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(The star ratings shown are those given in the green
Michelin guide to the Dordogne.)
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Our house is in the village
of Le Roc, set in
the glorious countryside of the Dordogne
Valley(***)
close to the small bustling town of Souillac
(*).
We are in the department of Lot
in the Midi-Pyrenees region of France,
but close to the departments of Correze and Dordogne
and the regions of Aquitane and Limousin.
A more familiar name for the area would be the old regional name Quercy
and, to the west, Perigourd
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View of the Dordogne Valley from the hills above Le Roc.
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The rocky outcrop that
gives Le Roc its name.
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At this point, the valley is some 2km wide. The
land then rises rapidly, some 300 feet, to the Causse de Martel in the
north and the Causse de Gramat in the South. From the house you can see
the rocky outcrop that gives Le Roc its name.
The valley is very fertile, the main crops being
maize, sunflowers and walnuts. Tobacco is common but nothing like as
common as it used to be even ten years ago.
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Many British people refer to our area as the Dordogne.
In actual fact the Dordogne is a department.
The area most people are thinking about when talking of holidays in the
Dordogne is the Dordogne
Valley
comprising mainly the southern part of the department of Dordogne
and the northern section of Lot. In fact the
upper valley goes on into Correze.
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The area is heavily wooded, especially as you move
away from the valley floor and onto the causse. The views from
the house to the south are a fascinating tangle of roofs in a
predominantly wooded environment which gives rise to a rich variety of
bird life.
The area is also famous for foie gras and
truffles, the trouffe perigourdin being the most sought after.
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Looking south from a
bedroom window.
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The Chateau de Belcastel.
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Generally, the air is clear but after rain, when
it can be exceptionally clear, it is possible, from the Causse de
Gramat to see for many kilometres in all directions. The Causse
can be reached from road that leaves the village to the south and winds
up the face of the hillside to the N20. The views from this road over
Le Roc and across the valley are very lovely.
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In the early morning, especially in spring and
autumn, mists form over the river. We sometimes get up early and drive
up the hill to see the view of the mists filling the valley.
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Le Roc from the hillside
road.
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The Dordoge 1Km from the
house.
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For many it is the River that is essential to the
character of the Dordogne Valley.
The stretch of the river in the area is one of the most beautiful
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The Dordogne near Souillac.
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The River from the
terrace at Domme
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Within the village, about 5 minutes walk, there is
the local Bar and Tabac. The food there, whilst not "haute cuisine", is
plentiful and tasty. Most days a van will come round selling
bread/cheese/milk. The time of arrival varies but they announce their
arrival by loud hooting of the horn.
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The Village of Le Roc.
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The Abbey at Souillac.
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Close by is Souillac. There are two
supermarkets along with all the shops one would expect in a small town.
Souillac has an open air market on Fridays.
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Click on the links below to visit other
areas of our website
If you would like to
contact us you can either fill in the form on the Availability
and Prices page of our web site
or telephone
Gill on 01460 54999
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