The countdown to summer is here! With lots of European airlines offering January and February sales, many people are planning their escape to warmer climes. We often get a lot of bookings during these months, so to help with the holiday inspiration we have put together a list of places that you can visit when staying with us at Cousserat Holiday Homes.
We are located in the Gironde region, but we are very close to the departments of Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne, so Cousserat makes an ideal base to explore the surrounding area, whilst being able to retreat to the gîte after a day sightseeing. We’ve also had guests who have taken nearby city breaks, soaking in the city buzz before coming to Cousserat to then truly relax in the slower pace of the French countryside.
The City Break Add-on
Our nearest major airports are Bergerac, Bordeaux and Toulouse, so these are ideal destinations to add a night's stay before you come to Cousserat.
Bordeaux - You can easily visit Bordeaux as a day trip from Cousserat, but as there is so much to explore, and with a thriving nightlife, a night’s stay in Bordeaux is definitely justified if you are flying in/out of Bordeaux-Mérignac airport.
The city is mesmerising enough to just wander around and admire the architecture, street life and monuments but here are three favourites:
The Bordeaux wine museum, La Cité du Vin (you could actually spend a whole day here!)
Miroir d'Eau ‘the water mirror’, the world’s largest reflecting pool, celebrating the stunning views of the old architecture of Place de la Bourse.
St.Andre Cathedral - Climb the bell tower for magnificent views of the city (pictured left).
Bergerac - A charming town on the banks on the Dordogne River, with the old town featuring medieval timbered façades. This small and understated town is sure to impress! Historically, Bergerac was an important stop along the river trading routes, and you can get a feel of this by taking a trip down the Dordogne river on a flat bottomed Gabarre boat. The town later received fame in the form of Cyrano de Bergerac the main character in Edmond Rostand’s acclaimed play. You can soak up the drama amongst statues of Cyrano de Bergerac scattered around the town, and sit in a cafe on the square watching the animation of people go by.
Bergerac is a small town so you will have ample time to sightsee on the way to/from the airport. Alternatively, you could take a day trip from Cousserat and combine other activities enroute, such as canoeing, cycling and wine tasting. (Bergerac Airport is 45 min drive from Cousserat).
Toulouse - The airports of Bordeaux and Bergerac are nearest, but Toulouse is still only around 2 hours drive, making it a perfect place to fly into and explore before your stay with us. La Ville Rose (the pink city) is worth a stopover really, if only just to see the sunset that lights up the city's pink and terracotta buildings.
We adore Toulouse, it is full of contrasts - it is lively but also calm and laid back, a modern metropolis but also rich in history, with the elaborately decorated Place du Capitole and the magnificent Basilica of Saint-Sernin.
After a day or two strolling through the rose coloured streets, you can be rest assured that the relaxing swimming pool and comfort of Cousserat will be waiting for you.
Day Trips
Sarlat - This area of Dordogne can get quite busy with tourists, but only for good reason as Sarlat is a beautifully preserved historical village. The market on Wednesday and Saturday is definitely recommended, especially for food lovers who wish to sample the Périgord delicacies such as foie gras and truffles. It is a pleasantly scenic 2 hour drive away from Cousserat, perfect for exploring the countryside or wine tasting enroute.
Saint-Émilion - Speaking of picture postcard villages, nothing beats the medieval village and UNESCO world heritage site of Saint-Émilion. It is home to some of the finest wine in the world and is full of gastronomic delights. As one of our most visited day trips we wrote a whole blog on it: ‘A Day Out in Saint Emilion’
Just a 20 minute drive from Cousserat, you can keep going back for more (which many of our returning guests do!)
Grande Dune du Pilat, Arcachon - The Grande Dune du Pilat is bucket list worthy as it is the highest sand dune in Europe! It can be hard work climbing the dune but once up there you will be struck by its magnitude. On one side you have the extensive pine forest and on the other you have spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean. After this why not have lunch or dinner at one of the amazing restaurants in the lovely seaside town of Arcachon where oysters, prawns and other fish are the speciality.
There are so many amazing places to see in the surrounding area. Whether you decide to add some sightseeing onto the beginning or end of your trip, or use Cousserat as a base for exploring, you can rest safely knowing that the tranquility of your holiday home awaits.
*For more information on things to see and do you can visit our ‘see and do’ page, or follow us on intagram @cousserat. In each gîte there is a file carefully updated with local information and recommendations for things like our favourite restaurants, local vineyards, sporting activities and more.