Dordogne travel guide

The Dordogne is traditionally one of the most popular parts of France for relaxing family breaks, wine tours and driving holidays, not to mention overseas property investment. It offers everything that one would expect from rural France - vineyards; picturesque and peaceful villages; broad valleys veined by streams and river tributaries; regal chateaux and much more.

Located in south-west France, the Dordogne shares a trait with one of its neighbours to the north, the Loire Valley, of being named after the river that runs through its heart. The Dordogne has its source in the mountains of Auvergne and flows west through the region, eventually merging with the Garonne and emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. No holiday in the Dordogne is complete without a trip along the river or a visit to one of the towns situated on its banks.

The location of the Dordogne in southern France means it enjoys a pleasant climate, giving holidaymakers the option to visit in the summer for a good chance of high temperatures or in the spring or autumn for milder conditions.

Getting there

For the most direct driving routes to the Dordogne region, travellers should head to ferry ports in north-east France such as St Malo or Cherbourg. Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth to St Malo and also offers services on the Portsmouth to Cherbourg ferry route alongside Condor Ferries.

Other possible ferry travel destinations include Caen, which is served by Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth, and Le Havre, also accessible from Portsmouth with LD Lines.

Particularly adventurous travellers may be interested in sailing to northern Spain and driving through the Basque and Aquitaine regions to reach the Dordogne. Brittany Ferries offers ferry crossings from both Portsmouth and Plymouth to Santander on the north coast of Spain, while P&O Ferries sails from Portsmouth to Bilbao.

Things to do

As well as being some of the region's most impressive sights, the rivers and waterways that run through the Dordogne are an important part of the tourism industry owing to the range of activities and experiences they offer. Boat trips along the Dordogne are available from Bergerac, Beynac and other destinations, while canoeing on the river is also a popular pastime.

In the River Vezere valley, there are facilities and destinations for visitors to go hiking, horse-riding, mountain biking or quad biking. This area is also home to a number of prehistoric attractions including caves and ancient rock formations.

Families can ensure that younger visitors enjoy their holiday by paying a visit to one of the region's amusement parks or leisure attractions, such as Parc Robinson in Landes, Roc Altitude in Gironde and Walibi Aquitaine in Rocquefort.

Like many parts of France, the Dordogne is well known for its rural, natural appeal, but there are also many interesting towns and villages to explore in the region. Medieval Belves boasts a 15th century covered-market hall, while Beynac, which is situated along the northern bank of the Dordogne river, is famous for its castle and was used as one of the locations for the film Chocolat. Other towns worth a visit include Monpazier, Bergerac, Rocamadour and Sarlat.

Things to see

Another attribute that the Dordogne shares with the Loire Valley is its stunning collection of chateaux, which are spread all over the region and offer a fascinating insight into its history. One of the most famous is Chateau de Beynac, which stands in an impressive setting high above the Dordogne river, offering a view of Chateau de Castelnaud on the opposite bank. Further north, travellers will find Chateau de Bourdeilles, which is home to some traditional French gardens, and the elegant Chateau de Hautefort.

A journey back into the history of the Dordogne is also on offer at the famous Lascaux caves about 30km north of Sarlat. Visitors can take guided tours of reproductions of the caves, which explore their history and study prehistoric wall paintings that were created tens of thousands of years ago. There are also many caves to explore around Les Eyzies, as well as the Musee de Prehistoire.

People willing to make the short trip from Dordogne territory into the Lot region can visit the Gouffre de Padirac, a giant chasm into which adventurous guests can descend to explore a subterranean network of caves.

Places to stay

Bergerac is one of the best locations in the Dordogne to find a variety of accommodation that suits all requirements. Two-star options in the area include the Kyriad Bergerac on the road to Bordeaux and the Maison de la Foret, which is located in 15 acres of private woodland.

The three-star Hotel de Bordeaux is also a popular option owing to its location close to the historic centre of Bergerac. Those looking for a touch of luxury can stay at the four-star Chateau des Vigiers in Monestier, which boasts facilities including a fitness centre and a sauna. Restaurants, a golf course and tennis courts are all located in close proximity to the hotel, as are the towns of St Emilion, Sarlat and Lascaux.

Dordogne visitors may be interested in other establishments in the region such as the three-star Inter Hotel Atrium in Limoges, the opulent Chateau de Castel Novel in Varetz and the two-star Hotel Continental in the heart of Bordeaux.

Written by Andrew Smith