The grounds of the "Manoir de Lussac" are part of the village of Verteillac, 4 km away. The village has a English speaking doctor, pharmacy, church, cafés, newsstand, general store, bike rental, and new sports complex.

Riberac, capital of the perigord vert and famous for it's Foie Gras, is about a 9 km drive.
On friday mornings the largest open air market in the area is held here.

Lots of activity around:
- canoe rentals
- shops
- cafe's
- hotels
- restaurants
- supermarkets
- cultural centre
- library with computer centre
- cinema
- tourist office where you can buy TGV (train) tickets.

Perigueux, capital of French Cuisine, the Dordogne and SouthWest France is approx 47km, a 1 hour drive away.
It is a beautiful, historic city with a lovely old town center, roman ruins, museum, great shopping, an open air market on Saturday morning and an 18-hole golf course.

Perigueux

We love the Dordogne because it encapsulates all that we like about France, rolling hills, fragrant meadows, leafy country lanes, stone cottages with flower-filled gardens, clean rivers, pretty villages and farms and forests as far as the eye can see. It's beautiful, friendly and comfortable and people come here to holiday and often choose to stay. The Dordogne allows you to relax and unwind with activities to suit every lifestyle.

Food and Wine, This is a region rich in gastronomic tradition. Foie gras, walnut oil and Perigord truffles, a delicacy known as black diamonds and considered to be the best that money can buy, are found here. There are wild mushrooms including the fleshy cepes and chanterelles which are simply delicious. The Bordeaux and Bergerac wines need no introduction. What could be a more enjoyable way to stock your cellar than combining château tours and wine tasting during your stay? There is even a very luxurious health spa in a famous Bordeaux vineyard!

Eating Out - Good Restaurants, There is a good selection of restaurants, from casual to elegant, specialising in regional cuisine. In Riberac we have traditional cafes, as well as a pizza parlour, a chinese restaurant, a thai restaurant, and a seafood restaurant.

Wine Tasting, Although not often seen here, Bergerac wines are very palatable indeed. There are some deep, robust reds as well as surprisingly good whites and rosé, which are especially enjoyable when chilled. The main wine growing areas are to the south of the town and even if dessert wines are not to your taste we strongly recommend you visit the Monbazillac vineyards, if only for the beautiful chateau itself. With the opening of the new A89 motorway, the premier vineyards of St Emillion are now easily accessible. They are world famous for their stunning reds. It's a beautifull town to visit as well as to stock your celler.

Canoeing, There is nothing dangerous about canoeing down the Dronne, Vezere or Dordogne rivers, it's just good family fun. Canoeing trips in the area are well organised. Mini buses and trailers take you up to the departure point of your choice. You then spend a couple of hours, half a day or a full day if you wish, cruising down the river, enjoying the scenery, stopping for swims, playing in the gentle rapids. It's great fun, excellent value for money and a lovely way to spend a warm day.

Prehistoric Caves, There are a large number of caves to visit around the Dordogne. The formations of stalactites and stalagmites are truly impressive, shown to best effect with spectacular lighting. For the uninitiated, Lascaux 11 represents the ultimate in cave art.
What's so striking about visiting caves in the Dordogne is that most were inhabited at one time by people or animals such as cave bears. The caves are fascinating and in no way intimidating and a visit makes a refreshing change from the heat of the day.

Moutain biking Mountain bike tracks (V.T.T) are well sign posted and wonderfully varied. There are many easy "gravel tracks" and pleasant pathways through woodlands of oak and chestnut or for the more ambitious there are "special" tracks with banked turns, jumps, steep climbs, descents and oven rivers to cross without a bridge in sight . For the enthusiast or recreational cyclist there's lots on offer.

Rivers and lakes with beaches, It's wonderful having your own swimming pool but sometimes, children in particular, like a change of scenery where they can meet other children. Beaches, beside the clean fresh waters of many rivers and lakes are the ideal solution. Usually there are slides, diving boards and numerous other amenities, which children will enjoy enormously, and adults can join in too.

Local fêtes, There is an admirable tradition of locals "fetes"or village fairs in the Dordogne. Within each municipality there is a rotation amongst the villages during the summer so there is always a fete within a short drive each weekend. These are very much local events for the villagers so when you go along you really feel part of France. The mornings at the fete usually involve a "Brocante"which is a combination of car boot sale and antiques fairs, they are very interesting and you can usually pick up some original, classic French items at very good prices. Haggling in French is great fun and children also love the ensuing amusements and dancing and enjoy the balmy evening atmosphere usually culminating in a fireworks display.

Golf, Not a big golfing area but there are a number of very pleasant courses so it's worth bring the clubs.

Markets, French markets are an absolute pleasure, everything is beautifully presented and there is invariably a wide choice of fresh, good quality produce. Much of the fruit, vegetables and meat you see in Dordogne markets is produced nearby and is seasonal. If your French can stretch to it, ask the market- stall holder how best to cook the food you buy, you can pick up some great tips. Local markets are in each village on different days.

Churches and Châteaux,, With over 1200 fully restored chateaux and churches, the Dordogne boasts more of these monuments to decadence, self defence and religion than any other region of France. Many are open to the public and you need to decide carefully whether it's spectacular formal gardens, beautifully furnished interiors or romanesque churches.