The Dordogne and Périgord

Cliff-top castles above a river, prehistoric caves and one of France's richest food traditions.

The Dordogne river seen from the heights of a castle. Photo by Paul La Rosa on Unsplash.

Périgord is a natural region and former province that roughly matches the Dordogne department, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, around the prefecture Périgueux. The number of castles depends on the definition. Wikipedia says more than 1,500, and that the nobility built more than 1,200 chateaux, manors and country houses in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, while France.fr says thousands. We say more than a thousand.

Wikipedia says the Dordogne river basin was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on 11 July 2012.

Highlights

What to see

Château de Beynac

Built in the 12th century, with a Romanesque keep and additions in the 14th, 16th and 17th centuries, on a limestone cliff above the Dordogne. It has been a monument historique since 1944. Wikipedia says the French held it in the Hundred Years' War while the English held Castelnaud, and that Lucien Grosso bought and restored it from 1962.

Château de Castelnaud

The oldest documents date from the 13th century, in the Albigensian Crusade. It faces Beynac across the river, houses a museum of medieval warfare and is privately owned and open to the public.

Château de Hautefort

A medieval fortress rebuilt in the 17th century, with a 17th-century formal French garden listed among the Notable Gardens of France.

The Vézère valley and Lascaux

Wikipedia counts 147 prehistoric sites and 25 decorated caves in the Vézère valley. France.fr says Lascaux was discovered in 1940 with over 600 wall paintings, that the original is closed and that visitors see the Lascaux IV replica.

Food and wine

France.fr names black truffles, foie gras and walnuts, Wikipedia names confit de canard, and the Sarlat covered market sells truffles and foie gras. Wines are Bergerac, Monbazillac and Duras.

When to go

France.fr does not name a best season. Summer is the peak, with river beaches and events, and it advises booking ahead for the peak summer months. Our when to go page has monthly weather for Bergerac.

Good to know

A few facts

Sources differ on the castle count, from more than 1,200 to more than 1,500 to thousands.
Beynac faces Castelnaud across the river.
France.fr describes hilltop villages including Beynac, La Roque-Gageac and Domme.

Keep planning

Other regions

Questions

Quick answers

How many castles are in the Dordogne?

It depends on the definition. Wikipedia says more than 1,500, and France.fr says thousands.

Can you visit Lascaux?

France.fr says the original cave is closed, and visitors see the Lascaux IV replica.

What food is the Dordogne known for?

France.fr names black truffles, foie gras and walnuts. Wikipedia names confit de canard.

Sources

Facts on this site come from gov.uk, Atout France, regional tourism boards, UNESCO and the operators named, each listed at the foot of the page. Check dates, prices and entry rules with the provider before you book.