From a holiday home in Dordogne you enjoy the diverse landscape in the different areas. The department can be divided into four areas in terms of landscape diversity. The north consists of the Périgord Blanc (white) and Périgord Vert (green). White Périgord is characterized by its white stone and limestone soil. Under this limestone plateau are many natural caves with beautiful stalactites and prehistoric drawings. The most famous are the Lascaux caves and these are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Green Périgord owes its name to the green area, the many rivers and to the beautiful historic landscape with traditional houses.
The south of the Dordogne is consists of the Périgord Noir (black) and the Périgord Pourpre (purple). The Black Périgord is famous for its prehistoric remains in the Dordogne valley and the Vézère valley, its castles, medieval villages and landscapes. Purple Périgord is known for its many vineyards and fortified towns like Beaumont and Monpazier.
The Dordogne River flows from east to through the department of the Dordogne and is ideal for canoeing, kayaking or swimming in delicious. The large part of the department is part of the old province of the Périgord and is therefore still called Périgord by the locals. It has a mild climate with not much wind and has a gourmet kitchen. The foie gras and truffles are world famous. The local dishes, prepared with seasonal products such as chestnuts, walnuts and strawberries are a must.
From your holiday house in the Dordogne, visit the capital of the department: Périgueux. Downtown Périgueux brings you back to the era of the middle Ages. This beautiful city classified “City of Art & History”. It has an exceptional heritage and you can stroll through the medieval streets around the famous cathedral Puy Saint.
The street “Limogeanne” is definitely worth a visit. You will find beautiful buildings and palaces from the Renaissance era. Take a look at the relics of the past of the city, by following the Gallo-Roman route, circling the museum Vesunna. The Museum of Perigord is known as one of the most important museums of prehistory times in France. Treasures and works of art from that time are on display.
The castle of Beynac is built on a gigantic rock peak in the town of Beynac-et-Cazenac. The castle served as a filming location for the movie "The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc." In 1999. The Castle of l'Herm can be found in the village of Rouffignac-st-Cernin-de-Reilhac on an unexpected beautiful site. The castle has exciting history stories, often ending in the death of someone. So many actually, that the ruins have the reputation of a haunted castle.
During your well-deserved holiday in the Dordogne, do visit the beautiful city of Bergerac. Located on the banks of the Dordogne, this charming town dating from the Renaissance and is a maze of streets and alleys. The Église Notre-Dame and the Église St. Jacques are situated in the pedestrianized centre of Bergerac, as are the tobacco museum, wine museum and the castle of Monbazillac. Near the city are magnificent castles and abbeys. In the hilly landscape there are numerous vineyards, producing excellent wines. 13 AOC wines are locally produced, like Monbazillac, Saussignac, Pécharmant, characterful red wines, fruity rosé wines and fresh white wines; the offer is impressive. Take a walk through the vineyards, guided by the passionate stories of the winemakers, who will be pleased to introduce you to all the flavours and aromas.
A visit to the medieval Sarlat-la-Canéda is a must if you are on holiday in the Dordogne. The city is over 1200 years old, and many buildings from that time have been preserved. The city was completely renovated in 1964 and is considered the jewel of the Périgord. Every Saturday at the Place du Marché aux Oies (Goose square) you can visit the market where typical products are sold. Sarlat is the main square with the cathedral of St. Sacerdos, City Hall and the Maison de la Boétie are worth a visit. Every year in January, a weekend in the town of Sarlat is dominated by the “black truffle of Périgord” festival. This popular event include cooking demonstrations, tastings, culinary shows and a truffle market.
Less known, but certainly worth a visit, is the old town of Brantôme. The steeple of the Brantôme abbey church dates from around the tenth century and is the oldest bell tower in France. The most mysterious and very impressive cave is definitely the Cave of the Last Judgement. Its location on a peninsula in the river Dronne completes the picture.