Local information

We are based in Roumagne, on the Lot et Garonne / Dordogne borders not far from the market town of Duras with Monday morning markets and has good restaurants and bars. The imposing castle, the Chateau de Duras once the stronghold of the Dukes of Duras houses a fascinating museum. Visit the annual wine festival in Early August and see the Montgolfier balloons take flight and other interesting events and expositions.

Hot air balloon flights can be arranged (weather permitting) during your stay. It's not a cheap pastime but the views are spectacular.

Travel along the Dropt river from Eymet via La Sauvetat du Dropt, a small historic farming village with Roman bridge situated in Aquitaine, in the north west of the Lot & Garonne department, on the edges of the Dordogne and the Gironde in the valley of the river Dropt. It has around 500 inhabitants. It is mentioned during the pilgrimage of St Jacques de Compostelle.

Visit the XII century church and it's fresco's further downstream in Allemans sur Dropt.

The 13th C bastide at Eymet, Dordogne. Bastides were fortified towns built by kings in areas where their rule was under threat. The towns were built in a grid system with arcaded square and fortified church. Eymet has some wonderful restaurants and markets. Look out for the medieval festivals in August.

Eymet Market and at night

Entirely renovated, the Place de la Bastide is the living hub and shopping centre of the town. What finer place to meet your friends or just simply stroll around than under the arcades with the fountain and pedestrian zone to take in all the architectural beauty around. www.eymet-dordogne.fr

For more information about Eymet and the area - visit www.eymetguide.com

There are lots of things to do - especially during the summer months. Try the annual Jazz festival, The 24 hours of Swing at Monsegur, take in pretty Issigeac or sample the delights of the 'Art de la Rue' in Miramont - see the street artists in action.

For the sports enthusiasts, try canoeing, tennis and golf. Canoeing can be found in Eymet and Allemans, tennis at a number of local courts or golf at the Golf & Country club at Chateau des Vigiers www.vigiers.com

Bergerac, about 35 minutes away, has a medieval centre, flowery plazas and covered market.

Try Les Petits Castors - a children's climbing, sliding and bouncing emporium 5 minutes from Bergerac! Great for rainy days. A fun day out - visit - Aquapark Juniorland - Located on the Bergerac to Bordeaux road, this is one of the most popular places for children in the summer. There are many activities on offer here with three large pools of varying depth together with a water slide and plunge pool. It has a café offering drinks, simple snacks / meals & ice creams as well as an adventure playground. You can hire a ‘box’ – an enclosure with two chairs, two recliners, table and parasol by the pool. Visit Bergerac old town and take a boat ride along the Dordogne river (or canoe - if you are fit enough!)

And of course the famous Bergerac wines are not to be missed. Nearby, one can also tour the world-renowned château and vineyards
at Château Monbazillac.

Bordeaux has recently had a makeover and well worth a visit.

Walibi Aquitaine, is an amusement park or the whole family set around an 18th century château near Agen

Parc en Ciel is a great way for the kids to use up energy (and keep out of the sun!). A great day out with suspended walkways through the forest - something for all ages. It also has an animal farm and themed gardens. Situated near Villereal it is about thirty minutes drive away from most houses.

For those wanting to escape the sun - go underground to the caves at Padirac.

The Gouffre at Padirac is a natural, 75 metre chasm that shows on the limestone plateau of the "Causse de Gramat" in the Lot, below which, at 103 metres underground flows a river where you can travel from one end to the other by boat.

A trip to the coast at Arcachon, with its casinos, beach-front cafés and the Dune du Pyla, the highest sand dune in Europe, is about 2 hours from most properties.

Ste Foy La Grande was built beside the Dordogne and together with its twin across the river- Port Ste Foy was once important as a shipping depot for the local wine trade. Recently, one of the warehouses in Port Ste Foy has been turned into a museum of the history of river transport on the Dordogne and well worth a visit. The excellent weekly market (Saturday's) and lively bars and restaurants under the arcades in the central 'place' are a favourite 'rendezvous' for locals and tourists alike. Look out for the 'foires' and special events during the holiday season.

Domaine Chater Wine Tours

For suggestions of things to do and wine tours - see below:-

Domaine Chater is an English owned vineyard nestling in the gently rolling countryside around the historic town of Duras. At Domaine Chater they are passionate about making great wines. The best of traditional and modern techniques combine at their vineyard to make French wines that win national and international recognition.

Domaine Chater has 9.4 hectares of vines, a third are Sauvignon Blanc, a third Merlot and the remaining third a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. They believe that great wines are made in the vineyard and make no compromises to get the best possible results. In particular, grape yields are dramatically reduced to produce rich and concentrated wines. Much of the work in the vineyard is done by hand with all wines being hand-picked. Conversion to full organic status has begun.

They welcome visitors throughout the year for tours of the vineyard and winery along with free tastings of a range of Chater wines. Opening hours are - Mon-Fri: 10:00-18:00 Sat: 11:00-17:00 Sun: by appointment

Appointments aren't required apart from on Sundays but to be sure that they are around when you visit you can get in touch with us via post, telephone or email.

Domaine Chater

Vignoble de la Legue

47120 St Sernin de Duras

Tel and Fax 0033 553 64 67 14

Email info@domainechater.com

www.domainechater.com