Domme

Visit Domme, Aquitaine

Domme is on the Dordogne river 8 km south of Sarlat, and listed as one of several 'most beautiful villages of France' in the Dordogne department. It is a very attractive bastide town, founded in 1283 and situated in an exceptional hilltop location.

Domme had an unstable early history, and changed hands several times between the English and the French during the Hundred Years War. The turbulent times continued in the later Wars of Religion, and even as recently as the Second World War the caves in the centre of Domme were used as a hideout.

Exploring Domme

The town is entered by a large fortified gate at the bottom of the main street (it is unusual for a bastide town to retain its fortifications as Domme has done), with huge towers either side of the entrance that also once served as prisons - you can see the religious symbols scratched like graffiti on the walls by the Templar prisoners during the 14th century.

Inside the walls, the main street then passes up the hill between lots of lovely honey-coloured old houses, now mostly used as gift shops. Some of the traditional houses are also attractively decorated with balconies and external stone staircases.

After being distracted by the side streets a little, at the top of the hill you will find a large open area with magnificent views, several cafes, and the entrance to Domme caves. The original open market hall, with impressive carpentry and stone supporting pillars, is also in this square, overlooked by the fine 15th century 'Hotel du Gouverneur'.

The position of Domme at the top of a fairly steep hill is a large part of why the village is so special. There are 180 degree views across the Dordogne river and surrounding countryside from the terraced belvedere area at the top of the village, from where you can also see other picturesque villages including Beynac and La Roque Gageac.

There are also cafes here which are a very pleasant place to recover from the hill and the heat!

There is also a small museum of arts and popular traditions in Domme called the 'Oustal du Périgord' which shows the typical lives of the locals over the last two centuries.

Domme caves

Entered in the centre of the main square, Domme caves themselves are a noteworthy attrcation. They are extensive and interesting caves, with almost half a kilometre of galleries containing carefully lit rock formations. The largest caves in the Perigord Noir region, the visit finishes with a ride in a glass-fronted lift up the cliff. Of course, visiting caves is also a lovely way to cool down on a hot summers day.

Attractions nearby

There are too many attractions close to Domme to list them here with numerous castles and beautiful villages (such as Beynac and La Roque Gageac), river and countryside scenery, and Sarlat, perhaps the highlight of a visit to the Dordogne, just a few kilometres to the north-east. See our Dordogne travel guide for many more suggestions.

Much less known and less visited, we suggest you also explore the countryside to the south of Domme, and in particular the area around the villages of Daglan and Saint-Pompont.

See Aquitaine and Dordogne (the region and department for Domme) for more travel ideas...

Tourist classifications for Domme: One of the most beautiful village in France (plus beau villages);

Photos of Domme

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Suggested places to visit near Domme, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Chateau des Milandes 8km; Sarlat 10km; Chateau de Montfort 10km; Chateau de Puymartin 13km; Gourdon (Lot) 14km; Saint-Cyprien 15km; Belves 17km; Font-de-Gaume 21km; Les Eyzies 21km; Villefranche-du-Perigord 22km; Chateau de Commarque 22km;

Domme tourist information: sights and attractions nearby

Jardins du château de Caudon - remarkable garden (0km) : Eglise notre-Dame de Nativité (Cenac-et-Saint-Julien) - religious monument (1km) : Jardins de l'Albarède - remarkable garden (4km) : Jardins de Marqueyssac - remarkable garden (5km) : Cathédrale Saint-Sardos (Sarlat) - religious monument (10km) : Jardin de la Daille - remarkable garden (12km) : Jardin de Conty - remarkable garden (13km) : Eglise Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Belves) - religious monument (17km) :

See more places and a map at places near Domme