dordogne region maps and visitor information

#Dordogne region maps and visitor information plus

The equally monumental interiors bear witness to the power of the barons of Beynac: rooms decorated with beautiful tapestries, an oratory decorated with sumptuous frescoes, giant kitchens…Įqually notable, the Chateau de Hautefort is one of the rare examples of classical Périgord architecture. Perched on a cliff, the Chateau de Beynac-et-Cazenac is the most emblematic, with its austere facade punctuated by a Roman dungeon. Visiting the Dordogne also means going back to the Middle Ages to discovering its dazzling chateaux built at the time of the Hundred Years War (14th-15th centuries). In the near-150-metre-long gallery, you can stroll among the 2,500 animal figures – horses, cows, bulls and deer, painted and engraved – which have been running across the walls for almost 20,000 years. A lifesize replica of the original cave closed to the public, this truer-than-life reconstruction offers an extraordinary journey to the roots of art. But if you had to choose just one site, it would have to be the cave of Lascaux IV. Between Montignac and Les Eyzies-de-Tayac is an amazing collection of prehistoric sites and troglodyte dwellings from the Middle Ages. On holiday in the Dordogne, all roads lead to Sarlat-la-Canéda! The heart of the Périgord Noir beats in old Sarlat, whose heritage is unfurled in its narrow streets, medieval squares and Gothic and Renaissance mansions.Īnother must-see is the Vézère Valley, considered the cradle of human presence in Europe. From ornate caves to châteaux and character villages, visitors learn the stories of prehistoric inhabitants, the knights of the Middle Ages and the blossoming of the arts of the Renaissance.Īnd along the Dordogne river, you can savour the flavours of an exceptional terroir: foie gras, duck breast and truffles are all part of the Périgord Noir heritage, and symbols of the French way of life. All rights reserved.In the Dordogne Valley, the blonde stone is more than just decoration. The advice can change so check regularly for updates. Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting For further information, please visit our Travel Aware page.

#Dordogne region maps and visitor information plus

For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see. Please see our booking conditions for information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the NHS have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad.

If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. Many of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. The vast majority of our hotels in this region have private swimming pools too.Ĭalls to our 01606 number from UK landlines cost the standard rate, but calls from mobiles may be higher. If you fancy being extra-active during your stay here, the region offers a plethora of things to do: canoeing on the rivers, hidden caves, prehistoric art, wine tasting, animal parks and boat trips. Ancient chapels, restored houses and an elegant C14 fort hang proudly by their fingernails from a near-vertical cliff high above the valley floor. Rocamadour is one of the most spectacular places in France, and is a major religious site. Stroll around in the evening and soak up the atmosphere of this beautifully preserved riverside town. Try not to miss the famous Saturday market! Carennac, overlooking the Dordogne, has been awarded un des plus beaux villages status, and it's not hard to see why. Highlights and 'must sees' include historic Sarlat, capital of the region, and almost too pretty to be true. The wealth of prehistoric and mediaeval influences, its dramatic landscapes and its rich cuisines distinguish it from everywhere else in France.

Our walking and cycling holidays in the Dordogne are based in the heart of the Perigord Noir, a region of gorgeous hill villages and delightful market towns, nestled snugly between the Dordogne and Vezere rivers.