The Périgord vert, or Green Périgord, extends across the northern crescent of the Dordogne. It lives up to its name with its forests, lakes and meadows, which make the area so vibrant. Some highlights of the region:
CHAMPS ROMAIN (at 2 km)
Ideal for walking: leave your vehicle in the car park, walk to le Saut du Chalard along the cemetery of Romain, do not hesitate to ask the inhabitants of the village (not of the cemetery) for the legend of those waterfalls.
Early August: there is the posssibility to make bread just as they did in the 19th century.
And Champs Romain features a "country" Golf Course. Discover this sport, the type where you don't have to worry about the greens...
ABJAT SUR BANDIAT (5 km)
Next to its shops and its pretty church, the village features Pierre Rapeau's paintings on trees and rocks.
It also has a wonderful garden full of tiny trees called Bonsaïs...
Every year, in october Abjat hosts the French championship of Conkers.
Something that is not to be missed: every June there is a sports and leisure day with a great "Tug and War" contest, which Le Verdoyer has won several times already!
SAINT PARDOUX LA RIVIERE (8 km)
Important buildings from the 13th century; remains of a Dominican monastery, a church from the 12th century with a beautiful sundial.
"Comme une ombre qui passe et ne revient pas, ainsi passe nos jours qui s'en vont à grand pas"
Walking tracks: Voie Verte & nice view point from Brin.
The village hosts the "Fête du Spardos", each last Saturday of July.
SAINT SAUD LACOUSSIERE (3 km)
Known for its big fishing and swimming lake and Château de Beynac (19th century) on the D83 road. Shops, church, market.
On the road to Le Verdoyer, on the left, there is an ostrich breeding farm.
The honey producer in la Besse (500m from the campsite)
During the first weekend of October, Saint Saud has the fête du Cèpe et du Veau sous la Mère
MIALLET (10 km)
Discover the 12th century church, the war casualties monument dating from 1870, the "centenary oak" and various interesting stone doors.
The village is also know for the barrage de Miallet (77ha), the "Sentier des 12 centenaires" and the "Sentier d'interprétation du Barrage".
The "Cité Découverte Nature": visit an old french school class, or the room where is explained the fauna and flora of the barrage.
For nature lovers, there are many marked walking trails, and plenty of fishing opportunities.
Also worth a visit: the château La Lambertie (XVe - XVIe) on the D77 main road, and also the Bison Farm.
Tips: Ferme "Le Bison du Périgord" and Ferme "Le Verger d'Antan" à Firbeix
MILHAC DE NONTRON (12 km)
Very worthwhile: the bourgeoisie house Fousseyron, dating from the 18th century, stones en burial mound, ruins of a hospital, traces of a Celtic camp, 2 manors: les Moulières & la Glody.
Tip: Les Ecuries de Milhac (Horseback riding)
SAINT FRONT LA RIVIERE (20 km)
Many castles in or near the village: Château du Caneau (XIXth), Château de Pommier (XVth), Ruins of Château de la Renaudie (XIIIth) & Château Saulnier (XIIIth). The Roman church features a cupola on the chancel. Also noteworthy: the nave of the XVI century tower wall.
Walnutoil mill in Le Caneau, and a boulangerie artisanale.
NONTRON (15 km)
The city Nontron proudly dominates the valley of the Bandiat.
Its town hall was built between 1822 and 1828; it features the
Crypt of Notre-Dame des Ronces church, the famous "rue des chèvres",
the well known knives factory, the "Jardin des Arts" (photo - Experimental Art Work House)
Numerous shops, supermarkets, cafés...
There's a market on Saturday morning.
AUGIGNAC(10 km)
Augignac is situated between Nontron and Piégut.
A Romanesque church dating back to the 12th century, a working walnut oil watermill 3km away
BOURDEILLES (30 km)
The medieval castle is impressive, but also the lord mill, the bridge, fortifications, and the 35 meters high octagonal tower add a lot of character. Bourdeilles was a very lively village in the XIIth century. Bourdeilles was the first of the four baronies of Périgord. It 
spent about 15 years under English toturship when the Périgord was part of that kingdom. Duguesclin liberated the village at the end of the XIV century ,
A castle was built for Catherine de Médicis, when she told about her visit. This queen was the protector of Pierre de BOURDEILLE, author of 'Dames Galantes'.
The 'cantons' (small streets) of the ancient town, narrow to very narrow, winding between the high walls of houses and gardens are part of an intimate atmosphere of this picturesque village with traces left by medieval urbanism.
Worth a visit: Forges du Diable, four à pain and mill.
BRANTOME (20 km)
A nice little village with a cave in the cliff face, featuring a fountain and a caveman's habitat. Brantome furthermore has an abbey, a church tower (the oldest in France), a dove cote, a watermill, and sculptures, but also a lot of shops, and a nice market every Friday morning.
And there is an original way to visit the town: by electric boat!
SAINT JEAN DE COLE (20 km)
One of France's most beautiful villages according to the French association 'Les plus beaux Villages de France'
Tiny medieval village with small streets and tiny houses, an old gothic bridge, the Château de la Marthonie,
Roman church St Jean Batiste, and a watermill near the old bridge.
VILLARS (20 km)
Nice church-rci village with various interesting buildings, a public washhouse, old hall, and circular pond and fountain.
Villars is "the village of the 3 wonders" :
- Château de PUYGUILHEM,
- Ruin of the abbey BOSCHAUD
- and the prehistorical Caves of Villars.
LA CHAPELLE FAUCHER (20 km)
A castle from the 15th en 17th century, a public wash house, a watermill and a dove cote.
In the place called "Petit Jumilhac" there is a tiny church on a hill with a wonderful view.
PIEGUT-PLUVIERS (15 km)
Important place, shops, popular market on Wednesday,
old tower, chapel, House with many towers,
Pluviers's church and its altarpiece, fortress out of the 12th century.
in 2012, the Félibrée
SAINT ESTEPHE (16 km)
Leisure centre with large lake for swimming, fishing, pedal boats and sailing...
Beatiful Roman church in the heart of the village,
Château de Puycharneau (with 365 windows: one for each day of the year).
THIVIERS (20 km)
Nice city with different markets. Worth visiting are also the duck and goose museum, the Maison du foie gras, château de Vaucocour, its love fountain, public washhouse. There is a nice view on the way to Nontron, from a place called Mauchat (water tower).
Beyond the Périgord Vert...
PERIGUEUX (60 km)
Is the capital of the Dordogne, with a number of curiosities,
vibrant pedestrian streets (rue Limogeanne), nice sunny terraces.
Also worth a visit: Tour de Vésone with its archaeological site, the Cathédrale St Front and the Tour Mataguerre.
LIMOGES (60 km)
World renowned for its porcelain (factories open to visits), vibrant pedestrian streets in the old quarter, numerous historic sites such as the Cathédrale St Etienne (constructed in 1273), with magnificent gardens. Also the Distillery du Centre, and the Aquarium.
ORADOUR SUR GLANE (60 km)
Village destroyed by the Germans during World War II. Visit the martyr village and the centre of memories, which will leave a strong impression.
