Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / France / Aquitaine / Dordogne
 |  | Destination Guide : Dordogne |
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| | | Caves, crags and kayaks |  | Why go on holiday to the Dordogne?
To see prehistoric cave paintings, medieval fortified villages on hilltops (bastides), and castles. To cycle in a countryside of craggy golden-rock hills, canoe and kayak in the rivers of Dordogne and Vezere, and sample excellent food and wine.
How much does it cost?
Return flights from London to Bordeaux cost from £89. For an experience of a lifetime, stay in a medieval chateau on the banks of the River Dordogne - five nights' B&B, flights and hire-car cost from £822 per person.
B&B accommodation costs about £30 a night. A family camping holiday (two adults plus children) for 14 nights in Dordogne, including ferry crossings, costs from £250.
When should I go?
Located in the south west of France, east of Bordeaux, the climate is pleasant for most of the year, rarely falling below 10C (50F). Best times to go are in spring and early summer and again in autumn (April and October 19.5C/67F).
The high season is in July (27C/ 81F) and August when the French take their holidays, and flights from London are most expensive. In winter it is quiet and many hotels, restaurants and tourist sites close.
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| | | What the Romans did for them | | What should I do when I'm there?
The capital Perigueux is smack in the centre of Dordogne (also known as Perigord). More than 2,000 years old, it has ancient Roman remains. Make sure you are there on Wednesday and Saturday morning for the lively truffle and foie gras markets.
Other highlights include wine tasting in the southern area of Dordogne, and visiting medieval castles, like 12th-century Chateau de Castelnaud, which houses a museum of medieval warfare, and Chateau de Milandes, former home to dance star Josephine Baker.
Where are all the prehistoric sites?
Head 45km south to the Vezere Valley, home to 175 known prehistoric sites. The most famous are the cave paintings in Lascaux, a replica of which is open to the public.
Nearby, in the village of Les Eyzies, brush up on your knowledge of Cro-Magnon man at the Musee National de la Prehistoire. Visit a shelter of France's Neanderthal ancestors, on the village's cliff face, which was inhabited over a period of 15,000 years.
What else is there to do?
So much that you'd be hard pressed to cover it all - highlights include cave-dwelling villages at Laugerie Basse and de la Madelaine and the medieval and Renaissance townscape of Sarlat and its Saturday market.
And for lovers of the outdoors, Dordogne has plenty to offer in the way of water sports, hiking, rock climbing and horse riding.
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| | | Domme's jolly | | Where's good for nightlife?
Not the place to come to if you're in the mood for an all-night dance party, in the Dordogne you are more likely to spend the evening dining under the stars on a cobbled village street, high up on a hilltop.
What's the food like?
Spoil yourself with delicacies such as wild, dark truffles - a delicious addition to an omelette - locally made pate fois gras, and confits (meat, especially duck, preserved in its own fat).
Fruit and nuts are produced in great quantity and walnut oil is the main ingredient in salad dressings. Accompany your meal with local Perchamant or hearty Bergerac wine.
What should I buy?
Local handicrafts include tapestry, pottery, and steel work. Spend the day at one of the bastides (hilltop fortified villages from the Hundred Years War) such as Domme, high above the river Dordogne, and Monpazier.
Shop at their open-air markets for local produce including tobacco, chestnuts, walnuts, mushrooms, and strawberries.
What is there for children to do?
Children will be fascinated to see original 14,000-year-old cave drawings of bison, reindeer, horses, bears, and mammoths at caves such as the Grotte de Font de Gaume and the Grotte des Combarelles in the Vezere Valley.
Tourist office:
Maison de la France, 178 Piccadilly, London W1V 0AL. Tel. 09068 244123 (60p per minute).
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| | Available rental properties in Dordogne |
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| |  | | Campagnac Villa, Bergerac.
Luxury villa with own private pool. Total peace and tranquillity, in the heart of the Dordogne.
*** ARRIVE/DEPART ANY DAY ***
Free phone & WiFi high speed internet access.
|  | | Cottage Le Capiol - Dordogne
A detached village house, in a fantastic location a short walk to the River Dordogne, restaurants and shops. *** ARRIVE/DEPART ANY DAY *** Short breaks available.
|  | | Elegant country house, Dordogne.
This 1868 elegant and characterful country house with 2 double, 2 twin bedrooms, Swimming pool and terraces has been sympathetically renovated with all modern conveniences. Great value.
|  | | Lafage, Lanquais, Dordogne
Special OFFER! BOOK by St Patrick's Day for 15% discount !! Three bed detached gite, with large private pool. Superb views, very private but shop, restaurant a walk away.
|  | | 8 pers child friendly wi-fi & satellite tv villa
Luxury cottage & converted barn, private infinity aspect salt water pool. Child & pet friendly, hi-fi, dvd, fully equiped house. ARRIVE/DEPART ANY DAY Discounts available.
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