Excideuil is a bustling old town set in the Perigord Vert of the Dordogne. It has a weekly market, several excellent restaurants, narrow streets filled with numerous shops, cafes and C16th houses, and an impressive chateau that dominates the skyline.
Access
Excideuil is in the northern part of the Dordogne department (Nouvelle Aquitaine region), about 30 kilometres south of Jumilhac and 15 kilometres from Hautefort. Limoges airport can be reached in 80mins, Bergerac in 90mins.
History
The town originally developed around a 10th century monastery, in a peaceful setting in the valley of the River Loue. The Perigord Vert has a long, tumultous history. Boasting one of the earliest civilisations in Europe, as well as fertile lands and a mild climate, it was repeatedly invaded right up until the C20th. Evidence of prehistoric activity can most clearly be seen in the numerous caves dotted around. The caves at Lascaux for example date from approximately 15,000 years. The eras of the Celtics, Romans, Vandals, Visigoths and others then brought the wars. Today, luckily, it is the more peaceful way of life that is faithfully preserved. The markets are one of the finest examples of this. At around 8am every Thursday, old vans slowly roll into Excideuil and begin to leisurely unload their fresh produce, ready to liven up the day.
Activities
Popular sports in the rolling green countryside around Excideuil include tennis, horseriding, fishing and golf. The Perigord-Limousin Natural Park is nearby. The gothic architecture of the local church is a sight to see, as are the large medieval ramparts surrounding Excideuil’s castle; which successfully repelled Richard the Lionheart on three different occasions. The market is reputedley the busiest market in the region and the neighbouring village of Toutoirac is a good day out, with its remains of an attractive abbey.
Food & Drink
Local foods include Foie gras and all duck and goose products, walnuts, cheese, wine and truffles. A typical menu in a local café is mushroom soup, a fish dish or salad, confit de canard (duck stew), cheese, then tarte au pommes (apple pie), and with a carafe of wine. Specialities include cepes (huge beefy wild mushrooms) and local strawberries.
Restaurants
- Le Draker, Avenue Gambette, tel: 05 53 62 96 20
- Les Cordeliers, rue Jean Jaurès, tel: 05 53 62 34 87
- Bar du Stade, Avenue Eugène Le Roy, tel: 05 53 62 42 48
- Café du Midi, Place du Château, tel: 05 53 52 38 10
Our team of sale advisers at Sextant Properties will be happy to help you to find a property in Nouvelle Aquitaine. We have a large network of estate agents in Aquitaine. All of them are registered French estate agents and speak both French and English. Whatever kind of property you are looking for: farmhouse, longere, barn, gite, B&B, country house, mill, castle or chateau, we will do our best to find a property in Aquitaine matching your requirements. Do not hesitate to contact us to find out more about our selection of properties for sale in Excideuil.