Les Clefs

Activities

There are many good reasons why this is one of the most popular tourist regions in France. Besides splendid landscapes and nature, space and tranquillity, it has many more attractions to offer both adults and children.

Cultural-historic visits

Caves and rock-drawings: along the rivers Vézère and Dordogne you will find numerous traces of the earliest humans who lived here.
Medieval cities: there are lots of picturesque and historic little cities, among which the many bastides from the era of the Hundred Years War.
Castles: this is also an area containing many castles, from strongholds to grand houses with pleasure-gardens.
Events: during the summer season you can visit many cultural and other events nearby.

Culinary discoveries

The local food: there is no doubt that French food with its many fine and extraordinary dishes owes much to this region. One of the most pleasant activities is to experience the local cuisine in the nearby cafes and restaurants. Amongst the specialities are ‘foi gras’, duck and truffles.
The wines: the Bordeaux, Bergerac and Duras wines are famous and widely appreciated. So it is worth to pay a visit to a ‘wine château’ and a ‘cave’. No more than 20 to 40 minutes drive by car you will find St Emilion and Monbazillac, well-known names to wine lovers. If you wish we can arrange a visit to a wine château in the neighbourhood, where English speaking tours are available.

Sports

Walking and cycling: in the immediate vicinity of Bournizeaux you have many opportunities for relaxing walks and cycle trips. From ‘Les Clefs’ you can walk directly over a widespread network of tracks and lanes. If you enjoy a greater challenge, you may find it a little further away in the hills of the Dordogne and the Lot.
Swimming: you are welcome to use our swimming-pool (4.5 by 10 meters).
Horse-riding: at about 10 km distance from Bournizeaux you will find a good riding-stables.
Golf: the internationally well known 18-holes golf course of ‘Le Vigier’ is only 5 km away from Bournizeaux.
Canoeing and kayaking: you can hire canoes and kayaks at different places on the rivers Dordogne and Dropt.
Fishing: fishing is popular in the area. There are many small rivers and a few lakes in the neighbourhood. The rivers Dordogne and Dropt are good for perch and pike.

Shopping

For your daily provisions you can visit the local ‘alimentation’, the small supermarket in the village of Loubès, some four kilometers from Bournizeaux. Here you can buy fresh French bread every morning, Sundays included.
Eymet has a supermarket and a modest variety of shops. The market in the picturesque town square each Thursday is quite attractive.
Sainte Foy-la-Grande (and neighbouring Pineuilh) offers many more shops, among which a few big supermarkets. Marketday here is Saturday. The market, spread through the narrow streets in the center, is not only picturesque, but also boasts a great variety of local and regional produce.
You will find banks and money machines in both Eymet and Ste Foy.
Of course there are plenty of antique shops and ‘brocantes’ around, and in the summer season almost every village has a ‘vide grenier’ (clear out your attic) day.