day, since they are relatively close and do not take too long to visit any of them. If one is staying nearby, in Les Eyzies de Tayac, for example, only about 25 kilometers away, a visit to these sites is well worth the effort.

Our recommended accommodation to visit these 4 venues:
Ferme de Tayac B&B in 12th Century former farmhouse / monasteryB&B Ferme de Tayac. Lovely B&B in a 12th Century former farmhouse / monastery situated ideally in Les Eyzies de Tayac, the hart of the Vezere Valley and within 20 minutes from all of these attractions.
http://www.fermedetayac.com/

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A Painting Holiday in the Dordogne

January 10, 2008

A relaxed painting holiday in the Dordogne where you will have a lovely time painting, drawing and seeing the sights…
Do you fancy a friendly, hands-on painting holiday where you can soak up the French life and learn to paint or draw the way you’ve always dreamed?
Do you feel frustrated by not being able to translate that beautiful view, building or still-life into an accomplished masterpiece?

‘Learn to Paint in France’ is run by English chef Jim Fisher and his wife, Lucy.  Jenny, their fifteen year old daughter, goes to the local school at Montignac.
They live in a converted barn in the rolling Dordogne countryside, and it is from here that they run their cooking and art holidays.
They have worked hard to build their extremely popular cookery school and art holiday business, but thoroughly enjoy the challenge and experience of providing relaxing and fun activity holidays for their guests.

 Learn to Paint in France offers you painting courses and holidays in the most beautiful part of France.. The Dordogne.

Learn skills that are already within you…
Well, our experienced friendly artists say that it’s all about showing you how to really ’see’ with artist’s eyes, and being able to build a successful painting while they gently tease out skills that are already in you! 
In just a few idyllic days you’ll learn to paint and draw with skill and flair, enhance your painting technique and have a lovely time in great company and peaceful surroundings.
All subjects and media covered…
Between them, our tutors cover the complete range of subject matter:

  • Landscapes
  • Portaiture
  • Still-life
  • Animals
  • Buildings and architecture

and the most popular media:

  • Watercolour
  • Gouache
  • Acrylic
  • Oil
  • Pencil and charcoal
  • Mixed media

We’re friendly, English-speaking and cater for all skill levels…
Our great value painting holidays prices (starting from just £120 per person)are conducted in English and are designed to cater for all skill levels.  So, whether you’re an outright beginner, keen amateur or budding professional, you’ll always be in good company. 

When you email us, or phone 0033 [0]553 302405, we’ll have a chat about what you want to achieve.  Then, we’ll tailor the course to suit you and your fellow guests by gathering together similarly skilled painters on the same course.  How simple is that?!
So, if you enjoy painting among friendly like-minded people in a warm relaxed atmosphere, come and learn to paint with us because you’ll quickly feel very much at home.

For more information about “Painting in the Dordogne” please visit: http://www.learntopaintinfrance.com/

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Exciting Dordogne 4 the kids

December 15, 2007

As of September 2007 Walking Dordogne will be offering exciting day trips for the kids.
We have put together an exciting horse ride which will last for about two hours, followed by a spectaculer hike to explore a few caves, picnic on a real prehistoric rock ledge with stunning views. Total time is about 5-6 hours. Another option is the Canoe, Horse ride and Hike package. Suitable for ages 8+

For more information go to www.walkingdordogne.com

Let your kids see the REAL Dordordogne

Read more

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Valley of the Neanderthal

December 14, 2007

Walking Dordogne has about 20 excellent walks in their Itinerary, varying from 3 hours to 10 hours, most walks can be combined with other walks to make them longer or shorter. Our walks are guaranteed to show you the REAL Dordogne, and take you to all the main highlights this region is famous for.Our walks are suitable for all ages, but for most walks a certain level of fitness and stamina is required. Most walks are on tracks & trails, some marked, others not. Certain walks to caves, dwellings, ruins and view points are off the tracks, and up hill walking is often required.
Some of our walks may not be suitable for people with a fear of heights.

The great thing about Walking Dordogne is that our walks are not planned months or weeks ahead, we usually plan the walks together with the customer the day before, depending on the wishes and preferences of the customer, this way we can make sure everyone gets to see what they want to see. If the walks are done in combination, with canoeing or horse riding, then these walks are usually planned ahead, to guarentee the use of the horses or canoes.

As of September 2007 we will be offering “Day Trips” to people who are in the area and would like to see some of the best kept secrets the Vezere Valley has to offer. An example of a “Day Trip” is the “Valley of Caves”, a 5 / 7 hour walk exploring more than 30 (Neaderthal) caves, shelters, troglodytes, underground cavern, stunning views and lots more. Below are some pics taken on this trip. Remember, these caves, shelters, troglodytes, caverns are NOT mentioned in any books, or on any maps.

To see the REAL Dordogne, visit: www.walkingdordogne.com

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Explore the REAL Dordogne

November 9, 2007

Dordogne, also known as the Perigord is without a doubt one of the most interesting and diverse
regions in the world. The Vezere Valley in the “Perigord Noir” is with it’s more than 250 UNESCO
sites of interest, the undisputed “Prehistoric Capital of the World”. Prehistoric dwellings, caves,
rock shelters and lots more, most of which are only accessible on foot.
However, Dordogne has much more to offer than just relics from the Prehistoric era, castles,
bastides, medieval towns & villages, all of these,and lots more, all in the stunning and amazing
scenery the Dordogne is famous for, hills, cliffs, windy rivers, great weather, friendly locals, and
lots more make the Dordogne one of the most interesting and exciting places in the world.

Walking Dordogne takes you to all the well kept secrets that are only accessible on foot. To see
the “Real Dordogne” you will have to get off the roads, and on the tracks. Let us take you back,
to the places our ancestors called “home” more than 260000 years ago.

For more info please visit http://www.walkingdordogne.com/

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