Belair le Camping

‘The Venice of the Périgord’ they call it around here – and while there’s a distinct lack of canals and gondolas, there’s no doubting that Brantôme’s a mighty handsome place. Many a pretty pic has been snapped at the old stone bridge and Benedictine abbey (don’t race round here too quickly – you’ll miss the troglodyte section buried away at the back). In place of canals, Brantôme’s aquatic activity revolves around the Dronne river, which you can explore by hiring kayaks or paddleboards or boarding a boat trip to delegate captain duties. If you’d rather see some scenery from dry land, take your cycling legs to the Velorail Perigord Vert (half an hour’s drive) to pedal your way along an old railway line. A château trip must surely feature on any Dordogne itinerary, and you’ll not have to roam far for that – Château de Bourdeilles is a 20-minute drive and the fairytale-esque Château de Jumilhac around 45 minutes. Foodies making their way to this corner of the Dordogne may also like to stop in at the truffle museum in Sorges and the foie gras hub of Thiviers (both about half an hour away).