Destinations to visit in the Dordogne France
Map Showing the Hub Destinations Below

Dordogne Hub Destinations

All of the destinations below are well worth visiting and all are within an easy day return trip from our Dordogne Hub Village.
For each destination we indicate approximately how much time to allow for your visit and we also suggest itineraries combining two or more destinations into a comfortable and fascinating day out.

Monpazier - the most beautiful Bastide village
Monpazier - the most beautiful Bastide village

Monpazier

Built by the English King Edward I in 1284, it is still regarded as the most remarkable and best-preserved of the Bastide villages in France. Called "The Perfect Bastide", this is a must! Market on Thursday. And if time you can move onto the nearby Château de Biron …

(Allow several visits: accessible by car)

Chateau de Biron
Chateau de Biron

Chateau de Biron

largest château in the Périgord, not far from Monpazier. Apart from the château visit you’ll find some divine country roads around it to explore if you have a hire car. Just ramble where you please - you won’t be disappointed!

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

Château Milande
Château Milande

Château Milande

is definitely worth a visit. It has a Falconry show several times a day, and inside is a museum to the famous cabaret singer and dancer, Josephine Baker of Folies Bergère fame. You can also see and admire the amazing fountain designed by the visionary landscape architect, Jules Vacherot, who was the chief gardener of the city of Paris for the 1900 Universal Exhibition.

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

Canoeing on the Dordogne River
Canoeing on the Dordogne River

Dordogne River

Picnic and swimming on the way. You can hire canoes like the couple in the picture opposite and paddle downstream past the many imposing châteaux lining the river. At the end they will bus you back to the starting point (so you won’t have to walk back!).

(Allow most of one day: accessible by car)

La Roque Gageac aerial view
La Roque Gageac aerial view

Château de Beynac and La Roque Gageac

While in the neighbourhood you can visit this impressive fortress and nearby river port village.

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

Sarlat la Canéda
Sarlat la Canéda

Sarlat la Canéda

Market on Saturday morning is one of the best in the region but get there early as it is SO busy! After you’ve seen the market and had lunch you can then visit the wonderful gardens of Eyrignac

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car, train)

Gardens of Eyrignac
Gardens of Eyrignac

Gardens of Eyrignac

The nearby formal Gardens of Eyrignac are perfect for an early afternoon visit. And on your way home you pass by.

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

View of the Dordogne River from Domme
View of the Dordogne River from Domme

Domme

Take lunch at the belvedere as you enjoy panoramic view of the river Dordogne. Many interesting little shops are to be found in the village. On the way back you should call by the following “hanging” gardens.

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

Gardens at Marqueyssac
Gardens at Marqueyssac

Gardens at Marqueyssac

These are absolutely not to be missed!

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

Issigeac
Issigeac

Issigeac

Market on Sunday, then proceed onto the famous maker of sweet dessert wines in the region at Monbazillac.

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

Chateau Monbazillac
Chateau Monbazillac

Chateau Monbazillac

Here you’ll discover the perfect accompaniment to “mi-cuit” foie gras: truly a delicious combination!

(Allow one hour: accessible by car)

Bergerac on the Dordogne River
Bergerac on the Dordogne River

Bergerac

Go to see the old part and, try out the river boat, the kids will love it.

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car, train, bus)

Cave painting in the Grottes de Lascaux
Cave painting in the Grottes de Lascaux

Grottes de Lascaux

The very famous pre-historic cave paintings discovered by accident by two truant schoolboys. Amazing… but for the more adventures take a trip down the underground river at…

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

Underground river in the Gouffre de Padirac
Underground river in the Gouffre de Padirac

The Gouffre de Padirac

Explore under the earth in a boat, just like Jules Verne. After you can visit the nearby…

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

Rocamadour
Rocamadour

Rocamadour

Make sure you take your walking stocks there as the roads are very steep!

(Allow one hour: accessible by car)

Cave painting
Cave painting

The Grotte de Font de Gaume

Here you see the original paintings (not replicas) over 17,000 years old. Take warm clothing as it can be cold down there!

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

Old Bridge at Cahors
Old Bridge at Cahors

Cahors

River and ancient bridge. You can proceed on afterwards to this charming town of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie

Saint-Cirq-Lapopie

Worth a visit although the entire town is almost a museum. Its high position above the river, originally selected for defence, has helped make the town one of the most popular tourist ‘must-sees’ in the region.

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

Les Eyzies troglodytic house
Les Eyzies troglodytic house

Les Eyzies

This little town is home to the National Museum of Prehistory and the area contains several important archaeological sites, such as the Grotte de Font de Gaume above.

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

Castelnaud-la-Chapelle
Castelnaud-la-Chapelle

Castelnaud-la-Chapelle

Chateau with catapult and other medieval weapons high above the river.

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

Belves
Belves

Belves

Troglodyte caves are found here. It is supposed to be one of the prettiest villages in France but it doesn’t hold a candle to the nearby Monpazier on this score. If you must choose, choose Monpazier.

(Allow one hour: accessible by car)

St Emilion Wine Village
St Emilion Wine Village

St Emilion

Famous wine village near Bordeaux. It's a delightful place to explore the exclusive reds and has some extremely high class as well as more affordable restaurants.

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

Château de Hautfort
Château de Hautfort

Château de Hautfort

Near Périgueux, this is well worth a visit. Then you can lunch at one of the several fine restaurants in the pretty village at the foot of the château. Afterwards you can visit the nearby…

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

Périgueux Dordogne
Périgueux Dordogne

Périgueux

Largest town in the area, the cathedral is well worth visiting.

(Allow one hour: accessible by car)

Brantome - Abbey
Brantome - Abbey

Brantome - Abbey

The village is built on an island encircled by a sweep of the river Dronne next to the Benedictine Abbey of Brantôme and is worth seeing. It is one of the waypoints of the celebrated pilgrims’ route to Santiago de Compostella (Camino Walk)

(Allow a few hours: accessible by car)

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