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Bordeaux and its vineyards | Périgueux and the north | Périgueux | Bergerac and around| Sarlat and the Périgord Noir | The upper Dordogne valley and Rocamadour | » The Syndicat des Bordeaux et Bordeaux Supérieur has announced an "offensive" in order to remedy the crisis hitting Bordeaux wine producers. While Bordeaux vineyards produced nearly 7 million hectolitre in 2004, sales only reached around 5.5 million hectolitres. Supermarket sales have held up in terms of volume, but monetary value has fallen as hard-discount stores account for an increasing proportion. The main problem lies in restaurant sales, which have fallen 6%, and exports, which are down 12% by volume and 22% in value. The value of exports to America has dropped 54%. The syndicate is calling on members to renovate and modernise. It proposes a block on all new plantation rights and a review of the appellations to restore their commercial viability.
» Later that day I lost track of where I was and crawled up the bank into what turned out to be the Manoir des Bellerive at Le Buisson. As it is now €150 plus €18 for breakfast I would not say I got more than I would have expected, but considering I turned up muddy and soaked, the non-snooty welcome was certainly not expected. We paddled another all the way to Limeuil - lovely place to roll up the boat. We stayed in the Hôtel Restaurant de Beauregard (€34) at the bottom of town - just 3 rooms, someone's house which is let out as a hotel in summer. We ate in the Le Chai resto - huge menu, nearly 100 sorbets - but nothing could match that Le Jardin meal.
» The latest technology is being used to create a new, portable facsimile of the famous Lascaux caves. Lascaux III, which should be unveiled late 2007, is designed to be exhibited around the world. You can catch it in Paris in 2008, followed by Japan, the USA and Australia.
» We ended up below La Roque St Christophe looking for a village. Luckily La Moustier was over the bridge where the Auberge de Vimont was a nicely modernised creaky hotel (€35) with a good resto and an unaltered 12th century church over the road. It was a lovely quiet hamlet without even moped boys disturbing the peace. We did La Roque next morning - most unusual and well worth €8.50. They give you an English folder to read. We thought the models and cartoons and occasional mannequins actually made the former settlement quite easy to visualize. Having paddled though a storm, I treated myself to a fantastic meal at the riverside Les Jardins des Milandes in the Parc Josephine Baker at Milandes. Three courses and coffee cost €30 but it was worth every penny. They do chambre d'hotes too.
The upper Dordogne valley and Rocamadour » I found the Camping les Borgnes (canoe hire) at St Sozy opposite Meyronne a very agreeable spot. Spacious, cheap (a big wigwam for €8) and not too much of a holiday camp as some campsites were.
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