The Dordogne is a beautiful part of France with quaint villages, great food, vineyards and many historical sites. We spent a lot of time driving around, discovering the picturesque Dordogne villages and noting all the reasons why this region is worth adding to your French bucket list!
The Dordogne region, also known as Perigord, gets its name from the Dordogne River that flows through the region. It is known for its beautiful medieval towns and villages, scenic beauty and rich culinary tradition.
When I was pregnant with our first little boy, we visited our Joy Moon and while it meant I couldn’t partake in the extensive wine and cheese on offer, I did enjoy visiting all the little villages we stumbled upon while driving throughout countryside. So I thought it was time to share them!
The Dordogne is actually a very large area, which we certainly underestimated when planning our trip. I recommend staying in a few different places so you can get the most out of it and see many of these beautiful places. Each one is unique and offers something different!
Here are some of the best villages in the Dordogne to add to your itinerary!
Emmett
Eymet is a charming village in the Dordogne region known for its half-timbered houses, cobbled streets and lively market on Thursdays. It has a rich history dating back to the 13th century and is surrounded by vineyards and farmland.
This is the closest larger place to where we first stayed and we love going there to try all the different places around the main square to eat.
Judge
Domme is a charming village on a hilltop overlooking the Dordogne. Its location sets it apart from some of the other riverside villages.
It has a 13th-century fortress and has stunning views of the surrounding countryside. You can explore the narrow streets and alleys lined with stone houses and taste the local cuisine.
Brantom
This picturesque town in the Dordogne valley is known as the “Venice of Perigord” because of its location on an island in the river.
It has a stunning monastery and several historic buildings, including a castle and a bell tower. Surrounded by beautiful natural scenery, the town is known for outdoor activities such as canoeing and hiking.
There’s even a glassblowing show, and there are shops in caves by the river.
argenta-sur-dordogne
A pretty village on the banks of the Dordogne, surrounded by hills full of oak trees. It has several historic buildings, including a 12th-century church and a castle.
Surrounded by stunning natural scenery, including forests and mountains, the town is worth the drive.
La Roque Gajac
A stunning medieval village in a unique position overlooking the Dordogne. It’s on a narrow piece of land that backs up to a large bluff, so a home built there doesn’t have much room to expand further! It’s this unique look of the village that makes it worth a visit.
The village has narrow streets and old stone buildings including a castle and a church. Tourists can also take a boat tour on the river and enjoy the scenery.
Montpazier
Monpazier is a well-preserved medieval village, built in the 13th century. It has a beautiful central square surrounded by half-timbered houses, churches and castles.
The village is known for its traditional architecture and lively market days. It’s almost exactly what it looked like in the Middle Ages and it’s worth a visit.
Isiac
Issigeac is a medieval village in the Bergerac region, known for its half-timbered houses and winding streets. I love these log houses and it’s crazy to see some of them leaning so far!
It has a 13th-century market hall and a Romanesque church. Visitors can explore the town’s many art galleries, craft shops and restaurants. We also found several great bakeries here. I mean, France has them all over the place, but these are especially good.
Belvis
This medieval village is characterized by traditional buildings, narrow streets and a beautiful central square in traditional bastide style. It is famous for its fairs and traditional crafts held in the well-preserved 15th-century market hall.
Montignac
The village is famous for its proximity to the world-famous Lascaux Caves, which contain stunning prehistoric art of large animals. You can visit Lascaux II and the International Center for Cave Art, which has detailed replicas of the cave complex.
salla la caneda
This medieval town is considered one of the most beautiful villages in France, although it is much larger than the others on this list.
Its charming cobbled streets, traditional buildings and lively markets attract tourists. It’s also known for its food scene and proximity to several stunning natural attractions.
Sarlat-la-Canéda is an ideal base for exploring more of the Dordogne, as it offers plenty of accommodation and more dining options than in other villages.
colonge la rouge
The village is known for its distinctive red sandstone architecture, which sets it apart from the other villages on this list. It houses several historical monuments, including a church and a castle. It is situated in a scenic area of rolling hills and forests.
beynac and cazenac
This picturesque village is located on the cliffs above the Dordogne River, with narrow streets lined with traditional stone houses.
The village is dominated by a stunning medieval castle with stunning views of the river and surrounding landscape. Beynac Castle is definitely worth a stop to admire the surrounding views.
Limey
Located at the confluence of the Dordogne and Vezère rivers, this village offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. It is known for its medieval architecture and charming streets.
It’s also unique in that it has a river beach that’s easy to canoe/kayak, so it’s a great place to get out on the river and see the Dordogne from a different perspective.
castelnola chapelle
The village is dominated by a stunning medieval castle that houses the Medieval War Museum. It has narrow streets, traditional buildings and beautiful views of the Dordogne and the surrounding landscape.
Castelnaud-la-Chapelle is one of our favorites to visit and there is so much to see!
Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin-de-Reilhac
The village is home to Rouffignac Cave, which contains more than 250 engravings and prehistoric cave art. Obviously, it also has traditional architecture, narrow streets and beautiful surrounding views!
carduin
The village has a beautiful Cistercian abbey dating back to the 12th century. It features narrow streets, traditional stone houses and stunning views of the surrounding countryside, like all these villages of course! But it is what makes this monastery unique.
It also has traditional architecture, narrow streets and beautiful churches, as well as a market where you can buy the region’s famous black truffles.
We loved our trip to the Dordogne and highly recommend it as a region of France worth exploring. There are many beautiful villages in the Dordogne, but each one has its own reasons for you to add it to your list.
Having said that, you can’t go wrong wandering the countryside and exploring whatever comes your way!
Sonya X
