📚 Book Lover Literary Itinerary in Southwest France
Whether you’re a fan of crime fiction, classic French literature, or just love to travel with a book in hand, this itinerary offers the perfect balance of quiet inspiration, bookish exploration, and local colour — all within easy reach of Chateau Feely.
6-Day Book Lover Literary Itinerary
Sunday – Settle In & Read Among the Vines
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Arrive at Chateau Feely Wine Lodge or Wine Cottage and settle in.
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Enjoy a walk through the organic vineyard or take a book to the pool terrace or your private patio.
- Eat in or book dinner at nearby Bistrot des Vigiers (open Sunday evening) or Restaurant Le Mélange (not open Sunday night out of season but open for lunch).
Recommended reading:“Grape Expectations” by Caro Feely – a perfect companion to your surroundings.
In the Wine Cottage and the Wine Lodge you will also find a great selection of our favourites about France including – 1000 Years of Annoying the French – a hilarious journey through 1000 years of French/ English history packed with history and entertaining anecdotes.
Monday – Bruno Chief of Police & Perigord Noir
Martin Walker put the Perigord / Dordogne on the map for many booklovers – through his bestselling series set in the region Bruno Chief of Police series.
Martin Walker & Caro Feely
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Drive east to Le Bugue, one of the inspirations for St Denis in Martin’s Bruno Chief of Police series.
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Enjoy the village of Le Bugue and take a walk along the Vézère River. If you want to catch market day go on Wednesday.
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Continue on to Limeuil, a beautiful riverside village — to visit the gardens and perhaps read a chapter or two.
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Optional: Lunch at nearby Le Vieux Logis in Trémolat (Michelin-starred). Le Vieux Logis hosted author Henry Miller (wrote the Tropic of Cancer) in the 1900s. Miller planned to stay a week but ended up staying a whole month at Le Vieux Logis. See our Gourmet Itinerary for more on Le Vieux Logis Restaurant.
Recommended reading this evening: Bruno, Chief of Police in a hamac under the stars.
Tuesday – Walk to Gageac Rouillac the site of Patricia Atkinson’s books
Take a break from driving and walk to the village of Gageac Rouillac – site of Patricia Atkinson’s books set in the years from 1990 to early 2000s. The castle and village are about 30 minutes scenic walk from Chateau Feely.
Chateau-Gageac-Rouillac
- Discover the Chateau de Gageac Rouillac and read the story of the creation of a vineyard in this hamlet: Patricia Atkinson’s The Ripening Sun
- Picnic lunch in the vineyard or keep walking to Monestier for Lunch at Le Relais de Monestier
If you enjoy the first book follow it with her second book La Belle Saison.
Read the first chapter of Cultivating Change (the fourth book in Caro Feely’s Vineyard Series) which includes a walk to the Chateau Gageac Rouillac for le festival des Ploucs – a Music Festival that is a highlight in the Saussignac social calender. PS You can download the first 3 chapters free on Kindle or any other ebook platform.
Wednesday – Bergerac Market and La Colline aux Livres Bergerac, Place du Marché Couvert
Visit ‘La Colline aux livres‘ in Bergerac, a wonderful independent bookstore owned and curated by Baptiste and Caroline – next to the covered market and a short walk from the Maison des Vins.
La Colline aux Livres won the grand prize for the best bookstore in France in 2020. It is a wonderful bookstore with a wonderful French selection and a small but excellent selection of English language books.
Bergerac is famous for a play called Cyrano de Bergerac (find the two statues of Cyrano on a lovely walk around the town – visit the Quai Cyrano tourist office for walking tour suggestions) -based on some historic verity, still popular today and known in pop culture for the film with Steve Martin.
Thursday Literary Café Day in Bordeaux
Take a day to Flâner in Bordeaux and discover the local bookstores. We recommend the train from Gardonne to Bordeaux (~1 hour) to avoid the hassle of driving, traffic and parking in Bordeaux.
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Morning: Explore Bradley’s Bookstore the english language bookshop near the Grosse Cloche and not far from Rue Ste Catherine. They also offer excellent coffee / tea and cake.
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Browse Librairie Mollat, France’s largest independent bookshop — over 180 years old and a haven for bibliophiles – with a good english language section. PS to avoid confusion – in French Librarie means book store (not library) and bibiliothèque means a public library.
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Visit BookLovers Bordeaux who specialise in Romance and Romantasy – with a massive French range and a reasonable range of Version Originale VO english editions.
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Bordeaux is home to France’s second largest library – Bibliothèque Mériadeck (address: 85 cours du Maréchal Juin) which is worth a visit. Outside it is modern but inside lots of natural light provides a good setting for reading. This was a favorite study place for Sean and Caro’s daughters when they were at high school in Bordeaux as their boarding house was nearby.
Evening train back to Chateau Feely for reading, wine and stars.
Friday – la Tour de Montaigne – discover the home of Michel de Montaigne
Take a day to discover a legend of the region Michel de Montaigne.
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Discover the Chateau and Tower of Michel de Montaigne: born here in 1533. Montaigne is one of the most influential writers in Western philosophy. We love the quotes written on the oak beams and joists in the roof of the tower – taken from classic authors including Horace, Lucretius, and Sophocles and the Bible. They are said to have influenced Montaigne’s writing as he walked back and forth, looking up at them.
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Take a picnic lunch to enjoy at the Chateau (or lunch in nearby St Emilion if the weather is inclement)
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On your return journey consider visiting the nearby Gallo Roman museum at MontCaret.
This evening read or journal with a glass of Feely wine and reflect on your journey.
🛋️ Evenings at Chateau Feely
Each evening offers quiet comforts:
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Unplug by candlelight
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Read on your private terrace
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Enjoy wine from the vines around you
- Eat in or walk up to the delightful Restaurant Le Melange.
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Join author Caro Feely for a wine tasting tour or walking tour during your stay
📌 Additional Reading Recommendations
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Read the other books in Caro Feely’s Vineyard Series for a deep dive into the local vineyard culture:
🔗 Want More?
We’re happy to tailor a literary-themed day and recommend special events happening nearby.
📧 Contact us to personalise your stay →
Chateau Feely Itineraries Logistics
All itineraries are designed for guests staying at Chateau Feely, with travel times kept under 90 minutes. We’re happy to help with reservations or further suggestions.
→ See Chateau Feely Accommodation and Availability
- Discover the Wine Lodge at Chateau Feely
- Discover the Wine Cottage at Chateau Feely
- Discover the Wine Tours available at Chateau Feely
- Discover the Wine Tours and Wine Courses with Caro Feely at French Wine Adventures
→ Contact us to book your stay
Sean and Caro Feely look forward to welcoming you to this beautiful organic farm.
