things to do and see - further afield
Below are some of our favourite places to visit, day trips from Verteuil. These will be added to over time and there is additional information in the house in Verteuil.
Brantôme
Brantôme is just under 100 km south of Verteuil, an idyllic village located to the north of Perigueux on the banks of the River Dronne.The town is known locally as the Venice of Perigord. Wooded cliffs loom up behind the beautiful Benedictine abbey and the river Dronne runs around the village in front of a Benedictine Abbey. The Abbey in Brantome has its origins in the 8th century. A Benedictine abbey, it was founded by Charlemagne who allegedly donated the relics of Saint Sicarius, one of the children massacred by Herod. The original abbey was destroyed by Vikings and then rebuilt in the tenth century and again in the twelfth and fifteenth centuries. Behind the abbey at the foot of the cliff are the troglodyte dwellings used by the original monks and in here is the cave with the remarkable sculpture of ‘The Last Judgement’.
The town also boasts a selection of good restaurants including the Michelin starred Moulin de l’Abbaye. Market day is Friday in Brantome. We always visit Brantôme on the way further south to the Dordogne valley.
Brantôme is just under 100 km south of Verteuil, an idyllic village located to the north of Perigueux on the banks of the River Dronne.The town is known locally as the Venice of Perigord. Wooded cliffs loom up behind the beautiful Benedictine abbey and the river Dronne runs around the village in front of a Benedictine Abbey. The Abbey in Brantome has its origins in the 8th century. A Benedictine abbey, it was founded by Charlemagne who allegedly donated the relics of Saint Sicarius, one of the children massacred by Herod. The original abbey was destroyed by Vikings and then rebuilt in the tenth century and again in the twelfth and fifteenth centuries. Behind the abbey at the foot of the cliff are the troglodyte dwellings used by the original monks and in here is the cave with the remarkable sculpture of ‘The Last Judgement’.
The town also boasts a selection of good restaurants including the Michelin starred Moulin de l’Abbaye. Market day is Friday in Brantome. We always visit Brantôme on the way further south to the Dordogne valley.
Sarlat-la-Canada, Les Eyzies, Lascaux (Dordogne Valley)
One of the most special areas of France. The Dordogne deserves a couple of trips, or a few days to enjoy. The market town of Sarlat-la-Canada is reknown for its foie gras - you'll see images of ducks and geese everywhere! It's a special, lovely old town and has a great market on Saturdays. Onto Les Eyzies and visit the National Prehistoric Museum. The local area is sprinkled with caves with evidence of their prehistoric dwellers. Lascaux offers cave paintings over 17 000 years old! The highight is a drive along the Dordogne river visiting some of the cliff top châteaux of Beynac et Cazenac, Castelnaud and La Rocque to name a few. An absolute must.
One of the most special areas of France. The Dordogne deserves a couple of trips, or a few days to enjoy. The market town of Sarlat-la-Canada is reknown for its foie gras - you'll see images of ducks and geese everywhere! It's a special, lovely old town and has a great market on Saturdays. Onto Les Eyzies and visit the National Prehistoric Museum. The local area is sprinkled with caves with evidence of their prehistoric dwellers. Lascaux offers cave paintings over 17 000 years old! The highight is a drive along the Dordogne river visiting some of the cliff top châteaux of Beynac et Cazenac, Castelnaud and La Rocque to name a few. An absolute must.
Île de Ré
Île de Ré is a popular tourist resort and island off the west coast of France, connected to the mainland by a 3 km long bridge. Wander the main village, walk the beaches, try its specialty - oysters and mussels. It's 160 km from Verteuil, a pleasant 2 hour drive through France's rural landscape.
Île de Ré is a popular tourist resort and island off the west coast of France, connected to the mainland by a 3 km long bridge. Wander the main village, walk the beaches, try its specialty - oysters and mussels. It's 160 km from Verteuil, a pleasant 2 hour drive through France's rural landscape.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a grand city 160 kms to the south west of Verteuil-sur-Charente - under a 2 hour drive. Walk along the boardwalk of the wide Garonne River, ride its modern trams, visit its antique stores and shop in its great shopping streets. Bordeaux is the capital of the Nouvelle Aquitaine region of France and is the sixth largest city in France. A university city, it is of course, the world's major wine industry capital. Bordeaux wine has been produced in the region since the 8th century. The historic part of the city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble" of the 18th century.
Bordeaux is a grand city 160 kms to the south west of Verteuil-sur-Charente - under a 2 hour drive. Walk along the boardwalk of the wide Garonne River, ride its modern trams, visit its antique stores and shop in its great shopping streets. Bordeaux is the capital of the Nouvelle Aquitaine region of France and is the sixth largest city in France. A university city, it is of course, the world's major wine industry capital. Bordeaux wine has been produced in the region since the 8th century. The historic part of the city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble" of the 18th century.
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Go by train! A truly great city to visit - ancient, modern, friendly, busy, close. Hop on the train in Ruffec and end up in Bordeaux (after a quick change in Angouleme). Stress free, no parking issues!
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Limoges
Limoges is the capital of the Limousin region in west-central France. Limoges is 95 km east of Verteuil-sur-Charente and is known for its medieval and Renaissance enamels on copper, for its 19th-century Limoges porcelain and for its oak barrels which are used for Cognac production. A suggestion is for you to drive to Oradour-sur-Glane in the morning and look around the open air museum at this "martyr village", and then continue on to Limoges for lunch and a wander around its historic old town.
Limoges is the capital of the Limousin region in west-central France. Limoges is 95 km east of Verteuil-sur-Charente and is known for its medieval and Renaissance enamels on copper, for its 19th-century Limoges porcelain and for its oak barrels which are used for Cognac production. A suggestion is for you to drive to Oradour-sur-Glane in the morning and look around the open air museum at this "martyr village", and then continue on to Limoges for lunch and a wander around its historic old town.
Gallery - images of further afield
the Dordogne - Brantôme, Sarlat-la-Canada, Les Eyzies etc....
Bordeaux
La Rochelle
