Les Chalets de La Vialette

The Dordogne river is well known as a canoeing spot, so bring your vessels along for a good paddle, or hire them from Argentat-sur-Dordogne (15 minutes’ drive). For other water-based activities, head to Lac de Feyt (10 minutes) for a lake beach and paddleboard hire, or to Lac d’Auriac (25 minutes) for an inflatable assault course. Walking is a great option in these lovely surroundings too, of course – perhaps a riverside stroll, a wander around the ruined fortress of Tours de Merle (half an hour) or an uphill hike to Le Roc du Busatier (35 minutes) for gorgeous river views. Via Ferrata Dordogne (25 minutes) is a well-maintained climbing trail overlooking the river, and Charmant Moulin (20 minutes) is a good local option for horse riding. To explore more of the area’s history, step into medieval rural life at the Farms of the Middle Ages Xaintrie open-air museum (20 minutes), or stroll around Salers (50 minutes), a member of the Most Beautiful Villages in France with lots of attractive buildings and top-notch local food to try out.