Duras is a thriving medieval market town where there is a good selection of shops, restaurants and cafés, a particularly good hotel restaurant and a fine XIII century château with a museum. During the summer months the town has a succession of festivals and events, including concerts held at the château and an annual hot-air balloon rally. Many of the surrounding villages also have open air concerts varying from jazz to classical music, vide greniers (bric-a-brac fairs) and son et lumiere events.

The area is also known for its Côtes de Duras wines and there are dozens of local vineyards all of whom produce a range of red, white or rosé wines. Visitors are very welcome to look around, taste and buy directly.

Within reasonable driving distance is the old village of Saint Emilion, surrounded by the vineyards that produce its great grands crus wines and beyond there, are the Bordeaux vineyards. Further into the Dordogne valley are ancient riverside towns and villages and amazing prehistoric caves, all of which really needs time and more than a day to see.