LOCATION
Where We Are
Goursac is situated in the heart of the Perigord Noir region of the Dordogne. The nearest village is Castelnaud with its stunning cliffside castle, and we are 15km from the historic market town of Sarlat.
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There is an excellent bakery ,butcher and small organic supermarket all within 10 minute drive, and a hypermarket in Sarlat for stocking up on essentials. Many of the local villages have street markets (you can find one every day), which are a great place to buy fresh local fruit, vegetables and cheeses.
Getting Here
We are two hours drive from the airports of Bordeaux and Toulouse, and one hour from Bergerac. There are direct flights from several UK airports to Bergerac with Ryanair and Flybe. Brive airport, also one hour away, offers daily flights to and from London City Airport
By car, it takes about 8 hours to reach the Perigord Noir from the Eurotunnel, and 6 hours from Paris.
You will need a car during your stay at Goursac. Car hire is available at all the major airports and in the nearby town of Sarlat.
Things To See And Do
We are located just a short drive from the Dordogne river and the famous 'Vallee des Cinq Chateaux' - the Valley of The Five Castles'. Whether you love culture, food, outdoor activities, or just relaxing in the sun, there is so much on offer in the area it is hard to know where to start. Here are a few of our favourites, but we wholeheartedly encourage you just to go out and explore; there are beautiful villages and fabulous views around every corner.
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Castelnaud
Beautifully restored 13th century chateau with commanding views over the Dordogne river. Now a fascinating museum of medieval warcraft - a 'must do' for school age children
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Beynac
Beynac sits in an amazing cliff top location and makes a slighly strenuous, but rewarding walk up from the charming village at its feet. The castle has been painstakingly restored, and parts of the interior can be visited in summer
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Sarlat
One of the jewels of South West France, Sarlat is a beautiful, 14th century town built almost entirely from the golden local limestone (as is Goursac). It is an absolutely charming place to stroll around, lots of little art galleries and food shops to poke your head into, and stunning architecture wherever you look.
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Marcqueyssac
The grounds of a chateau (not open to the public) with the best views of the Dordogne valley you will find anywhere, and also the most amazing display of boxwood topiary you will ever have seen. Great for kids too - there is a childrens maze (grown-ups keep out!) helpfully located next to a cafe, 2 play areas, and activity sessions in summer.
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On the River
You can either take the relaxing approach, and take a river trip on a 'gabarre', a flat bottomed boat, or take the more active option and rent a kayak (the Dordogne is flat and smooth - a very easy paddle). Either way, highly recommended as a great way to see the castles from a completely different perspective.
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Other Sports
Horse riding and bicycle hire are available right on the doorstep. For the more adventurous, hot air balloon rides are available locally, and if the thermals are right, you will have a wonderful view of Goursac from the air (you might even be able to land in our meadow)
The Perigord Noir for Foodies
The Perigord Noir region is a foodie paradise. This is the home of the truffle, of locally pressed walnut oil, of foie gras. For wine lovers, less than an hour's drive takes you to the vineyards of the Bergerac wine region, where you can find some real gems that give their more prestigious and expensive cousins in Bordeaux a good run for their money. For the local market experience, Sarlat is fun, crowded, lively and very very touristy. St Cyprien on Sunday morning is a better bet if you want a more traditional market experience and there is also a charming small market in the nearby village of Cenac on Tuesdays.
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