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Discover the Dordogne and the Perigord to see and do: 10 of the most beautiful villages in France. On the route of the French Dordogne and the Perigord by motorhome, car or by yourself thanks to our experience.
A journey that will make you fall in love through the story of a trip to the great France of the most amazing villages, caves, prehistoric sites and castles in France.
Complete guide to travel to France
Documentation that you must bring for your trip to the Perigord and the French Dordogne
To go to France, you must have the valid DNIs or passports of adults and also children as identification documentation.
You must also bring your Covid vaccination certificate or QR code or a PCR or negative antigen test for those over 12 years of age. They can not only ask you for this at the border, but they can ask you for it in many restaurants, museums and other places of interest.
On the other hand for medical issues you must take the European sanitary card in force, although you should know that in France there is a medical copayment for foreigners in most things. For this reason, and due to various experiences of colleagues, we decided to always carry a medical travel insurance that for the cost that it has we go safe and calm. We always take out Iati getaway insurance, which is designed to travel as a family in a motorhome or camper, which apart from medical insurance includes even accident insurance for the pets with which you travel or even a small insurance for theft of the interior of the motorhome. For the price it is really worth it and more with the Covid still around here. Without commitment we leave you here a discount of 5% of the insurance What do we tell you in case you want to ask for a budget at a better price.
Dordogne and Perigord what to see and do
The 8 essential plans of the French Dordogne and the Perigord
THE PLAN TO DISCOVER 10 OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN FRANCE IN DORDONIA AND PERIGORD BY MOTORHOME, VAN OR FREE CAR
In our view, visiting these 10 towns is FORCED If we go through the area, they are fairytale villages in an exceptional environment with magnificent views over the valley and the rivers.
In addition, the distances between one and the other are very short, which makes it much easier for us to make the most of the days.
1 DORDOÑA AND PERIGORD TO SEE: BEYNAC - ET - CAZENAC
Beynac et Cazenac is located 10 km southwest of Sarlat la Caneda, on the banks of the Dordogne River.
Its location on the banks of the river, the lush forests of the Perigord Noir that surround it and its stone houses and slate roofs in the shadow of an imposing medieval castle make Beynac a truly special and essential place.
Upon reaching the town we find several parking lots at the entrance where we can leave our camper or motorhome. From there, we begin our visit that translates into a steep ascent through the winding and cobbled streets of the medieval town of Beynac.
In this town we will find cobbled streets, flowery houses and views of the valleys and the Dordogne River, which are priceless
Upon reaching the top we will find the final reward: the Castle of Beynac. This beautiful medieval castle was built in the XNUMXth century and is one of the best preserved in the entire area.
2 CASTELNAUD-LA-CHAPELLE
The village is located about 10 kilometers from Sarlat
To go up to the castle, its steep and cobbled slope requires you to take it with heart ... once in the incredible fortress your reward arrives
The castle of Castelnaud dominates the valley of the Dordogne, faces the castle of Beynac located on the other side of the river.
Built on a rocky spur, it offers a magnificent panorama over the Dordogne valley.
Strolling through the steep streets of this fairytale town with the castle as the main protagonist is a unique experience, as well as the excellent views that we obtain from the highest points.
Castelnaud la Chapelle is history, tradition, gastronomy and also has fascinating surroundings with fascinating places for lovers of hiking and adventure sports.
3 DORDOÑA AND PERIGORD TO SEE: LA - ROQUE - GAGEAC
La Roque Gageac is located very close to Sarlat, just 10 kilometers to the south.
La Roque-Gageac it is literally situated at the foot of a cliff. In a narrow margin between the cliff and the Dordogne river (Dordogne) there is a street (only one street) on which a series of houses sit, which are more beautiful, with the particular style of construction of the region: yellow rock walls (taken from the same cliffs in other times), reddish rooftops. But the town beyond the street, begins to climb with some constructions up the cliff to complete a magnificent view.
Beyond walking along the road that runs along the river and the cliff, seeing some of its corners, such as its church or the tropical garden that is located next to it, the best way to see La Roque Gageac is by navigating the river.
Sailing by barge on the Dordogne River: Specifically aboard one of the traditional barges that now have a tourist use.
They make a circular walk along the Dordogne River lasting approximately one hour. The barge is a replica of the traditional sailing ships of the XNUMXth centuries of the Dordogne-Périgord region. Through the tour you can see some of the most beautiful castles in the Dordogne as well as the nature, its fauna and its flora of the river basin.
4 DOMES
Domme, also known as the Bastide of Domme because of the surrounding ramparts, overlooks the Dordogne valley (Perigord Noir) from the top of a cliff 150 m above the river, from which you can enjoy one of the best panoramic views of the region.
As important places of interest in this beautiful town, you should not miss:
- The door of the Towers: it is located at the entrance of this small town and there you will find the famous graffiti of the Templars. This door is a jewel of Freemasonry and in ancient times, it was used as a prison for the Knights Templar, who left their mark and painted various figures on the rock.
- Its main square: here is the most important building in the town, the town hall dating from the seventeenth century and through which you can access the largest and most famous grotto in the Black Perigord, called the Grottes de Domme, which are very visited .
- Belvédère de La Barre: a viewpoint from which you can get wonderful and incredible views worth photographing and admiring.
Besides, you can also enjoy multiple shops and terraces while you walk through its typical streets observing its beautiful houses.
A very lively town, full of charm and very welcoming.
5 DORDOÑA AND PERIGORD TO SEE: LIMEUIL
Limeuil is a medieval town of character, considered one of the jewels of Périgord.
Located at the confluence of the Dordogne and Vézère rivers, offers an exceptional natural environment.
It is relevant to highlight the Panoramic Gardens that offer truly incredible views.
6 MONZAPIER
La Bastida de Monpazier, is a clear example of the charm of the area and how to know how to preserve the conservation of many French villas, full of history that remain practically as in their origin.
Monpazier, is a medieval town from the XNUMXth century, where time seems to have stopped around its squares, streets and buildings that take us to another era.
Its parallel and perfectly structured streets are an example of good work, as well as many of its practically exact buildings only separated by a few small spaces, created to avoid possible fires.
In the Bastida de Monpazier everything revolves around the Plaza de las Cornières (square of the arcades) which acts as the nerve center of the population.
7 DORDOÑA AND PERIGORD TO SEE: BELVÉS
Belvès is located 15 kilometers north of Monpazier and 20 km south of Sarlat.
Its name literally means "beautiful view." It has 7 bell towers, one of the pride of the town and which has become a hallmark of the town.
As in other medieval towns, the market located in the Plaza de Armas, remains covered with the original wooden structure from the XNUMXth century.
This structure (Halle) It was not to host a market at the beginning, since it was here that the convicts were chained. We can still see an old chain.
- Plaza de Armas
- Covered Market (La Halle)
- Beffroi Bell Tower
- Town hall
- Castro
- Great Castle
- Troglodyte houses
Belvès is a charming town, full of details, where tradition and history are visible in each of its buildings and streets.
8 SAINT JEAN DE COLE
The village of St Jean de Côle has the particularity of gathering, in a limited space, the castle of Marthonia, the Roman-Byzantine church, the abbey and the Romanesque Donkey Bridge.
This tiny town has beautiful and interesting monuments such as those in the castle square, the castle itself, the porch and the Romanesque church. The church has interesting exterior capitals and a wooden porch that suggests a marketing area. A few streets away there is an interesting stone bridge to cross the river, and a visit through its streets closes the visit to this tiny but interesting town.
9 DORDOÑA AND PERIGORD TO SEE: SAINT LÉON-SUR-VÉZÈRE
The village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, is a charming place, with its beautiful Romanesque church, its mansions, its pretty alleys and its banks that invite you to stroll.
It is located halfway between Montignac and Les Eyzies on the banks of the Vezere river. A highly recommended stop if we go to Château de Losse as it is coming to us.
Saint Leon Sur Vezere is a unique place where we can take a walk under the willows that line the river and enjoy the tranquility that is breathed. Despite being a very small town, it has to its credit a XNUMXth century church and two castles (Chateau de Chaban and Chateau de Clerans) that give it more charm.
10 DORDOÑA AND PERIGORD TO SEE: SAINT-AMAND-DE-COLY
The city is located only twenty kilometers from the famous city of Sarlat-la-Canéda.
In the center of Saint Amand there is a fortified Romanesque church that is reputed to be the most beautiful fortified church in the Dordogne. The village is named after Saint Amand, who was a hermit who lived in a cave on the hillside in the XNUMXth century.
The abbey church dates from the XNUMXth century and next to the church are the remains of the abbey. In the XNUMXth century, the church was turned into a fortress, but despite its additional defenses, it is still a beautiful Romanesque church.
