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Dordogne, or la Dordogne, is one of the most picturesque regions in France. It is also one of the largest and most prolific with the sheer number of historical buildings. It is an area that creates images of a return to rural life in France at a slow pace.
The locals are all friendly where the stone houses and green meadows offer a stark contrast and a wonderful escape into the French countryside.
It is only an hour’s drive from Bordeaux to immerse yourself into an almost unspoiled nature with an immense amount of magical sights that are full of history. There are a number of Dordogne points of interest to choose from, some are explained below.
The Dordogne department of southwest France used to be known as the ancient Perigord region of France until the French Revolution. These departments are synonymous with one another and after the French revolution, Dordogne was one of the original 83 departments that were created to make France’s administrative organisation simpler.
The criteria used for naming were based on hydrographical or geographical features. So, Perigord, France was named after the main river that flows through the area, the Dordogne. The two names are still used interchangeably.
Home to castles from the middle ages and the Renaissance, the Dordogne Valley, France is full of towns of history and art. Apart from its history, the region is known for its food and wine with the black truffles of Perigord and wines from Bergerac.
There are some standout towns within the Dordogne department of France that make them different from the more well-known big French cities.
Sarlat sits in the capital of the Perigord Black area of Dordogne, named for its dark oak forests, and is championed as one of the most intact and unique medieval cities in Europe. It is close to the Dordogne river and is probably the most stunning area within the region.
Sarlat is classified as a town of history and art with its narrow streets and tall stone buildings with influences of the Renaissance.
The town itself has been used in films for its well-preserved buildings; it is actually protected from being modernized by the law Malroux.
This is a paradise for any fans of gastronomy with truffles, mushrooms, and foie gras being farmed here, some of the finest delicacies of France. The city is a hive of activity with markets going on weekly for fresh food and curios to take back home with you. These markets have all the local farmer’s produce, where you can taste the freshest of the region’s specialities.
With so many historical monuments, it will be hard to choose just a few to visit but the Fountain of St. Mary, the former presidential house at 6 rue Landry and Salvador-Allende are a must-visit.
The commune of Bergerac sits on the riverbanks of the Dordogne and is widely known for its wine production and vineyards. This historic town is in the Purple Perigord area of the Dordogne. It is named after the shade of colour that the leaves turn during harvest and it’s the grape region.
Its narrow streets are lined with houses that are made partially of timber and mansions from a different time.
Standing proudly at the centre of the town is the church of Notre Dame, which dates back to the 19th century. Take a walk along the river bank after visiting the local markets and watch the traditional gabarres (flat-bottomed boats) floating around in the river.
Wines are what the town is famous for and are renowned for their character as they have been developed over the centuries. The famous foods of the entire Perigord region can also be found here. Bergerac is also named a city of art and history and is home to two statues of Cyrano de Bergerac.
Take time to explore the almost labyrinth-like but charming little streets and squares of the town and keep an eye out for all the little details for some amazing historical anecdotes.
Dordogne is known as the land of 1001 castles with most being open to the public but there are a select few that are extraordinary. There are also other historical sites of importance within the Dordogne River Valley that should be visited.
Sitting high above the Dordogne River, the Château de Beynac is a heavily fortified 12th-century castle that was conquered by Richard the Lionheart. The hilltop position means that the expansive views are magnificent and on the interior, witness rare 15th-century frescoes.
In the northern area of Dordogne, just south-east of Nontron, is the Château de Puyguilhem. What makes this castle so special is its location, with it being set against the backdrop of the northern Dordogne forests and a meadow in the front.
It was built in the 16th-century and has a similar style to the castle of the Loire Valley. The great hall has a fireplace that has scenes of the ‘labours of Hercules’ carved into it.
When it comes to Dordogne tourism, the Vezere Valley is known as the “Capital of Prehistory” with more than 150 currently known sites and 25 decorated caves. The painted caves in the Dordogne department have proven to play an important role in studying the Paleolithic period and its art.
The Abri du Poisson is a small cave that houses one of the oldest depictions of a fish, believed to be around 25,000 years old. The Les Combarelles cave houses more than 600 engravings and paintings, making this one of the most important decorated caves in the region.
There are so many things to do in Dordogne that it can be hard to narrow your list of sites to visit down to a handful. This region is like stepping into a time capsule that takes you back to a time where life was simple and the landscapes were vast and open.
The beautiful French countryside is a wonderful escape from the more modern metropolises and will let you dive headfirst into French history, traditions and culture. The question remains, which area in Dordogne will you visit first?
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