La Parenthèse - Camping Les Ormes

Drive three kilometres from the site's local town of Saint-Etienne-de-Villereal to reach Villereal, a 13th-century bastide town on the Dropt river, and from there head south to Monflanquin and Villeneuve-sur-Lot. All three towns are worth a day each: make for Villereal on a Saturday morning for its lively market, held since the 14th century; to Monflanquin for its House of the Black Prince and a Thursday market run since 1256, and to Villeneuve-sur-Lot for its spectacular setting on the river and views of the valley from the 13th-century Pont Vieux bridge. You could also take a historic trip to Château de Gavaudun, 16 kilometres away overlooking the Lède river, and Château de Bridoire 37 kilometres away, at Riberac; go downstairs at the latter for a family room of traditional French games, and above ground for the likes of archery and giant chess.