I’ve been asked if I know anything about the le bugue area - 24260.
I don’t but I’m hoping some of you lovely people might?
Thanks!
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Very very pretty, quite a lot going on in le Bugue because of its relative isolation, nearish Lascaux etc, on a train line to Bordeaux (and Sarlat), quite a good rugby club, some very nice houses. Good cafés and restaurants from what I’ve seen, the usual supermarkets.
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Martin Walker, of Bruno fame, has a property there.
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From an online search. Think I may take a drive there sometime soon 
Le Bugue is a picturesque riverside town in the Dordogne department of southwestern France (postal code 24260), sitting right on the Vézère River in the Périgord Noir region.
Highlights:
Gouffre de Proumeyssac – a spectacular “crystal cathedral” cave just outside town, known for stalactites and a unique basket descent into the cavern
Aquarium du Périgord Noir – one of Europe’s largest freshwater aquariums, located right in Le Bugue
Village Souterrain de Bara-Bahau – a prehistoric cave with ancient engravings
Riverside setting – lovely walks and canoeing along the Vézère, with a lively Tuesday and Saturday market in the town center
Nearby attractions:
Les Eyzies-de-Tayac (prehistory capital, Cro-Magnon sites) is just minutes away
Lascaux caves and their replica, Lascaux IV, are a short drive
Château de Beynac and other Dordogne castles are within easy reach
La Roque-Gageac and Domme, two of France’s “most beautiful villages,” are nearby too
The area is popular for its blend of prehistoric heritage, medieval villages, and outdoor activities like canoeing, hiking, and cycling — a classic base for exploring the Dordogne Valley.
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I live just outside, what do you wish to know.
In response to an earlier reply, the railway line connects Perigueux to Agen. You have to go to either Perigueux, Bergerac or Le Buisson de Cadouin for Bordeaux. For Sarlat La Caneda change at Le Buisson.
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I seem to remember there was a nice guy and his family who live there who were on the Chateux DIY programme.
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That was me! I got mixed up with le Buisson - I live ¾ of an hour away.
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A lot of that is my neck of the woods.
It’s a really nice area, although it is pretty busy in summer.
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I don’t know anyone who lives in Le Bugue full-time, it’s just that bit too far to nip over from chez moi or was, when I had a job - I know people who go on holiday there. I think for actual full-time living it’s possibly a bit far from the bright lights (also how I feel about Bergerac, and it’s less isolated and busier) but of course some people may not want the bright lights. There’s a great bamboo nursery but alas I now can’t remember if it’s in Le Buisson or Le Bugue.
Checked, the bamboo nursery is in le Buisson. The aquarium is nice for visiting with small children, my granddaughter LOVED the alligators.
Does your granddaughter understand about alligators?
What about them? She knows crocodilians are predators (but also poor creatures turned into eg expensive bags, v nasty) or fascinating facts eg sex determined by incubating temperature and amazing Jurassic creatures still around on several continents … She was 4 when I took her to see them last summer so there’s a limit to how much she took in.
Good for her. I was just hoping she doesn’t think they’re cuddly.
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Hahaha no no chance
Hello! We are wondering if it is a year-round village or mostly vacation rentals etc.? We’re looking at a house on the outskirts.
Thank you !
Melinda
It’s often quite useful to check the Mairie online site as this can give an idea of what is going-on in whichever commune… having just taken a peek at Le Bugue, it seems to have shops, schools etc … and a good number of Assocations which (to me) suggests it is an active commune.
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It’s a year round village which feels like a small town really, quite a lot going on as I said before, probably because it’s a bit far away from everywhere. It’s nice but it’s hardly a resort. Most of the holiday lets are in the surrounding countryside not the town itself. There’s a collège but no lycée.
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Thank you all very much for your helpful input. I posted initially on behalf of a podcast listener who I think has now joined our happy band?
If so welcome to SF @Melinda !
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It is a typically small French (Perigord) town that comes alive in the summer (unless you want to go to the Tuesday morning market in the summer, then avoid Le Bugue Tuesday mornings in July and August). Mostly locals in town for 8/9 months a year.
There is an Aldi, Lidl and Intermarche. Plenty of local shops, a post office, small Renault and Peugeot garages and a few restaurants. Watch out for the tourist trap restaurants.
Popular area for Brit and Dutch expats.
Where is the house you are interested in?
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For someone thinking about buying to live there, I would suggest it’s also useful to know about availability of doctors / dentists / opticians / nearest good hospital.
Does the OP have children? What about schools?
Does the OP have pets? What about good vets?
Supermarkets are one thing. Good DIY shops are also useful.
I know you can say with absolute certainty there will be hairdressers and beauty salons.
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There is a large BricoMarche there. Other Bricos in all the surrounding towns.
I know there is a medical centre there with both GPs and a dentist, but cannot comment on the availabilty for new patients. I use one slightly closer to me.
A couple of Opticians in town and the three major hospitals in Dordogne are in Perigueux, Bergerac and Sarlat (though slightly smaller than the other two).
A can’t comment on their quality but there are both primary and secondary schools.
A nice vet in the town, with others also located in surrounding towns.
Hairdressers, yes. Beauty salons - no idea!
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