St. Agnan is a small village on the border between the Périgord Vert and Périgord Blanc. The village lies amidst a diverse and scenic landscape of woodlands, undulating meadows, rivers and lakes, against a backdrop of charming, peaceful hamlets.
Sights within a radius of 40 miles:
Château de Hautefort. This 17th. century castle is famous for its architecture and splendid French and English gardens. It is listed as one of the most beautiful castles of France. The castle and its gardens are open to the public.
www.chateau-hautefort.com
Musée de Médecine in Hautefort with a reconstruction of an old hospital ward from the 17th. century.
The caves of Lascaux with the famous Magdalénien drawings, 17.000 years old. In 1963 the original cave was closed down to protect the cave paintings from further damage caused by the number of visitors. An exact copy of the cave, which is open to the public, has been reconstructed only 200 m away from the original.
www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/arcnat/lascaux/fr
Périgueux, the former prehistoric settlement Perigeum on the banks of the river Isle, is now the capital of the department Dordogne. Today Périgueux is a vibrant city with a medieval character. You can visit the 12th. century cathedral St. Front, Vesunna (a Roman excavation with a museum built around it) the Musée Militaire, and the Musée du Périgord.
www.tourisme-perigueux.fr
Les Eyzies is primarily known as the capital of prehistoric man. The remains of Cro-Magnon man were excavated here. In the Musée de la Site you can find a reconstruction of this event as well as many other objects which have been found in the valley of the Vézère.
www.leseyzies.com
The old fortified village of Sarlat is full of majestic mansions from the 15th., 16th., 17th. and 18th. centuries. The history of this old town goes back to the Gallo-Roman era. Musée de Mirepoises offers you the opportunity to look inside a 16th. century mansion.
www.sarlat-tourisme.com
Rocamadour is a collection of old houses and chapels on the top of a rock towering 150 m above the valley of the Alzou. The village is well-known for its location and the pilgrimages to the Black Mary.
www.rocamadour.com
At the many markets in the vicinity, you can buy the local specialities such as foie gras, magret and confit de canard, walnut pie, sausages (dried and fresh), etc.
There are many 'brocantes/depot ventes' in the Périgord. On Saturdays and Sundays, in the summer season, many 'vide greniers'/flea markets are held in the village market squares.
www.vide-greniers.org
Walking:
The local 'Office de Tourisme' has set out many walks in the vicinity, some of them starting directly at Le Pavillon.
www.ot-hautefort.com
Sauna/Massages/beauty treatment/Fitness:
In St. Agnan (2 minutes walk) lies the Spa centre Aquazen. Here you can visit the sauna, jacuzzi, have a massage, do cardio training/fitness or have a beauty treatment. For more enquiries visit www.aquazen-attitude.com.
Should you prefer to have a beauty treatment in your holiday house we can arrange an appointment with a trained and experienced beautician who specializes in treating people in their own home. This way you can unwind and enjoy for example the facial and/or body massage, manicure, etc. in your home-based salon.
It goes without saying that it would be our pleasure to arrange an appointment for you.
Mountain biking: The local 'Office de Tourisme' has details of many signposted mountain-bike tracks close to the village. www.ot-hautefort.com
Canoeing and rafting: This is possible on the Auvézère river as well as on the Vézère and the Dordogne. All three rivers have rapids and gorges.
Pony rides: We have 2 ponies, Aramis and Ali, on which children can take a ride several times per week.
Horse riding: There is a big riding school in Tourtoirac (8 km) who also organize cross country rides. For more enquiries: www.les-tourterelles.com/Angie-Ranch_Dutch.html
You could also go to Génis (15 km) where cross country rides on Haflingers are organized.
Golfing: The cities Brive (40 km), Périgueux (40 km) and Limoges (70 km) all have 18 hole golf courses. You can take a closer look, or book your green fee in advance on www.ffg.org
Fishing: At the foot of the castle of Hautefort lies the Etang du Coucou in a beautiful setting. Here you can fish for carp. You can also fish in the rivers Auvézère, Vézère and Dordogne. If necessary we can organise your fishing permits before you arrive.
Tennis: There is a free public all-weather tennis court in St. Agnan.
Pot-holing: Possible under supervision in nearby Cherveix-Cubas and its surrounding area.
Riding a quad: What about a ride on a quad through the neighbouring woods?
Tree climbing: L'appel de la Foret is a 50-acre park in Thenon (19 km away). Here the whole family can take a stroll and enjoy adventure trails that will take you from one tree top to another.
www.appel-de-la-foret.com
