The best things to do in Riberac, Dordogne, France

Ribérac, on the edge of the Perigord Vert, is the captivating capital of the canton on the banks of the Dronne. It has been around since the 11th century. It was founded by the renowned Périgourdin troubadour Arnaud Daniel. This charming small town has an economy driven by agriculture. It is now also a top spot for cultural tourism and leisure activities. Make sure to visit Ribérac and experience its historic charm!

Sample Local Delicacies at the Market

If you only visit Riberac for one day, ensure it’s a Friday. One of the best ways to experience the local culture in Riberac is by visiting the weekly market on a Friday morning. The market is an explosion of colours, smells, and flavours. It is a great place to sample some of the best local delicacies, from fresh produce to artisanal cheeses and meats. You may want to try the foie gras, a speciality of the Dordogne region. Don’t miss the chance for wine tastings and try other goodies as you go along.

The market is a place to shop for food and a hub for socialising and community gatherings. You’ll find locals catching up over a drink or a snack, musicians playing traditional tunes, and vendors eager to share their knowledge about their products. It’s a lively atmosphere that will make you feel like a true local.

Besides the food, the market is great for souvenirs, such as hand-crafted pottery, jewellery, and textiles. You’ll find unique gifts that you won’t find anywhere else.

Friday market day is the biggest market. There is also a smaller market on Tuesday for buying local produce such as cheese, fruit and vegetables.

Both markets take place in the centre of town. 

Get Active with a Canoe Ride on the Dronne

For visitors looking to get a bit more adventurous, the River Dronne is just a short distance away. It offers an excellent opportunity to explore the stunning countryside from a different perspective. Canoeing on the river is a popular activity for locals and visitors during the summer months. It provides an exciting and active way to take in the breathtaking views of the Dordogne.

The river is perfect for beginners and experienced paddlers. Various tours are available to suit every level of experience. For those who prefer to go at their own pace, renting a canoe is simple and affordable. Pack a picnic lunch, grab some suncream, and prepare for a fun day on the water.

Take in a film at Max Linder

Experience the wonders of the Max Linder Cinema! This incredible cultural service offers the perfect combination of entertainment and accessibility for all. With its nine-metre wide cinema screen, digital sound and visual system, and 310 seats, you can catch a variety of screenings such as the general public and “art and essay” films. Also, 25% of the outputs are crafted to appeal to children, perfect for a family trip on a rainy day! With over 170 films annually, you will never have to worry about finding something to watch. In Summer, there are various outdoor screenings too.

View art and concerts at Notre Dame Collegiate church

First established by Count Odet d’Aydie and his wife Anne de Pons in the early 16th century, the Notre Dame collegiate church in Ribérac has been a place of worship and gathering for centuries. Today, this stunningly restored building hosts numerous contemporary art exhibitions and concerts from March 15 to October 31. It’s open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. There are free tours and exhibitions available.

The Notre Dame collegiate church was tragically impacted during the Wars of Religion in 1568 when the Huguenot troops of Assiel set it on fire. However, due to its thick walls, the apse and bell tower were preserved. During the French Revolution, the “friends of liberty and equality” made the unfortunate decision to extract the lead coffins of the founders buried in the south side chapel. But in the 19th century, the church returned to Catholic worship and underwent further development to become a parish church. It was abandoned in 1935 to make way for the new church. It eventually regained its glory with the help of master stained glass artist GUERIN in 1988.

The Notre Dame collegiate church is a beautiful testament to the history of Ribérac – a must-visit for any tourist seeking to explore its cultural heritage.

Take a dip in one of the pools

The outdoor complex features a main pool perfect for lane swimming, a diving pool, a small pool, and a paddling pool. Spend summer days here from June to September and experience the thrill of swimming or gliding through the water on aqua bikes! A snack bar offers drinks and snacks at reasonable prices when you take a break. Be sure to wear lycra swimming shorts or trunks for the men out there, as beach shorts are not permitted. 

Partake in sports activities 

Riberac has a rugby stadium and a football pitch as well as tennis courts and skate ramps. Whether you want to play or watch a game, have a look on their Facebook pages for more information. Near the tennis courts, there is also a children’s play area.

Places to eat in Riberac

Looking for something to eat in Riberac? Pop into Le Bar Du Midi for breakfast. Café des Colones or L’Escapade Gourmande are great options for lunch or dinner. For a drink and homemade cake, La Brûlerie is a must-visit. They serve the best cafe au lait I’ve had since moving to France, and she has an abundance of tea options. It’s also an excellent place for a bit of souvenir shopping. Looking for a bite to eat out of hours? Drive out of Riberac, heading towards Aldi in Villetoureix, and you’ll find a Gang of Pizza machine on the left in the car wash car park, which operates 24/7.

Shops in Riberac

• Supermarkets (Leclerc, Intermarche, Aldi, Lidl, Bio Co-Op)
• Local fruit and veg shops
• Butchers
• Hardware shop
• Patisseries and Boulangeries
• Fois Gras shop
• Hairdressers
• Beauticians
• Tea and gift shop
• Orange phone shop
• Sewing shop
• Laundry shop
• Sewing machine repair shop
• Tabac and newsagents
• Vape shop
• Printers
• Florists
• Jewellers
• Thrift shop
• Clothing shops
• Shoe shop
• Seamstress
• Media library
• Computer repair shop
• Tattoo artist
• Gyms
• Driving school
• Cinema
• Pharmacy
• Health Centre
• Garden Centres
• Banks
• Insurance offices
• CBD shop
• Cycle shop
• Opticians
• Art gallery
• Notaires
• Aromatherapy shop
• Vets
• Handmade leather goods shop
• Car shop
• Hunting shop
• Electrical shop
• Home lifestyle shops (Gifi and Centrakor)

Best places around Riberac 

The surrounding areas of Riberac include lots of France’s beautiful villages, offering endless opportunities to explore new and captivating places.

Aubeterre-Sur-Dronne

Aubeterre-Sur-Dronne, only 20 minutes away, is a pretty town in the Charente, just over the Dordogne border that boasts one of the country’s biggest and well-known monolithic churches. It offers a lovely central square with various dining options, shops, and art galleries. There is a sandy river beach where visitors can swim or rent canoes to discover the Dronne River.

Perigueux

The charming and significant town of Perigueux, which serves as the capital of the region, is only 40 minutes away. With its numerous narrow medieval streets, this town exhibits a delightful architectural aesthetic, as each era in history has left a distinct imprint on its structures. The historic core of Perigueux boasts a network of intricate streets lined with fashionable shops, inviting cafes, lively bars, and delectable restaurants, where you can savour various Perigordine delicacies.

Bourdeilles and Brantome

The Chateaux de Bourdeille, featuring a castle and a winding river, can be reached in 30 minutes. An additional 10-minute drive will take you to Brantome, which is famous for its monastery, excellent dining options, and stunning vistas. Brantome, known as the Venice of Perigord is a perfect location for a delightful riverside meal and offers fantastic canoeing routes as well as cute shops throughout narrow streets.

Further afield

If you want to explore more distant places, you can drive for an hour and forty minutes to reach the city of Bordeaux, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bordeaux is known for being one of the most attractive and historically significant cities in France, so it is definitely worth visiting. The city boasts one of the longest shopping streets in Europe, offering a wide range of retail options for shoppers. The vineyards of St Emilion are conveniently located nearby.