La Source Chapelains B&B, Sainte-Foy-la-Grande

This outdoor park has a tree-top trail, paintball, mountain-biking, canoeing and horse-riding for those seeking a bit more adventure or a change from the pretty villages and vineyard visits.

From tree climbing to paintballing and even via ferrata, the Foret des Ecureuils Adventure Park has plenty of offer all ages.

Nestled in the heart of the Quercy region at the very top of the town of Rocamadour this park allows you the chance to meet some wonderful birds.

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.

A delightful trip along the river that runs through the heart of Bergerac on a traditional wooden barge.

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.

The dining rooms allow for views of the surrounding vineyards and rolling hills. Drinks can also be enjoyed in the small library or among the chestnut trees.

This elegant and sophisticated two Michelin star restaurant offers creative dishes designed by chef Cédric Béchade, who plays with colours and textures in his cuisine.

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.

Large bright dining rooms and a flowery terrace set the scene for a delicious meal. In the winter your food can be enjoyed in front of the large open fire place and in the summer, out on the open terrace looking out over town and surrounding countryside.

At the top of the hills of Monbazillac, surrounded by vineyards, the shady terraces and dining rooms of this restaurant offer an unforgettable panoramic view. The chef, Marie Rougier, produces a fine dining menu from seasonal products.

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.

Situated in one corner of the main square in Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, facing the Mairie (town hall), this church has an imposing steeple that reaches high about the streets.

The remains have been partly excavated (only about a tenth) and are a magnificent archaeological example.

Originally built in the 12th century, this château was transformed in the 14th century into an impregnable fortress with the support of Pope Clement V and his nephew and namesake, Bertrand de Got, then owner of the château. In the 17th century, it was enhanced even further, losing its defensive aspects but gaining stables, formal gardens ad a new reception rooms. Though its interior is a little sparse, you can see the original bakery, some impressive ceremonial rooms and its pretty inner courtyard. It holds festive cultural events throughout the year.

The home and birth place of Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592), he was one of the most significant philosophers of the French Renaissance, known for popularising the essay as a literary genre. 

Now privately owned by restoration aficionados Catherine and Jacques Guyot, this castle has been partially restored and opened for the public to enjoy.

A magical world located in the heart of the 'Purple Perigord', hosted by the fairy mothers and created from fields of maize you can lose yourself here for hours.

Sainte-Foy-la-Grande sits on the south bank of the Dordogne river. This attractive walled bastide town still has some of its medieval houses and is a good base for visiting the surrounding Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux wine region and nearby Château de Montaigne, home of Michel de Montaigne.

Very much a textbook bastide village, it's laid out in a grid fashion around a central square. Eymet, as it exists today, was founded by Alphonse de Poitiers in 1270. 

You get a sense of this town's history as soon as you arrive, with are flags and coats of arms lining the roads that lead you to the main square.

The largest town in the area, Bergerac, still retains a quaint old feel, with a change in pace in the summer months.

Vineyards were planted around this old town in Roman times and whilst most people associate the name with the wine, the town itself is worth a visit for its ramparted old centre with interesting Romanesque churches and an incredible underground monolithic church.

Couze used to be a paper-making village and a number of its old mills are still in existence, using the power of the Couze river to turn the water wheel.