travel
THE DORDOGNE VALLEY S
urrey Magazine was delighted to be invited by France’s newest airport Brive to discover the tempting gastronomic delights of the Dordogne Valley and travel back in time to experience a quintessential slice of French life in rural France and say bonjour to the “Good Life.”
Ryanair is a smart traveller’s choice with a fast 1 ½ hour flight two times a week from London Stansted Airport direct to Brive Dordogne Valley Airport. The beauty of this regional airport is that it offers an uncrowded, effortless and direct access to the heart of one of the most beautiful and unique tourist destinations in South West France. Rich in tradition and steeped in history going back a thousand years, a car is essential for getting around this region to explore the differing and unspoilt landscapes. From river valleys of crystal clear waters to ancient forests,
hilltop
walled towns to small charming villages and fairytale turreted chateaux.
Family-run businesses and working farms keep traditions alive and are keen to welcome guests to their culinary heaven with Dordogne hospitality. You’ll fall in love with French gastronomy for which the Dordogne is both its larder and inspiration! This region prides itself on producing the best home-grown seasonal produce from truffles to duck, chocolate, fine cheese, foie gras and saffron to create the best authentic freshly cooked meals. We met Charlie Le Gallo,
specialist producer
behind an award-winning walnut oil, entrepreneurs of homemade chocolates, ice cream, honey, dandelion liqueur and the family of Maison Denoix, the oldest distillery dating back to 1839 producing the favourite walnut liqueur.
A meal just isn’t a meal in France without a glass of wine and it wasn’t long before I had a chilled glass of sweet Monbazilliac aperitif in my hand paired with the first taste of foie gras on the trip at “Le Petit Moulin,” a high-end six generation
A Foodie Heaven
Dordogne offers a great choice of
accommodations from spacious country houses to 17th century stone self-catering holiday cottages. We stayed in a magical hotel under sheer castle-topped cliffs at Le Pont de l’Ouysee in Lacave (www.
lepontdelousse.com Tel: +33 (0)5 65 37 87 04) enjoying elegant rooms, chic bar, picturesque gardens and an outdoor pool with gourmet fine dining in an enchanting setting by an emerald fishing stream with views over the castle of Belcastel. Owner and Michelin
starred chef Stephane
Chambon gave us a fascinating master class in cooking before an exquisitely prepared tasting menu for dinner!
12
surreymagazineonline.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71
