The Dordogne really is the quintessential French countryside location with a gorgeous combination of lush rolling hills and picture perfect villages. It can of course be reach by plane with direct flight from a handful of UK airports into Bergerac, but there are some great, more green option on the train as well. The region welcomes some three million tourists each year, the equivalent of the population of Wales, yet if you want a bit of peace and quiet, bar the odd busy market day, it’s not hard to find. The village of Monpazier, that we’ve used as a base for this search, is thought to be the best preserved bastide in the area, the French name for a medieval fortified town. Founded in the 13thcentury, it’s a truly magical place to wonder round and enjoy a coffee, its easy to see why my visitors fall in love with the area.