Despite the morning's torrential rain, we were out and down today. Down in Gouffre de Proumeyssac,…read morethat is. Driving through the rain and the heavy water on the roads was all made worthwhile by a visit to this spectacular chasm in the ground near La Bugue. The huge cave became well known after getting the nod from E.A. Martel in 1907 but its history goes back much further, the earliest mentions being in the 18th century. Early visitors went down in a cradle or basket and you can still do that today. I didn't and I'm sorry. In fact, nobody seemed to take it up, maybe because it cost close to double the EUR8.60 simple entry cost. The original entry hole, once used for dumping rubbish (including animal carcases) is used for the basket but the normal tourist is guided down a sloping tunnel and into the huge chasm to start his circular trip on the balcony. Then the lights go out and you see the basket descend. Music plays and the lights come up again reflecting off the dropping water (not too much of it!). Then you see the stalactites and stalagmites and columns and the little lake at the bottom. We were supplied with an audio-guide (5 or 6 languages are available) and this was certainly a help but you do miss the personality of the guide. Our helpful fellow raised a few laughs as he took us around. There are some huge crystallations, including one called the Medusa. The facility is well equipped with car parks, picnic areas and walks and, don't forget to go and see the original entrance, now with a small structure over it, from where the basket works.

Really great views, trip, and experience. Tour not available in English sadly but we loved it…read more Highly recommend.

Woke to a lovely morning here in Sarlat, made even lovelier when a small deer skipped its way…read morearound the garden shrubbery. Just in case you think it was dawn, it was far from it as it was just before ten. Headed out then to visit the World Heritage site of Cloitre de Cadouin, a decent drive away. Here the good mood continued when the receptionist, who enjoyed here three months in UCC improving her English, presented us with a smashing bottle of Bergerac Molleaux (from the Caves de Monbazillac) as a reward for being persistent tourists. We had clocked up four visits to such sites and so earned the wine. As it was, we had visited almost twice that number but didn't realise that such a scheme was in force until well into our holiday. The complex boasts a fine church but is it the 15th century cloisters in the Flamboyant Gothic Style, and sponsored by Louis X1, that are the highlight here. Fine doors at the four corners, the abbot's throne and the restored chapterhouse are the features, though there are many more. A short but quite impressive visit.

CHATEAU DE MONBAZILLAC Chateau de Monbazillac…read more24240 Monbazillac http://www.chateau-monbazillac.com 05 53 61 52 52 and 05 53 63 65 00 An afternoon visit to the Chateau de Monbazillac was the highlight today. We arrived at the home of the famous sweet wine after a 70 km trip. Built around 1550, the chateau stands today almost exactly as when built by the AYDIE family more than four centuries ago. This was a very interesting visit indeed, highlights including the Grand Salon, the Mouney-Sully Hall, the Grand Staircase and the Hall of Bottles. The world renowned vineyard was first cultivated in the 11th century and is famous for using the noble rot method to make its sweet wines which draw thousands of visitors every year. We availed of the tasting service, naturally, and purchased some of the golden nectar along with some Bergerac Rouge and Bergerac Sec. In entering this place, you are entering a part of the History of France. So says one of the chateau's leaflets. Today, the Wine Cooperative of Monbazillac owns the chateau and makes every effort to look after the monument and open it as much as possible to visitors. For EUR6.40, we thought it was very good value indeed.

The famous sweet white wines of Monbazillac are grown in the vineyards surrounding this historical…read moremonument dating from 1550. We visited on a day that it rained followed by sunshine and were delightfully greeted with double rainbows arching over the vineyards and behind the Chateau creating postcard perfect memories. Le Chateau boasts twenty furnished rooms with unique and original architecture. Make sure to go down the stairs to the wine cellars and read some of the historical documents. When we visited, the top floor dining room was hosting a very odd art show of trash and garbage. We weren't sure what the meaning was, however, we decided to think about it as a nod to the importance of recycling. The view from the northern terrace offers extraordinary landscapes over the Bergerac valley and the Dordogne river. The white wine was too sweet for our California palate, but would be delicious over ice cream as a dessert!