Dordogne: Issigeac, Bergerac

[Freckles]

Hello. I emailed this forum about 6 months ago, requesting help in renting a house for a week this summer. Well, I found it, and will be heading down there with 5 friends on the 26th of June.

We'll be in the Dordogne, about 25 km out of Bergerac and 3 km from Issigeac. We hope to eat out almost every night. Not at expensive restaurants with michelin stars, but at friendly, relaxed places where we can eat well within a mid-level price range.

Do any of you have suggestions for restaurants in that part of the world? I would very much appreciate any suggestions.

Freckles in Paris

Edited June 16, 2004 by Freckles (log)

[Gavin Convery]

There is a restaurant in Issigeac itself that is quite resonable called Chez Alain, just outside the medieval walls. It is exactly what you require in terms of being friendly and relaxed, good local wine list, the cooking is of a good bourgeois standard.

I can't particularly recommend any restaurants in Bergerac but if you go further a field I can recommend Le Vieux Logis in Tremolat.

If you are a wine buff then make sure to stop at the roadside shop for Domaine de L'Ancienne Cure on the main road to Bergerac and if you can get to Chateau Richard in the Saussignac area (run by an englishman) then it will be worth your while if you like sweet wines. Also try and find Clos du Verdots off the main road to Bergerac (D6?).

There is also a restaurant in the Monbazillac area called La Tour des Vents - great views, food generally OK, good monbazillac wine list.

A websearch should find you the details of most of these.

[paulbrussel]

In a few weeks time, I will have lunch at twe to star restaurant Le Centenaire at Les-Eyzies-de-Tayac in the Dordogne, for 38 €.

Perhaps you can keep in mind that lunch is in general much cheaper in France then dinner, and more easy to get reservations for.

Do consult the Guide Michelin online, and you will see many restaurants in the neighbourhood, worthwhile going to.

[Gavin Convery]

Paul,

I would be interested in your experience of le Centenaire as I am booked for dinner in August!!

Gavin

[paulbrussel]

Gavin,

How very interesting! I will keep you informed, after I have come back early August (having eaten at Michel Bras, Akelare and Berasategui, who do interest me a bit more then Le Centenaire, as you may understand ).

Paul

[Gavin Convery]

I will be on holiday then, but we can compare notes afterwards. Still I have heard good things of this restaurant although not I guess at the level of Bras. It will be interesting to see how the two compare if that's possible!

[Freckles]

Thank you all so much for your help! I'm on the train to Bergerac tomorrow afternoon: should be at the rental house -- with my 5 pals -- by 8PM. Any last minute thoughts always welcome... in any case, I'll let you know how it goes when I return in July.

xox, Freckles a Paris

Edited June 25, 2004 by Freckles (log)