Dordogne is full of cyties and villages that conserved their former times charm in spite of years. Here is a non-exhaustive list !
Also discover the others things to do and see by clicking just below.
Sarlat la Canéda
Sarlat-la-Canéda, one of the most charming foritifed city in France takes place in Périgord Noir and must be visited by foot. There are no constructions before Roman time, only XIIth & XIIIth Centuries left their marks in the medieval city.
The town first began with the IXth Century monastery. During the XIIth, its religious activity allows it to be as important as Périgueux or Bergerac.
Sarlat seduces at one sight with its slate roof. Travelling through the narrow street is like reading a thousand years of authentic architecture where the traditional Périgord Noir Stone prevails. You can visit the exceptional patrimony of this european city during all year. Guided visits are available by contacting Tourist Office in Sarlat (Rue Tourny, guided visits service at +33 5 53 31 45 42)
Belvès
Medieval town known for its 7 bell towers, Belvès Takes place on a spur overhanging the Nauze Valley. Taken up since Prehistoric times, Belvès and surroundings are full of historical and archeological remains :
• XIIth Century Belfry
• XIth Century Castrum
•XIVth Century market building and pillory
• Troglodytic sites under the market building where we found some pottery fragments from XVIth & XVIIIth Centuries.
Every year at the beginning of august, takes place the medieval celebration. It makes you travel through centuries thanks to music, costumes, settings, shows and feasts.
Beynac
Next to the Dordogne river, it is one of the most beautiful French Villages.
This market town, with its houses hooked up to the cliff, overlooked by its fortress, its old streets and small squares are cobbled in the traditional way.
You can go for a walk at the river with boats or kayaks. All around, many paths will please the walkers. Keen on History people will also be pleased by visiting the castle of Beynac, The first farmers museum as much as the archeological park and the Cazenac’s Church.
Domme
Sur un promontoire escarpé, la bastide of Domme overlooks one of the most harmonious backgrounds of the Dordogne valley.
Founded by Philippe le Hardi in 1283, it looks like a trapezium. Fortifications all around were adapted to the ground and its distinctive characteristic.
On the inside, all the streets follow a geometrical plan. Slopping roof houses covered with tiles and build in ochre stones decorate themselves with flowered balconies and outside stairs. From the Domme headland, we can see all the Dordogne valley from cingle de Montfort in the East, to Beynac in the west.
La Roque-Gageac
Leaning back against a cliff that overlooks the Dordogne valley, the village of La Roque-Gageac is one of the most beautiful in this part of the valley. It is also classified one of the most beautiful villages in France. Its picturesque alleys lead to the Church built on the rock. From the rock, view of the Dordogne which flows between fields and meadows.
Guided tours of the village are organized in high season. For more information, contact the guided tours service of the Sarlat Périgord Noir Tourist Office.
Montignac
World famous for the very famous “Grotte de Lascaux”, only its facsimile can be visited today. Montignac is the gateway to the Vézère Valley, also called “Vallée de l’Homme” and its many sites. It is the starting point for Canoe-Kayak hikes.
To Visit : The Cave of Lascaux; the Regourdou site (view of the grouddre, museum of the cradle of bear worship: living bears).
After making your mouth water with all these wonderful places to visit, you already can contact us to Book Online or contact the Tourist Office for more.
The Dordogne, a historically rich region, full of surprises !
Dordogne offers a range of 4 types of Périgord. As the four seasons, they offer many background to go for a walk.
The White Périgord (Périgord Blanc) run the length of la Vallée de l’Isle. It is called white because of the limestone. This stone is used to build, especially the Byzantine cathedral in Périgueux. This town was an important Roman city and you still can see the remains.
The Green Périgord (Périgord Vert) stretches in the Northern part of the department. The Natural Park Périgord Limousin is greenery backdrop crossed by many streams and charming and welcoming villages.
The Purple Périgord (Périgord Pourpre) takes place at the South, on the hills of the Dordogne Valley, which is near from Bergerac and its famous vineyard. The several fortified villages called “Bastides” are very known and related to a famous character : Cyrano de Bergerac.
The Black Périgord (Périgord Noir), as for it is full of remarkable patrimony with the Dordogne, Vézère and Eyzies valleys (Prehistoric capital of the world), Sarlat (City of Arts and History), Lascaux, and all designated UNESCO World Heritage sites.
