| First and foremost it is an area of outstanding natural beauty, one of the most beautiful in Europe. Many found inspiration and relaxation wondering through lovely wooded hillsides, overlooking never-ending vineyards, or picnicking along gentle winding rivers. Rural France at its best! The region is known around the world for its wines, with the world famous vineyards of Saint Emilion, Pomerol, and Montbazillac only minutes away. The Dordogne cuisine marries incredible savor with a taste of extravagance but always with respect of the tradition, making "La Dordogne" one of the gastronomic centers of France. Visitors must take the opportunity to visit the street markets and see the local country folks selling fresh truffles, cèpes and foies gras so prized by epicures from all over the world. With the greatest number of historic sites in France outside Paris, the Périgord is a tourist's paradise. Come discover the art of prehistoric man at Lascaux, known as the "birthplace of art", or a bit of history in the region's many castles. The presence of bastide towns, fortified churches and other castles reminisces of an important British history in the region (the English ruled Aquitaine for 300 years in the Middle Ages). |