Accommodation in this Area

At a Glance

Area Description

The Dordogne is a beautiful region of south west France between the Loire valley and the high Pyrénées named after the magnificent river that runs through it. Locals refer to the region as the Périgord, a name used for the region before the French revolution; the region changed its name to the Dordogne in 1790.

There are four Périgords in the Dordogne, the "Périgord Verte" (Green Périgord) with its main town of Nontron, offers a greenery of verdant growth and valleys in a region crossed by a myriad of rivers and streams. The "Périgord Blanc" (White Périgord) is situated around the regions capital of Périgueux; this is a region of limestone plateaux, wide valleys and rolling meadows. The "Périgord Pourpre" (Purple Périgord) capital is Bergerac, the home of Cyrano and is the wine region, with full bodied reds and sweet white Monbazilacs, a famous desert wine. The "Périgord Noir" (Black Périgord) overlooks the valleys of the Vézère and the Dordogne, where the woods of Oak and Pine give it its name. Sarlat is its medieval capital, a maze of ancient and arcaded lanes, whose ochre stone buildings have now been declared a living museum.

Dordogne cuisine is considered one of the best in the World. To start, the Perigord region is known for its Truffles and foie gras, two of the most sumptuous tastes known. You'll find lots of duck and goose cooked in interesting ways including specialities such as "Demoiselle" (the whole bird grilled over a wood fire). Not to mention the Dordogne being the supplier of almost half of France’s fine wine!

The Dordogne is full of things to do for a perfect holiday as a couple or as a family; it is a great place to take the children. There are many castles and chateaux in the Dordogne, reputed to have 1001 of them! Explore the Gallic dry-stone huts (bories), Roman remains, Romanesque churches, caves and rock shelters (cluzeaux), fortified towns known as bastides, also the many interesting French round towers. All tell a story about the spiritual life of the caveman, wars and religious life in the Middle Ages, showing the history shaped by men's love for this enticing land, where man meets his match in nature. Wonder around medieval towns such as Domme, Belves, Monpazier and Sarlat; enjoy forests, gardens and unspoilt countryside, the scenery, the peace and perhaps have a coffee in a small cafe or a picnic next to a stream....

The Dordogne is a tourists paradise for many reasons, the beauty of the region is unrivalled, rivers cut through limestone allowing incredible cliffs that have built into and around for thousands of years. The immense system of caves below the earth show art so old it's difficult imagine the talent needed many years ago. Some visitors are attracted to the region purely because of the prehistoric caves, there are many in the region to explore, including Les Grottes de Maxange, newly discovered in 2000 at Le Buisson de Cadouin, these caves have several very unusual formations in addition to the stalactites and stalagmites - formed by capillary action rather than dripping water, these curious formations twist and turn in all directions. Grotte de Combarelles is situated 3km north-east of Les Eyzies and contains engravings of animals and some human figures. Grotte de Bara Bahau is a cave system 2km north of Le Bugue, with lots of animal pictures carved into the walls.

Enjoy the Dordogne any time of the year, in spring, when the air is filled with the scent of fruit trees in full blossom along with the countless species of orchids and other wild flowers. Summer provides an opportunity to bathe in one of Périgord's lakes or ponds, or go canoeing down shaded streams and discover a bit of history in the refreshing cool of the region's many caves or castles. In winter Périgord's architectural heritage comes out from behind their leafy hiding places. As Christmas arrives, markets sell local fresh truffles, cèpes and foies gras so prized by epicures from all over the world.

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