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Dordogne, France travel guide

photo of Dordogne

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Dordogne is found inland towards the the south-west corner of France. Together with the Lot-et-Garonne department just to the south it forms inland Aquitaine.

The Dordogne region is best known for the castles (there are said to be 1001 castles in the Dordogne), the medieval villages and the beautiful countryside and scenery, as well as the warm and pleasant climate...and the great produce available from the Dordogne markets.

The Dordogne River itself is also a major attraction for visitors to the region.

Dordogne - highlights

- the UNESCO listed world heritage sites of the prehistoric settlements of the V�z�re Valley - the roots of mankind in the Dordogne region. See also Lascaux Caves

- the chateaux and castles of the Dordogne - many in spectacular locations, and with fascinating histories to tell (eg Chateau de Beynac; Chateau de Biron; Chateau de Bourdeilles; Chateau de Castelnaud; Chateau de Commarque; Chateau de Hautefort; Chateau de Jumilhac; ; Chateau de Montfort; Chateau de Puyguilhem; Chateau de Puymartin; Chateau des Milandes...)

- the bastide towns - medieval new towns dating from the 12th-13th centuries - several of which are found in southern Dordogne (and into Lot et Garonne), including Villereal, Monpazier and Monflanquin (see more mentioned below)

Towns to visit in the Dordogne region

Other towns worthy of special mention include Sarlat, 'medieval capital of the Dordogne', plus a multitude of smaller villages and towns. Some of the more well known Dordogne towns (split for convenience into those to the north of the region and those to the south) include:

Southern part of the Dordogne

This part of the region, based along and around the Dordogne river, includes Bergerac - a large town to the west of the Dordogne region (Bergerac airport is a common arrival point for visitors).

South and east of Bergerac you can visit the bastide towns of Eymet and Beaumont-du-Perigord - just two of many bastide towns in the southern Dordogne region. The unspoiled medieval village of Issigeac is nearby.

Heading east along the Dordogne River you will find the villages of Le Bugue, a small town well placed to explore the centre of the region; Limeuil - a pretty town on the river; and pass by Tremolat with its incomporable view across a large bend in the river. Saint-Cyprien is another attractive town. See also the bastide village of Molieres and the Abbey (and village) at Cadouin.

Slightly to the north, on the Vezere river, you will visit Les Eyzies and the many caves in the region - the Vezere Valley is the centre of prehistoric activity in the region, including Montignac a pretty village near the Lascaux caves. The caves at Font-de-Gaume and the prehistoric settlement at La-Roque-Saint-Christophe are also very popular.

The 'most beautiful village' of Saint-Amand-de-Coly is also close to here.

There are many classified villages in the southern Dordogne region. These include the (unmissable) hilltop town of Domme; the picture postcard beautiful riverside village at La Roque-Gageac; the village and castle at Beynac; and the small vibrant town of Belves.

You should also venture south of the river to see the cluster of beautiful villages at Monpazier (perhaps the best preserved medieval town in the Dordogne); the bastide town at Monflanquin, and the hilltop village of Pujols. To the east of Monpazier you can visit another bastide town at Villefranche-du-Perigord.

Northern part of the Dordogne

A little further from the Dordogne river, the northerly part of the Dordogne has different characteristics. Perigueux the administrative capital of the Dordogne region, is found here.

Some of the other towns in this part of the region include:

- Brantome - town in a lovely setting on the Dronne River

- the market town of Excideuil near the Perigord-Limousin Natural Park

- another major market town at Riberac

- the world renowned gardens at Terrasson are in the northern Dordogne

- foie gras capital of the northern Dordogne is at Thiviers

Classified most beautiful villages in this part of the Dordogne include Saint-Jean-de-Cole and Saint Leon sur Vezere.

sunset in the Dordogne Dordogne scenery