Our locality

Rouge is located in the market square of Tocane, a level walk to anywhere in this pretty small town in the Dordogne department in south-west France.

The full name is Tocane St Apre though it is usually known as Tocane; two separate communes that were joined when they became too small to be viable independently. It lies between Riberac to the west and Perigueux, the capital town of the Dordogne department, to the east.

Tocane is in the valley of the river Dronne, north of the Dordogne river. It is said that the Dronne valley is the north western border of Occitania and hence the Languedoc language. Certainly what the older generation often talk amongst themselves is not French as we know it. Arnaut Daniel (one of the three major poets and troubadours writing in the Provencal language and much admired by Dante) was born in Riberac in the late 1100s.

Locally there are markets every weekday somewhere. There are wonderful views, riding, fishing, golf, swimming and canoeing. All the squirrels are red and according to the time of year there are hoopoes, kingfishers, buzzards and pine martens.

To the west is Bordeaux and St Emilion, a pretty town approached through vineyards full of famous names. To the east is Brantome, branded as the Venice of Perigord, simply because the river surrounds it. Venice is overstating the case though it is a very pretty and historic town with boat trips and a lively market on Friday.

To the south is the Dordogne river, Bergerac and the Duras wine country. South east is Sarlat, Domme, the Lascaux caves and assorted chateaux and castles.

Click on the thumbnails below for some other local views.

You'll need a car.

Our nearest airports are Bordeaux, about two hours and Bergerac, about one hour. From St Malo about 340 miles over good roads, from Caen about 350 miles, again on good roads.

TGV to Angouleme, then about one hour, is another possiblilty

From the tunnel it's best to go via Rouen and Le Mans rather than via Paris.