Your helpful guide to the Dordogne, France.
The Dordogne is a department in the region of Aquitaine in the south west of France named after the river which flows through it. There is so much to see and do in the Dordogne that even though we have been there for our holidays for some eight years we are still finding new attractions to visit. Although the area has seen much renovation being carried out over the past decade it has managed to retain it's original charm and character giving the impression it has just been well maintained over the years. You will love the feeling of space and stepping back in time when you visit it's many quaint old villages, chateaux and extraordinary prehistoric caves.  Driving through the Dordogne you will find that there is a photo opportunity around every corner such is it's beauty and the lack of traffic, traffic lights and speed cameras just help to make you feel that you've left your hectic life behind; if only for a week or two!
Take a look through this page and you will find a great selection of ideas for places to visit and things to do so you get to make the most of your holiday in the Dordogne. |
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Places to visit in the Dordogne
Sarlat
This beautiful town just a few miles north of the Dordogne river is famous for it's markets and narrow streets with carefully restored yellow limestone buildings. Full information can be found HERE
Domme
Bastide town perched high above the Dordogne river with stunning views of the Dordogne countryside. A good place from which to watch hot air balloons and microlites in good weather. More details click HERE
Bergerac
Situated on the northern banks of the Dordogne river Bergerac is a lovely town made up of its mew and old sections, the old section being near the river and the new being above the old where the more modern shops are located together with the towns market which is held on Saturdays. For more information see our page about Bergerac HERE
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Activities in the Dordogne
Canoeing
A must not miss activity is to canoe down the Dordogne river. Safe, relaxing and peaceful, if you leave the kids behind! But don't, because they will love it and it's safe for them too. The other thing is it's cheap too. Choose from 1/2 a days outing or the full day. There are plenty of places offering canoe hire along the river. The usual idea is they will set you off in your canoes and give you a pre arranged pickup point along the river giving you plenty of time to get there. They will then pick up you and your canoe and return you to your car. The canoeing is not difficult either as you are always going in the direction of the gentle flow of the river. Life jackets are supplied and also a screw top bin to put your camera and sandwiches in to stop them being splashed. You can find details of the canoe centre we used HERE
Hot air ballooning
Another relaxing passtime is to go up in a hot air balloon and get a truly panoramic view of the Dordogne. You'll get photographs to beat all others from your elevated vantage point! Take a look HERE for details.
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Market days in the Dordogne
One of the most popular and unmisable pastimes when you go on holiday to France is to visit some of the many markets. They are still very much an important part of local life in ever large town and small village providing an outlet for local produce and crafts of all types. Towns and especially villages in France still place great importance on community and supporting that community and part of what holds that style of life together are the markets. You will find people local to the village selling fruit and veg grown in their own gardens and pies, quiches and jams etc made in their own kitchens. All of these are generally of a very high standard because of the pride they have in their produce; together perhaps with a little bit of friendly competition trying to be the best in their village! I have even had one of the best seafood paellas from a little market in a village near Toulon for just 4 euros per large serving, superb value. Below is a list of villages and towns in the Dordogne giving the days of their markets. They generally run from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
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Agonac Saturday
Beaumont Tuesday, Saturday
Belves Saturday
Bergerac Saturday, Wednesday
Brantome Tuesday, Friday
Cenac Tuesday
Cubjac Friday
Daglan Sunday
Domme Thursday
Eymet Thursday
Excideuil Thursday
Gourdon Saturday, Tuesday
Issigeac Sunday
Jumilhac Wednesday
La Coquille Thursday
Lalinde Thursday
La Roche Chalais Saturday
Le Bugue Tuesday
Le Buisson - Cadouin Friday
Les Eyzies Londay
Mareuil Tuesday
Monpazier Thursday
Montpon Wednesday
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Montignac Saturday, Wednesday
Mussidan Saturday
Neuvic Saturday, Tuesday
Nontron Saturday
Payrac Wednesday
Perigeux Saturday, Wednesday
Piegut Wednesday
Razac Saturday, Wednesday
Riberac Tuesday, Friday
Rouffignac Sunday
Salignac-Eyvigues Tuesday
Sarlat Saturday, Wednesday
Sigoules Friday
Sorges Sunday
St Aulaye Saturday
St Astier Thursday
St Cyprien Sunday
St Genies Sunday
Terrasson Thursday
Thenon Tuesday
Thiviers Saturday
Tocane Monday
Tremolat Tuesday
Vergt Friday |
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Fast search for hotels in the Dordogne using the facility below. Fill in the name of the town where you'd like to stay and select the dates to check availability. These come with location maps but if you would like their gps coordinates please email me at coords@gps4touring.com |
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Accommodation in department 24 the Dordogne |
Click on pictures for more details |
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| BED & BREAKFAST |
La Maison Forte, Le Bourg, 24560 Montaut, France |
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| Gite |
Chateau Haut Garrigue, LD Garrigue Basse, 24240, saussignac |
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| Gite |
Meynard, 24800 St Martin de Fressengeas |
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| BED & BREAKFAST |
Chateau de Marotte Les Marotte Saint Saud Lacoussiere 24470 France |
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| Campsite |
CAMPING MOTO DORDOGNE
24250 St. Aubin de Nabirat - France |
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| Gites |
Les Chardonnerets, Callandrie, 24800 Thiviers France |
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| Gite |
Lacrouzille, Tourtoirac 24390, Frankrijk |
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| BED & BREAKFAST |
La Bastide des Tremieres, Couin, St. Antoine de Breuilh, Dordogne, 24230 France |
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| Chambre d'hote |
Chateau de Siorac, Annesse et Beaulieu, Dordogne 24430 France |
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| Chambre d'hote |
BEAUX REVES, Les Charmes de Carlucet, Carlucet, 24590 St Crépin Carlucet, France |
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| Campsite |
Camping Les Granges * * * * |
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| Gite |
Vaures, Cherveix Cubas, 24 Dordogne 24390 |
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| Bed & Breakfast |
La Simpode 24800 St Martin de Fressengeas France |
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| Gite |
Le Moulin de Grolhier 24360 Busserolles, Dordogne, Aquitaine, SW France |
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Maison de la Famille Le Bourg 24450 St Priest les Fougères |
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| Chambre d'hote |
24590 Borreze, Salignac Eyvigues, Dordogne |
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| Campsite |
CAMPING MAISONNEUVE
Vallée du Céou
24 250 Castelnaud la Chapelle
GPS +44° 48' 17.93", +1° 9' 30.13" ( 44.804980, 1.158370)
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© 2012 gps4touring |
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