Nuits Perchées à Laroque

In Bergerac, seek out the Cyrano de Bergerac statue in the small wine museum before heading a little bit out of town to gorgeous Château de Monbazillac to taste the tiptop dessert wines made around these parts. There are plenty of other châteaux to visit in the surrounding countryside: if the choice is a little overwhelming, sign up for an introductory class at the Maison du Vin to learn about the area’s different varieties and styles. Away from the wine, a watersports centre is 10 minutes away with canoe, kayak and paddleboard hire so you can explore the Dordogne river: two or three hours of paddling will take you to the villages of Pessac-sur-Dordogne or Lamothe-Montravel for a well-earned lunch. For something a little more gentle, a golf course is 10 minutes’ drive away, or you could drive for 20 minutes to reach Lac de Gurson for walks in the forest followed by relaxing on the sandy beach and fishing or swimming in the lake.