Guidebook for Villefranche-de-Lonchat
Parks & Nature
There is a man-made freshwater lake which is an easy and pleasant short 5 min walk (entrance free). It has a sandy beach and a separate fishing lake. There are several casual eating places located around the lake with a popular beach cafe/bar. You can walk around the lake, play tennis, sunbathe or paddle a canoe. The more active can run a safe circuit around the lake and back to the gite on the single track country roads. The beach provides much fun in the sun.
35 locals recommend
Lac de Gurson
There is a man-made freshwater lake which is an easy and pleasant short 5 min walk (entrance free). It has a sandy beach and a separate fishing lake. There are several casual eating places located around the lake with a popular beach cafe/bar. You can walk around the lake, play tennis, sunbathe or paddle a canoe. The more active can run a safe circuit around the lake and back to the gite on the single track country roads. The beach provides much fun in the sun.
Arcachon
67 Bd de la PlageVery French beach experience. Approx 2hr drive to this coastal town.
Food Scene
Pleasant location with outdoor terrace. Luxurious crepes, a la carte menu or individual items, a group can eat together but choose their own style. English spoken if necessary.
Les Marronniers
2 Grand RuePleasant location with outdoor terrace. Luxurious crepes, a la carte menu or individual items, a group can eat together but choose their own style. English spoken if necessary.
Good value French menu, locally sourced. Very friendly staff & atmosphere. English menu if required. Excellent for special occasion but not intimidating.
RESTAURANT LE PRESSOIR
20 Rue De MontponGood value French menu, locally sourced. Very friendly staff & atmosphere. English menu if required. Excellent for special occasion but not intimidating.
Walking distance from gite. Never had a disappointing meal. Traditional cuisine & very friendly atmosphere. Children very welcome.
12 locals recommend
L'un des sens
24 Rue Michel MontaigneWalking distance from gite. Never had a disappointing meal. Traditional cuisine & very friendly atmosphere. Children very welcome.
Short drive from gite through vineyards. Can shop for local wines in restaurant, quite a nice experience. Good value lunchtime set menu.
14 locals recommend
Comptoir De Genès
La CroixShort drive from gite through vineyards. Can shop for local wines in restaurant, quite a nice experience. Good value lunchtime set menu.
When you miss the French lunchime between 12-2pm, there's always McDonalds (good on a rainy day) Very close to supermarket. Free wifi.
McDonald's
94 Av. Georges PompidouWhen you miss the French lunchime between 12-2pm, there's always McDonalds (good on a rainy day) Very close to supermarket. Free wifi.
Every FRIDAY NIGHT in July & August EXCEPT the Friday before the Fete Cantonele (this usually happens SUNDAY 24th July)
Busy night market serving local cuisine. Picnic style benches & tables. Food served on plastic disposable plates & cutlery.
Buy local wine, buy drinks from the bar or hotel. Music & dancing.
11 locals recommend
Villefranche-de-Lonchat
Every FRIDAY NIGHT in July & August EXCEPT the Friday before the Fete Cantonele (this usually happens SUNDAY 24th July)
Busy night market serving local cuisine. Picnic style benches & tables. Food served on plastic disposable plates & cutlery.
Buy local wine, buy drinks from the bar or hotel. Music & dancing.
Drinks & Nightlife
Recently renamed 'La Cave des Chevaliers.' Local bar, serving meals at lunch or evening. Have a coffee or drink, anytime during the day. English spoken
Le Looong Chat
20 Rue Michel MontaigneRecently renamed 'La Cave des Chevaliers.' Local bar, serving meals at lunch or evening. Have a coffee or drink, anytime during the day. English spoken
Weekly TUESDAY night market. A short drive from the gite, starts approx 7pm. Local food & drink, picnic tables & benches provided. Music & dancing. This is a good night out with a range of food for most tastes.
Le Pizou
Weekly TUESDAY night market. A short drive from the gite, starts approx 7pm. Local food & drink, picnic tables & benches provided. Music & dancing. This is a good night out with a range of food for most tastes.
Sightseeing
Must visit St Emillion. Perfect for romantic evening meal. People watch in the beautiful square. Leisurely lunch or just sightsee.
816 locals recommend
Saint-Émilion
Must visit St Emillion. Perfect for romantic evening meal. People watch in the beautiful square. Leisurely lunch or just sightsee.
Bergerac
Pleasant town with many historic features.
Beautiful, easy city to navigate. Park & ride facilities make it very easy to access.
716 locals recommend
Bordeaux
Beautiful, easy city to navigate. Park & ride facilities make it very easy to access.
Chateau Duras
www.france-voyage.com/cities-towns/duras-16480.htm
Weekly THURSDAY NIGHT market.
64 locals recommend
Castle of the Dukes of Duras
Place du ChâteauChateau Duras
www.france-voyage.com/cities-towns/duras-16480.htm
Weekly THURSDAY NIGHT market.
Essentials
Intermarché Hyper et Drive
Avenue Georges PompidouFabulous supermarket.
Rue Gambetta
Rue GambettaThere are 2 small stores & a Pharmacy. Ideal for last minute items. Closed over lunch.
Getting Around
Drive to La Buttiniere Par & ride which will take you to the famous shopping street Rue St Catherine
http://bordeauxexpats.blogspot.fr/2012/05/bordeaux-tram-park-and-ride.html
La Buttinière
Drive to La Buttiniere Par & ride which will take you to the famous shopping street Rue St Catherine
http://bordeauxexpats.blogspot.fr/2012/05/bordeaux-tram-park-and-ride.html
Entertainment & Activities
High quality treetop adventure. Great on a dull day to pass time but also great on a hot day to be in shade.
http://www.accrozarbres.com/accueil.html
14 locals recommend
Dabrowski Jean-Claude
High quality treetop adventure. Great on a dull day to pass time but also great on a hot day to be in shade.
http://www.accrozarbres.com/accueil.html
Only in July & August
Canoe-kayak (8km) Eynesse/Pessac
10Euro child (<12yrs)
18Euro adult
Begins every hour, on the hour from 10am - 1pm
CAFE: PALMA NOVA with basic food open during lunch hours for food & all day for coffee/drinks
canoe for 2/3 people
kayak 1/2/3 people
22 locals recommend
Pessac-sur-Dordogne
Only in July & August
Canoe-kayak (8km) Eynesse/Pessac
10Euro child (<12yrs)
18Euro adult
Begins every hour, on the hour from 10am - 1pm
CAFE: PALMA NOVA with basic food open during lunch hours for food & all day for coffee/drinks
canoe for 2/3 people
kayak 1/2/3 people
www.trampolinepark.fr
Mon - Sat 10am-10pm
Sun 10am 9pm
(above 5yrs)
11 locals recommend
Trampoline Park - Let's Jump Bordeaux
49 Rue Pierre Baourwww.trampolinepark.fr
Mon - Sat 10am-10pm
Sun 10am 9pm
(above 5yrs)