If you're staying at one of the gite-holiday houses, Riberac is your local town (3km). The town is the ideal base for exploring the Dordogne region and is within easy reach of the other towns listed on this page. Riberac, situated on the Dronne river, is a typical French town with its main street full of boulangeries and patisseries. The market square is a focal point with its weekly Friday market - a must for visitors. The food section of the market is a joy with it's locally grown and prepared produce. There are some excellent restaurants and bars scattered in and around the square and if you fancy catering yourself, the town has two main superstores with wine at under £1/bottle!

St Emillion - the sort of place you immediately fall in love with and I guarantee your affair will last for years. This village is known as one of the most beautiful in France and is situated about 1 hour south west of Riberac near the town of Libourne (another gem set on the banks of the Dordogne). Famed for its wine, St Emillion is a must. The village derives its name from the hermit Emilion who used to live in the caves here in the 8th century. The remarkable church was hollowed out from the rock over the following three centuries. The area is now more famous for its wines, with the town playing host to numerous wine shops and caves. If you have time, take a day out wine tasting in the town.

Bourdielles is a lovely small town situated approximately 20km NE of Riberac on the Brantome road. The chateaux at the top of the hill is worth a visit and if you can, climb the 125 steps to the top of the tower for an excellent view. The square has two cafes that are ideal for a lazy drink or bite to eat.

Take the D709 south out of Riberac and drive for 45 minutes and you will come across the beautiful town of Bergerac which sits on the Dordogne River. It.s an historical town that has been renovated to the highest standards over the years and is an excellent place to visit for a day out. It.s ideal for shopping with its. stylish shopping area and has many half timber houses in narrow streets and squares, the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat and drink. To cool off, you could take a traditional flat boat trip along the Dordogne or visit the cool cellars at .La Maison des Vins..

Perigueux is half an hour east of Riberac and is located on the River Isle. The pretty town features thirty nine listed buildings and mediaeval paving stones, making it an ideal town to savour the past or savour an evening meal. The town is famous for its cuisine and you will find foie gras, truffles meat conserves and wines aplenty.

Situated 30 mins NE if Riberac on the River Dronne, you will find situated on a picturesque island the town Brantome. It is regarded as the Venice of the Perigord and you can go in search of the 8thc Benedictine abbey, enjoy the riverside gardens or visit the troglodytical caves.

Built in the form of an amphitheatre on a chalky outcrop that dominates a bend on the River Dronne, Aubeterre is 20 mins west of Riberac on the D20 road. The village is officially designated as one of the prettiest villages in France with its carefully restored streets and fascinating monuments.
The most impressive monument is without doubt the church or St Jean, known as the monolithic church. Carved out of rock, it remains the largest subterranean church in Europe with its vaulted ceilings reaching a height of 20m.
Take Rue Barbicane to reach the Merkers Merval Square. This is a listed square with an open air washing place and surrounding buildings with wooden balconies. If you continue to walk downhill, over the bridge and to the river bank, you will arrive at the fine, sandy beach where swimming is totally safe.
For those wishing to explore further in July & August, the town.s tourist office offers 1½hr guided evening tours of the village (Tel: 05 45 98 57 18).
For those wanting more adventure, Aubeterre canoe club is situated under the bridge on the Riberac road. Canoe hire and vehicle transfer at the end of the trip is available. Open July & August (tel: 05 45 98 51 72).

Sarlat, or Sarlat-La-Caneda to give it it's full name, is situated 1½ hours drive south east of Riberac and is well worth a visit. It features teh highest concentration of medieval, Renaissance and 17^th century buildings of any town in France and has a charm and character that you will find hard to match. The town is littered with narrow streets and archways that are overlooked by orche-coloured stone town houses in ornamental detail, Such is the beauty and importance of the town's architecture, in 1962 the town was protected by law and now forms an open-air museum. Market day is Wednesday.