Activities
From a touring point of view, the property is most conveniently situated for taking trips into the entire Perigord region. Our house is located in the Perigord Noir and is approximately in the center of the region. In the Dordogne, the Perigord Noir is the most popular area as it is richly sprinkled with medieval chateaux , fortified towns and prehistoric caves. The local houses are of ochre stone with charming balconies and outside staircases covered with flowers and vines so typical of this part of France.

The pretty village of Montignac on the river Vezere is fifteen minutes drive away. This is the site of the Lascaux caves considered to be one of the greatest pre-historic finds in Europe. One can also enjoy the markets twice a week as well as various terraces to sit and drink and eat in the sun by the quaint and picturesque riverside.

Les Eyzies de Tayac, the capital of pre-history, is about the same distance away. Where one finds the National Prehistoric Museum is housed in a sixteenth century chateau. The Lascaux, Font de Gaume and Combarelles caves are on the world heritage sites list containing some of mankinds first art, dating to 30 000 years ago.

Sarlat is a sympathetically restored stone medieval city famous for its Saturday morning Goose Fair. It has many music and theatre festivals in the summer, outdoor markets and is really charming.
Perigueux is a Gallo-Roman city of much charm, famous for truffles and foie-gras; thirty minutes drive from Marance. It has a colourful market twice a week,. The cathedral there is worth a visit, built on the foundations of a sixth century chapel, it is Byzantine in style, with the ground plan in the shape of a Greek cross. Old Perigueux is closed to traffic so one is able to walk around the narrow streets surrounded by fine Renaissance dwellings, or take a coffee or superb luncheon at one of the innumerable outside cafes.

Thenon is the nearest village to Marance, 7 km away, with an open-air market every Tuesday morning. It is not a touristic village but very authentic, It has a good sized Carrefour supermarket, bakery, pharmacy, and what ever one needs.

Rouffinac is also 7 km away with a lovely Sunday market and also important prehistoric caves.
There are many good eating-places in the region, from Michelin starred, to more modest local establishments, all offering excellent value.

The Dordogne also boasts the greatest number of castles and chateaux, close to 1,000, of all the French departments. A large number date from the 13th and 14th centuries,

As one can see, this entire region is full of sites to see as well as numerous sporting possibilities such as canoeing, golf, biking, climbing or simply just relaxing with a picnic by the river.
From prehistoric drawings to dramatic stalactites, the Dordogne's caves are packed with human and natural history, The Grotte de Lascaux in nearby Montignac contains reproductions of local cave drawings that date back 15,000 to 20,000 years. Font de Gaume , Combarelles and Rouffinac, near by Marance are caves with original pre historic art and are still open to the public. In terms of natural splendour, the caves at Proumeyssac and the Grande Roc are known for their exquisite crystal beauty.
With numerous indicated off road mountain biking tracks starting at the doorstep of Marance, make sure you bring your bikes along! The tours take you past prehistoric caves, castles, vineyards, rivers, and through lush green forests. We have two mountain bikes at your disposal here at marance. The paths in the forest nearby the house as well as our calm country lanes make ideal small outings when you are tired of just laying by the pool or searching for wild flowers.
There are numerous possbilities in the Dordogne with over 1000 chateaux to visit. The closest ones to Marance are the mysterious ruins of the Chateaux d 'Herm. Near Monitgnac one finds the spledid furnished castle of Chateaux de Losse. On the Dordogne river, a 45 min drive there are huge fortresses from the time of the hundred years war, in the 13th c. The chatueax de Beynac, Castlenaud, and the magic fairyland of Joshephine Baker are just to name a few.
Canoeing down the leisurely Dordogne or Vezere river is the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon. Various canoeing companies rent canoes and kayaks, with pick ups and departures from some of the main towns along the river, such as Montignac.
There are many clubs of for riding horses nearby marance. For young and old, experienced riders or beginners. The perigord noir has numerous horse trails in the forests. We have a good friend with a wonderful horse farm near Les Eysies.
You can't travel far in the Dordogne without running into a postcard-perfect village. In the medieval fortress of Domme, you'll find graffiti from the Knights Templar who were once imprisoned here. Montignac, home of the Lascaux caves is only 15 minutes away on a small country road, St.Leon sur Vezere is ideal for strolling around and picknicking near the river or attending a classical music concert in the church. The wealth of historical villages in this area is truly astounding.
A short 45 minute drive from Marance brings you to the most important wine area in the south west of France. St. Emilion, Monbazillac, Bergerac, Montravel, Pécharmant, to name a few. with around 8 million hectoliters of red, rosé and white wine produced each year, making one billion bottles. One can drive quietly through the vineyards and visit the various wineries tasting as you go, and filling your car with a nice stock for fututre purposes as well as to enjoy at Marance.
If you have the energy to get up from the poolside, there are excellent walks to be taken each day all around Marance. In the forest or through the fields or on the small roads which barely have any traffic. There are also many specified 'randonee' paths set up for longer day hikes everywhere in the region.
There is a tennis court in Thenon and one in Rouffinac as well, within ten minutes drive of Marance
The closest supermarket is in Thenon but there are large supermarkets in Perigieux as well as a wonderful city center with many small boutiques and pedestrian shopping lanes. The local markets in all the villages are nearly every morning with great offerings of fresh vegetables and fruit and other delicacies from the gastronomique capital of France, the Dordogne!
This is a wonderful pastime at Marance, at poolside or a nice pack lunch at one of the many chateaux or in the forests, or even by the banks of the Vezere river. The many gastronomic delights available at the local markets will fill your picknick basket to the brim, with fresh fruit, fois gras, handmade local goat cheeses and wonderful local wines. What better way to relax and unwind during your holiday with the family than an old fashioned picknick. BBQ is also possible next to the pool.
There are various possiblities for this sport at the nearby lake of thenon or fossmagne with in minutes of marance. also fishing is possible in the Vezere or Dordogne rivers or at numerous trout fisheries in the area.
The nearest golf course is in Bergerac about 45 minutes drive through the countryside. One can also make a day trip for wine tasting. Mini golf can be found in the village of Montinac.
