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Dordogne Overview

Hardly anywhere else will you find a region steeped in so much history, so the Dordogne definitely attracts Eurocampers with an eye for culture and history as well as the wonderful scenery and relaxed atmosphere for which the region is perhaps best known.

Camping in the Dordogne means enjoying beautiful meandering rivers, charming ancient villages, châteaux and rich vineyards. Green hills are topped with ‘bastide’ towns amidst some of France’s loveliest countryside, and the region is also home to a great deal of prehistoric art and archaeology, suggesting that this area has been justly popular for tens of thousands of years.

Perhaps the most ancient of these are the Caves at Lascaux, which offer not just some of the finest surviving examples of prehistoric paintings, but also Prehistoparc, which explores the rigours of Neanderthal and Cromagnon life with its dramatic presentations.

Moving forward through the ages, the lovely cliff-side town of Rocamadour, known as the Jewel of the Dordogne, is one of the most spectacular places we know, though there are many picturesque, medieval towns such as Domme and Sarlat.

There really is so much to see and do when you camp in the Dordogne, from walking and cycling to birdwatching, fishing and watersports. In fact, canoeing is a very popular way to explore the river and gorges here, with many organized excursions to choose from.

And at the end of the day, you will find the full-bodied red wines of Cahors and Bergerac, the famous sweet white Monbazillac and the fine white Bergeracs make the perfect complement to the sophisticated cuisine, which is often rich in truffle slices and foie gras.

For information on the other France regions Eurocamp have campsites in please see our French campsites

Places to visit - Sightseeing

With prehistoric sites, a multitude of grand Chateaux and the glorious Dordogne river to enjoy, there is something for everyone in this beautiful region:

Rocamadour
A stunning village built into a sheer cliff, this is one of France’s most visited attractions. While it is still a place of holy pilgrimage for the devout, it also offers a host of charming buildings and fine restaurants for the casual visitor.

Bergerac
A lovely old port spread across both sides of the Dordogne river, Bergerac is also the centre of this wine-producing region, and offers the fine dining and excellent wines you would expect, together with wine and tobacco museums.

Domme
This fortified bastide town offers great beauty, whichever way you look at it. Inside, it is a maze of ancient street and medieval gateways, while on the outside you will find endlessly beautiful views of the Dordogne valley, from Beynac to Montfort.

Sarlat
This bustling market town offers more medieval, Renaissance and 17th century buildings in one place than anywhere else in France. With its maze of quaint streets and fine churches, it could almost be considered a vast, open-air museum. Simply unmissable.

Perigueux
Périgueux has a glorious medieval centre that has been the crossroads of the Périgord since ancient times. Come here to enjoy the striking Cathedrale St-Front and the Musée du Périgord, where prehistoric artefacts date back more than 70,000 years.

Les Jardins de Margueyssac
A National Historical Monument, the hanging gardens at Margueyssac offer you more than 6 kilometres of shaded paths lined by more than 150,000 elegantly shaped boxwoods. Calming and beautiful in equal measure.

Chateau Castelnaud
Offering magnificent views over the Dordogne valley and the medieval village of La Roque-Gageac, Chateau Castelnaud is a stunning castle, devoted to exploring the art of war in the Middle Ages through a superb collections of arms.

Montignac
A lovely old town on the banks of the Vezere River, Montignac offers a delightful old quarter where the narrow medieval streets contain wonderful examples of 14th, 15th and16th century architecture as well as lots of lovely bars and restaurants.

Great for younger kids

Prehisto Parc
The ideal place for youngsters to let off some steam while learning about the past. Prehisto Parc consists of five hectares of woodland complete with tableaux depicting the lives of Neanderthal and Cromagnon hunters – and their fearsome prey.

Jacquou Parc
This lively park near Le Bugue is ideal for younger families, as it offers an aqua zone with pools and waterslides, a fairground zone and best of all, an animal parc full of parrots, donkeys and a host of other cute, pettable creatures.

Great for older kids

Indian Forest Perigord
This family adventure park features no less than six climbing adventure courses amidst the treetops. Difficulty levels vary and challenge visitors with a variety of rope bridges, zip wires, balance beams, climbing walls, slides and ropes.

Hautefort Quad Biking and Paintballing
These adjacent attractions just outside the village of Hautefort offer quad bike trekking and paintballing in four different terrains respectively. An ideal day out for families with older children and teens.

Places to visit - Activities & events

Canoeing
The Dordogne is such an endlessly beautiful river, and one of the best ways to enjoy it is to hire a canoe for a day or half a day. You will find many places that hire canoes here, including at Le Bugue, Port d’Envaux and Le Roque Gageac.

Golf
There are seven fine golf courses in the Dordogne, where you can enjoy nine or eighteen holes in some of the loveliest scenery in all France. Lolivarie in the heart of the Perigord Noir is particularly popular, with a lovely woodland setting.

Fishing
The Dordogne is home to all sorts of fish, from pike and carp to salmon and trout. Fishing spots are also plentiful, but please remember to get a licence from the local tackle shop or tabac first – and also that night fishing is mainly prohibited here.

Horse-riding
The Dordogne and Vezere valleys make spectacular horse-riding country, and you will find a number of farms and equestrian centres here from where you can enjoy a day’s riding or even overnight tours.

Unmissable events in Dordogne

Sarlat Theatre Festival
Held here since 1952, this three-week festival is held every year across July and August and usually features more than 20 plays performed in the medieval heart of Sarlat.

L’Eté Musical en Bergerac
Taking place for a month every Summer across July and August, this enjoyable festival features an eclectic mix of musical acts from around the world performing against a variety of historic backdrops.

Festival les Guitares Vertes – Every July in Jumilhac
A feast of guitar-based concerts, discussions, cinema and photography from around the world.

Pourpre Jazz Festival – Every May inBergerac
Now in its eighth year, this friendly and informal jazz festival takes place in Bergerac, and brings a number of jazz styles together.

Places to visit - Eating out

The Dordogne has one of the richest cuisines in France, in every sense of the word. These are just some of the highlights:

• Foie Gras – a rich paté made from the fattened livers of geese, you will find signs for home made foie gras at farms across the region
• Walnuts – popular throughout the region, these fine nuts are coated in chocolate, turned into nougat, pressed for their oil and even turned into a surprisingly pleasant liqueur.
• Truffles – the Périgord is famous for its rich, black truffles; a delicacy that is used to add richness to many meals here, from gourmet feasts to omelettes.
• Bergerac wine – this is wonderful wine country and oenophiles should be sure to sample the fine Bergerac AOC and Montravel AOC wines they will find here.
  

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