Handpicked by Your Hosts
We've personally explored the North Dordogne from our base in Mialet and handpicked these 12 exceptional attractions. From medieval villages and prehistoric caves to bustling markets and fairytale châteaux, this list offers a perfect glimpse into what makes this region special.
Beaux Souvenirs is centrally located with easy access to all 12 destinations - most within 15-60 minutes' drive. At the gîte, you'll also find a folder packed with local leaflets showcasing hidden gems and unique events often overlooked by traditional guidebooks.
Benedictine Abbey in Brantome
Brantôme
Brantôme is an attractive town on the northern edge of the Dordogne, sometimes referred to as the Venice of the Périgord. The 8th-century abbey, founded by Charlemagne, began life as habitable caves that can be visited at night during the peak holiday season. Brantôme has a beautiful mix of medieval and Renaissance architecture and is rated among 'Les Plus Beaux Detours' in France.
Distance from Beaux Souvenirs: 37 minutes (36km)
Just 37 minutes away, Brantôme makes a perfect day trip. After exploring, enjoy lunch at one of the excellent restaurants and then relax on a river cruise.
What to see:
- Benedictine Abbey inc. the oldest bell tower in France/Grottes de l'Abbaye
- Artist Ferdinand Desmoulin Museum
- Jardins Tranquille
- Dronne river cruise
- Canoeing and river activities
- Château de la Hierce
- Le Bimbillou Parc Industrial Heritage Museum
Plan your visit from Beaux Souvenirs
Cobbled back streets of St Jean de Cole
Saint-Jean-de-Côle
Saint-Jean-de-Côle Saint-Jean-de-Côle is officially classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. It's a photographer's dream with its ochre-coloured houses, half-timbered buildings, and renowned tiled roofs. The stunning 12th-century Château de la Marthonie (private) dominates the main square. In summer, it's the perfect place to stop off for lunch by the river.
Distance from Beaux Souvenirs: 22 minutes (22km)
In May, thousands of visitors flock to buy at the famous 'Florelies' flower and plant fair. There are 15 more of these beautiful villages to discover in our region.
TIP: Why not combine with the nearby Grotte de Villars and Château Puyguilhem?
What to see:
- Roman-Byzantine Church of St. John the Baptist
- The old bridge and the miller's house
- The priory with its cloister
- Clovis Reymond's old distillery shop
Grotte de Villars prehistoric living
Grotte de Villars
Grotte de Villars is a vast natural cave formed in the Jurassic period, full of spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. This cave is unique for its prehistoric paintings, including a rare depiction of a human figure. Unlike the famous Lascaux caves, you'll see original prehistoric paintings here—a truly authentic experience that most visitors to the Dordogne miss.
Distance from Beaux Souvenirs: 20 minutes (20km)
Outside, a trail features replica houses that prehistoric people might have lived in, animals they may have hunted, and plants they may have cultivated, all accompanied by informative panels.
TIP: Combine this with a visit to Saint-Jean-de-Côle, just 10 minutes away.
What to see:
- Original prehistoric cave paintings
- Spectacular stalactites and stalagmites
- Replica prehistoric settlement trail
Wednesday street market at Piegut-Pluvier
Piegut-Pluviers Market
A weekly market lines the pretty streets of the quaint village of Piegut-Pluviers and has been held here on Wednesday mornings since 1642. Today, it's one of the largest markets in South West France, where you will find everything from artisan foods and arts and crafts to clothes, plants, and even livestock.
Distance from Beaux Souvenirs: 29 minutes (24km)
It's a great place to join the locals or maybe watch from a cafe viewpoint. You will find a superb selection of regional items not only from the Dordogne but also, as it sits on the border of the Charente, products from that region, including the fragrant Charentaise melons. For guests who fly, don't forget Beaux Souvenirs has its own coolbox, perfect for lunch treats!
What to experience:
- Wednesday morning market (since 1642)
- Artisan foods and regional produce
- Local crafts and antiques
- Brocantes
- Café terraces for people-watching
The spectacular Chateau Jumilhac
Jumilhac-le-Grand
Jumilhac-le-Grand is a small hillside village dominated by one of the finest châteaux in the Périgord, listed as a national monument. Its spectacular fairytale roof is unique in France (it is said to have inspired Walt Disney's castle), and it has beautiful terraced gardens.
Distance from Beaux Souvenirs: 21 minutes (19km)
During the summer, you can dine at a restaurant right next to the fountain, and at 9.30 pm on selected evenings, take a candlelit castle tour, which is highly recommended.
What to see:
- 12th-century Château Jumilhac
- Beautiful terraced gardens
- River walks, Hiking trails
- Gold Museum
Saint-Yrieix-La-Perche Town Hall
Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche
Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche is a picturesque medieval town located in the Limousin region and is one of the 'Plus Beaux Detours de France'. It was here that kaolin (white clay) was first mined in the 18th century from a nearby quarry in Marcognac and used to develop the famous Limoges porcelain. Kaolin was discovered in 1768 by J.B. Darnet at a site now known as the Village of Porcelain.
Distance from Beaux Souvenirs: 32 minutes (30km)
We love it for its great mix of small, independent shops, including those specialising in wine, cheese, chocolate, porcelain and brocante.
What to see:
- 12th-century church
- Gardens of the Maison du Patrimonie
- Cultural centre with an illustrated 12th-century Bible
- Tourist Information Office Heritage tour
- Porcelain MP Samie outlet shop
- Saturday market
Nearby:
- Marcognac Terre de Porcelaine (Historic monument)
- Village de la Porcelaine outlet and museum
- Château Bonneval
The old medieval streets of Limoges
Limoges
Limoges is the 'capital' of the Haute-Vienne department and of the Limousin region. With a long history dating back to the early Middle Ages, it was closely linked to the porcelain industry. The city is large and is divided into two parts: the high village and the area around the cathedral and station. In between are many narrow cobbled streets full of artisan boutiques and charming eateries.
Distance from Beaux Souvenirs: 54 minutes (49km)
Impressionist artist Renoir was born here, and his paintings can be seen at the L'Évêché Museum. There is much to excite porcelain lovers, including the Adrien Dubouché Museum. This not only boasts the world's most extensive collection of Limoges porcelain, but also features other works that represent the greatest stages in the history of ceramics.
Ville Haute:
- Jardin d'Orsay
- Quartier de la Boucherie
- Saint Aurélien's chapel
- Church of St Michel des Lions
- Les Halles (covered market)
- Verdurier Pavilion
Cathedral District:
- Saint-Étienne Cathedral
- Musée des Beaux-Arts L'Évêché Garden and Museum
- Resistance Museum
- Boulevard Louis Blanc – Porcelain makers' street
- Limoges Benedictine Art Deco Railway Station
- Adrien-Dubouché National Porcelain Museum
- Casseaux Oven Museum (Porcelain furnace) and Bernardaud Porcelain and outlet
- Limoges Town Hall
The preserved village of Oradour-sur-Glane
Oradour-sur-Glane
Oradour-sur-Glane is a haunting memorial village near Limoges, known throughout France, whose inhabitants and contents were destroyed in the last months of World War II. It has been preserved in its bombed and burnt-out state as a poignant tribute and memorial to those who perished.
Distance from Beaux Souvenirs: 50 minutes (58km)
Visit the museum to learn all the details about what happened during the events, and then explore the village at your leisure with its rubble and burnt-out buildings and the places where 643 people lost their lives on that fateful day. All of our guests who have visited here highly recommend it.
What to experience:
- Memorial museum
- Preserved village ruins
- Moving tribute to 643 victims
- Self-guided exploration
St Front Cathedral Perigueux
Périgueux
Périgueux, the capital of the Dordogne, is an ancient city dominated by its UNESCO Byzantine cathedral - a model for the Sacré Coeur, Paris. Many small streets radiate from here with Medieval and Renaissance buildings. Périgueux is also home to perhaps the best Roman remains outside Rome, featuring a superb glass-roofed Gallo-Roman villa.
Distance from Beaux Souvenirs: 53 minutes (55km)
The city's most famous building is the 14th-century 'Maison du Pâtissier' from where Périgueux's 'pâté de foie gras' is said to have been first made. Food is essential here, and nothing illustrates that better than the bustling market on Saturday morning. Afterwards, take time for lunch and people-watching from delightful leafy corner cafés.
What to see:
- Cathedral St-Front and ramparts
- Saturday food market
- Maison du Pâtissier
- St Étienne Church
- Vesunna Gallo Roman Museum
- Vesunna Temple 2AD
- The Military Museum
- Périgord Museum of Art and Archaeology
- Tourist train
Chateau de Pompadour
Arnac-Pompadour
Arnac-Pompadour is situated just over the border in the Corrèze department and is home to the national stud. Sun King Louis XV gifted the château there to his favourite, the Marquise de Pompadour (AKA Madame de Pompadour).
Distance from Beaux Souvenirs: 60 minutes (55km)
The racecourse opened in 1837 and is one of the most beautiful in France. We can highly recommend attending one of the summer racing fixtures for a fun day out. With an additional 150 other equestrian events held throughout the year, it's an absolute must for horse lovers.
What to see:
- Orangerie stables
- Racecourse
- Puy Marmont equestrian stadium
- Château de Pompadour 14th-century
- Saint Yrieix fountain
Chateau Chalus Chabrol
Château de Chalus Chabrol
Château de Chalus-Chabrol. It was in this medieval castle in 1199, whilst Richard I (Richard the Lionheart) was besieging Chalus, that he was hit by a crossbow bolt and died days later. It's reputed that his entrails are buried in the ruined chapel.
Distance from Beaux Souvenirs: 15 minutes (16km).
For those interested in this period of history, you can follow the 'Richard the Lionheart Trail', which includes several locations in the region that he may have visited during his time here.
What to see:
- Tour the Château de Chalus Chabrol and see the room where Richard I took his last breath
- Château de Chalus Maumont (ruins)
- Eco-museum (open in summer)
- Visit the Hôtel Saxo, where T.E. Lawrence (AKA Lawrence of Arabia) stayed as a student studying 11th-century architecture.
Velorail 5-seater bikes at Cognac Sur L'isle
Vélorail du Périgord Vert
Vélorail du Périgord Vert offers a very different and fun way to spend an afternoon on an old disused railway line. The Vélorail is basically a small coach on four wheels that moves by pedal power. Two people take the saddles, whilst up to three others can sit back and enjoy the journey.
Distance from Beaux Souvenirs: 30 minutes (26km)
With minimal effort, the journey is a very pleasant one through the glorious countryside, via viaducts and railway stations. Several Vélorails operate in the same manner in France; this one runs several different routes throughout the year between Cognac-sur-l'Isle and Thiviers.
What to experience:
- Pedal-powered railway coach adventure
- Scenic countryside routes
- Historic viaducts and stations
- Fun for all ages
Planning Your Visit
Exploring these 12 must-see attractions is best enjoyed over 3-7 days, allowing you to savour the history, culture, and natural beauty at a relaxed pace. Beaux Souvenirs provides the perfect base in the heart of Mialet, with all attractions within an easy 15-60 minute drive.
After busy days of sightseeing, return to your private pool, peaceful garden, and home-from-home comfort. Your hosts, Vanessa and William, have explored every location on this list and provide detailed maps, insider tips on avoiding crowds, restaurant recommendations, and personalised itinerary suggestions based on your interests.
Ready to start your adventure?
Things to See & Do
Mialet
The charming village of Mialet is located in the Dordogne, South West France in the Aquitaine region.
Top 12 Attractions
There are many places to visit and things to do in this area. Here are your host's top 12 favourites.
What to See in Our Region
There are countless places to visit within a 2-hour radius of Mialet. Here are the main sites, including drive time and distance.
Where & What to Eat
Eating out is a fabulous experience in this part of France and there is a huge variety of establishments to choose from.
Festivals & Events
Annual calendar of festivals & events in the Dordogne and nearby departments.
Sports & Outdoors
The North Dordogne or Perigord Vert is a perfect location for those with a great affinity to the great outdoors.