Dordogne places to visit and attractions
Below you can explore some of the most popular highlights and places of interest in the Dordogne department of Aquitaine. See also our Dordogne travel guide
Badefols d'Ans
Badefols d'Ans is a small village around a castle and church See guide
Beaumont-du-Perigord
The traditional bastide town of Beaumont-du-Perigord is an interesting contrast to the nearby village of Monpazier See guide
Belves
Belves is one of the liveliest and most attractive small towns in the Dordogne and has several historic monumnts of interest See guide
Bergerac
Bergerac is a substantial town on the banks of the river and with an extensive medieval old town. One of our favourite towns! See guide
Beynac
One of the most beautiful villages in France and also with stunning views and on of the most impressive Dordogne castles, Beynac is unmissable when you visit See guide
Biron
Biron is a picturesque village with an ancient church and an imposing castle, and far-reaching views See guide Advertisement
Bourdeilles
Close to Brantome, the Chateau de Bourdeilles is quite modest compared with some in the region but a visit is still recommended See guide
Brantome
In an idyllic setting on the Isle River and with an imposing abbey, Brantome is a very enjoyable town to explore See guide
Brantome Abbey
Brantome Abbey is an impressive abbey with troglodyte caves in the beautiful town of Brantome. See guide
Cabanes du Breuil
The Cabanes du Breuil are ancient farm buildings made from dry stone in the heart of the Dordogne See guide
Cadouin
Cadouin is a small village best known for its medieval abbey, an important pilgrimage destination See guide
Cadouin abbey
Cadouin abbey was built in the 12th century in the roman style See guide
Cadouin abbey cloisters
The cloister attached to the abbey at Cadouin were built in the 15th century and among the most charming in France See guide
Campagne
Campagne is a pretty village with a splendid castle in the centre and lovely grounds with an attractive garden walk. See guide
Carlux
Carlux is a pretty village with the ruins of a castle in its centre. See guide Advertisement
Carsac-Aillac
Carsac-Aillac is home to the Jardins d'eau de Carsac and also has a lovely romanesque church. See guide
Castelnaud-la-Chapelle
Castelnaud-la-Chapelle is a very pretty village best known for the Chateau de castelnaud, the most visited castle in the region See guide
Chartreuse du Colombier
The Chartreuse du Colombier is a charming traditional stone house with a pretty garden open to visitors. See guide
Chateau de Beynac
High on a clifftop and beautifully restored, the Chateau de Beynac is our favourite castle in the region See guide
Chateau de Biron
The Chateau de Biron is a perfect way to discover the history and countryside of the southern Dordogne See guide
Chateau de Bourdeilles
The Chateau de Bourdeilles consists of a medieval defensive castle and a Renaissance castle in the pretty village of Bourdeilles. See guide
Chateau de Bridoire
Visit the Chateau de Bridoire, a medieval chateau with lots of games for all the family. See guide
Chateau de Castelnaud
The extensive Chateau de Castelnaud and the associated Museum of Medieval Weapons are very popular with both adults nd children See guide
Chateau de Commarque
The Chateau de Commarque is an imposing ruined castle that was 'found' in the forest and has now been cleared and opened to the public. See guide
Chateau de Fenelon
The chateau de Fenelon is half medieval and half renaissance, and sited in an imposing elevated position in the Dordogne See guide
Chateau de Hautefort
At Chateau de Hautefort you can see a vey imposing castle and also extensive and carefuly maintaind garden See guide
Chateau de Jumilhac
The Chateau de Jumilhac is in the northern Dordogn, within the Perigord-Limousin Regional Natural Park See guide
Chateau de Lanquais
The Chateau de Lanquais - sometimes called the Louvre of the Perigord - combines medieval and renaissance architecture See guide
Chateau de Losse
Close to Montignac, the Chateau de Losse is an interesting castle that also has very pretty gardens See guide
Chateau de Montfort
Close to Sarlat, the Chateau de Montfort is an imposing setting above the river - but unfortunately not open to the public See guide
Chateau de Puyguilhem
Extensive renovation work at the Chateau de Puyguilhem has brought a new lease of life to this Renaissance style castle See guide
Chateau de Puymartin
The views, the furnishings and the legend of a resident ghost all combine to make Chateau de Puymartin an interesting destination See guide
Chateau des Milandes
The beautifully restored Chateau des Milandes, in Renaissance style, is best known for its association with the jazz dancer called Josephine Baker See guide
Daglan
Daglan is a small village in the south of the Dordogne department on the river Céou See guide
Domme
Domme is a beautiful hilltop village with an extensive cave system, and extensive views across the river and countryside See guide
Excideuil
The town of Excideuil in the northern Dordogne has a lively market every Thursday and is close to two of the most important castles in the region See guide
Eymet
The bastide town of Eymet,south of Bergerac, has some lovely medieval houses and an attractive seting on the Dropt river See guide
Fanlac
Fanlac is a charming village and was the location for the film and tv series of Jacquou le Croquant. See guide
Font-de-Gaume
The caves at Font-de-Gaume are one of the last caves in France where the public can still see original cave paintings See guide
Grotte de Rouffignac
The Grotte de Rouffignac contains engravings and drawings of more than 100 mammoths See guide
Issac
Issac is a pretty village with a 15th century tower and a Romanesque church. See guide
Issigeac
The historic small town of Issigeac has many lovely old houses and the most famous Sunday market in the Dordogne See guide
Jardins de Marqueyssac
The beautiful gardens of Marqueyssac are the most visited gardens in Aquitaine See guide
Jardins du manoir d'Eyrignac
The Gardens of the Manoir d'Eyrignac are a remarkable garden with large areas of trimmed trees, tranquil alleys and formal gardens See guide
Javerlhac-et-la-Chapelle-Saint-Robert
Javerlhac-et-la-Chapelle-Saint-Robert is a charming village with a church and castle and a lovely riverside area. See guide
La Musée de la Rue du temps qui passe
The musée de la rue du temps qui passe is an atmospheric step back to the 1870 to 1940 years. See guide
La Roque-Gageac
The picture-postcard village of La Roque-Gageac is along the banks of the Dordogne river and also has semi-tropical gardens and ancient cave dwellings to see. See guide
La-Roque-Saint-Christophe
The prehistoric dwellings built in the cliffs at La Roque-Saint-Christophe are one of the most extensive of their type in France See guide
Lascaux caves
The Lascaux Caves are famous worldwide because of the large number of prehistoric cave paintings to be seen See guide
Laugerie-Basse
Laugerie Basse is a prehistoric shelter in the Vezere Valley in the Dordogne See guide
Le Bouquet
The Jardin du Bouquet is a large park containing 50 different gardens of clipped box formed into different geometric patterns. See guide
Le Bugue
The town of Le Bugue, on the Dordogne river banks, is very well situated to explore the region See guide
Le Moustier
Le Moustier is a small village that is home to two prehistoric shelters of historic significance. See guide
Les Eyzies
Les Eyzies is a small traditional town, within easy reach of many of the most important prehistoric monuments of the Vezere Valley See guide
Les Jardins d'eau
The Jardins d'eau in Carsac-Aillac is a stunning water garden with a lovely water labyrinth. See guide
Les Jardins de Cadiot
The Jardins de Cadiot is a pretty garden in the Dordogne Valley near to Sarlat. See guide
Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire
The Jardins de l'Imaginaire is a lovely contemporary garden in the Dordogne town of Terrasson. See guide
Les Jardins de Sardy
The Jardins de Sardy to the wet of Bergerac are one of our favourite gardens to visit in the region See 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 See guide
Mareuil-en-Perigord
The village of Mareuil in Mareuil-en-Perigord was one of the four baronies of the Perigord and its castle can be visited in the summer. See guide
Molieres
Molieres is small but perhaps the best example of an unspoiled bastide town in the region. See guide
Monbazillac
Monbazillac is home to the Chateau de Monbazillac, famous producer of sweet white wines See guide
Monpazier
Monpazier is an exceptional 13th century bastide town, among the most beautiful villages in France. See guide
Montcaret
At Montcaret you can visit the archaeological site of a Roman villa to see ancient mosaics See guide
Montferrand-du-Perigord
The pretty little village of Montferrand-du-Perigord is in a particularly scenic area and has a traditional market hall See guide
Montignac
Best known for being close to Lascaux caves, the small town of Montignac is also very attractive See guide
Musee National de Prehistoire
The Musee National de Prehistoire in Les Eyzies contains one of the most complete collections relating to prehistory in France. See guide
Mussidan
Mussidan is a small town on the confluence of the rivers Isle and Crempse in the Dordogne. See guide
Neuvic sur l'Isle
Neuvic is a small town with a chateau, the Chateau de Neuvic which is open for visits in the summer. See guide
Nontron
Nontron is a quiet town within the Perigord-Limousin Regional Natural Park to the north of the Dordogne See guide
Paunat
Paunat is a pretty village with a large abbey-church in the Dordogne. See guide
Perigueux
One of our favourite towns in the Dordogne, Perigueux has an imposing byzantine cathedral and an extensive medieval old town to explore See guide
Perigueux cathedral
The cathedral in Perigueux combines roman and byzantine elements to create a most unusual - and impressive - building See guide
Plazac
The village of Plazac is very small but well worth exploring, and well placed to discover many local highlights See guide
Prats-du-Perigord
Prats-du-Perigord is a small village with an impressive fortified church in the south-east of the Dordogne department See guide
Riberac
Riberac, a quiet and traditional town, is well known for the large market held here each Friday See guide
Saint Vincent de Cosse
Saint Vincent de Cosse is a charming village with some beautiful houses and rural architecture. See guide
Saint-Amand-de-Coly
The village of Saint-Amand-de-Coly is one of the prettiest in the Dordogne, and also well placed s a base if you are exploring the region See guide
Saint-Astier
Saint Astier is a small town in the Dordogne with an attractive riverside setting. See guide
Saint-Avit-Senieur
Saint-Avit-Senieur is dominated by the substantial abbey ruins in the centre of the village See guide
Saint-Cyprien
Saint-Cyprien village has a very picturesque historic centre and lovely views across the Dordogne region See guide
Saint-Geniès
Saint-Geniès is a traditional Dordogne village around a small castle and church See guide
Saint-Jean-de-Cole
Saint-Jean-de-Cole is a small but very pretty village with a nice church and beautiful riverside setting See guide
Saint-Leon-sur-Vezere
In the heart of the UNESCO listed Vézère Valley, the village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère is one of the loveliest in the Dordogne See guide
Saint-Pompon
Saint-Pompon, France is a small village to the south of the Dordogne department with an attractive historic centre See guide
Salignac-Eyvigues
The small town of Salignac-Eyvigues in the Dordogne has several places of interest including a 14th century house and a castle See guide
Sarlat
Sarlat is the historic capital of the region, and perhaps the most remarkable and intact historic town in France. Highly recommended! See guide
Siorac-en-Perigord
Siorac-en-Perigord is a peaceful village close to the main sights of the Dordogne. See guide
Sorges
Sorges is a village in the Dordogne renowned for its truffles and has an ecomuseum dedicated to the history and cultivation of truffles. See guide
Terrasson
The quiet town of Terrasson in the north of the department is best known for the extensive Gardens of the Imagination See guide
The Abri Cro Magnon
The Abri Cro-Magnon is an information centre built at the site of the first discovery of Cro-Magnon man - our ancestors. See guide
The Grotte du Grand Roc
The Grotte du Grand Roc is a beautiful natural cave system in the Dordogne. See guide
The Jardin de la Ferme Fleurie
The Jardin de la Ferme Fleurie is a colourful garden in the Dordogne valley near La Roque Gageac. See guide
The Jardins de l'Albarede
The Jardins de l'Albarede is an attractive garden surrounded by wooded hills in the Dordogne department. See guide
Thiviers
Thiviers is a very typical Dordogne market town, best known for the foie gras produced in the surrounding countryside See guide
Tourtoirac
The small village of Tourtoirac has a church and river walk as well as a cave system to visit See guide
Tremolat
Trémolat is a very small but attractive village, close to the scenic highlight at the Cingle de Tremolat which has far-reaching views across the river See guide
Urval
Urval is a pretty village with an ancient communal bread oven and fortified church. See guide
Varaignes
Varaignes is a pretty village with a castle at its centre. The castle is home to a museum of textiles and slipper making. See guide
Vezere Valley
The pretty valley of the Vézère is an important region for its well preserved prehistoric settlements See guide
Villamblard
North of Bergerac, Villamblard is a pleasant town to discover and surrounded by attractive countryside See guide
Villefranche-du-Perigord
Surrounded by the forests that produce the famous local chestnuts, Villefranche-du-Perigord is a small and unspoiled bastide town See guide
Vitrac and Vitrac Port
Vitrac is a quiet village next to Vitrac Port which has a river beach and various facilities. See guideFor more information see the Dordogne guide
Market towns & days in Dordogne
all markets in morning unless otherwise stated
Belves: Saturday
Bergerac: Wednesday all day & Saturday all day
Brantome: Friday
Brantome: Monday (high season only)
Domme: Thursday
Excideuil: Thursday
Eymet: Thursday
Issigeac: Sunday
Lalinde: Thursday
Le Bugue: Tuesday
Le Buisson-de-Cadouin: Friday
Le Lardin-Saint-Lazare: Friday
Les Eyzies: Monday all day (high season only)
Lisle: Tuesday
Mareuil: Tuesday
Monpazier: Thursday
Montignac: Wednesday & Saturday
Montpon-Menesterol: Wednesday
Mussidan: Saturday
Perigueux: Wednesday all day & Saturday all day
Piegut-Pluviers: Wednesday
Riberac: Tuesday & Friday
Saint-Astier: Thursday
Saint-Cyprien: Sunday
Saint-Pierre-de-Chignac: Saturday
Sarlat: Wednesday & Saturday all day
Terrasson: Thursday
Thenon: Tuesday
Thiviers: Tuesday (high season only)
Thiviers: Saturday
Tocane-Saint-Apre: Monday &
Vergt: Friday
Tourist attractions to visit in Dordogne
The following sites have received official "tourist classifications"...
Sites of Natural Beauty
Grotte du Grand Roc: See tourist guide
Secteur Sauvegardé (protected historical town centre)
Monpazier: See tourist guide
Perigueux: See tourist guide
Sarlat: See tourist guide
Listed 'Remarkable Gardens'
Jardin de Conty
Jardin de la Daille
Jardin de Planbuisson
Jardins de l'Albarède: See tourist guide
Jardins de l'Imaginaire
Jardins de la Bourlie
Jardins de Marqueyssac: See tourist guide
Jardins du château de Caudon
Jardins du château de Hautefort
Jardins du château de Losse: See tourist guide
Jardins du château de Montréal
Jardins du Manoir d'Eyrignac
Jardins du Sardy: See tourist guide
Parc et potager de Pouthet
Religious Monuments
Abbaye de Saint Amand de Coly (Saint-Amand-de-Coly)
Abbaye de Saint Martial (Paunat)
Abbaye Notre Dame (Chancelade)
Abbaye Saint Pierre (Brantome): See tourist guide
Ancien Prieuré de Merlande (La Chapelle-Gonaguet)
Cathédrale Saint-Sardos (Sarlat)
Eglise de Saint Léonce (Saint-Leon-sur-Vezere)
Eglise de Saint-Hilaire et Eglise de Saint-Nicholas (Tremolat)
Eglise de saint-Pierre (Audrix)
Eglise Notre Dame de Faye (Faye)
Eglise Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Belves)
Eglise Notre Dame de l'Assomption (Thiviers)
Eglise notre-Dame de Nativité (Cenac-et-Saint-Julien)
Eglise Saint Etienne de la Cité (Perigueux)
Eglise Sainte-Croix (Beaumont-du-Perigord)
National Monuments
Abri de Cap Blanc: See tourist guide
Abri of Laugerie-Haute
Chateau de Puyguilhem: See tourist guide
Decorated caves of the Vezere Valley: See tourist guide
Font-de-Gaume: See tourist guide
Montcaret Archaeological site: See tourist guide
Villages classified as "most beautiful villages"
Belves: See tourist guide
Beynac: See tourist guide
Domme: See tourist guide
La Roque-Gageac: See tourist guide
Limeuil: See tourist guide
Monpazier: See tourist guide
Saint-Amand-de-Coly: See tourist guide
Saint-Jean-de-Cole: See tourist guide
Saint-Leon-sur-Vezere: See tourist guide
UNESCO world heritage sites
Le-Buisson-de-Cadouin eglise abbatiale (monuments on French pilgrim routes): See tourist guide
Perigueux cathédrale Saint Front (monuments on French pilgrim routes): See tourist guide
Saint-Avit Eglise (monuments on French pilgrim routes): See tourist guide
Vezere Valley: See tourist guide
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