Top 5 things to do around Pensol when its raining

Things to Do on a Rainy Day in Pensol

It’s fair to say it has been a wet spring and early summer! But there is no need to let that ruin your holiday. We’ve gathered a list of things to do on a rainy day in Pensol when it just won’t stop raining.

1. Enjoy a long, leisurely lunch at a local restaurant.

Visitors from the UK, and more urban areas of Europe tend to not be tuned into the French habit of eating the main meal at lunchtime. When the rain is pelting down on your skylight, there is never a better time to enjoy one of the top things to do on a rainy day in Pensol: have a long, relaxed, and boozy lunch followed by a snooze back at your gîte. Restaurant hours tend to be much more reliable at lunchtime as they cater to the worker trade.

Evening opening hours in this part of La France profonde can be frustratingly erratic, especially Sunday to Tuesday. So the first shout out of this blog goes to Le Grange du Lac at St Mathieu lake, which as well as providing delicious food in a beautiful setting, makes sterling efforts to open on a Monday. 

If you’re staying with us at Le Moulin de Pensol, your closest restaurant is Les Feuillardiers at Marval – just 5 minutes by car. This is a wonderful thing to do on a rainy day – book a table by calling 0033 5 55 78 76 19,  or by sending a Facebook message – then lean into the long, enjoyable lunch vibe. Have an aperitif (who doesn’t love a kir – alcoholic Ribena and white wine), say ‘yes please’ whenever they offer to bring you anything. Enjoy the way the five courses magically appear in front of you without needing to make any choices or effort at all.

We would also recommend the Hostellerie de St Jacques at St Saud for a more fine-dining experience, where you can enjoy the playful decor, impeccable service and outstanding food, while the rain gets on with its thing outside. Keep an eye on your wine consumption though, their wine list is very expensive.

2. Brantome and Bourdeilles.

Brantome is a lovely place to explore, with plenty of places to nip into if the heavens open. The walls of the Benedictine abbey should keep you dry and you can watch the hardy souls canoeing on the beautiful river. Just down the road is the smaller and less touristy Bourdeilles, which boasts two chateau side by side. Lots of fun interpretation and good for kids.

3. Head for Rochechouart via St Mathieu

The quirky little town of St Mathieu is only 15 minutes away and is on the way to the bigger—and significantly harder to spell—Rochechouart. A great choice among the things to do on a rainy day in Pensol, you can stop in at the Art Cafe for a coffee, snack, or lunch, open from 10 AM to 3 PM every day except Sunday and Monday. Then pop round the corner to browse some Vintage clothing at Silhouettes and pick up some presents from the enchanting shabby chic emporium opposite, Coeur et Etoiles.

Then continue to head North until you see the magnificent chateau of Rochechouart. This modern art gallery is open daily March to December except Mondays – it closes for lunch but you should be tucked up in one of the town’s lovely restaurants by then. Try Hotel de France in the centre.

4. Visit the city of Perigueux

Larger cities are great when it rains because you can duck into a gallery or café when the showers come, or make like a local and borrow an umbrella from us. Perigueux is the capital of the Dordogne department but is still only just over an hour away. It’s well worth a visit, with its picturesque river, extensive Roman ruins, and impressive cathedral. When considering things to do on a rainy day in Pensol, Perigueux offers a vibrant cultural scene and numerous indoor attractions that can keep you entertained for hours. It’s probably more interesting for a visit than either Limoges or Angouleme—the other two cities in the area—though both have their charms.

5. Go underground – to Les Grottes de Villars

It doesn’t rain underground right? And the stunning Grottes de Villars are worth a visit whatever the weather. Just 30 minutes away, this enchanting underground world provides a unique experience that perfectly complements the things to do on a rainy day in Pensol. The nearby Chateau de Puyguilhem is also a fantastic option if it’s still raining.

Don’t let the rain dampen your spirits! Plan your visit today and make the most of your stay!

Remember folks this is what climate change looks like. That’s why we will continue to bang on about the three things we as a business can do to reduce our carbon footprint:

Eat less meat and dairy
Restore degraded habitats and soils on our land
Invest in renewable energy.