Le Bugue is a small market town on the Vezere River, between Limeuil (where the Dordogne river meets the Vezere), and Les Eyzies. The town is very well placed in the centre of many of the highlights of the Dordogne region, and has some interesting highlights of its own to discover.
Explore Le Bugue
Exploring Le Bugue itself is straightforward - the centre is based around the river and bridge, and the open area at the end of the bridge. The bridge is an important crossing point across the river so the centre of the town does have quite a lot of traffic through it in high season.
Take a stroll across the bridge and along the river banks, then take a look at the Church of Saint-Sulpice and the Town Hall. There are also several shops and cafes in the centre of the village, and some traditional houses in the yellow stone of the Dordogne region.
Around Le Bugue
The town's main role is as a central hub for exploring the many highlights of the area, both natural and man-made, so your first port of call should be the Le Bugue Tourist Office at 23 Rue du Jardin Public for information about local events and attractions at the time of your visit.
There are many caves along the Vezere Valley (a UNESCO listed heritage site) which runs to the north-east of le Bugue, both natural and with prehistoric paintings. Among the caves closest to Le Bugue are the Bara-Bahua caves, known for their prehistoric engravings and the Gouffre de Proumeyssac, a very large cave of stalactites and stalagmites.
The scenery of the surrounding region is another highlight, the Dordogne having some of the most impressive scenery in France. Be sure to visit the Cingle de Tremolat for views across a large meander in the Dordogne river.
Activities
There is a very popular Aquarium (the Aquarium du Perigord Noir) at Le Bugue if you want to escape from prehistoric man for a short while - he does tend to rather dominate the whole Vezere Valley! Also popular is the Village de Bournat, a recreation of a prehistoric village, where you can watch traditional crafts being practiced.
You can also see wild boars at the nearby Les Sangliers de Mortemart (and taste sanglier at many of the restaurants in the region).
Towns and villages
There are numerous small towns and villages of interest in the region. Among the less known that you should include in your plans if possible are Campagne (to the south-east), and the abbey and church at Paunat and Audrix respectively.
You can find more travel ideas in the Dordogne guide and the Aquitaine guide.
Photos of Le Bugue
Click any picture to start the gallery
Arrange a visit to Le Bugue
Hotels in Le Bugue
Booking.com: best prices
For great prices on car hire throughout France and Corsica please visit our recommended partner at RentalCars.com
Map of Le Bugue and places nearby
Visit near Le Bugue with France This Way reviews
Campagne
Campagne is a pretty village with a splendid castle in the centre and lovely grounds with an attractive garden walk.
Campagne guide
Limeuil
Limeuil is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, and has a popular river beach where the Vezere and Dordogne rivers join
Limeuil guide
Chartreuse du Colombier
The Chartreuse du Colombier is a charming traditional stone house with a pretty garden open to visitors.
Chartreuse du Colombier guide
The Grotte du Grand Roc
The Grotte du Grand Roc is a beautiful natural cave system in the Dordogne.
The Grotte du Grand Roc guide
Laugerie-Basse
Laugerie Basse is a prehistoric shelter in the Vezere Valley in the Dordogne
Laugerie-Basse guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Dordogne
Address: Bugue, Sarlat-la-Canéda, Aquitaine, 24260, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 44.92, longitude 0.928
Plan your visit to Le Bugue, Dordogne
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Eglise de saint-Pierre (Audrix): religious monument (5 km)
- Limeuil: most beautiful village (5 km)
- Abbaye de Saint Martial (Paunat): religious monument (6 km)
- Decorated caves of the Vezere Valley: national monument (7 km)
- Grotte du Grand Roc: site of natural beauty (7 km)
- Abri de Cap Blanc: national monument (7 km)
- Abri of Laugerie-Haute: national monument (7 km)
- Font-de-Gaume: national monument (8 km)
- Jardin de Planbuisson: remarkable garden (8 km)
- Eglise de Saint-Hilaire et Eglise de Saint-Nicholas (Tremolat): religious monument (9 km)
- Jardins de la Bourlie: remarkable garden (12 km)
- Le-Buisson-de-Cadouin eglise abbatiale (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (13 km)
Market days in Le Bugue, France
Regular market(s) are held in Le Bugue each Tuesday. (Markets are held in the morning unless stated.)
The French version of this page is at Le Bugue (Francais)