Aubeterre: Pretty town (an hour's drive from La Maison Rose) with many restaurants and bars. Well worth a visit is the monolithic church of Saint-Jean of Aubeterre: being unique, as all in one site are: a baptismal font, a circular gallery, a monument of the mausoleum type, a burial chamber just as remarkable, and a crypt.

Angouleme : Historic old town (30-40 minute drive from Maison Rose) with vast amount of restaurants, bars, shops, churches and a good weekly market every Saturday. Hosts an annual International Comic Strip Festival! Served by TGV train service from Paris + Lille.

Bergerac: (80 minutes drive from Maison Rose) On the River Dordogne and 'capital of Perigord Purple', with timber framed houses, pavement cafes, museums and wine estates. Once a flourishing wine trade port, it remains the market centre for surrounding maize, vine and tobacco farms.

Brantome : On G.R. 36, and known locally as “Venice of the Dordogne”, this town is beautiful, perhaps 30 minutes drive from Maison Rose. It is an “island” town, "looped" by the River Dronne - a lazy, friendly river offering tranquillity itself, with slow 30 minute boat rides upstream and back. You can hire canoes and safely slip over a gentle, shallow weir – an activity much favoured by young and old alike.
Famous Brantome Abbey is dated to the 18th century, though an abbey has been on site since the 8th century! Brantome has many restaurants, both in town and along the riverside with varying menus. There is also a large choice of shops plus, in the main season, a weekly Saturday market.

Foret de la Double – Naturels de la Jemaye: Beautiful natural wooded areas for walks and picnics, with restaurant/bar, clean sandy beach areas provide safe swimming (with life guard), water sports, beach volley ball and vast children’s play area, and ample parking right up to the beach. The lake is a hidden gem less than 40 minutes drive from Maison Rose.

Grotte de Villars : a brilliantly interesting place to visit for all ages, about 40 minutes drive from Maison Rose. The largest underground network in the Perigord, with more than 13 kms explored to date. The tour starts with a 20 minute video, designed to help you understand the geological phenomena and make the visit unforgettable, followed by a guided tour through beautiful underground scenery, showing impressive flows of calcite deposits, delicate stalactites, unusual calcite formations looking like fonts, transparent draperies and countless stalagmites. In total, tour and video show take just over an hour.
In winter 2010, adult admission is €7.50; €4.50 for children; under 5s - free.

Perigueux: Historic town with a magnificent cathedral. Perigueux is the capital city of the Dordogne on the River L’Isle. Nearby is the region's largest shopping area at Trelissac/Boulzac.

Royan: - maybe the most prestigious seaside resort on the Atlantic less than 2 hour drive of Maison Rose. Catering for most sports, including wind-surfing, you'll find fun or just enjoy strolling the 3 star Michelin rated 2km of sandy beaches. N.E. of Royan is 'Zoo de La Palmyre' with 1600 animals to see, so there's something for the children too.

Village Bournat: Re-creation of a Dordogne village 100 years ago with local craftsmen and funfair. Witness the old life - a mill pressing walnuts for their oil; baker baking bread in the old way; a feuillardier making barrels in his hut; a wedding ceremony, and a school bell is ready to ring, welcoming all pupils dressed in their aprons. There are refreshments and Village Bournat invites you to sample the regional products, on sale in the shop.