Why: There's a long list of reasons. It is a mixture of agriculture and vineyards set on rolling hills, like Tuscany only nearer. There are 20,000-year-old caves, chateaux forts, fortified villages, and also cricket pitches and golf courses made by English visitors. Everyone who comes to the Dordogne finds something to do.

It is the fruit basket of France. I've never eaten strawberries like this anywhere else in the world, the tomatoes taste and smell wonderful...

The area has always been popular with the English, and there is an English-language newspaper so you can find out what is going on even if you don't speak French.

The Dordogne is very under-populated, so there are no traffic jams except occasionally behind a tractor. The locals are very friendly and, if you run out of petrol, a passing driver will go off and fill up a can for you. It is a real community, and the locals don't mind the visitors. They say they are delighted that the English came to the Dordogne because they have restored a lot of the old houses which was something the French did not want to do.

What's the best thing: As a Dutch friend said to me, the Dordogne is paradise. What more do you want?

My advice: Rent a house or a room in a chateau from a local if you want to meet the French. Remember that everything is closed on Mondays and that time in the Dordogne moves at a completely different pace. You have to fit in with it otherwise you will get completely frustrated. Pick one café you like and keep going back. After the third visit you will be treated as a regular. And never touch the produce at the market.

How do you get there? The train from Waterloo to Brive takes nine to 10 hours and costs £149 return. Details from Rail Europe on 0990 848848.

• Savoir Flair, 211 Tips for enjoying France and the French, by Polly Platt, is published by Culture Crossings at £11.99.