We enjoyed our 11 day stay in the gite above the mill (?the original miller's house). The house, which is approached by a long grass track up which you must reverse on leaving, has been converted with thought and style and is well equipped. There was also ample space to sit on the verandah, though no view of the river from this side and occasional road noise. The high ceilings and stone walls kept the house cool when the weather became warm. However it was unseasonably wet and cold at first and we appreciated the woodburning stove which Nathalie had lit for our arrival (ample supply of wood) and the groceries she left for next morning. There is a good Leclerc supermarket 5 mins drive on the edge of Riberac, an unassuming and pleasant town with an excellent and famous Friday market and we liked sitting under the trees outside the Cafe des Colonnes, a very long established traditional cafe in the market place.There are good local restaurants and we would recommend A Fleur d'Eau by the river in Riberac
We had free access to the canoes and could sit by the river, but the recent heavy rain meant we drove 20 mins to Lac Jemaye to swim. This has a good beach and can be busy, but fine if you choose your time. We also enjoyed cycling around quiet and pretty local villages with their fine Romanesque churches, visiting the abbey caves at Brantome - though the village is a bit touristy. The village of Aubeterre , though very beautiful and with an extraordinary 12th century rock hewn church, did not seem overwhelmed by tourism. Nor did the area generally, unlike parts of the Dordogne further South.
