La Petite Perle

If swims in Lac de Poncharal don’t appeal, cooling off is a cinch hereabouts, with a public pool just five minutes’ drive away in Lubersac. Other watery days are in easy reach too, as the mighty Vézère is about 10 minutes from base should kayaking excursions along the river beckon. Perhaps thoughts of France conjure images of spectacular châteaux? There are plenty of those round here, starting 20 minutes away at Château de Bonneval for tours of the 18th-century stately home (the Bonneval family still lives here, so double check dates before travelling) and travelling on to Hautefort or Jumilhac within 45 minutes of the site. It shouldn’t surprise that this part of France is full of pretty towns and villages either, many of which have retained their sleepy cobbled vibes in the absence of hoards of tourists. Ségur-le-Château, 15 minutes from base, is a particularly photo-worthy example, with half-timbered and exposed brick houses clinging to the banks of the Auvézère and narrow, winding streets leading down to the water. Should the pastoral cease to entertain, the city of Limoges is 40 minutes from Saint-Pardoux-Corbier, with botanic gardens, museums, a zoo and an aquarium to explore.