All about our region of France
Click here For a handy sheet detailing the maps of the traditional areas of the Dordogne. This shows the Périgord Vert, Blanc, Pourpre and Noir regions and their key towns.
For an excellent interactive map of the Dordogne click here * Requires adobe flashplayer to view - if you do not have this click here to download
The four distinct regions of the Dordogne-Périgord
1. Perigord Noir - The black Dordogne
The PERIGORD NOIR (BLACK PERIGORD) is probably the most famous of the four areas of the Dordogne and is internationally renowned for its prehistoric sites and the 100’s of historic Chateaux and Manoirs. Crossed by it’s namesake, the Dordogne river valley and the Vézère valley, this area has also long been admired for its stunning scenery and beautiful architecture, with attractive historic towns and villages such as Domme, Sarlat, Montignac, Lascaux, Les Eyzies, Le Bugue, Limeuil, Daglan, Terrasson and Saint-Cyprien to name only a few. Along the Dordogne valley, the stunning rock face village of La Roque-Gageac and the clifftop castles of Montfort, Beynac and Castelnaud stand guard over the river itself, making imposing medieval reminders of the region's centuries of turbulent history.
Area Facilities
- The land of a 1000 Chateaux!
- Gardens of Marqueyssac
- Prehistoric caves at LASCAUX II site
- The top 10 most famous tourist sites found here!
- Medieval city of Sarlat
- Abundant oak and pine forests
- Campsites galore!
- Canoe hire
- Boat trips
2. Perigord Pourpre - The purple Dordogne
Southwest of the Dordogne towards the mouth of the Dordogne River, you come to the PERIGORD POURPRE (PURPLE PERIGORD), a land of sleepy bastide towns and hundreds of famous vineyards, set in a gently rolling landscape . The area is renowned for the old town and historic port of Bergerac and it’s excellent wines, named after locations such as Pécharmant and Monbazillac. Bergerac International Airport now provides excellent links into the heart of the region and is easily reached from any part of the Dordogne. Other principal towns include Lalinde, Villamblard, Sainte Alvere, Villefranche de Lonchat, Beaumont, Eymet and Issigeac.
Area Facilities
- Famous wine route "Bergeracois"
- Bergerac international airport
- Chateau and village of Montbazillac
- Golf at Chateau Vigiers
- "Maxange caves" at Le Buisson de Cadouin
- Historic old port town of Bergerac
- Bastide town of Montpazier
- Vineyards galore!
3. Perigord Vert - The green Dordogne
To the north of the Dordogne region, the PERIGORD VERT (GREEN PERIGORD), is home to the “Dronne” river valley, vast stretches of the forest of the “Double” and the beautiful Parc Naturel Périgord-Limousin. This laid back part and gentle area of the Dordogne offers a continuous landscape of rolling green hills, natural woodland and traditional farmland which is literally crisscrossed by numerous small streams and dotted with natural lakes. The area is traversed by the River Bandiat and the upper valleys of the famous Isle and Auvézère rivers, and extends from Lanouaille to La Roche-Chalais, passing through the famous Dordogne towns of St-Aulaye, Nontron, Brantôme, Bourdeilles, Montagrier and Ribérac.
Area Facilities
- Parc Naturel Regional Perigord/Limousin
- Riverside towns of Brantome and Bourdeilles
- Caves at Villars
- Chateau Puyguilhem
- Roman hilltop church at Montagrier
- "circuit romain" tourist route for historic buildings
4. Perigord Blanc - The white Dordogne
The PERIGORD BLANC (WHITE PERIGORD), stretches across the entire centre of the Dordogne, and is a land dominated by limestone plateaux, forests, lakes, chalk cliffs and wide grassy valleys. The river Auvezere is found here and the principal valley of the river Isle is home to many towns as well as the capital of the Dordogne, the ancient roman city of Perigueux and it’s impressive cathedral and roman ruins. The largest part of the ancient “Double” forest is located here and the towns include, Vergt, Montpon, Savignac-les-Eglises, Sorges (renowned for its truffles), Saint-Astier, Neuvic and Mussidan.
Area Facilities
- City of Perigueux
- Chateau de Neuvic
- Saint Front Cathedral
- Sorges - home of the world's best truffles!
- Roman remains
- Forest of the "Double"
- Market towns of Saint Astier, Neuvic, Mussidan, Montpon and Perigueux
- Chateau Puyolem
- River Isle
- River Auvezere
- Vergt and it's famous strawberries!
The Dordogne – Popular for many good reasons!
Easily accessed by road, railway or air, the department of the Dordogne offers wide appeal with stunning, rolling landscapes and scores of charming small towns and villages thinly spread over an area that according to INSEE (the French national institute of statistics), only has an incredible 43 inhabitants per square kilometre. This alone could explain why this part of France offers an ideal environment for anybody valuing a high quality and relaxing way of life.
 
Yet the Dordogne “cocktail” is far more complex than a simple country lifestyle and here is why....
Formerly known as the Périgord before the French revolution this region is easily one of the most famous in France. Located half way between the Atlantic coast and the central mountains of Massif Central, the area has a unique topography which generates a natural microclimate with the real advantage of four distinct seasons to enjoy during the year with no dramatic or uncomfortable temperature peaks.
 
Nature is everywhere and is easily accessible. 26 beautiful rivers including the famous Dordogne, Isle, Vezere and the Dronne criss-cross the entire area as well as the hundreds of lakes, offering unlimited possibilities for fishing, canoeing or even just relaxing walks along the banks. Between the many valleys, endless rolling hills are carpeted with green pastures, colourful fields producing a wide variety of crops and vast ancient forests that remain abundant with a rich wild life.
Click here to view our collection of images of the Dordogne and surrounding area
Numerous historic and prehistoric sites are found here, stunning castles (more than a thousand!), caves with natural lime stone sculptures and prehistoric rock paintings and don’t forget the hundreds of sleepy medieval villages and towns scattered across the region.
Also, the Dordogne invites you to discover its world famous gastronomy and sumptuous wines all of which are freely available in the numerous picturesque local markets, shops and restaurants open all year round.
 
But the Dordogne “cocktail” would not be complete without adding the famous friendly welcoming tradition of the locals, explaining why the Dordogne has always been an attractive area where people from other French regions and also from many foreign countries have chosen for decades to spend their holidays or more importantly to live their lives!
Click here to view our collection of images of the Dordogne and surrounding area
Some facts about Dordogne and why they are interesting!
I was recently reading a journal, published by the local authority, about our much loved region. On the corner of one page were written certain key facts about the area in very plain and simple language. I noticed that there was no attempt to explain them or indeed their relevance and it struck me that these facts were immediately interesting because they pointed to some of the reasons as to why we lovers of the Dordogne region adore what we find here:
Fact 1: Dordogne has 390.000 inhabitants
Given that Dordogne is one of the larger regions of France and that France Has a population of roughly 60 million people we represent less that 0.01% of the total population! This explains why we have so much space, freedom, peace, tranquility and of course, those miles of famous empty roads!!
Fact 2: Dordogne receives 1.800.000 tourists per year
Nothing is ever popular by accident and this many people each year cannot be wrong! Dordogne offers all that people imagine about France in one place and many come to sample our unique proposition. Sleepy timeless villages with their castles and grand houses, famous local wines, daily farmers markets with local produce, ancient forests, rivers, lakes and most importantly, officially some of the most friendly people to be found in France!
Fact 3: Dordogne has 380,000 hectares of cultivated farmland
This is almost an entire hectare of farmland per head and explains the continuing importance of agriculture to the region and also why we have so much beautiful rolling open countryside. Whilst driving around you will see endless fields of gorgeous sunflowers and bright green crops, as long as you don’t mind being stuck behind the odd tractor or two on your journey of course!
Fact 4: Dordogne has 28 Rivers
Most people have heard of our famous namesake river, the Dordogne itself, but it is important to remember the diversity of water that runs through this region. From a geographic viewpoint, the Dordogne forms part of the foothills of the Massif Central mountains and the many valleys that create our beautiful scenery carry their water eventually westwards to the Atlantic. Of course for us living here, this means plenty swimming in pure river water in summer, fishing spots galore, canoeing and miles upon miles of riverside walks bursting with our varied wildlife.
I could keep going with lots of interesting information about our famous part of France but I think you will already have got the point…. Having said that we are very happy to share much more with you when you come to see us!
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