Brantôme, Perigord Vert, France

Brantôme is in what is known as Perigord Vert, and the last of the four regions to visit. The médiévale town has what is thought to be the oldest bell tower in France, dating back to the 11th century and gets some of it’s height from being built into the rock face. This town is notable for well preserved architecture, coupled with exceptional parking (definitely not a given in a town built pre-automobiles) and a river runs through it.

Another feature is that a river runs through it. Brantome sits on a bend of the river Dronne that encircles a large part of the town and the steep wooded slopes form an attractive backdrop. The Benedictine Abbey on the river's edge is superb and this along with the old stone bridge, weir and pretty mill now turned into a splendid hotel and restaurant all make for a very photogenic scene and make Brantome one of the most beautiful towns of the Perigord Vert.

The Abbey, which the town was built up around, was built by Charlemagne in 769 and is the main historical highlight of the town along with its troglodyte caves including the famous cave of the 'Last Judgement'.