Papillon Bouillon

If you ever feel like leaving the peace of this leafy spot, fairytale Château de Val (40 minutes’ drive) rewards your effort with a setting surrounded by Lac de Bort-les-Orgues. The castle is open for tours of vast halls filled with Gothic furniture, the towers and a covered walkway around the ramparts. Another local landmark is medieval Château de Ventadour (35 minutes), a hilltop ruin and host to medieval fairs and falconry displays in summer. Walkers can hike sections of the looped Itinérêve, a hiking trail that runs through the Dordogne river canyon and passes right by the site. If you prefer to do your exploring under pedal power, cycle up to the Belvédère de Gratte Bruyère (40 minutes by bike) for truly spectacular views over a meander in the Dordogne. There’s more natural beauty to be admired at Bort-les-Orgues (half an hour’ drive) village, backed by the massive basalt columns of Orgues de Bort – they are around 15 million years old. It’s also a watersports hub where you can try your hand at anything from sailing to jetskiing and wakeboarding.