Fête de la Musique
The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.

© Damienne
East of Bergerac and south of Siorac-en-Perigord lies the town of Belvès
Sitting proud on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Nauze valley, this fortified town boasts seven bell towers and an 11th century keep that is still standing, despite numerous invasions and wars.
This town is well worth a detour for a few days.
It has a number of troglodyte caves which were used as rather austere homes from the 12th century onwards and were discovered by accident at the turn of the 20th century.
This charming medieval town has a lovely central square, Place d'Armes, which holds a market on Saturday mornings and is the focus for games of pétanque.
Its Eglise de Notre-Dame holds a number of concerts during the Festival Bach in August
The Bach festival certainly stands out as one of the most popular events to be hosted in Belvès.
A night market hosted each Wednesday during the summer months is also very popular, due to their live music entertainment, festive atmosphere and great food.
Their weekly market is on a Saturday.
The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.
Bastille Day is celebrated across the whole of France with a bang...well, several in fact, fireworks always feature heavily.
Exceptional locations around France, including Dordogne, will be open to visit on the Journées du Patrimoine - a European wide event inspired by by France’s Journées Portes Ouvertes which started in 1984.
High on the hilltop the old Roman fortress reflects the towns strategic importance and development from as early as the 11th century. This walled part of the town remains visible today along with the seven towers, bell tower and city gates.
After the marriage of Helen of Aquitaine to Henry Plantagenet the town came under English rule and the area was one of the major battlegrounds of the Hundred Years' War and the town suffered much damage.
It also suffered greatly through the Wars of Religion and for a time was held by the Protestants. With a fraught history full of battles between the French and the English it's amazing that so much remains intact.
In 1907, a warren of subterranean cave dwellings were discovered. These troglodyte houses were occupied between the 13th - 18th century, after which they were blocked up and forgotten. They were discovered by accident as the wheel of a cart that was crossing the central Place d'Armes broke through the roof of one. There are currently eight houses that have been excavated and are open to visitors.
The Castle of Belvès dates from the 16th century, whilst the imposing church Notre Lady of the Assumption and Our Lady of Montcuq was built in the 13th century and is a good example of an undecorative Gothic style.
Plenty to see and do in this small bastide town. Apart from enjoying the pretty buildings, narrow streets and traditional market square that surrounds you, the views from the top of the town are stunning.
The Troglodyte Cave Dwellings are incredibly interesting and a great insight into life in the Middle Ages. The seven towers of course are well visited and are a great example of the heritage and architecture of the region.
Treat yourself to an intriguing discovery with this intimate and charming medieval castle. Walk in the garden and enjoy unforgettable views of the Nauze valley.
Discover the daily life of peasants who inhabited these underground dwellings in the Middle Ages, between the 13th & 18th centuries.
Part of the successful Edward 1er Hotel, the restaurant has a lot to live up to. Welcoming and professional staff greet you into the small 28 seat dining room and you are sure to be delighted by the experience and attention to detail from start to finish.
The young chef at this restaurant, David Beyney, produces creative French cuisine using local products. It is a real gem of a restaurant, located high in the Périgord village of Audrix. There is also a small attractive hotel attached.
Perched on a cliff, the Hôtel l'Esplanade has a great setting with good rooms and more importantly, a fantastic restaurant.
This traditional farm serves good quality Périgord dishes using locally-sourced ingredients from its own farm and those nearby. It also has a lovely gîte which sleeps up to five people.
A bright restaurant with stone walls, old wooden beams, fireplace and inviting allure, offer up culinary delights from the region. A strong focus is on local local treats and seasonality.
With a terrace set alongside the Vezerie river and within a hotel clad in Virginia Creeper and decorated with heart, warmth and style, the restaurant is hugely inviting.
Passing under the limestones cliff of Beynac you will travel along the Dordogne valley to Marqueyssac and the hanging gardens, Chateau de Fayrac and Chateau de Castelnaud.
Shortly before sunset, or at dawn, following the preparation of the flight you can take off with Lionel, a professional balloonist and paraglider who has been working as a guide in Dordogne for more than 15 years.
Come fly over the Dordogne, Perigord, castles, manors, fortresses, the valleys of the Dordogne and Vézère, discover it in all its charm.
Enjoy a single or multi-day trip down the river Dordogne to town such as Beynac, Castelnaud, Montfort and Fayac.
With family, in a group, with friends and at any age, you can explore at your own pace two of the most beautiful rivers of Périgord.
This traditional wooden barge will take you on a picturesque cruise down the river Dordogne from La Roque-Gageac to the Castelnaud bridge.
Enjoy a single or multi-day trip down the river Dordogne to town such as Beynac, Castelnaud, Montfort and Fayac.
With family, in a group, with friends and at any age, you can explore at your own pace two of the most beautiful rivers of Périgord.
Hire a canoe or kayak from this company and you can enjoy a gentle river cruise and the chance to explore the wonderful Dordogne river and its banks.
Easy canoeing for everybody. You can navigate with family or friends in peace. You’ll be given a solid equipment, stable canoes and buoyancy aids.
Enjoy a relaxing day close to nature as you canoe along the river and explore the waterways of this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
Offering various routes along the Dordogne river to enjoy the sights of the Perigord Noir region. Discover hidden treasures during a relaxing journey down the river.
Renovated 16th century farmhouse in Dordogne.
This recently renovated semi-detached stone village house is a delightful addition to our collection of properties in the picturesque Dordogne region. Situated along one of the narrow lanes in the village of Prats-du-Périgord, La Croix is a restoration that blends the traditional with the contemporary to great effect.
Surrounded by a patchwork of fields and forests in the picturesque Perigord Noir area, the charming village of Prats-du-Perigord, with its honey coloured stone buildings topped with pitched roofs of deep red tiles, is most typical of the region.
Surrounded by a patchwork of fields and forests in the picturesque Perigord Noir area, the charming village of Prats-du-Perigord, with its honey coloured stone buildings topped with pitched roofs of deep red tiles, is most typical of the region.
This recently renovated semi-detached stone village house is a delightful addition to our collection of properties in the picturesque Dordogne region. Situated along one of the narrow lanes in the village of Prats-du-Périgord, La Croix is a restoration that blends the traditional with the contemporary to great effect.
Renovated 16th century farmhouse in Dordogne.
The undulating countryside north of the River Lot is dotted with chestnut woods and stone villages. In a tiny hamlet, close to the border with the Dordogne (3km), sits La Maison Fleurie, a picturesque stone cottage, adorned with pots of colourful flowers.
A haven of tranquillity, Lou Calvel sits within private woodland in the picturesque Lot region of South West France where the densely forested landscape teems with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Hedgerows of bluebells, posies and colourful orchids provide both walkers and keen photographers with much to admire while local market stalls always offer a wealth of freshly harvested, seasonal produce including asparagus, herbs and a wide variety of wild mushrooms.
A sparkling retreat which offers something for everyone, Pech Marty will delight all who stay there. Set in spacious grounds with views over the surrounding countryside towards the 'bastide' town of Monflanquin, this lovely stone building has been sympathetically restored to become a most relaxing and comfortable 'home from home'.
In the heart of Monpazier, Les Hortensias offers a comfortable well furnished retreat. In the land of a '1001 Cheateus' and in a region famous for its gastronomic pleasures and fine wines, it is ideally situated to explore the surrounding Périgord.
Overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cadouin Abbey, the B&B is ideally situated in the centre of Cadouin. There are a number of hiking trails that run through the village as well as some local gastronomic delights to get stuck into.
Just 300m from the Cadouin Abbey and in the heart of the Pèrigord Noir, the Villa is in the ideal location to explore the surrounding area and region. Decorated with charming antique furniture, a tasteful touch and with exposed stone walls, the B&B is a place you cannot help but embrace.
Situated perfectly in the beautiful old village of La Roque-Gageac, the hotel is bookmarked between a mighty rock face and meandering River Dordogne. The streets are laced with buildings made of stone, now synonymous with the region.
Located just a short distance from the centre of Monpazier, the cottage serves as an ideal spot to explore one of the regions many treasures. Some of the finest vineyards in the world can be visited, a trip to one of the many Chateaus or a simple stroll around a farmers or antique fair.
The chateau is located in a calm area close to the shops, 45 minutes from Brive airport and 75 minutes for Bergerac airport.
The property,dating from the 17th century, lies in a quiet, open valley, fed by a small stream.
Perigord authentic house with about 160m2 living space surrounded by a lovely garden and orchard of 1600m2.
In a typical environment of the Dordogne, superb set of properties with a mansion with a living room of 68m2 and 6 rooms and a listed 3 bedrooms cottages and private pool, a second holiday 3 bedrooms, large heated pool, in a lovely over 1.8 hectares garden.
Typical stone house Perigord style dating from 1807 completely renovated.
Located about 50 minutes away from Bergerac airport, this house has a living space of 265m2 and a garden of 6398m2 of land.