Château de Gurson by JGS25 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Perfectly placed to make the most of south-west Dordogne
Belle Surprise is an ideal base from which to explore the Dordogne’s Perigord Pourpre region. The gite is situated about a 35-minute drive from Bergerac and 25 minutes from Saint Emilion.
Our local village and neighbourhood
Carsac de Gurson is a small hilltop village with a rural community of around 200 inhabitants. The most notable local landmarks are the mairie (town hall), the church, variously reported as dating from the 11th, 12th or 13th century and the ruins of the castle that stood until its destruction on the king’s orders in 1254 and again in 1377. If you don’t mind the climb, you’ll be rewarded from the chateau’s elevated position with a fantastic view of the surrounding countryside.
Villefranche de Lonchat
Just a 6-minute drive away is the bastide town of Villefranche de Lonchat, which can trace its origins back to Edward I of England. In fact, prehistoric man settled here too, as the regular finds of Gallo-Roman artefacts on local farmland testify.
You’ll find shops, restaurants and a post office here. Market day is Tuesday.
Vineyards and winery tours
As you’d expect with the wine-producing powerhouses such as Bordeaux and Saint Emilion in close proximity, this is a region with vineyards cloaking the landscape for miles around. Carsac de Gurson even has a small vineyard of its own.
If you fancy a winery tour, several are on offer in the area, including Château Coutet (22km), Château Grand Corbin Manuel (22km) and Château Vieux Mougnac (13km).
