Tours of Dordogne: Heritage & Nature

From the limestone plateaux down to the luxuriant valleys, Perigord and neighbouring Quercy are lands of contrasts. Three rivers intersect them - the Dordogne, Lot and Vezere. Our self guided tours of Dordogne take you on an adventure through French history. From prehistoric to medieval times through the glorious Renaissance period, your Dordogne driving itinerary will include a bit of everything.

Taste regional food, including roasted duck and goose, explore medieval towns and discover the beautiful French countryside and prehistoric caves. Our Dordogne driving itinerary will give you a taste of the best of French scenery, history, cuisine and culture.

5.0
Annette & Kids
I was very nervous to visit a country that I have never learned the language spoken so that is the reason I wanted someone to help me plan this trip with my children. Emilie was …
Duration
10 days
Price
US$ 3420
Region
in Bordeaux & Dordogne

The Bordeaux area and Dordogne are 2 very rich regions in terms of heritage . . . and of course gastronomy & wine. From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance (and even prehistoric times), you will find what you like here!

Heritage & History
Gourmet Food
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 3950
Region
in Loire Valley, Bordeaux & Dordogne

Travel through three of the most fascinating regions in France. Let your friendly hosts introduce you to the French "sweet life" in their charming B&Bs.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Countryside
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 3680
Region
in Loire Valley, Dordogne & Provence

Let yourself be carried away by three of the most iconic regions of France. From the Vallée de la Loire's "sweet life" to Dordogne's castles and Provence's colorful landscapes, you'll have a most enjoyable and memorable journey!

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Countryside
Duration
16 days
Price
US$ 4600
Region
in Loire Valley, Dordogne, Carcassonne & French Riviera

Explore French culture and history in three of its most representative regions: the Loire Valley, Dordogne and the Riviera, with a nice stop in Carcassonne.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Art & Museums in France
Duration
16 days
Price
US$ 4860
Region
in Loire Valley, Bordeaux, Dordogne & Provence

France Just For You has organized its own very special Tour de France. No need for a bike but be ready for a great deal of adventure! This itinerary will take you off the beaten path to all the must sees & dos in four of the most enthralling regions of France.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Gourmet Food
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 4180
Region
in Dordogne, Carcassonne & Provence

Experience medieval France in three of the richest heritage regions in the South of France.

Heritage & History
Countryside
Duration
1 day
Price
US$ 600
Region
in Dordogne

Discover Dordogne’s must sees and hidden beauties in a day from Sarlat. How To Get There This day tour starts from Sarlat. From Bordeaux, you may take a train or bus to Sarlat (about 1hr30). Dordogne is one of our favorite regions of France and we like to have our travelers see this area through our insiders’ eyes.

Heritage & History
Towns & Villages
Duration
16 days
Price
US$ 5240
Region
in Basque Country, Dordogne & Bordeaux

This self-drive itinerary will take you to the South West of France, from the Basque coastline to authentic Dordogne, ending in the bustling city of Bordeaux.

Towns & Villages
Gourmet Food
Countryside
Duration
20 days
Price
US$ 5940
Region
in Paris, Loire Valley, Dordogne & Basque Country

From Paris to Toulouse, this trip will allow you to explore these unique regions by the backroads. Take the time to visit some of the hidden castles of the Loire Valley, enjoy duck confit in Dordogne, and discover the typical villages of the Basque Country.

Towns & Villages
Countryside
Duration
20 days
Price
US$ 5920
Region
in Bordeaux, Basque Country, Carcassonne & Dordogne

This loop from Bordeaux will take you on a journey to the South West of France: vineyards, mountains, cliff-hanging fortresses and rolling hills. You will enjoy all the diversity of this unique part of France.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Duration
13 days
Price
US$ 4350
Region
in Carcassonne, Basque Country & Dordogne

Explore the South West of France: fortresses clinging to the cliffs in the Cathar Country and Dordogne, many “most beautiful villages of France”, and a very rich and unique gastronomy. This is where to experience the authentic France.

Heritage & History
Gourmet Food
Countryside
Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 6980
Region
in Burgundy, Dordogne, Bordeaux, Loire Valley & Normandy

This itinerary is for independent travelers who may already know the southern coast of France and who are looking for discovering the “inside” of the country. Five regions that are totally different from each other, showing you the diversity of France.

Wine Tasting
Towns & Villages
Gourmet Food
Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 7570
Region
in Provence, Basque Country, Dordogne, Loire Valley & Paris

This itinerary will take you from South to North, following some of the most typical and beautiful scenic roads in France. We recommend flying into Marseille airport.

Heritage & History
Towns & Villages
Duration
26 days
Price
US$ 7320
Region
in Bordeaux, Dordogne, Basque Country, Carcassonne & Provence

When the South of France is mentionned, many travelers think of Provence. But there is so much more to discover between the South-West and the South-East of France. This 26 day itinerary is designed to give you a very complete tour of the southern part of France, enjoying the gastronomy, heritage, wine, villages, and scenic roads . . . the best that France has to offer.

Wine Tasting
Gourmet Food
Dordogne

How to Get to the Dordogne region

Dordogne is more than 300 miles away from Paris in the South West of France. While it is possible to get a train from Paris to Dordogne, this is a less convenient option. There are no direct TGV trains to Périgueux, so journeys from Paris often take between 4.5 and 5.5 hours. We recommend taking the TGV high-speed train down to Bordeaux and pick up your hire car from there. Alternatively, if you don't want to spend time in Paris, fly directly in to Bordeaux or Toulouse. From there you will only have a 2-3 hour drive to Dordogne, with plenty to see along the way.

If you decide to drive from Paris to Dordogne, make sure the passenger has a camera ready. You will be cruising past some of the most breath-taking scenery in the world. It takes just over 5 hours to drive from Paris to Dordogne, so we'll plan rest-stops in the Loire Valley. We warmly recommend this route for the beautiful places you'll see along the way. You will stop for lunch in one of the Loire Valley's beautiful villages before continuing your journey feeling refreshed and ready to begin your Dordogne self-drive tour.

Where to Stay in Dordogne

Dordogne is a rural area of France and we warmly recommend staying in the gorgeous mansions or farms in the countryside. This will give you a real feel for the region.

Be careful as "Dordogne" is vast and you can easily be in a fringe location which makes the touring complicated on the small roads. 

We have selected premium B&Bs, in very charming houses, where you are centrally located to explore the Black Perigord jewels and enjoy everything the region has to offer as part of your Dordogne self drive itinerary.

 

 

farmers markets tours of dordogne france

Make your own savory picnic lunch from one of Dordogne farmers markets

 

Places to visit in Dordogne

The first thing you'll notice as you drive through Dordogne is the truly awesome scenery. The Dordogne boasts valleys and gorges, craggy mountain-tops and carefully sculpted botanical gardens. Our tours of Dordogne take you to the most beautiful viewpoints, so you'll experience French nature at its best.

Dordogne is also famous for its extensive heritage spanning across the ages. This takes the form of prehistoric caves, medieval architecture, medieval towns and castles and many a medieval village which seems like it's been suspended in time. It also has a strong food tradition that forms part of its heritage. We will make sure your Dordogne itinerary includes the best places to go for extraordinary culinary experiences.

Here are some more things to do and places to visit in the Dordogne. We would be happy to include any or all of these in your Dordogne driving itinerary:
 

The Dordogne has an abundance of gorgeous architecture and natural beauty. But arguably its most spectacular feature is its prehistoric caves filled with original prehistoric art. The prehistoric cave paintings in this region date back to between 12,000 and 20,000 years ago. The caves have become one of the most fascinating attractions in the country.

Many caves - such as the original cave at Lascaux, a UNESCO world heritage site - have been closed for conservation purposes. Furthermore, those that remain open - such as the Font de Gaume cave (about 1km east of Les Eyzies) - will only accept a limited number of visitors each day. These are also likely to close within the next 5-10 years to preserve the prehistoric art. We warmly recommend trying to see these wonderful prehistoric cave paintings before they are cordoned off from the public forever. Normally, we have to make bookings about 8 months in advance to have the best chance of getting tickets.

We are well acquainted with the caves of the Dordogne. Based on our experience, we will plan a self drive itinerary with recommendations for popular caves and chasms such as Lascaux or Padirac. But we will also guide you to some of our favorites that few tourists know about. This way you will get a taste of this incredible part of French history as part of your self guided trip to the Dordogne.

 

tours of Dordogne prehistoric caves trip to france

Paintings of bison dating back 12,000 to 15,000 years

 

  • The Dordogne’s Medieval Fortresses

Above ground, Dordogne boasts an astonishing number of castles and fortresses, dating as far back as the medieval era. Dordogne has a lot of the most charming medieval towns in France. It may not be an exaggeration when they say that Dordogne is the region of a thousand castles. We haven't counted them all, but there are a LOT and we would love to guide you to our favorites. Unfortunately, not all are open to the public but those that are, are well worth seeing. We love Castelnaud la Chapelle, Château de Beynac and les Milandes, which was once owned by Josephine Baker. Visitors may tour these on foot or view them from unique vantage points of the Dordogne River. We are happy to organise canoe trips or excursions on a comfortable gabarre boat, depending on your preferences.

Exploring the majestic halls and magnificent staircases of these chateaux transports you back hundreds of years to when the feudal system reigned supreme.

This is on our list for wedding anniversary celebration trips, you may check it out. 

 

Dordogne valley in France from Castelnaud

Gorgeous view over the Dordogne Valley & Castelnaud medieval fortress

 
 
  • Beautiful Gardens in Dordogne

Although the medieval castles are a wondrous sight, the grounds outside often steal their thunder. The hanging gardens of Marqueyssac are quite magnificent and you may enjoy wandering through its leafy avenues for many hours. If you visit in the summer, stay till nightfall and experience the magic of candlelit Thursday nights.

Not only are the gardens themselves spectacular, but some have outstanding views of the Dordogne region and its chalky cliffs.

Beyond Marqueyssac, the Eyrignac Gardens are another example of the great outdoors, sculpted and manicured to perfection. The entire complex consists of seven different gardens, each with its own charm and delights. You can admire the hedge sculptures, visit the Chinese pagoda and discover the herbs and spices in the Kitchen Garden. On a fine day, there is no better place to be than one of the beautiful gardens in Dordogne...without a doubt some of the most magnificent gardens in France

 

Mouth-Watering Local Products

When it comes to cuisine, the Dordogne has much to be proud of. We'll help you discover the wide range of local produce at one of the many farmers’ markets in Dordogne. These take place every day of the week in different towns. As you wander through the market, stop to try a sample of what they have on offer at different stalls. We guarantee you will leave laden down with delicious treats.

Typical food of the Dordogne includes cabécou goat’s cheese, foie gras, duck confit and walnut cake. There is also a special dish known as pomme de terres sarladaises.This consists of three ingredients: potatoes, garlic and goose fat - simple yet satisfying. You can also find truffles and related products such as truffle oil in this region. If you have a taste for gourmet, let us know - we're sure you'll enjoy a fantastic day out truffle-hunting!

 

dordogne france gastronomy truffle hunting

Go truffle hunting in Dordogne with a local producer 

 

Beautiful Villages in the Dordogne: Authenticity without equal

It is well known that this region has the highest concentration of beautiful villages in France. These include the medieval town of Sarlat La Canéda, the beautiful village of Saint Amand de Coly, as well as RocamadourMartel and La Roque Gageac. Your Dordogne driving itinerary will include opportunities to stroll along cobbled streets and enjoy the slow, provincial pace of life. Enjoy a pastry in one of the quaint village cafés and sit outside watching the world go by.

While we know the wonder and enchantment of the Dordogne, this marvellous region has managed to stay under the radar. This is a blessing in disguise for visitors. The region has maintained an authentic, local atmosphere, having so far avoided the influx of tourists. This means you will have space to explore the Dordogne valley away from the tourist crowds.

The Dordogne looks like a landscape from the pages of a fairytale. Thick swathes of green fringe the glistening river that runs through this region of stunning chateaux and hidden caves.

A favorite getaway for both tourists and French holidaymakers, the Dordogne holds enough beauty and charm to enthral even the most weary of travelers. So what are you waiting for?

 

See a short movie made by Mary & Charles who traveled with us

 

FAQ about the Dordogne

  • Which is best part of Dordogne?

It's very difficult to choose one thing, because it will depend on your preferences. We love the beautiful medieval town of Sarlat, with its beautiful cathedral and stunning views of the rooftops from the tower.

We also highly recommend a trip along the Dordogne river, where you'll be surrounded by the rocky cliffs of the valley and encounter impressive castles and fortresses. If you enjoy sports, you can go canoeing along the river. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, we'll recommend a trip on a traditional gabare boat.

Our favorite photo-stop is in Rocamadour. And if you enjoy history, visiting one of the regions prehistoric caves to admire the cave art is a must. 

  • Where do you base yourself in Dordogne?

Again, this will depend on your itinerary and your preferences. We have selected comfortable, premium B&Bs in Dordogne that we have tested ourselves and where we know you'll receive a very warm welcome from the hosts. We'll arrange for you to stay at accommodation that is quite central and an easy drive from the main places we recommend you visit during your stay in Dordogne. It will be a beautiful and quiet location. There are many benefits to staying in a French B&B, including fewer guests, a warmer welcome, the opportunity to get to know your French hosts, and the chance to stay in an old home that is hundreds of years old.

Visit other French regions

Brittany

Alsace

North

Lyon

Somme

Champagne

Verdun

Normandy

Provence

Loire Valley

Paris

Bordeaux

Our Travelers’ Reviews

Sheldon
We began planning this trip over a year before our departure date. We have done a lot of traveling but this trip was for our 25th wedding anniversary! Once we decided upon France as our destination all that was left was to get all the details taken care of. Based on previous adventures, we knew that we wanted to drive ourselves on a self- directed …
Clemmer & David
France Just for You - Emile and Laura - accomplished the task with skill and knowledge. Accommodations were excellent with lots of local color, suggestions for parking a large SUV were helpful, solving on the spot problems was handled with expertise and courtesy, sites were overwhelmingly beautiful. The guide book is the best. All the guides were …
Wendy & Ron
We could not be happier. When we first received the guide book and brochures, we thought we would not need them, but they were invaluable! Our first stay with Florence and Phil was especially memorable but really we cannot think of a highlight because it was all wonderful. We will certainly recommend your company to anyone we know travelling to …

Our Travelers’ Photos

Teri, Kennedy & Chris from the US
in Paris !
Peter
from Canada
Truffle Hunting in Dordogne
Patty
from the US
In Villeneuve les Avignon, Provence
Leslie & Family
from the US
A la Tour Eiffel, Paris
Kate & Jake
from the US
On their honeymoon in front of Chenonceau castle
Fred
from Canada
Truffle hunting in Burgundy with Thierry
Stéphanie & Vania
from the US
on the Aiguille du Midi peak in the French Alps (Chamonix)
..& the Oyster Guy !
in Biarritz Food Market with Maureen & Roy
Greg, Laurie, Laura & Jeff
From the US
With their B&B host near Mont Saint Michel
Amy & Louise
Wine tasting....
Patty & Tim
from the US
In front of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris
Carol from the US
Biking in the Luberon