The Dordogne is one of the most popular regions for travelers to France.
It is an area of great geographic beauty. With more castles than the
Loire Valley, it is a visual splendor. It also boasts caves with prehistoric
paintings, outdoor activities galore and famous regional cuisine.
Landscape

Located
in southwest France, it spans north and south of the river Dordogne.
This is a region of green hills, winding rivers, and dense forests.
Because it has largely been untainted by modern industrialization,
it offers visitors a chance to experience the pristine countryside
and ancient villages reminiscent of a past era. Drive 20 miles in
any direction and you encounter another charming village of native
stone houses with characteristic steep-pitched roofs. Hilltops reveal
ancient castles. Walnuts are gathered in fall to produce the traditional
walnut oil. Geese are raised to produce foie gras. In winter, forests
are foraged for truffles. Sunflowers stand tall in vast fields. Stone
barns are filled with racks of tobacco drying. It is a splendid countryside.
Towns
& Villages - Where to Stay
Along the River Dordogne
Although
a visit to any part of the region will allow the visitor to sample
its splendors, the area with perhaps the greatest concentration of
sites is the portion along the River Dordogne from Lalinde in the
west to Souillac in the east. This is the region known as Périgord
Noir. Here are some towns to look for on the map. Perhaps the most
famous is Sarlat, a medieval town that reached its peak of prosperity
in the 14th century! A stroll through the center reveals houses with
traditional medieval ground floor construction and renaissance upper
stories. St. Cyprien, which is nearby, is another charming medieval
town with a major outdoor market held weekly. Go a little north up
the Vézère River to Les Eyzies to find the famous caves
with their preserved Stone Age paintings. There are more than 200
prehistoric sites in the region, the most famous of which is Lascaux.
And continuing east along the Dordogne from St. Cyprien reveals an
astonishing selection of beautiful hilltop castles: Beynac perched
on bare rock, Les Milandes owned once by Josephine Baker, Montfort
with its village below. There are walled cities like Domme, and hillside
villages like La Roque Gageac-- selected as one of the prettiest in
France.
North of the River and West to Bergerac

Visits
to the northern or western portions of the Dordogne can offer a lot
as well, although these areas aren’t quite as famous. Some might
prefer that, as it is a bit more off the beaten track and thus perhaps
a bit quieter. The northern area, known as Périgord Blanc,
also has medieval towns to visit, castles to explore and caves with
prehistoric paintings. You can even drive to Limoges, famous for its
porcelain. If you go west past Bergerac, the hills disappear. Although
the countryside might be less impressive, here there are with scores
of famous vineyards that extend eventually to Bordeaux. South of Bergerac
are walled bastide towns. This is also a pretty area, although less
central for touring.
Food
& Wine

The
Dordogne is the heart of French cooking. Many of the classic French
dishes come from the Dordogne with foie gras and confit both local
specialities prepared from ducks and geese. You can visit farms in
the area with flocks of these beautiful creatures. The use of walnut
oil in salads offers a unique taste to even simple greens. And with
Bordeaux and Cahors nearby, the wines are superb as well. There are
many restaurants around offering truly fine food.
Sports
& Recreation

This is a great area for outdoor activities. You can rent canoes and
paddle down the gentle Dordogne. Many people enjoy swimming in the
river. Hot air balloon rides are a wonderful way to view the beautiful
castles. The hills have designated hiking trails as well. And due
to the many tiny roads that stretch out in all directions, this is
a great place for biking with many quiet country roads, although it
is hilly.
Our selections on our website offer just a few examples of our rentals
to start. Click on the link for
online
catalogs and see the rest of our selection.
Call or
email
us. We look forward to helping you plan your trip!