The Holiday Handbook

THE HOLIDAY

HANDBOOK

THE RIVER AT BRANTOME

Everything you need to

Design & branding by know to make the most of your stay at Le Paillere [email protected]

THE HOLIDAY

HANDBOOK

Sandy St John & Jon Allbutt Le Paillere 18 La Vigerie 24600 Villetoureix

Welcome to Le Paillere The beauty of having known the area for a while is getting to know about all the hidden gems as well as the more well-known Welcome to our holiday home – we hope you enjoy it as much as we attractions. The fabulous little patisserie in Allemans that makes the do. There is nothing like seeing the sun rise, enjoying fresh croissants most delicious cakes; the chanteur in Aubeterre who serenades in the garden and knowing you have the whole day to relax around tourists in summer, and bakes beautiful sourdough bread to sell on the pool and garden or go out and have a leisurely lunch by a local the market out of season. river. We hope you have a stress free holiday but if you have any problems at all, please contact ourselves or SallyAnne and Peter The rich cultural life of South West France is what brings many (contact details on page 11). people to the area. The towns and villages surrounding us are home to artists, craftspeople and highly skilled artisans, whose

work will provide you with beautiful mementos of your visit.

About us Discover the wealth of local heritage sites; the caves at Lascaux and Villars with their prehistoric paintings, the historic towns of We live in England. We have two Brantôme and Bordeilles, and the subterranean Église Monolithe married sons and four in Aubeterre are but a few of the many highlights of the area. grandchildren. After retiring, we There are some spectacular ways to enjoy these historical sites too; both wanted a project and to the annual Baroque music festival in the Dordogne takes in spend more time in France which Brantôme abbey as a venue, and there are regular classical recitals in we love. the Église in Aubeterre, which you can book through the tourist information office in the village. We first fell in love with this part of France 35 years ago when we made the first of many visits to The arts are well supported in France, and you are as likely to find friends who had bought a property in Lusignac. We just loved the a poetry reading or one-person spectacle taking place in the local peace and tranquility of the beautiful countryside, visiting the many salle des fêtes as you are in the town centre, call into the Centre delightful towns and villages and sampling the local cuisine. Culturel in Ribérac for details on cultural events whilst you’re here. We always wanted to buy a property in this area and finally had the opportunity in 2012. After much searching, we bought Le Paillere (the As hosts and advocates for the area, we are committed to ensuring Hayfield). We have already had several brilliant family holidays with that our guests get to know the real France and that you, like us, are the grandchildren and plan to have many more. inspired to return year after year.

1 2 Exploring the locale Eating out

At the end of the handbook, you will find three maps of Ribérac showing Lisle – Le Moulin du Pont, Route de Grand Brassac, 24350 Lisle. t: 05 53 04 the location of various local services including a link to the interactive map 51 75. e: [email protected] It’s about a 20 minute drive but online and QR code for guests with smart phones and a QR reader. worth it. Superb food served on the terrace overlooking the river.

Eating out Ribérac - Le Citronnier, 3 Place Nationale, 24600 Ribérac. There is a wealth of places to sample the excellent local cuisine; here are t: 05 53 90 22 72 just a few personal recommendations near Le Paillere: Ribérac - A Fleur d’Eau, Aux Deux Ponts, 24600 Villetoureix, Ribérac. t: 05 53 91 09 74. Excellent lunches. St Paul Lizone - Le Coquelicot,(French for wild poppy) Les Chapelles, 24320 St Paul Lizone. t: 05 53 91 69 24. Vanxains - Auberge du Pauly, On the D5 between St Aulaye and Ribérac, Popular restaurant in a beautiful setting above the village. 5 mins from Ribérac, 10 mins from Aubeterre, 24600 Vanxains. t: 05 53 90 17 26. Great pancakes. St Paul Lizone - La Vielle Maison, Le Bourg, 24320 St Paul Lizone. Coutures - Le Petit Couture, Le Bourg, 24320 Coutures. t: 05 53 91 61 31 w: www.lavieillemaison.eu t: 05 53 91 15 71 Small family run hotel and restaurant, originally built in the 17th century. They source local produce and have a beautiful terrace seating area. Neuvic - La Pomme Dorée, 11 Place Eglise, 24190 Neuvic. t: 05 53 80 60 34 Verteillac - Bistro Verticalle, Place de L’Eglise, 24320 Verteillac Neuvic - Le Bouchon, 1 place Eugène Leroy, 24190 Neuvic sur Isle. t: 05 53 91 67 90 Reservations [email protected] or text to 0650 232301 t: 05 53 82 14 87 Good bistro food at reasonable prices. For parties of 4 or more after 8pm, you need to reserve. Soirac de Ribérac - La Lavoir, Le Bourg, 24600 Siorac-de-Ribérac. t: 05 53 90 25 51 Aubeterre - Crêperie de la Source, 4 Rue St Jean, 16390 Aubeterre. t: 05 45 98 61 78 e: [email protected] A Table - La Lunaire, 24320 Cherval, Verteillac t: 06 79 62 33 84 Excellent food in one of the most beautiful villages in France. Booking [email protected]. For a very different and special eating advisable, and make sure you ask for a table on the terrace, the views are experience. Small and intimate. Off the beaten track surrounded as mouthwatering as the galettes! by beautiful countryside. Jo and Alice are wonderful hosts. Villetoureix - Chez Severine – Le Bourg, 24600, Villetoureix t: 05 53 91 36 91 mail [email protected] Menu du Jour is excellent value, lovely local bar/restaurant

3 4 Good to know

Merlaud convenience store in Verteillac: Known as the ‘Harrods of the Dordogne’, this shop quite literally has everything you could possibly need whilst here, and a great deal you probably won’t! If you find yourselves in this pretty village, it’s worth popping your head in just to experience the tardis-like interior hiding behind the average-looking if very neat store front.

Opening hours

Monday CLOSED

Tues.-Sat. 09:00-12:30 - 14:30-19:00

Sunday 09:30-12.00 Place Trarieux in Aubeterre, the perfect spot for relaxing and taking in

the atmosphere

Image courtesy of Jack ma (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA- 3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons Le Moulin de Bordeilles, the mill at Bordeilles

5 6

La boulangerie Market days

Opening times of some local bakeries, perfect for your morning croissant Your holiday wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the markets and baguette. and fairs that are such a feature of life here in France. Typical of these is the weekly market in Ribérac. Reputedly the largest in Périgord, it Bakery on the way into Ribérac - marked on map showcases the work of local craftspeople, alongside the best local food Mon. - Sat. 06:00-13:15 - 14:30-19:30 producers. Spit-roasted poulet, organic goats cheese, local honey, bread, fruit & veg, fresh fish and meat, cognac, confit de canard; all the Thursday CLOSED traditional French edible delights are on offer alongside rather more unexpected treats like hand-made pasties and Chinese or Indian Sunday 07:00-12.30 takeaways! Most markets run in the mornings, often closing at lunchtime, so it’s best to get along nice and early to make sure you get Verteillac the pick of the crop. Here are a few of our favourites:

Mon. - Sat. 07:00 - 9:30 Ribérac: Friday - local produce, arts & crafts, general goods.

Tuesday CLOSED Chalais: Monday - local produce & general goods.

Sunday 07:00 - 3:00 Angoulême: Daily in the Halles Centrales - local produce.

Aubeterre: Sunday - local produce, arts & crafts. Boulangerie du Marché, Riberac

Bergerac: Wednesday & Saturday - local produce, arts & crafts. Monday CLOSED Brantôme: Friday - local produce, arts & crafts. Tues. - Sun. 07:00-13:00 - 15:00-19:00 Périgueux: Wednesday & Saturday - local produce, arts & crafts.

Allemans St Aulaye: Saturday - local produce, arts & crafts.

Mon. - Fri. 07:00-13:00 - 16:00-19:30 Verteillac: Saturday - local produce, 1st Sun of month - brocante

Wednesday CLOSED To find out more about markets in the area, visit the tourist office in Ribérac, or check out the markets site on the useful links page. Saturday 07:30-12:30 - 16:30-19:30

Sunday 07:30-13:00

7 8

Don’t miss Getting online & some useful links Information

Aubeterre-Sur-Dronne: Set into the steep hillside above the river Dronne Whilst at Le Paillere, you are welcome to use the computer located in the with its beach and river bathing, you’re sure to be enchanted by study downstairs. Simply switch on, select Guest Acc and enter the following password: lepaillere Aubeterre’s quintessential French charm, meandering streets and artisan shops. Many a pleasant hour is to be spent strolling around the shops For those with wifi enabled devices, simply enter the WEP key below, followed by a leisurely lunch around the village square, Place Trarieux, at no spaces, all lower case.

one of the cafés or restaurants. The subterranean church is also worth a WEP KEY: lavigerie visit. Brantôme: With its breathtaking abbey and Romanesque tower, reputedly If you do want to get online whilst in town, the Café des Colonnes and Leclerc in Riberac both have free Wi-Fi. one of the oldest in France, Brantôme attracted its first inhabitants over 40,000 years ago. It has unique shops for the treasure hunter, canoeing for Useful links: the energetic, and numerous bars & restaurants over-looking the river which flows through the town. A magical place, not to be missed. www.riberac.fr - Official website for Ribérac, French only. www.dordogne.angloinfo.com - Very good ‘what’s on’ section. Brantome Police Horses: A wonderful afternoon spent at this ‘retirement www.discover-poitou-charentes.com - lovely informative website, the home’ for old and injured Metropolitan Police Horses including tea and homemade cakes. See leaflet in hall. blog is particularly worth a read.

Bourdeilles: It may not boast the grandeur of its neighbour Brantôme, www.guide-du-perigord.com - Another good area guide. but Bourdeilles has a charm and magic all of its own. The château is well www.pays-de-bergerac.com-Official site of Bergerac & area. worth a visit, and there are several cafés and eateries to tempt you after a www.southweststory.com - Where to go in SW France. stroll over the bridge to watch the swallows dip and dive for insects above www.perigord-vert.com - French, good interactive map. the river. You’ll also find the most charming mill right in the middle of the river! www.grotte-villars.com - The caves at Villars. www.aubeterresurdronne.com - Official site for Aubeterre. Sarlat: One of the best preserved historic cities in France. Step back in time over a thousand years as you wander through the cobbled streets of the www.brantome.info - Insider ’s guide to Brantôme. capital of Périgord Noir. www.frenchmarketdays.com - More markets in the area

Les Grotes des Villars: ‘One cold, winter evening at the end of the year 1953, Brilliant blogs about the area, and life in France: a team of pothollers from the Périgueux Spelunking club were wandering around www.charentebirding.blogspot.fr the Cluzeau coppice. By some large rocks they discovered a foxes’ earth, an www.poitoucharentesinphotos.wordpress.com opening blocked by stones and therefore impenetrable. There was a slight mist www.ourfrenchgarden.blogspot.fr emerging from the meatus, there was no doubt about it: behind it was an underground passage… breathing.’ www.jardin-perdu.com

The spectacular painted caves of Villars had been discovered. 10 9

Household Information Household Information

Dealing with Waste: You will find two containers under the sink in the The outdoor rotary clothes line is on the left side of the house. kitchen. Please note – there is no recycling of organic waste in France. Each Dishwasher: To select a programme press the top left button. We find container uses a different coloured liner – black and yellow. the programme P4 ‘Excellent’ ideal for all uses; start a cycle by pressing Non Recyclable Waste from Kitchen, Bathroom and Bedrooms: the ‘Start’ button (bottom left) and then to change the length of cycle Please use the black liners for non-recyclable waste (you will find a supply press the bottom right button to choose 29 or 59 minutes. in the utility room) and take to the roadside collection bins; the nearest Cooker. The range cooker ovens are electric and the hob uses bottled collection bins are a short walk out of the drive, turn left and left again, gas; to light a gas burner, push in the knob and turn anti-clockwise, the bins are immediately on your left – note – black liners are put into the press ignition button and hold in for approx. 5 seconds. You will find green collection bins. the gas bottle plus a spare in the cupboard in the hall. If the gas runs Recycling: There is a weekly recycling collection each Thursday. Please out, turn off the supply at the top of the gas bottle and detach the use the yellow liners (you will find a supply in the utility room) for paper, connection using the spanner attached to the pipe (Note – this is a left plastic and tin and put outside the house the night before the collection or handed thread!). If after changing the bottle, the gas burners do not take them to the Yellow collection bin as above. All glass items to be put ignite when switched on, go back to the bottle and press the safety in the beige container in the utility room and be taken separately to the button located underneath the connector pipe where it joins the large round green glass collection bins (Verres). The nearest bin is down a regulator. When using the grill please note that the grill pan handle left turn (La Borie) just before the first roundabout on the way into Riberac. (located in the drawer to the left of the cooker) is attached by putting Bedroom and Toilet Waste: Only toilet paper must be flushed down the it on the corner of the pan and sliding it along to the centre position – toilets; the local sewer pipes are narrow and block easily. Baby wipes, this had us foxed for a while!! nappies and sanitary products must be disposed of in the general non Fire Safety. There is a fire extinguisher and fire blanket on the wall on recyclable refuse. the left hand side of the arch to the utility room. The Electricity Supply – France is known to have interruptions to the Hot water supply: The hot water is provided by an oil fired boiler that supply without warning, this is only usually for a short period only. operates on a time clock. It is set to provide an ample supply for House electricity systems are also sensitive and only a small surge showers, washing etc. can result in part of the supply ‘tripping out’. The supply trip switches are located in the tall cupboard near the exit door in the Keeping cool: Each of the upstairs bedrooms has a large ceiling fan with utility room; if you find that one of the switches has ‘tripped out’ and adjustable fan speeds. There are also a number of floor mounted fans. will not re-set please call us immediately. In very hot weather, it will help to keep the ground floor cool if you close the shutter and keep all the windows and doors open from mid- Washing machine: The instructions are in French so here are some tips: morning until early evening • The ‘Synthetique’ programme should cover most of your requirements; it takes 1 hour 23 minutes. Television: You will find a HD/3D television in the lounge with a DVD/Blu-Ray player and Freesat recording box. There are five sets of • Change the temperature settings by pressing the top right button 3D viewing glasses in the top right drawer of the TV cabinet. • To start a cycle press the bottom right button ‘Depart/Pause’ 12 • For a very quick wash use the Express programme, only 39 minutes. 11 Household Information The swimming pool & garden

How to use the television: First switch on the television using the LG Water quality in the pool: We have a local chap called Daniel who will control. Then using the Humax control, press the power button., making call twice weekly to check and adjust the pool water quality very often sure the PVR button lights up .If it doesn’t, press the PVR button for a early in the morning. Daniel will also keep an eye on the hot water boiler couple of seconds. It should then read ‘boot’ and automatically go to the (he has his own set of keys). last channel watched. This can take a couple of minutes. To change The pool is fitted with an automatic pool cleaner that operates on a channels, use the Humax control only using Guide or if you know the timing switch – please do not remove it. Please note that the pool channel number, dial it (remember to point the remote control at the cleaner can become tangled in the pool access steps so please remove Humax box under the TV, otherwise it will not respond). the steps when not in use. You may notice in the early morning that there could be some bugs, Gate: There is an intercom on the gate pillar for visitors to announce leaves and other debris on the surface, you can easily remove these themselves, which buzzes in the house. Lift the handset by the front door using the long reach pool net provided and you can see who is calling on the screen. You can then speak to them if necessary. To open or close the gates from inside the house, press the The pool enclosure: For your security and peace of mind, the pool area bottom button. You can also close, or open, the gates by using the remote is fenced with a self-closing gate according to the law in France. The control unit on your key ring. handle to open the gate is located above the reach of a small child. For

additional security you can lock the gate using the key in the basket by Spring flowers in the garden... the front door. Please make sure the pool area is secure and to supervise your children in and around the pool at all times. You will find a number of parasols and inflatables for use around the pool, we also provide six sun loungers and two reclining chairs. The covers and parasols are kept in the Cafe a La Piscine to prevent them from getting damp. Please put them away each evening as at this time of year there can be sudden high winds and brief storms, often in the late afternoon/evening.

Eating & drinking in the pool area: For your own safety, please only use plastic ‘glasses’ in the garden and pool area. There are some in the the cupboard to the right of the cooker in the kitchen and in the cupboard in the blue ‘café’ by the pool.

The Garden Fruit Trees Please help yourself to any fruit that might be ready to eat.

The swimming pool & garden Emergency numbers

Plant Watering: We have an automatic plant watering system which will Emergency numbers: From a mobile phone, the international emergency come on for a few minutes 3 times a day. Should it spring a leak, please number is 112. turn the tap off and give us a call. For any problems with the property or facilities, please contact us as soon as possible. In the unlikely event that we are unavailable, please contact SallyAnne and Peter Brown who look after the house for us in our absence, details below.

Sandy Mobile: 0044 (0)7889 911750 Jon Mobile: 0044 (0)7712 196406 Our UK Landline: 0044 (0)1959 577100 Email: [email protected] Sally-Anne & Peter Landline: 0033 (0)9 74 76 02 82 Mobile: 0033 (0)7 86 76 39 39

THE REAR GARDEN BEFORE THE NEW TERRACE

15 16

Shopping & relaxing in Ribérac

Aldi

Pharmacie de la Gare

Boulangerie

Wine merchant

Leclerc

Farmer ’s market

Organic grocers

Post Office

Pharmacie du Marché

Large area map showing the location of the supermarkets on the outskirts of town. To view the interactive map online, go to; Café des Colonnes

www.goo.gl/maps/IKI11

Office Tourisme Ribéracois opening hours: Centre Culturel & library

Low Season:

Mon - Fri: 10am - 12.30pm / 2pm - 5pm Tourist Information Sat: 9.30am-12.30pm

July & August: Boulangerie du Marché Mon - Sat: 9am - 1pm / 2.30pm - 6.30pm Sun & public holidays : 10am - 1pm Gallerie le 5

Cinéma Max Linder Do you have a smart phone and QR reader? Simply scan this code to download the map to your phone for use whilst out and about. You Netto

can download a QR reader for free from the

App store on your smartphone. Intermarché

Car Parking

17 Shopping & relaxing in Ribérac

Aldi

Pharmacie de la Gare

Boulangerie

Wine merchant

Leclerc

Farmer ’s market

Organic grocers

Post Office

Pharmacie du Marché

Café des Colonnes Most days, free parking can be found in front of the Café des Colonnes and the library, and opposite the Boulangerie du Marché. These are closed on market day, but you can still park in the car park in P1. Centre Culturel & library André Pradeau, marked on the map. This gets very busy on market day, so you will find that many people opt to park on Bd. François Mitterand. Tourist Information If you choose to do this, please be aware that it is an offence to park on a street facing the oncoming traffic, and look out for any driveways and dropped kerbs which must be kept clear. Just because the locals are Boulangerie du Marché doing it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s legal! Its first come first served another reason to get along to the market early. Gallerie le 5

Do you have a smart phone and QR reader? Simply scan this code to download the map to Cinéma Max Linder

your phone for use whilst out and about. You can download a QR reader for free from the App store on your smartphone. Netto

Intermarché

Car Parking 18 Shopping & relaxing in Ribérac

Aldi

Pharmacie de la Gare

Boulangerie

Wine merchant

Leclerc

Farmer ’s market

Organic grocers

Post Office

Pharmacie du Marché

Town centre map showing the main shopping area shaded in light Café des Colonnes orange. To view the interactive map online, go to; http://goo.gl/maps/IKI11. Centre Culturel & library

Office Tourisme Ribéracois opening hours: Tourist Information

Mon - Fri: 10am - 12.30pm / 2pm Sat: 9.30am-12.30pm Boulangerie du Marché

July & August: Mon - Sat: 9am - 1pm / 2.30pm - 6.30pm Gallerie le 5 Sun & public holidays : 10am - 1pm

Cinéma Max Linder

Netto Do you have a smart phone and QR reader? Simply scan this code to download the map to your phone for use whilst out and about. You Intermarché

can download a QR reader for free from the App store on your smartphone. Car Parking

Au revoir...

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading this handbook and have found it useful. We’d really appreciate it if you could leave this in the house when you leave for our next guests...

Bon voyage et à bientôt, Sandy & Jon