Our Favourite Activities
Phone:
Website:
Maps:
Canoeing
Les 7 Rives
Canoes APA
The region is renowned for canoeing and there are plenty of options. There isn't a better way of discovering how beautiful this area is than drifting lazily past its historic villages, magnificent chateaux and lush countryside. On the Vézère canoes can be hired at several places from Montignac to Les Eyzies. The nearest starting point to us is Thonac, which is only two minutes away. The canoeing is one way (with the current), and you will be collected by minibus and returned to Thonac at the end of your adventure. We can recommend the trip from Thonac to Tursac, which takes about three hours, with lots to see en route (including L'Enclos although it can be hard to spot the house through the trees).
Horse Riding
Phone:
Website:
Maps:
The stables are on the left hand side of the road to Montignac, just outside the village. Several family members and guests have been out for hacks with Valerie, who is co-owner of the stables, and have really enjoyed the experience. The routes vary but go into the woods as well as along the river, even into the river during summer months when the water is shallow. Valerie speaks good English.
If you want to enquire or book, it is usually best to phone and leave a message and they will call you back.
River Swimming
Sergeac Plage - 5 minute walk
Top Spot:
Maps:
During the summer months, it is possible to swim in the Vézère River. The current can be strong so please do not let children go unaccompanied. You will see weed and other vegetation floating by but the water is clean.
There are various good spots for swimming:
Sergeac Plage – turn right out of our gate and follow the narrow lane past the church to the T junction and then turn right again following the path down to the river. There is a small grassy area with some picnic benches and easy access to the water. 5 minutes walk.
St Leon sur Vézère – There are numerous access points from within the village which runs alongside the river. This is a popular spot for rock jumping for the more adventurous.
If you are canoeing you will also find sandy banks or islands to ‘park’ your canoe and have a swim.
Walking
The undulating countryside of the region is ideal for walking all year round. If you're interested in walking please ask us and we can make recommendations for walks depending on what you're looking for.
One walk we recommend to all our guests is the picturesque 45 minute walk from L'Enclos along the river to the neighbouring village of St Leon sur Vézère.
Phone:
Website:
Maps:
Gabare River Boat Trip
Beynac
La Roque Gageac
This is a lovely way to while away an hour on the Dordogne river and enjoy the views of chateaux and fortified villages. Commentary is in French, but they provide audio guides &/or information sheets in other languages.
The Gabarres depart from Beynac & La Roque Gageac. They run hourly from 10/11am to 5/6pm depending on season from April to October. It is best to book ahead during school holidays. In Beynac parking is available in the car park on the main road by the departure pier.
Tennis
Sergeac tennis court is less than 100m from the gites and is free to use with no need to book. It is in good condition as it was resurfaced in 2019. There is some basic tennis equipment available for guests to use at the gites although more serious players may wish to bring their own equipment.
Website:
Cycling
Sarlat:
Montignac:
There is a good bicycle hire company in Sarlat called Liberty Cycle. An old railway (The Dordogne’s Valley Green Way) runs past the hire centre to Souillac. There are public toilets and places to picnic along the way. It is a traffic free route so perfect for families. Alternatively you can cycle west along the Dordogne as far as La Roque Gageac on low traffic roads. Liberty-Cycle provide helmets. They also hire out baby seats and bike attachments.
You can also hire electric bicycles in Montignac which is 10 minutes drive.
Fishing
Phone:
Website:
Email:
The Dordogne’s network of waterways is filled with salmon, brown trout, perch, pike and smaller fry such as roach and carp. This picture was taken in the Summer of 2020, and was caught by one of our guests early one evening whilst fishing from the small beach in the village. If you want to fish you need to buy a fishing card permit and have with you some proof of identity. These permits can be purchased online by visiting the Federation Peche Dordogne website.