In the town
Sainte-Foy-la-Grande was founded in 1255 on the banks of the River Dordogne. It is in the Gironde department, but is sometimes referred to as the gateway to the Périgord (the historic name for the modern day Dordogne department), making it an ideal base to explore both regions.
There are some half-timbered houses here, which are typical of the country bastides in this area, but mainly you will see large solid stone houses, evidence of a Bordeaux influence. A good mix of architecture is found on the central square which is edged on three sides by arcades.
The proximity of the Dordogne River allows the opportunity to try many water activities (canoeing, boat trips and swimming in the summer). And the Museum of the Batellerie at Port Sainte-Foy, the old port just across the river, tells the history of river trading here.