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The Périgord Inattendu lives up to its name! Every time we come, we discover a rich and surprising territory. There’s always a cultural nugget, a splendid landscape or a gourmet experience we didn’t know about! The region is home to fascinating historic sites, lively markets and nature walks that you absolutely must discover.

A rich
heritage

Rich in the treasures of the Périgord Ribéracois and the Pays de Saint-Aulaye, the Périgord Inattendu offers a fascinating journey through the ages thanks to its many captivating historic sites. Just like in the family, we love history, so let’s make the most of it!

Saint-Aulaye, a bastide town full of charm

Our first stop was Saint-Aulaye, classified as a “Petite Cité de Caractère ” and the only fortified town in the Périgord Vert. The village is open to the public, but we opted for a guided tour, which is free from mid-July to mid-August.

It was a captivating plunge into history, as we wandered through medieval alleyways, past the remains of fortifications and heard anecdotes about the rise of this bastide town. The children, Emma and Lucas, particularly enjoyed the stories of knights and battles, and we ended our walk on the ramparts, where the view over the Dronne valley is absolutely superb.

Dramatised and immersive visit to Château de Fayolle

Located in Tocane-Saint-Apre, Château de Fayolle is the only castle in Périgord Inattendu open to the public. We took part in a storytelling and dramatised tour, where costumed characters transported us back through the centuries.

While Lucas didn’t miss a beat of the chivalrous tales, Emma was enthralled by the interactive aspect of the tour. For lovers of theunusual, urbex tours are also available, allowing visitors to explore the castle’s little-known nooks and crannies in a mysterious atmosphere.

An architectural and spiritual journey with the Romanesque Church Tour

It’s impossible to visit the Unexpected Périgord without marvelling at its Romanesque churches! When we first came, we followed a fascinating itinerary, where each building has its own unique feature.

We ended the tour with the Collegiate Church of Notre-Dame in Ribérac and the churches of Bourg-des-Maisons and Festalemps, witnesses to the area’s rich religious past .

The mills of the Dronne,
witness to ancestral know-how

Along the banks of the Dronne, the mills still stand today as testament to the ancestral know-howthat has shaped thehistory of the Unexpected Périgord. Once essential to local life, these buildings harnessed the power of water or wind to produce flour and fuel the economy of the surrounding villages. As you explore these sites steeped in history, you’re plunged into a world where the sound of the wheels and the scent of freshly-ground grain take you back to a bygone era.

Interactive immersion at the Moulin de la Maison de la Dronne

In Montagrier, we like to return to the Moulin de la Maison de la Dronne, a site open from June to September and home to an interactive museum explaining how it used to work. In summer, visitors can learn more about the milling trade and the importance of these buildings to the local economy in days gone by. We are always fascinated by the milling demonstrations and the ingenuity of the hydraulic mechanisms that once turned the large wooden wheel that powered the entire system.

The Terres Blanches windmill is still turning!

A little further afield, in La Tour-Blanche-Cercles, the Terres Blanches windmill offers another example of traditional know-how. This site, one of the few windmills still in operation in the Périgord, continues to produce flour in the old-fashioned way. Watching its imposing wings turning in the wind and hearing the sound of the wheat being crushed between the millstones is quite a sight! The smell of fresh flour wafts through the air, adding a sensory dimension to this authentic visit.

Moulin des Terres Blanches à-La Tour Blanche

A generous
gastronomy

As a family of gourmets, our mornings often start at the market. One of the must-sees in the Périgord Inattendu region is the Ribérac market. It’s one of the most famous in the Périgord !

An explosion of flavours and scents

On Friday mornings, the village square is transformed into a veritable festival of colours and scents, where local producers come to offer their specialities. You’ll love wandering between the stalls of farmhouse cheeses and traditional charcuterie, and enjoying talking to the stallholders.

If you come between April and October, don’t miss the farmers’ market held every Tuesday morning in Place Général de Gaulle. It’s a great opportunity to sample produce straight from the neighbouring farms. Children love talking to the farmers, especially when it’s time to bite into a freshly-picked apple or taste a piece of mature cabécou !

Gourmet winter with foie gras, walnuts and truffles

Autumn and winter mark the arrival of some exceptional products. From November to March, the foie gras market takes place in Ribérac, where foies gras, magrets and confits are the stars of the stalls. It’s always fascinating to watch the producers cutting up their ducks with such precision. What’s more, they’re always happy to give us tips on how to cook these emblematic Périgord dishes.

November is walnut month ! Available in oil, biscuits and traditional cakes, they add a crunchy, tasty touch to local specialities.

Finally, from December to February, the old Ribérac courthouse hosts the truffle market, a not-to-be-missed event for gourmets! The bewitching scent of this black diamond of the Périgord region wafts through the air, and children can’t wait to attend a truffle-hunting demonstration, where a truffle dog shows them how to unearth these precious mushrooms.

While the markets are perfect for stocking up on fresh produce, take advantage of your stay to try out a number of local restaurants and inns. Here, gastronomy is part of thelocal identity. It takes centre stage!

A great
breath of nature

Theunspoilt environment of the Périgord Inattendu is a real treat if you love wide open spaces. It’s a huge playground for all the family!

So many memories at the Grand Étang de La Jemaye!

On every Périgord Inattendu holiday, we plan at least one day at the Grand Étang de La Jemaye. It’s the only pond in the region with supervised swimming in summer. We’d be wrong not to!

The children love the sandy beaches and water sports, while we love the signposted footpaths for a stroll along the water’s edge. Observation points allow you to admire the local wildlife, and we’ve been lucky enough to spot herons and kingfishers.

The joy of getting lost in the Double forest

This vast forest, which stretches over several communes, is a walker’s paradise. We like to wander around aimlessly. That’s how we discovered a path winding between oaks and ponds. It was so quiet that even Lucas, who is always chatty, kept quiet to listen to the sounds of nature.

The freshness of La Dronne

Running through the whole of the Périgord Inattendu, the Dronne is the common thread running through our outdoor adventures. In summer, we love canoeing down it, the clarity of the water and the coolness of the trees giving us a wonderful sense of freedom. In winter, a walk along the banks is a soothing way to observe the reflections of nature in this unspoilt river.

Plans d'eau du Périgord Inattendu - Grand Etang de la Jemaye

An unforgettable stay
in the heart of the Périgord

All it takes is a few days to be won over by this unspoilt region, where heritage, nature and gastronomy blend harmoniously.

With every visit, every encounter and every discovery, increases your appreciation of the authenticity of the Unexpected Périgord. The region fills our heads with memories and makes us want to come back again andagain.

And you, when will you come and experience the Périgord Inattendu?