The Périgord is a region of campsites. They are scattered along the banks of the Dordogne, Vézère, Dronne and Céou rivers. So make the most of your next camping holiday in the Dordogne, with your tent, caravan or motorhome, and discover this lush green region, rich in exceptional heritage, as seen on the walls of the Lascaux caves and in the golden stone of Sarlat.
Charming towns and villages to visit during your camping holiday in Périgord
What stands out most when listing the towns and villages of Périgord is the incredible richness of this region. With no fewer than 10 villages listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, the department has a unique heritage. The highlight is the Dordogne valley. Within just a few kilometres, no fewer than four listed villages await you, nestled in the meanders of the river, so close that they sometimes seem to be watching each other: Domme, perched on the heights, offers a breathtaking view of the Dordogne; La Roque-Gageac, which stretches along the river; and Castelnaud and Beynac, dominated by their castles. These are the jewels that make the Dordogne a splendid necklace. And if these four villages are not enough to make you happy, they are only a few minutes away from Sarlat. With 66 listed monuments within an area of 11 hectares, Sarlat is in the record books. Stone roofs, cobbled streets and pale stone buildings form the backdrop to this perfectly preserved Renaissance town. Don’t miss out on discovering it during your camping holiday in the Dordogne.
However, the Périgord is not limited to the banks of the Dordogne. With its 44 listed monuments, Périgueux seems to want to rival Sarlat. Although the city is proud of its Roman history, as evidenced by its Vesunna museum, it is the Saint-Front Cathedral, with its white stone and Byzantine domes, that best symbolises the city. North of Périgueux, don’t miss Saint-Jean-de-Côle, one of the 10 listed villages of the Périgord, and Brantôme, whose historic abbey is the pride of the Périgord Vert.
The Dordogne, from one castle to another
In addition to its listed villages, the Périgord region is home to a myriad of castles that bear witness to the region’s glorious history. From your campsite in the Dordogne, there is bound to be a castle to visit. Of all of them, the Château de Puyghuilem is one of the most surprising. With its Renaissance architecture, this elegant building is more reminiscent of the châteaux of the Loire Valley. The Château de Hautefort was once a stronghold before becoming a residence and being embellished with a French garden in the 19th century. Formerly owned by Josephine Baker, the Château des Milandes is also renowned for its French garden, which now serves as the backdrop for a bird of prey show. On the edge of the Agenais region, the Château de Biron has watched over the borders since the Middle Ages. When you visit it, you will no doubt recognise the setting from swashbuckling films such as La Fille de D’Artagnan. When we talk about Monbazillac, we think first and foremost of wine. Whether you like wine or not, the Château de Monbazillac alone is worth a visit.
Camping in the Dordogne countryside
Of course, the Dordogne has a rich heritage to discover from the campsite where you are spending your holidays. But the Dordogne also offers magnificent green hilly landscapes through which the Vézère, Dordogne and Dronne rivers meander. In the north of the department, in particular, lies the Périgord Limousin Regional Park. This area of plateaus and hills is ideal for hiking and cycling. The region enchants nature lovers in all seasons, whether in spring when the orchids are in bloom or in autumn when the mushrooms appear. Among the treasures of this region, where water is everywhere, take a walk to the Saut du Chalard waterfall or the Vendoire peat bog. This 65-hectare peat bog is an island of unspoilt nature. Educational trails invite you to discover these unique landscapes.
The Dordogne in prehistoric times
The heritage of the Périgord region dates back not to the Middle Ages, but much further. Indeed, the Dordogne is one of the world’s most important sites for prehistory and cave art. The most famous site is, of course, the Lascaux cave. Discovered in the 1940s, this cave is one of the most beautiful decorated caves in the world. To preserve the original, a facsimile was built to welcome the public. In 2016, a new version opened its doors in Montignac with Lascaux IV, the International Centre for Cave Art. During your camping holiday in the Dordogne, don’t miss the opportunity to discover this fantastic site, which uses all the latest technology to immerse you in prehistory. Several campsites in the Dordogne allow you to stay near Montignac for easy access to the cave. However, Lascaux is not the only prehistoric site in the Périgord. The Vézère Valley is home to one of the largest concentrations of prehistoric sites in Europe. Fifteen of them have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among the must-see sites in the Vézère Valley are La Roque-Saint-Christophe, a limestone wall carved out to form dwellings, and the National Museum of Prehistory in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, which will give you a better understanding of this period.
Canoe trip and hot air balloon ride
Canoeing and hot air ballooning are two classic ways to explore the lush, rolling landscapes of the Dordogne. There are numerous rivers where you can go canoeing, including the Dordogne, Vézère and Dronne. Ask at the reception desk of the campsite where you are staying during your camping holiday in Périgord, and they will give you the best addresses for a canoe trip. As the sun sets over the Dordogne valley, it’s time for the hot air balloons to take to the skies. It’s a magnificent sight that colours the Périgord sky every evening. If you get the chance, take a ride in one of these hot air balloons. You’ll discover the Dordogne, its listed villages and its châteaux from a different perspective.
Gourmet Dordogne
More than any other region in France, the Dordogne is associated with gastronomy. Black Périgord truffles, foie gras, confits, ceps and walnuts are just some of the delicious specialities of the Périgord. They can be enjoyed in restaurants, of course, but also at traditional markets. Accompanied, of course, by Bergerac wines. The Bergerac vineyards, in the west of the Dordogne, produce delicious red wines such as Pécharmant, as well as rosés and whites, and the famous sweet wine of Monbazillac.
To learn more about truffles, be sure to visit the Truffle Museum in Sorges.
Campsites in the Dordogne often have a restaurant where you can enjoy dishes made with iconic Périgord produce. Make the most of your holiday in the Dordogne to try them out. And if you’re looking for something a little more gourmet, the campsite managers will be happy to recommend the best places to eat near the campsite.
Our campsites in the Dordogne
A selection of campsites in the Dordogne for holidays in tents, caravans or motorhomes.
Author: We Love Camping
C'est parce que nous aimons le camping traditionnel que nous avons pensé à ce site. Parce que nous regrettons parfois que le mobile-home occupe désormais tant de place sur les campings, nous avons voulu mettre en avant les terrains où les tentes, les caravanes et les camping-cars restent majoritaire. Et offrir à tout ceux qui partagent notre amour de la vie en plein air, un site avec des idées de voyages, des conseils techniques et surtout un choix de campings où il fait bon venir poser sa caravane ou planter sa tente.
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