The Dordogne Valley is an unimaginable area in France. It’s bought a number of the finest cities in France, picturesque villages and heaps of vineyards which are good to discover while visiting the west of France. There are such a lot of issues to do within the Dordogne Valley that you’ll be spoilt for alternative.
We’ve visited the Dordogne Valley many instances and adore it! It’s a particular French area and straightforward to discover in the event you’re already renting a automobile in France. Plus, you’ll get to strive all of the scrumptious cheeses, wines, and contemporary produce grown on the rolling hills across the Dordogne Valley.
So, that will help you get essentially the most out of your time visiting the Dordogne Valley, I’m sharing a few of our favorite locations you shouldn’t miss. Have a tremendous time exploring France. Oh, and as all the time, message us in the event you want any extra tips about how or the place to go to in your Dordogne Valley journey. We’re all the time completely satisfied to assist.
1.) Bergerac
Nestled within the southwest nook of the Dordogne, Bergerac is a beautiful city good for an evening or two. Round 50 km from the town of Bordeaux (throughout the regional border from the Dordogne Valley), Bergerac is steeped in historical past and has distinctive quaint buildings.
You see, plenty of the outdated city has been constructed utilizing timber frames, and it truthfully appears idyllic once you’re right here.
While right here, ensure to go to Chateau de Tiregand, a stunning fortress and winery which you could go to. Right here, you’ll be able to be a part of a winery tour and even strive some native wines (that are scrumptious, by the best way). It’s unimaginable, particularly as this place has been round because the 1600s.
Afterwards, ensure to discover the Récollets Cloister. It’s proper within the coronary heart of the town and dates approach again to the 1600s. This can be a a lot simpler possibility to go to in the event you don’t fancy driving because it’s proper within the metropolis centre.
Plus, when you’re inside Récollets Cloister, you’ll get to wander round and see the outdated cloisters that had been constructed on the medieval fortress gardens within the metropolis.
Oh, and don’t neglect, it’s also possible to see two statues of Edmond Rostand within the metropolis as a result of he made Cyrano de Bergerac one in every of his performs’ topics.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Paris
2.) Rocamadour
Travelling west from Bergerac, round 2 hours by automobile, you’ll attain the enduring village of Rocamadour. Visiting this clifftop village is definitely the most effective issues to do within the Dordogne Valley, and it’s steeped in historical past.
Now, one factor to notice: it will possibly get fairly busy on this little city, particularly on the height summer time days. In actual fact, it’s a daily incidence that Rocamadour has extra guests than residents. It will get very busy.
As soon as right here, you’ll must park. We all the time discover it best to park at ‘Parking 2’ on Pl. de Chateau. Right here’s the Google Map hyperlink, simply in case you need to pop it in your GPS system.
After parking, put in your strolling footwear and stroll the cobbled streets and hilly alleys that make Rocamadour so particular. The outdated clifftop village is stuffed with small retailers promoting wines, oils, lavender, and extra.
Afterwards, ensure to cease by the Sanctuary of Notre-Dame of Rocamadour. It’s been one of many Dordogne Valley’s most revered pilgrimage websites since Medieval instances.
Inside, you’ll see the Black Madonna statue and this iconic website within the village. One factor to notice is that there are many steps right here, so be ready with water and shade in the event you’re visiting within the peak of summer time. Alternatively, a seasonal ‘mini prepare switch’ will take you from the underside to the highest – avoiding all these pesky steps.
Lastly, if you need a terrific view of Rocamadour, drive to this level on Google Maps. The views throughout the valley are breathtaking.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Bordeaux
3.) Sarlat-la-Canéda
Simply west of Rocamadour, Sarlat-la-Canéda is a picture-perfect medieval city within the Dordogne Valley that’s completely straightforward to go to. You see, it’s comparatively near the close by Commarque Citadel (which is one other must-see spot, by the best way).
You may even take excursions inside and discover this medieval spot. Anyway, I’m rambling… let’s get again to Sarlat-la-Canéda.
Now, I’d suggest spending not less than a day in Sarlat-la-Canéda, particularly in the event you’re visiting on the weekend like we did. You see, the city is a hive of exercise, with the Sarlat Saturday Market promoting essentially the most monumental quantity of cheeses, pate, cured meats and honey.
Truthfully, you’ll need to eat your approach across the stalls.
Simply ensure to take loads of luggage with you. There are lots of farmers’ stalls with completely different native produce, which I can assure you’ll be taking dwelling with you.
Afterwards, wander the cobbled streets of Sarlat-la-Canéda and see the centuries of historical past on foot. Now, don’t neglect to go to the Lanterns Des Morts (the Lanterns of the Useless). It’s proper behind the Cathedral of Saint-Sacerdos and completely distinctive on this space of the Dordogne Valley.
It’s the right strategy to spend a day, stopping for lunch and having fun with this glorious city.
Afterwards, hop again in your automobile and drive round 20 minutes to the close by Chateau de Beynac. It’s one other medieval gem within the Dordogne Valley and an outdated fort that also stands proudly overlooking the area.
I completely adore it, and it’s simply the most effective issues to do within the Dordogne Valley in the event you’re on a highway journey.
Learn extra: Greatest cities in France to go to
4.) Perigueux
One of many bigger cities within the Dordogne Valley, Perigueux is a gem you gained’t need to miss. You see, it’s the right place to remain in a single day (or perhaps a few days) and act as a base to sluggish journey the town and the broader space round Perigueux.
As soon as right here, ensure to go to essentially the most well-known cathedral within the area, Saint-Entrance. It’s completely colossal, and you may simply tour the within for over 45 minutes and be taught a lot extra about its historical past.
Love museums? Then, you’ll need to head to the Périgord Museum of Artwork and Archaeology. You may spend hours inside, particularly in the event you’re something like me and must learn each signal and artefact’s origins. You’ll see every part from Stone Age artefacts to modern-day artwork that’s lovely.
Speaking of museums, one other gem within the space is the Vesunna Gallo-Roman Museum. It harkens again to Roman instances when this space was beneath Rome’s affect. To today, you’ll be able to nonetheless see remnants and be taught extra concerning the historical past of Romans in Perigueux, too.
Oh, and for a tasty dinner, pop into Hercule Poireau. Their menu is all the time seasonal and native, and the meals is scrumptious.
5.) Domme
Round a 25-minute drive south of Sarlat-la-Canéda, Domme is a surprising little space (or commune) that’s nice for a couple of hours of exploring. Visiting is definitely the most effective issues to do within the Dordogne Valley, and I’m quaint to discover on foot. Sure, as you’ve in all probability gathered, you’ll do plenty of strolling within the Dordogne Valley.
After arriving, ensure to go to the Grotte de Domme. It’s a colossal cave system the place you’ll be able to see heaps of stalagmites and stalactites which have shaped over 1000’s of years.
The entire expertise will take round 90 minutes and is beautiful when you’re inside. Simply ensure to pack a jacket; it will possibly get chilly within the caves.
Afterwards, head over to des idées à la noix for his or her yummy crepes. They make the tastiest, fresh-to-order crepes and galettes (slightly like open pies, if that is sensible).
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to within the north of France
6.) La Roque-Gageac
If you happen to’re following the Dordogne River, then you definately’ll simply come throughout La Roque-Gageac. Sure, it’s small, however that’s all a part of the appeal of visiting the Dordogne Valley.
Now, there’s a devoted parking space (simply right here on Google Maps) that permits you to pay for a couple of hours’ keep and wander round La Roque-Gageac.
I’d suggest heading to Les Courtines for his or her scrumptious charcuterie boards and tartans for lunch. Their backyard is beautiful on a sunny day and properly value consuming outdoors if climate permits.
Alternatively, head to the Bambousaie de la Roque-Gageac. It’s a stunning pathway that runs by way of the bamboo that grows round La Roque-Gageac and is beautiful to see. Plus, they’ve a terrific lunch spot inside the bamboo at Bar de la Bambousaie. It’s so beautiful.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Provence
7.) Château de Beynac
One of many area’s most iconic spots, visiting Château de Beynac is definitely the most effective issues to do within the Dordogne Valley if you wish to go to one of many area’s unimaginable castles.
Proper on the banks of the Dordogne River, Château de Beynac is a medieval stronghold that’s stood for a whole bunch of years. It’s unimaginable, and you may simply jump over for a protracted afternoon journey whereas following the route of the Dordogne River itself.
Now, one factor to notice is that (like plenty of areas within the Dordogne) there are heaps of steps. It’s all good in the event you’ve bought good mobility, however it may be a battle in the event you’re feeling the ache from different walks you’ve been doing.
As soon as right here, take a wander across the Château and peek contained in the historic stone rooms. It’s like stepping again in time and it’s all been preserved so superbly.
There’s a small payment for entry, nevertheless it’s properly value it.
8.) Chateau de Marqueyssac
Round a 20-minute drive south from Sarlat-la-Canéda, Château de Marqueyssac is properly value stopping as you drive across the wider Dordogne area. Now, it’s not the place you’ll spend all day exploring, nevertheless it’s an ideal spot to stretch your legs.
As soon as right here, ensure to wander across the beautiful gardens, that are beautiful. Nonetheless, my favorite factor concerning the gardens is the beautiful views over the broader Dordogne area.
Afterwards, drive south for about 10 minutes and go to Château de Castelnaud. It’s a fully mind-blowing fortress that’s good for a day of exploration. You may even catch the trebuchet getting used. It’s like an enormous catapult utilized in battle in Medieval instances.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do within the West of France
9.) Monpazier
Positioned between Bergerac and Sarlat, Monpazier is a picture-perfect village within the Dordogne that’s an absolute gem to go to.
Once more, Monpazier isn’t large however properly value spending two hours, over lunch, strolling round. As soon as right here, ensure to discover the Place des Cornières, the place you could find 23 stone homes and a stunning native market that operates seasonally.
Oh, and Le Croquant is a stunning little spot for lunch, simply in case you’re struggling to discover a place to eat.
10.) Martel
We had essentially the most superb time exploring Martel while road-tripping across the Dordogne Valley. It’s the form of place that’s good for morning exploring, particularly simply earlier than lunch.
As soon as right here, ensure to take the steam prepare on the Haut Quercy Railway. When you’ve purchased tickets, the prepare will depart on a loop again to Martel, and it’s one of the best expertise. Simply ensure to e-book a ticket prematurely; areas replenish quick on the peak of summer time.
It is likely one of the finest issues to do within the Dordogne Valley, particularly if you wish to maintain the entire household entertained.
For a chew to eat, cease off at Le Bistrot des Consuls. Its homely and easy menu serves up some tasty treats from the Dordogne area, and so they additionally serve a number of the area’s wines (that are so good, by the best way).
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