Dordogne People

A Travel Guide to Dordogne

The Dordogne is located in Aquitaine in south west France and is one of the most popular areas to be visited by tourists in the country. It has so much to offer the visitor throughout the year, with its vast stretches of unspoilt countryside, quaint rural villages, picturesque chateaux, excellent cuisine and warm welcome from its inhabitants.

Its medieval towns contain some beautiful architecture and its pre-historic caves hold a fascination for both adults and children alike. The most famous sites within the Dordogne include medieval Sarlat, Chateau Castelnaud, Lascaux Caves and the Vezere Valley prehistoric caves, but it is most probably the peace and quiet, the beauty of the river and the scenic views that will remain in a visitor`s mind.

Lascaux caves are considered the world`s best example but are nowadays closed to the public to due damage. Lascaux II is a replica model of the caves and built close by. They are such a good copy you will not be disapointed.

There are many beautiful chateaux to visit. Chateau Puyguillem is located close to Nontron in the south east and Chateau Jumilhac in the north east, both picture postcard structures set in magnificent surroundings. The Chateau de Beynac is a fine example of 12th century architecture and is situated on top of a limestone cliff overlooking the town of Beynac et Cazenac and its interior is complete with period furniture.

The prehistoric museum of Les Eyzies de Tayac is built on the edge of a cliff and contains many palaeolithic remains excavated in the Vezere Valley. The Font de Gaume Cave is located just outside Les Eyzies and contains many artefacts such as flints, chisels and blades but has some of the best Magdalenian paintings and engravings from around 14,000 BC. It was in Les Eyzies that Cro-Magnon man was discovered in 1868 during the construction of a railway.

The Dordogne is a region that holds markets in most towns on a weekly basis. Both large towns and the smallest of villages are visited by local sellers with fresh produce to enjoy. The larger markets are held in Nontron on Saturdays, Riberac on Tuesdays and Fridays, Perigeux on Wednesdays and Saturdays and Sarlat on Saturdays. They are bright and colourful places that are a must for visitors who are staying in self catering accommodation as well as those people who wish to browse for souvenirs.

The Dordogne is a large area and so a hire car is essential in order to see as much as possible. For cheap car hire Bergerac airport has plenty to offer. The roads are generally quiet and traffic free and well signposted, making driving a pleasant experience. .

The Dordogne river stretches from the Auvergne mountains through Perigord and Limousin before reaching Gironde, north of Bordeaux. Canoeing is a popular activity that takes place in many parts of the river.

Dining out in the Dordogne is a wonderful experience. Many of the smallest villages have the best places to eat, whether they are elegant restaurants or traditional cafes.