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Dordogne, France Guide | |
| Among France's most beautiful & interesting regions, Dordogne enthralls not with world-class sights but with its gentle beauty, historic charm and cuisine. | ||
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The Dordogne River valley is among France's most beautiful and alluring regions. Swathed in fertile river-floodplain fields and green forests, its hills and rock outcrops dotted with medieval towns and châteaux, it offers a succession of beautiful vistas and panoramas along the length of the river and its tributaries. The Dordogne has no must-visit imperial cities such as Paris, no must-see royal châteaux such as in the Loire valley. What it has is a consistent richness of natural beauty, history, culture and cuisine. Dordogne/Périgord cuisine, by the way, is based on duck and goose, including the heart-stopping (in many ways) fois gras, washed down with notable local wines. Here's more on what to eat and drink. You go to the Dordogne (by plane, train, bus or car) just to live there for awhile and enjoy it. Here are the high points: BergeracFamous for Edmond Rostand's play Cyrano de Bergerac, this interesting medieval town is, more importantly, a winemaking center. More... Beynac-et-CazenacPerched on a mountain crag looming over the Dordogne River, Beynac is a picture-perfect medieval town topped by a castle-fortress, with canoes and kayaks for a cruise on the river. More... CahorsA mostly modern city embraced by the River Lot, but with medieval reminders, Cahors is, and always has been, famous for its wines. More... DommeA strong-walled military lookout on a rock promontory has become a must-see stop on any Dordogne Valley itinerary because of its panoramic views of the fertile countryside, spired châteaux, and meandering river. More...
LalindeThis small town, built as a fortress in 1267, is a quiet, calm stopping-place on your wanderings along the valley of the Dordogne. More... La Roque-GageacSqueezed between a mountain cliff and the river, this old one-street town looks to be straight out of a storybook. It's best viewed from the middle of the River Dordogne in a hired canoe or kayak, or during a cruise by traditional gabare riverboat. More... Lascaux & MontignacThe astonishing 25,000-year-old cave paintings discovered in the caves at Lascaux are a must-see, even if they're actually the faithful reproductions in Lascaux IV. The neighboring town of Montignac is a gracious host. More... Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-SireuilLascaux is most famous, but Les Eyzies is really the center of France's pre-historic cave-dwellers and their culture. It's here you'll find the National Museum of Pre-History along with plenty of caves and art. More... PerigueuxPréfecture and largest city in the Dordogne region, Périgueux is half-ancient, half-modern and famous for its foie gras and truffles. More... Rocamadour
A mystic, spiritual medieval town clinging to a sheer cliff topped by a fortress, Rocamadour is revered for its miraculous Black Madonna effigy and chapel as well as for its dramatic situation. It's a Dordogne must-see. More... Sarlat-la-CanédaSarlat is a popular base for explorations of the Dordogne because of its many good hotels and rental apartments, its restaurants, and its own cultural and historical interest. More... Saint-Cirq LapopieA medieval village little changed from the Middle Ages, set in a vast forest, it takes awhile to get to. Allow yourself a leisurely trip. More... Where to Stay in DordogneYou'll want to spend more than a day in this beautiful region of France. Use this handy Hotel Map with prices to find the perfect place to serve as a base for your explorations.
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The Dordogne River at Domme, Périgord.
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