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France, Bergerac and the Dordogne |
Bergerac and the Dordogne | 
| Tony Hand and his wife Peggy (long time supporters of LWL) enjoyed a wonderful weekend in Bergerac in France at the end of May 2011. Tony has kindly written about their experiences.....Apply for a Flybe credit card and you qualify for a free flight to anywhere on their schedule! So Peggy and I both did which inspired this wonderful weekend break.Accommodation:
Le Logis Plantagenet
lelogisplantagenet.com Booked via Alastair Sawday
www.sawdays.co.uk
| A one hour flight from Southampton airport and you are deep in the heart of South West France. When the plane landed, we could see the spires of Bergerac a mere 4 km away. Do pre-book a taxi as there is no taxi rank, or hire a car from the various car hire companies based at the airport. We pre-booked our accommodation through Alastair Sawday’s special places to stay. A pretty 14th century town house, in the heart of the old quarter. Bruce Cantlie was a charming host. Do pick his brains in advance of places to visit. It was great to explore the cobbled streets on foot, stop at a café to admire the statue of Cyrano de Bergerac http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrano_de_Bergerac | 
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The highlight of the stay in Bergerac town was dinner at the Restaurant L’imparfait. A beautiful 12th century stone walled restaurant. Booking essential! The food was imaginative and beautifully presented by friendly attentive staff. Full of Brits on this particular Sat evening, so you won’t need to struggle too much with your schoolboy French.
| I had a kind of Tempura Tuna to start while Peggy had Salmon with a spicy salsa and a beetroot puree, really yummy! For the Main course I had Filet de Boeuf with Foie Gras, which was by far the best steak I have ever had. Peggy went for a seafood and shell fish medley which was perfectly cooked and presented. To follow I had a chocolate cake with a runny centre, ice cream and pear – quite delicious. Cost for the set meal was €26 ea, plus a supplement for the steak which was well worth it. | 
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The local wines were delicious and reasonably priced at €4 per large glass. Water bizarrely was more expensive at €5 for a litre bottle with fizz. | 
|  | Earlier that day after a typical French breakfast of fresh coffee, and croissants, we set off in our Renault Twango hire car for a magical 60 mile round trip through the beautiful villages and countryside of the Dordogne. Bruce recommended heading North East to Sainte Alver, then south to Paunat, onto Limeuil and Tremolat for lunch at the Bistro d’en Face.
It sits in a pretty village opposite the gorgeous Le Vieux Logis hotel (from €360 per night for 2 B&B) www.vieux-logis.com The Bistro was established to keep the restaurant staff from the hotel busy during quiet periods. It’s very popular with the locals offering a pleasant 2-course set lunch for €18. Do pre-book. | 
|  | Feeling fully fortified we continued onto the Cathedral at Codouin, Moliéres, St Avit Sénieur, Beaumont, Issigeac and the vineyards and wine tasting at Monbazallac. It sounds like a marathon, but really wasn’t with empty roads, quiet villages, easy parking and pretty scenery all the way. |  | | | | | |  |  | On the Sunday morning we took a long walk along the banks of the Dordogne River, just around the corner from our accommodation. Lunch at Le Bistro du Coin, sitting under a shady parasol in their courtyard restaurant. The meal was competent but seemed quite ordinary after the previous two meals. A quick flight back to Southampton and home by 7.00pm. What a lovely weekend trip – we’ll be back! | 
|  | Fact file: Flight: Southampton to Bergerac with Flybe www.flybe.com Parking: www.ezeparking.co.uk Meet and greet service Cost £29 for 3 days. Car Hire: Auto Europe (Hertz) www.auto-europe.co.uk Bergerac TaxiTel: 33 (0)5 53 23 32) 32 www.bergerac-airport.net/Access Bergerac Airport Car hire www.bergerac-airport.net/Car-Hire/ Restaurants: L’imparfait Old Town, Bergerac, Classic French Fine Dining 9/10 8-10 Rue des Fontaines05 53 57 47 92 www.imparfait.com Le Bistro d'en Face Trémolat-En-Périgord, Pretty French Bistro 8/10 05 5322 80 69 www.vieux-logis.com Le Bistro du Coin Old Town, Bergerac, Bistro with patio outdoor dining option, 6/10 6 Rue du Colonel de Chadois05 53 57 77 56 www.lebistroducoin.fr Au P’tit Corentin Old Town, Bergerac, Crepes 4/10 |
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