Camping Domaine des Mathevies

Features & Facilities

This is a friendly, but restful place, so be prepared to while away a few hours with a glass of red wine. The café-bar houses a good selection of holiday reads and sells a selection of basic supplies such as milk. There’s a brand-new shower/wash-block with baby-changing facilities and toilets for disabled campers. Apart from the playground and swimming pools there’s also a tennis court. If the unthinkable happens and it rains, the yoga barn morphs into a kids’ area with board games, drawing materials and plenty more things to keep everyone busy. Free Wi-Fi across the campsite.

Activities

There are stacks of things to do locally if the active mood takes you, from lunching in Sarlat-la-Canéda or popping into a roadside wine-seller for a quick dégustation. Quality wine here is great value and Patrick can advise you on where to stock up. The owners can also organise pony-riding at a local farm or you can take Maisy, the campsite dog, for a walk. Canoeing is a must: the Dordogne River is lazily paced and it’s a wonderful adventure for kids (life jackets provided).

Food & Drink

The Cosy Nook Café turns out a bevy of barista style coffees, organic teas and alcoholic drinks. A range of great value wine is on offer thanks to a good relationship with local producers. In the evening food is served by local visiting caterers who set up on the terrace and offer a variety of local and world food. Nearby Sarlat-la-Canéda takes its cuisine very seriously and its winding streets are full of restaurants and bistros. For something different, Chez le Gaulois (05 53 59 50 64), tucked away in the centre of the old town, serves rustic platters of cheeses and charcuterie, boiled potatoes, salads and melted raclette. Service is great and the atmosphere superb. It’s small and popular so booking is advisable. There’s also Delpeyrat (05 53 28 10 43) in Carsac – a traditional French dining room, producing homemade delights, a great favourite with the locals. In true style meals can go on for some time, so it’s not perhaps the best for restless children. Out of town, try the Pech-de-Malet (05 53 28 14 82) in Vitrac, a family owned restaurant with fab terrace and views across the valley – ideal for kids. Finally, a two-minute drive from the campsite, L'Escale (05 53 59 22 18), in Sainte Nathalène, has a nice terrace and a family-friendly menu including, pizzas, steak frites and ice creams.

Directions

Take exit 55 from the A20 and follow the signs for the D703 (direction Sarlat). Turn right on to the D61 (direction Carlux). In the village of Carlux take the D47B towards Sainte Nathalène; turn left onto the D47 and go through the village of St Nathalène until you reach the only bar in the village. With the bar on your right, take the first road on the right (you will see an old petrol station/garage and agricultural materials) and follow it up the hill where you will pick up signs to the diminutive hamlet of Les Mathevies.

Transport

By air you will almost certainly need a car or pick-up on arrival.

The nearest airport is at Brive-la-Gaillard, some 30km from St Nathalene. Bergerac Airport is the next closest, about 70km to the west. Bordeaux (200km) is a large international and regional airport served by many airlines. Toulouse (200km) is another large international airport served by many airlines and is equidistant to Bordeaux.

Related Guides

See Glamping in Dordogne