Perigord is a very rich et varied region, you will discover many prehistoric sites, a multitude of castles, caves, parks, gardens, festivals…
We may be able to advise you according to your expectations.
Here is a small selection of tourist sites not to be missed near by the Domaine de la Bessede :
You can reach Belvès walking or cycling by a very nice 6km walk through the woods, passing by the old hamlet of St PARDOUX and its 13th century chapel. Or by car, less than 10mn drive from the Domaine.
Belvès is listed in the most beautifull French villages, based on a promontory on the site of a Gallo Roman castrum. With its ochre facades, Belvès looks very much like a village of Tuscany.
On the Place d’Armes, you will find the ancient 11th century belfry and its magnificent 15th century wooden market. Go through one of the gates (picture above) to enter the medieval fortified castrum and loose yourself in the narrow streets. A visit of the troglodyte dwellings (under the place d’Armes) is highly recommended.
Like many others in Dordogne, this castle has been used to shoot several films including Jeanne d’ARC. To visit Beynac, you better wear good walking shoes, the alleys going up to the castle are quite steep. But the climb is worth the effort, as the village is so pittoresque and the view on the Dordogne magnificent. Beynac is situated at 20mn’s drive from Domaine de la Bessède.
The castle was bought in 1961 after 200 years of abandonment. Its owner has undertaken to renovate it. Visiting it is a contribution to its protection.
With its 13th century dungeon and its breathtaking view on the Dordogne valley, the castle of Castelnaud is worth a visit for its middle age war museum, very suitable for children (educational trail, entertainment, games and comics). It will take you less than 30mn to get there.
You will discover an important medieval weapon and armor collection as well as medieval reconstituted siege machines (mangonneau, trébuchet, bombarde…). For garden lovers, a medieval garden will pleasantly close your visit. And if you wish to take some height, how about flying above the valley and the castles with a ULM ?
Beautiful in all seasons, the hanging gardens of Marqueyssac cover 22 hectares dominating the Dordogne valley and has superb views of La Roque-Gageac and the castles of Beynac, Calstelnaud and Feyrac. Marqueyssac is situated at 25 mn drive from Domaine de la Bessède.
But the fame of these gardens is mainly due to the 150.000 feet of boxwood, cut by hand, among which snake nearly 6 km of paths. These gardens are a paradise for children : huts, labyrinths, playgrounds…
It is from the river that one has the most beautiful view of la Roque-Gageac, with its houses with lauze roofs protected under an imposing cliff with the same tone of their walls. It will take you 25mn drive to get to la Roque-Gageac.
All these sites are very accessible by car, but you will also be able to fly other by Microlight or plane !
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