This is excellent bicycling country with easy routes from the House to the local village of St Felix de Villadeix and into the surrounding countryside. Bicycles can be hired through www.themountainbikehirecompany.co.uk  or call 00 33 5 53 63 08 91 or Bike hire based in Bergerac http://www.apolo-cycles.com

There are fine walks in many directions both on Domaine de Girard and locally. Details are available in the house and there are copies of the excellent local series blue maps.

Canoes and kayaks can be hired at various points on the Dordogne River to paddle serenely past Chateaux and negotiate some gentle rapids https://www.perigordaventureloisirs.com/en/  

There are various local riding sstables where everything from lessons to ponybtrekking can be arranged http://www.lajumenterie.com

Catch your own supper at Queyssac (15 minutes drive) genially hosted by Fred with a beach barbecue and bar – guaranteed trout success for beginners and children…!

There are numerous examples well worth visiting – Tiregand (10 minutes), family home of the author Antoine de St Exupery which also has afine vineyard, likewise Chateau Montbazaillac, Beynac, Castelnaud, Commarque, Les Milandes, Fenelon, Biron, Puymartin, Bourdeilles and Duras to name but a few

A number of exceptional and varied gardens are open to the public. Jardin/Manoir d’eyrignac, Chateau d’Hautefort and Marqueyssac are all within reach. Gardens of the Dordogne www.northofthedordogne.com/gardens.php

The prehistoric caves of Lascaux and their fascinating paleolithic wall paintings, designated a world heritage site, are renowned and well worth a visit. Lascaux IV

There is a golf course (9 holes) at Golf de Rochebois at Vitrac. Also Golf de la Forge (9 holes) at Siorac-en-Perigord and the 18 hole Golf la Croix de Mortemart is near Le Bugue.

Other Golf Clubs include:

http://www.lesmerles.com
http://www.golfdeperigueux.com
http://www.vigiers.com
http://www.segolfclub.com

Fairs festivals and concerts are held in the region throughout the summer. Details are included in The House manual and are also available in the tourist office in Bergerac  http://www.bergerac-tourisme.com

There are open air markets in numerous local towns and villages, taking place on different days of the week and details are included in The House Manual.

The town of Bergerac is a mix of very old half-timbered (colombage) houses set in the narrow streets with a more modern shopping centre around the beautiful Notre Dame cathedral. The old town is mostly traffic free and it’s lovely to wander around the cobbled streets, through the little squares passing the statue of Cyrano de Bergerac the long nosed hero!  http://www.bergerac-tourisme.com  http://www.pays-de-bergerac.com/english/index.asp  River Cruises from Bergerac
http://www.gabarres.fr

(1 ½ hrs west) is the famed port city of the Garonne estuary and the centre of the famed wine-growing region. It’s known for its Gothic Cathédrale St-André, as well as its many fine and contemporary art museums and 18th- and 19th-century mansions. Public gardens line the curving river quays, and grand Place de la Bourse opens to the water, with the Three Graces fountain at its centre. http://www.bordeaux-tourism.co.uk/What-to-see-do

(30 mins/17 miles south over the Dordogne river) is a very pretty medieval ecclesiastical town in the centre of the Pays des Bastides. It was built in concentric circles according to the same pattern as the “Bouyricou”, the traditional Périgord basket which you can still buy in the local markets. The church of Saint Félicien (16C) overlooks the central square with its octagonal bell tower in the late gothic style. On the other side of the square is the Bishops’ Palace (17C). It now hosts the Tourist Office and its rooms are used for exhibitions. Enjoy a glass of something cool in one of the little bars or restaurants. The regular Sunday market is a feast for the eyes and in the summer the night markets here are not to be missed.

(20 minutes/8 miles South east) was the first English bastide, founded in 1267 by Henry III Plantagenet. It suffered serious damage during the Hundred Years War but there are still some medieval half-timbered buildings to admire. Lalinde is on the river Dordogne but as this section was difficult to navigate a canal was built over 150 years ago between Mauzac and Tulieres, the views from locks at Mouleydier are worth a visit and the canal is a great place for walking and fishing. The chateau de Lanquais at Saint Capraise de Lalinde is unusual as half of it is Medieval and half is Renaissance so here you can admire both architectural styles.

(40 mins/25 miles north) is the ‘capital’ of the Dordogne department but is actually on the river Isle rather than the Dordogne. It has been in existence since neolithic times, and from Roman times you can still see the Vesone Tower and the remains of the amphitheatre. Chateau Barrière dates from the early middle-ages. Périgueux also contains an interesting medieval and renaissance centre, with attractive boulevards concentrated around the cathedral Saint Front, built in the Byzantine style with its cluster of domes and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site It was the model for the Sacré Coeur church in Montmartre, Paris. There are regular markets in the covered marketplace and some lovely places to sit with a coffee or meal and watch the world go by.  http://www.tourisme-perigueux.fr/en

The medieval town of Sarlat (correctly Sarlat-le-Caneda) (1hr/34 miles east) is well worth a visit. It has excellent shopping facilities (including 4 supermarkets) and a wealth of restaurants from Michelin starred to more modest establishments which nonetheless pride themselves on the quality of their cuisine. Apart from hosting a renowned International film festival every November  Sarlat boasts one of the very best day time Saturday markets in the region, held in the centre of the old medieval town. This centre, floodlit at night, is magical and well worth an evening/dinner visit.

(1 ¼ hrs/48 mile west along The Dordogne) is recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage cultural landscape, two thousand years of history between men and vines are waiting for you.  A remarkable example of historical vineyards that have survived the centuries but seem to remain untouched by time. Meander through the cobbled streets of this lovely small town and admire the architecture and drop in to one of the many caves and enjoy a wine tasting or a chilled glass of award winning sparkling wine while sitting in the 14th century cloisters. http://www.saint-emilion-tourisme.com/uk

There are many farms in the area that produce high quality and delicious goose and duck meat, pâté and of course the ultimate foie gras. You will get to taste some of these products during your stay or perhaps at the local Auberge, Bistro or Restaurants.

From Bergerac along the river plain you will see a multitude of soft fruit orchards growing peaches, nectarines, apricots & kiwi. In the area further south, around Duras and Monségur you will come across field after field of sunflowers, these are at their best during July (depending on the sunshine of course) there are also acres of plum orchards, some of which go to produce the famous Agen prunes. In late summer Domaine de Girard has its own figsand a Mirabelle ‘orchard’ for genuine locally sourced compote!

From late September the grape harvest (vendage) begins.  The autumn months also see the nuts beginning to appear, walnuts, hazelnuts and chestnuts, then of course the mushrooms and legendary truffles.

Wine Tours by Dordogne Vineyard Tours will take you out to taste local wines at various vineyards and also a delicious French lunch amidst the vines. Full day tours, evening tours and half day tours available to suit 00 33 6 63 40 88 05 www.dordognevineyardtours.com   for further details

Chateau Feely is 15 mins west of Bergerac and offers award winning visits and organic biodynamic, natural and no sulfite added white, red and rose wines. Day, or half day wines school, a wine and food pairing experience created in collaboration with a Michelin starred chef or a family friendly visit with a cheese platter. Best of Wine Tourism Gold trophy winner in the greater Bordeaux and Bergerac region in 2013 and 2017. www.chateaufeely.com   for details.

The choice is vast. The owners make some suggestions in The House Information Folder