Explore the Dordogne

The Dordogne region of south-west France is one of the most beautiful and popular destinations in the country. Visit this beautiful region of France and discover the chateaux, beautiful medieval towns and villages, unspoiled countryside and prehistoric caves - just some of the many reasons why the region attracts visitors.

See also Dordogne regions and Dordogne map

Dordogne hotels

Need a hotel? We list a very wide selection of hotels in the Dordogne region from one of the leading hotel suppliers and always offering their 'best price guarantee'. Many of the Dordogne hotels listed have detailed reviews from previous guests to help ensure you choose the perfect one for your visit

Dordogne hotels

Gites, holiday rentals and B and B

Whether you prefer to stay near one of the popular towns or in a more remote rural location in the Dordogne you will find what you need in our Dordogne holidays section, with a great selection of Dordogne gites (holiday rentals) and B&B (chambre d'hotes). Note: listings also include the northern Lot-et-Garonne)

See Dordogne gites or Dordogne B & B

Dordogne Car Hire

You will need a car or other transport to get around the region (there is little public transport) and even more so of you plan to visit places 'off the beaten track'. If you are not driving to the region in your own vehicle you can find best prices for your Dordogne car rental at:

Car Hire in Dordogne

There are many 'famous sights' in the Dordogne, including: Lascaux caves; Marqueyssac gardens; medieval Sarlat; Chateau Castelnaud; prehistoric caves in the Vezere Valley, etc. Yet it is the places that you visit outside these 'hot-spots' that will stay longest in your memory - the scenery, the peace, the coffee in a small cafe, the picnic next to a stream. The Dordogne is beautiful in the same way as the Cotswolds or Tuscany are beautiful - the way it simply makes you want to stay forever enjoying the quiet, the countryside, the scenery...

For more information about activities, visiting the area with children, market days and wine-tasting, museums and travel arrangements, and much more besides, see...visiting the Dordogne.

Some of the best known highlights include Lascaux caves, the gouffre de Padirac caves and Marqueyssac gardens and canoeing the Dordogne, with the most popular towns and villages including Bergerac / Brantome / Excideuil / La Roque-Gageac / Le Bugue / Riberac / Rocamadour / Sarlat

The Dordogne Valley usually refers to the path followed by the river, and is towards the south of the department - it passes more or less east to west, passing through Bergerac. The more northerly half of the department is really quite a way from the river! Tourism in the Dordogne doesn't start and end with the river - be sure to venture north and south a little to discover the quiet but equally beautiful regions a little more hidden from the public gaze...

But be aware that the 'official' Dordogne Valley often refers to the region to the east around Argentat - i.e. on the Dordogne river but within the Correze department - see Dordogne Valley for information.

There are easy travel links by road and train to the Dordogne region of France from the UK and mainland Europe, many flights (including low cost airlines operating to Bergerac) and also international flights from more far-flung places into Bordeaux airport. Accommodation in attractive gites and chambre d'hotes is easily found - see our 'Self catering Dordogne holidays' section to find gites and holidays in the Dordogne.

Several of the highlights of the region are found to the south of the river and south into the Lot et Garonne department - visit our partner site Lot et Garonne for the region to the south of the River and the northern part of Lot-et-Garonne. Several places along the river and to the south of the river such as Sarlat and La Roque-Gageac appear in both websites.