The Region

Whether you’re interested in châteaux, gardens, wine, cuisine or history, this region has something for everyone.  St Émilion, one of France’s most famous villages, has been producing wine for around 1,000 years and is only 40 minutes away.  There are also a number of châteaux and gardens in the region that are open to the public, as well as the stunning prehistoric caves at Lascaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  France has a number of “Plus Beaux Villages” (named as the most picturesque villages in France) and two of them are less than an hour’s drive from Saussignac.  Alternatively, take a day trip out to one of the west-coast villages to enjoy the beach and some oysters.

Places to visit

• St Émilion, Historic village, wine tastings,  40 minutes

• Monflaquin, A “Plus Beaux Village”,  55 minutes

• Monpazier, A “Plus Beaux Village”,  55 minutes

• Bordeaux, A beautiful city in the style of Paris,  1 ¼ hours

• Manoir et Jardins de Eyrignac, Beautiful gardens,  1 ½ hours

• Château Hautfort, Historic château and gardens,  1 ½ hours

• Château de Losse, Historic château and gardens,  1 ½ hours

• Jardins de Marqueyssac,  Beautiful gardens,  1 ½ hours

• Lascaux,  Prehistoric caves,  1 ½ hours

• Sarlat-la-Canéda,  Medieval town,  1 ½ hours

Cuisine

Saussignac is a small village with one bistro (Le Café 1500) that is open from late April through to October.  The local restaurant will be reopening in late 2022.

Restaurants in nearby villages are:

1. Le Fresques, a Michelin Star restaurant (at Château des Vigiers)

2. Brasserie Le Chai (at Château des Vigiers)

3. Famille Moutier (renowned for their duck dishes)

4. A pop up pizzeria comes to the village on a Thursday evening

5. Pizza restaurant, Gardonne

Shopping

There are a number of nearby supermarkets:

• Bakery (Gardonne) 5 minutes

• LeClerc hypermarket (Pineuilh), 10 minutes

• LeClerc hypermarket (Bergerac), 20 minutes

• Le Grand Frais, a high end grocer (Bergerac), 20 minutes

• La Marché de Leopold, an organic and gluten free supermarket (Bergerac), 20 minutes

Vineyards

Saussignac is surrounded by vineyards, a large number of which are organic.  Château Feely also offers several wine courses and tours.

Local Vineyards: 

• Château Feely (biodynamic)

• Château le Tap (organic)

• Château de Fayolle (no herbicides used)

• Château Court les Muts

Nearby Vineyards:

• Château Grinou (organic)

• The Naked Vigneron (organic)

• Château Lestenvenie

Markets

France is famous for its village markets and often they include organic produce.

Recommended markets in the area:

1. Bergerac, Wednesday and Saturday mornings, 20 minutes

2. Eymet, Thursday morning, 20 minutes

3. Ste Foy la Grande, Saturday morning, 10 minutes

4. Issigeac, Sunday morning, 30 minutes

Antiques

Most weekends during the warmer months (usually May to October), there are regular antique fairs (brocantes) and car boot sales (vide greniers) held in villages all over France.  A book of all the fairs in our region is kept at the château. 

Beaches

Recommended beaches attractions in the area:

1. Arcachon, Sandy beach and oysters on the west coast, 2 hours 

2. Cap Ferret, Beautiful coastal village famous for oysters, 2 hours

3. San Sebastián, Picturesque resort town in Spain’s Bay of Biscay, 2 hours