Sainte-Foy-la-Grande sits on the south bank of the Dordogne river. This attractive walled bastide town still has some of its medieval houses and is a good base for visiting the surrounding Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux wine region and nearby Château de Montaigne, home of Michel de Montaigne.
Sainte-Foy-la-Grande also has the added benefit that most of the bastide towns don't. The Dordogne river actually runs through the town which is unusual because bastide towns are more commonly situated on hilltops. Along with the port there is also a small river beach (the Plage des Bardoulets) where people can paddle and cool their feet on a hot summer day.