Area

Le Moulin de Grolhier is located in the Dordogne, north of Nontron in the "Perigord Vert deep in the Perigord - Limousin Natural Park. We are between 3 cities: Perigueux, Limoges and Angouleme, near the small, picturesque hamlet of Busserolles.

Perigueux 60km

The county town of Dordogne, with mediaeval old town by the Isle river. Gallo-Roman museum and the museum of Perigord. Very large markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays, depending on season, also truffle markets. Dont leave before you have walked around La rue Limogeanne, the pedestrian shopping area. You can take a sightseeing tour by a little train around the old streets or by boat on the Isle.

There are many more places to visit in the near area. You will find a good selection of brochures, guide books and maps in the property to help you plan your days out.

Walking holidays/Cycling holidays, Mountain biking holidays

If you are looking for an ideal setting for a French walking holiday or cycling holiday in France, then you will find a good selection of marked tracks, some starting nearly from the front door.

Fishing holidays

There are plenty of lakes for swimming, fishing, boating etc and rivers for canoeing. Fishing on carp stocked lakes can be organised. Please contact us for details.

Horse riding holidays

For those keen horse riders amongst you we are ideally situated for a horse riding holiday as there are stables available just under 10 minutes drive away.

Bird watching holidays

The countryside around us is calm and quiet. The large lake (27ha) in front of the property is a migrating bird sanctuary, full of wildlife. It is common to see deer, wild boar, red kite, buzzards, red squirrels, bats and barn owls getting on with their daily (or nightly) business.

Other activities

We have a games room with a pool table and table-tennis.
Outside you will find a badminton court. Petanque balls are available for adults and children.

There are tennis courts available in Busserolles and a small swimming lake that has play-area for smaller children. And of course an abundance of fascinating sites and museums throughout the area. Nontron also has swimming baths, brand new for 2008.

There are big weekly markets in near by towns of Piegut and Nontron - perfect places to pick up local produce and practice your French!

There are superb restaurants, offering "cuisine perigordine (lamb, duck, goose, foie gras, truffles, walnut etc.) and friendly bars within a short drive of the property.

Busserolles 4km

There is a beautiful church dating back to XIIc. Busserolles is a typical sleepy french hamlet with everything you might need on holiday: abutcher, general store, hairdressers, and a friendly bar, where you can also eat a simple meal. During summer months there are various fetes organised, so go along to eat and drink (sometimes dance) with the amiable locals on long wooden tables outside. Its definately one exprerience you wont forget in a hurry!

Nontron 15km

Nontron is the capital of the Perigord Vert. Besides scenery, there are many places of interest. Take a walk down the old town and visit the toy museum in the XVII chateau that was built on IX fortifications. (The locals say that it was here that Richard the Lionheart was injured by an arrow which later killed him!) After visiting the Saturday market for the essential local cheese and wine, Drive back via the lake in Saint Estephe, where you can swim at the sandy beach and hire a pedalo or a canoe in the high season. There are also couple of bars and a restaurant by the lake.

Piegut 6km

Piegut boasts a tower from XIIc and a church with a XVIIc altar screen and many small shops + a selection of restaurants. The market on wednesdays is the biggest for miles around, the centre will be closed off. After the market visit the Perigord Vert restaurant for a truly french lunchtime experience: As soon as you sit down, food will start arriving with a smiling service. 5 set courses and a bottle of wine later you still owe them only 11 Euros!

Brantome 35km

Aptly named as the "Venice of Perigord , Brantome guarantees a good day out. It has the oldest bell tower in France, prehistoric caves with wall paintings from the Aurignacians age, a restaurant for serious foodies: Le Moulin de l�Abbaye with 3 Michelin stars plus a beautiful abbey now housing works of art. You can also hire canoes from Brantome for leisurely afternoon on the crystal clear river Dronne

Angouleme 50km

The capital of the Charente, with a striking cathedral in the centre. There is also a covered market hall that is open every day of the week. Spend some time at the Museum of the Resistance and don�t forget the amazing view from the elevated old town.

On your way back it is a must to stop at the vineyards of St Sornin, the closest wine producer to the property. You can taste the wines they make and buy by the bottle or even better - take your own container with you and buy it from the tap! Decent table wine starting from 1.60 euro per litre.

Cognac 85km

Visit the world famous cognac distillers: Hennessy, Courvoisier, Martell, Remy Martin etc, etc, You are able to take a tour and have tastings with most of the big names to see how humble grapes are turned into finest VSOPs. Did you know that each year 20 000 bottles worth of cognac evaporates to thin air from the oak casks it�s maturing in? This is called the "Angels share".

Limoges 55km

Limoges is famous worldwide for its porcelain and enamel. Most porcelain manufacturers will let you visit their factories and see how the china is made. A few also have their own museums. Centre of Limoges is crammed full of little boutiques, restaurants and bars. Its worth walking around just to look at the architecture. Visit musée de l�Eveche to see paintings by Auguste Renoir who was born in Limoges in 1841. Ex-president Jacques Chirac is also from the Limousin region.