in short
- What do they eat there: Foie gras, seasonal truffle mushrooms, walnut oil and local wines.
- How to get there: There are currently no direct flights to Bordeaux or Toulouse. You arrive via Paris and from there by train or rental car.
- District structure: Périgord is divided into four parts, each with a separate cluster of attractions.
- Visiting points: The Lascaux Caves, the market in Sarlat, the view from Baynac Castle, and the town of Rocamadour.
- Towns worth stopping by: Brantome, known as the Venice of the Dordogne, with a rock-cut monastery.
- Castles on the page: Bourdeilles – two castles for the price of one, and Puyguilhem in the Renaissance style.
If there is a paradise, it is probably in the Dordogne region (also called Périgord). Simply wonderful (and insanely fattening) food, great wine, views and ancient castles make it one of the ultimate destinations in France.
The Dordogne is the closest place in France to heaven. You can find excellent foie gras, truffles (in season), walnut oil and other delicacies. But here the story is just beginning: in this region you can also find magical landscapes, beautiful castles and romantic villages. Whether you want to visit the caves of Lascaux, buy goose confit in Sarlat, admire the view from the Château de Baynac or visit Rocamadour, you have come to the right place.
Flights to Dordogne
In the past, it was possible to fly to Bordeaux and from there easily get to Périgord, but since the Corona virus the flight has been canceled (as well as the flight to Toulouse). So we had no choice but to fly to Paris and from there get to Périgord (which is not a big disaster, because Paris is always worth another visit). Below you can find great flights, courtesy of the Xplorer website.
The complete guide for travelers in Dordogne
The Périgord region is divided into 4 parts, each of which contains a wealth of attractions. I have compiled all my recommendations for you:
Attractions and castles in Dordogne
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Chateau de BourdeillesTwo castles for the price of one! A fascinating visit to a castle that combines different periods – from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
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BrantômeKnown as the “Venice of the Dordogne.” A picturesque town surrounded by water with an ancient monastery carved into the rock and fascinating caves.
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Chateau de PigmeDid we accidentally arrive from the Dordogne to the Loire Valley? An impressive Renaissance-style castle that is a must-visit.
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Villars Cave (Grotte de Villars)A work of art by nature. A spectacular stalactite cave with original prehistoric murals.
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Chateau de la MercerieThe Palace of Versailles , built in the 20th century. A fascinating story about a unique castle with a spectacular facade.
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Saint-Jean-de-ColeThe charming village of flowers (Saint Jean de Côle) – is rightly considered one of the most beautiful and photogenic villages in France.
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La Roque GéjacA breathtaking village built into the cliff on the banks of the Dordogne River. Highly recommended by Shirley Tucker.
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Lascaux CaveThe Sistine Chapel of prehistory. One of the most famous caves in the world with ancient frescoes.
Where to stay in Dordogne? Recommended hotels and apartments
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Accommodation in SarlatA selection of recommended hotels and apartments in the capital of Black Périgord. A perfect base for stargazing in the area.
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Accommodation in BrantômeWhere should you stay in Venice of the Dordogne? I've compiled the best places to stay in and around the town for you.
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Rotem and Uri's B&B“Home in the Dorgdogne” – Rotem and Uri’s luxurious and personal B&B in Brentum. Israeli hospitality in the heart of France.
Additional guides and articles in the area
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The villages of southwestern FranceThe complete and detailed guide to the most beautiful villages in the southwest of the country that you simply cannot miss.
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Stalactite caves in FranceThe complete guide to the most impressive stalactite caves in France that you shouldn't miss. By Yossi Drori.
More activities and ticket booking
Traveler Information: Weather and Transportation
The weather in Périgord is pleasant most of the year, but it is worth preparing according to the season:
- Winter (January-March): 0-10°C – cold and rainy, perfect for truffle markets.
- Spring (April-June): 12-20°C – gorgeous blooms and ideal weather.
- Summer (July-September): 14-30°C – warm, suitable for river cruising.
- Autumn (October-December): 7-14°C – magical fall colors.
To truly enjoy the hidden corners of the province, you will have no choice but to rent a car . Public transportation to the remote villages is very sparse.
Additional tools for planning your trip
I've prepared an interactive map for you that will bring together all the important points. Don't forget to join us on Facebook!
What other districts can be reached?
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Visit to the city of Bordeaux
All articles and recommendations about Dordogne
The details in the article are really great, and help with the decision.
Glad to hear 🙂
Do I need to book tickets for major attractions in advance?
It is highly recommended to book tickets for popular attractions to avoid disappointment.
We are traveling to the Dordogne in about three weeks.
The article is really excellent and helped us plan our trip.
Thank you very much 🙂
What is the weather like in mid-October?
It should be very pleasant. Not too hot or too cold.
We, 2 of us, are traveling independently in a rented car in about 3 weeks, would like to know which attractions in the Dorson area require advance reservations???
To super popular attractions like the Lascaux Cave.
Is there a way to get from Toulouse airport to Sarlat? Thanks
The most convenient way is with a rented car (it will take you around two hours, plus or minus).
Is it recommended to visit in November?
Definitely.
You recommended renting a car in Bordeaux. Do you have any experience with renting a car at Toulouse airport? We plan to land in Toulouse on a flight from Brussels and will probably pick up the car there.
By the way, the recommendations for the various companies and the links are excellent and very helpful in planning and comparing prices and conditions.
Hi Karen,
The truth is, when I thought about the subject a few years ago, there were direct flights to Bordeaux, so it made sense to rent a car there. Since then, flights to Bordeaux have stopped, and there are flights to Toulouse, but I haven't had time to write about the subject yet. I hope to fix that in the future.
Peace
Is Provence's page supposed to "fill up" and go up soon?
Unfortunately, I'm currently working on other projects, so it will be some time before I can start writing about Provence again.
Thanks
Thank you very much for the helpful information.
Is arriving via Lyon airport not worthwhile?
Is it appropriate to travel to Dordogne in the first half of April?
The truth is, at first I thought not, but when I checked the distance from Paris, if you pick up a car at the airport and return it there, it's better to land in Lyon. If you decide to take a train to Sarlat or Perret and rent a car there, then I think Paris is better.
Thank you for the information
Asking for help planning a long trip, possibly up to 3 weeks.
It includes nature trails, water, mountains - we are good hikers but want to spend the night every day in a regulated place of accommodation, not a cabin in the mountains, of course, to combine good food and visits to towns.
I was thinking about the Verdon area and the Dordogne area. Is it possible to combine a few nights and where in each place? And which airport is better to land and rent a car?
We are planning to fly from mid-July so we are also worried about hot weather.
I would appreciate help and maybe you have another area to recommend?
Hello Sharon,
July is definitely a hot month both in terms of weather and tourism, so this should be taken into account.
Provence is in the southeast of France and Périgord is in the southwest, so the distance between them is very large, which means that it will be necessary to drive several hours each day.
Unfortunately, due to lack of time, I do not build individual travel plans and therefore cannot help with planning the trip, but I would be very happy to recommend Yossi Drori (yossi.drory@gmail.com), who does great work in the field (for a fee).
Best regards,
deer