If you're heading along the main N21 Périgueux–Limoges road, it's worth stopping off at the pretty village of THIVIERS, which styles itself as the foie gras capital of the region. Its helpful tourist office, on the central square (July–Sept Mon–Sat 9am–7pm, Sun 9am–6pm; Oct–June Mon–Fri 9am–noon & 2–6pm, Sat 9am–1pm & 2–6pm; tel 05.53.55.12.50), makes the most of this with a small museum dedicated to the history and production of foie gras (same hours; €1.50). If you're looking for somewhere to stay, try the attractive Hôtel de France et de Russie, 51 rue du Général-Lamy (tel 05.53.55.17.80, fax 05.53.52.59.60; €40–55), between the tourist office and the gare SNCF, a couple of minutes' walk to the north.SORGES, closer to Périgueux and strung out along the road, has less to offer aesthetically than Thiviers. However, the tourist office (mid-June to Sept daily 9.30am–12.30pm & 2.30–6.30pm; Oct to mid-June Tues–Sun 2–5pm; tel 05.53.46.71.43, www.sorges-perigord.com) contains a fascinating truffle museum (same hours; €4), and can also direct you to a marked path that gives an idea of how and where truffles grow. There's a very reasonable hotel, Auberge de la Truffe on the main road (tel 05.53.05.02.05, www.auberge-de-la-truffe.com; €40–55), with an excellent restaurant (€20–51), and with an annexe, Hôtel de la Mairie, by the church.
| 