looking for the quaint French village

We are two couples who are planning to drive from San Sebastian in Spain to spend two nights in the French countryside. We would like to find a %26#39;typical%26#39; French village; a nice play to stay (nothing too grand); a pub where we can meet the locals...and hopefully within a three or four drive from San Sebastian......any ideas?

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Hiya Aussie,

There are loads of places in Aquitaine which would suit the bill. Would suggest on of the bastides - Monpazier, Monflanquin, Mezin, Vianne - loads of them.

Secondly,%26quot;pubs%26quot; don%26#39;t exist here. OK there%26#39;s the occasional pub which is really a smoky Tabac. Smoking is supposed to be banned here but my local village Tabac still allows it.

If you want to meet the locals, their favourite game is boules which they play every evening in most villages and towns. Try your luck!!

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Thanks Buzet...do you have a favourite? We%26#39;ll need an inn or B%26amp;B that will take guests for only two nights (not a full week)....and maybe a nice cafe or little restaurant.

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Hiya Aussie,

My personal favourite is Monpazier with its perfect arched square with the swallows nesting under the arches. Has a wonderful evening market too which is great atmosphere - don%26#39;t know which day it is but I%26#39;ll try to find out.

Otherwise, Monflanquin is a wonderful hilltop bastide which is featured on many posters - quite a sight from a distance - very steep streets!

I don%26#39;t know of places to stay but just Google these places and I%26#39;m sure you will find something suitable. Monflanquin has its own T.O. so they%26#39;ve probably got a website.

Nearer to S. Seb would be places like Nerac and Vianne. Vianne has the best preserved walls of any bastide, but is flat and not really very interesting. Nerac, on the other hand has been written about in detail on this website. I%26#39;ll do a search and come up with the link shortly.

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Here we are - think you%26#39;ll get lots of ideas from reading this link:

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187076-i647-k9463…

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Hey There...Im not sure when you were looking at travelling?...maybe your already there!

I agree...Monflanquin is just beautiful, its a quaint village, but with many amenties - 10 restuarants..two bars etc...great place!...ive just returned from staying there for 4 days...in the bar/hotel...40 euro a nite...simple but fine..v nice village.

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