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Family Fun

On your doorstep you have woodland walks and great cycle rides; within a ten minute drive or less you have golf, horse riding, tennis, canoeing, kayaking, river trips on the Dordogne, the Chateau at Duras and further afield you have all the great vineyards of Aquitaine. The area is well known for its Bastides - or medieval fortresses - and during the summer the re-enactments and medieval feasts are most entertaining. Issigeac is such a village, beautifully preserved and well worth a visit.

More things to do 

There really is so much to do around here I can't possibly list everything. This Blog on the Bergerac region is well worth a look for more ideas and here are a few ideas and contacts. As we discover more ourselves we will add them in - and if you come across something good do let us know!

World famous wines of Bordeaux and Entre Deux Mer

"Le Terroir" is a wonderful world which denotes the richness and gifts of the land. It relates to the geology, the geography, climate and qualities of an area and its effect on what is produced there. It relates to its food, its warmth, its soil and even its spirit.

The terroire around Les Galineaux is rich not only in its wines but in truffles, foie gras, tomatoes (from Marmande), prunes, oysters and even macaroons!

The world famous wines of Bordeaux and Entre Deux Mer (or Bordeaux Superieur) surround you at Les Galineaux. Within 20 minutes you can visit the chateaux of St Emilion, Pomerol, Sauternes, Montbazillac, Bergerac and many more... There are various wine tours that you can also book, some of which are quite serious others great fun for the family.

For more information on "degustations" and wines of the area visit Les vins de Bordeaux and Entre deux Mer and of course L'office de tourism.  BD Tours offer a wide variety of vineyard tours in the Bordeaux and Entre Deux Mer area and you can even organise to go on horse back which must surely be wonderful! You might also want to listen to this podcast which will tell you all about St Emilion and it other delights. 

Even a Michelin Star restaurant!

As we discover the delights of the area ourselves I will add more to this section! But needless to say there is a plethora of gorgeous and typical restaurants and cafes in the area - not to mention our very own Michelin Star restaurant 10 minutes away: Les Fresques.

In St Foy la Grande itself we have a number of delightful often family run restaurants. Famous for its fish and local produce Au fil de l'eau, is located on the river itself, just over the bridge and is recommended in the Michelin Guide. Le Victor is a simple and popular place, and opposite you will even find the local chinese! Coté Bastide and Brasserie Le Chai are also recommended as well as various eateries in Duras.

The restaurants, often simple, serve the most divine food and at such reasonable prices. Children are welcome, and while chicken nuggets and chips are not likely to be on the menu, more simple options and smaller portions are available, and the fussiest of little eaters catered for! For the more adventurous truffles, fois gras, oysters all bound. Duck in all its guises is a speciality. Oysters and asparagus and of course the famous tomatoes from Marmande are all readily available and so full of flavour!

The square in St Foy has a number of lovely cafes and patisseries nestled under the 13th century arcades, cool in the summer sun, packed on market day.

You should visit Les Globetrotters cafe on the right where Alain, ‘le patron’ and his friendly staff will welcome you warmly. A typical French cafe inside, frequented by the French, the food is simple, tasty and generous.

There is also good internet access here should you want to work from the bar as I do!

In Bergerac Au Cèpes Enchantes and Le Bergerac are both favourites with us.

Another wonderful find in St Foy La Grande is the delightful coffee and gift shop Sucré Salée on the main road. Filled with treats, gifts and interior design ideas it is beautifully furnished as a traditional "salon de thé" serving home made cakes on vintage china. It has a peaceful garden and also offers free wi-fi.

South West France: an area of gastronomic delight!

You will know of the duck, the truffles and foie gras, and maybe the asparagus and oysters.  The Fête de l'Aspèrge this year takes place from 25-26 April and promises to be filled with gorgeous produce, recipes, tastings, and demonstrations.  We also have amazingly tasty Marmande tomatoes and there is a great Festival of the Oyster in Eymet in August, usually around the 15th. Various farms and 'producteur' of all kinds of delights can be visited close by and food sampled.

As well as it's world famous wines, St Emilion also claims fame as the birthplace of the oh so fashionable macarron! Although the Larousse Gastronomique might argue otherwise, the locals claim the Macaron was first created in St Emilion in 1620 by Ursulines nuns. The lovely Moulierac shop down one of the little cobbled alleys is well worth a visit! 

Patisserie courses

Don't just eat the beautiful patisseries you see while on holiday, learn to make your own! We spent an amazing afternoon with Lydie Macé from SOO Sweet creating our own melt in the mouth Easter Eggs filled with ganache mousse and strawberry compote on a bed of chocolate crumble - all made by our crafty little hands. We did this at Maison Guiguet but Lydie, who speaks great English, will happily come to Les Galineaux and do a patisserie masterclass for you and your family in our spacious kitchen. You will have the opportunity to learn tricks of the trade and make some truly delightful puddings. Alternatively, if you are entertaining while you are here, So Sweet will make what ever delights you might fancy for your guest. Un delice! 

 Markets & Brocantes

The market at St Foy, on Saturdays, is one of the best in the area. On a Monday you can go to Duras, or Castillon, Wednesday Bergerac, Thursday Eymet and Friday Monsegur, where our gorgeous walnut refectory table came from. At all of these you will find fruit and vegetables full of flavour and sunshine, beautiful local cheeses, great charcuterie, olives, oils, meats, bread of all shapes and flavours and one of my favourites: figs stuffed with foie gras!

In the spring and summer months you will also find a number of brocantes or antique, bric a brac fairs, sometimes in the grounds of lovely castles, where you are likely to come across some great finds. Ask at the Offie de Tourisme for dates and venues.

Marchés Nocturnes are held all over during the summer months. Duras is on a Thursday and Monsegur on a Wednesday night but get details from the tourist office. These are mostly an opportunity to eat out. Numerous and varied stalls are set up offering a wide range of foods and cuisines - some local others less so - but all home produced. Select what you want to eat and sit at trestles tables with the locals to enjoy the fare. Buskers and street entertainers add to the atmosphere, and it's a great opportunity to sample the local wines!

Pamper yourself

While the kids are having a wild time on some jaunt why not take some time to yourself? In the heart of the village of Duras, 10 minutes away, Françoise and her stylish “Institut de Beautée" Elle et le Poudrier are available for you to enjoy a moment of peace and relaxation, to take care of your pampering during your holiday and offer you some self indulgence…
Professional and experienced hands will take care of your beauty treatments: facials, make up, manicures, pedicures, massages, waxing and other beauty needs.