©Albert
© Jac’ Phot
© Bertrand Rieger
“Because it’s been so well preserved, discovering
Villefranche is a truly authentic experience.The village
has conserved a beautiful Consuls House and a series
of narrow corridors between buildings called ‘andrones’
originally designed to prevent fires from spreading.
Magnificent chestnut forests, just perfect for relaxing walks,
surround the area. Chestnut trees prospered here because
of the iron-rich, acidic and well-drained soil. Locally known
as the“bread tree”, chestnuts have fed generations in
this region since the Gallo-Roman era.With this wealth
of knowledge handed down to us from times gone by, we
grow several acres of chestnut trees and produce organic
products from A to Z with our harvest…”
Villefranche is the first village in Dordogne to have
received the “Outstanding Place of Taste” label
awarded by the French Ministries of Culture,Tourism,
Environment and Agriculture. Gourmet Tours, organized
from springtime onwards, give you the opportunity to
see for yourself! Starting out from the village, an eleven-
kilometer hike to taste chestnuts and foie-gras with local
producers.
“There’s nothing like
a stroll through the
chestnut groves!”
The Vigouroux,
chestnut growers
A first in Périgord
A LITTLE BACKGROUND
Take the time: in Springtime, sip a drink in one of the
patio-bars, under the archways in the village square; in
the Summer, listen out for the melodious tones of the cep
growers on Market Day; in Autumn savor the aroma of
roasted chestnuts… And for a taste of poetry, just listen to
Serge Vigouroux express his love for his native Périgord.
He will give you a tour of his property the Domaine de
Rapatel
E
, where you can visit the splendid chestnut
groves and the old stone-mill where the harvest is trans-
formed, while his wife Camille, will be busy creating some
sweet or savory delicacy—chestnut based of course.
Enjoy the “Dolce Vita” in Périgord
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24+1 VILLAGES OF PERIGORD
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