The Guillou Open Air Centre between the Dordogne River and the canal, by the banks of the Drayaux stream.

 

Guillou Open Air Centre
Guillou is a communal open air centre situated between Lalinde and Sauveboeuf in a haven of shady cool between river, stream and canal. It incorporates a number of functions and activities and is open to tourists, groups, the young and the not so young alike.

•Municipal 2 star campsite open from 1 May to 15 October.
•Swimming pool
•Tennis courts
•«The Island to the children» receive the children from 6 to 13 years old contact : The Manager Sonia ROUX 05 53 73 44 60
•A 75-bed hostel for groups, ecology classes etc.
•Sporting activities with qualified staff : canoeing, kayaking, climbing, potholing, mountain-biking, archery, orienteering.

To have acces with campsite open-air centre la Guillou : click here

Hiking Trails and ‘Discovery’ Footpaths
A large network of well-maintained, sign-posted footpaths cover the area and lead into neighbouring communes. Follow them and one might well be taken past Brongidou fountain or along the banks of the canal and the Dordogne River. Maps of these walks can be bought at Lalinde Tourist Information Office.


The Dordogne River and the Canal
The river and the canal represent a cool, fresh and picturesque side of the commune and draw fishermen, canoeists and nature-lovers to their banks.
Between the Lalinde bridge and the Guillou Open Air Centre are lots of small islands where every springtime dozens of wild swans return to nest in peace and quiet, to the delight of tourists and locals who admire and feed them from the banks.
The canal towpath, shaded by majestic plane trees, makes an extremely pleasant walk or horse or bicycle ride; interesting sites along its banks include :

• Lalinde lock, coffer and dry dock.
• Tuilières aqueduct and overspill bridge

which provide an interesting insight into local fluvial history, architecture and technology.

Remains of the Bastide walls, overlooked by the Montard House and gardens.

The Bastide
Founded in 1267 by Jean de La Linde.

The riverside bastide is characterised by its regular town plan with roads and alleys crossing at right angles, and its central square. Two original fortified gateways still stand.
Stroll around the town for the best view of its beautiful, characterful houses such as the Governor’s House in the Place de la République and the Montard House and magnificent, terraced garden overlooking the river. The latter is open to the public and houses the Tourist Information Office.

The Medieval Village of St Colombe
Well worth the detour via the north side slopes.

A typical village of local, yellow stone houses grouped around a small, Romanesque church (listed on the Supplementary Inventory of Historical Monuments).
Château de la Finou, just outside the hamlet, is now a large holiday centre and enjoys magnificent views of the surrounding countryside from its towers.