Location: Dordogne
Top Things to do in Dordogne
Top Hotels in Dordogne
The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Dordogne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Dordogne (French pronunciation: [dɔʁdɔɲ]; Occitan: Dordonha) is a department in southwestern France, with its prefecture in Périgueux. The department is located in the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine between the Loire Valley and the Pyrenees, and is named after the Dordogne river that runs through it. It corresponds roughly with the ancient county of Périgord.
Restaurants in Dordogne
1. Chateau Belingard
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 69 reviews
Situated on hillsides south of Bergerac, we produced both whites and reds wines, from the AOC Monbazillac and Bergerac. We offer all year long free tastings during our opening hours : from Mai to October, from monday to saturday, 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, from November to April, from monday to friday, 9.30 am to 5.00 pm. On appointment only on saturday.Guided tours from Mai to October(3E per adult) on Tuesday et Friday at 10.30 am in French and 3.00 pm in English.
Reviewed By ArneDebruyne - Leuven, Belgium
We came to the chateau without an appointment, but we were welcomed in the perfect way. Very friendly people, who immediately gave us a tablet and brochure with all the information we needed to do a tour in and around the chateau. In this tour, you can learn all about the chateau, the family and the process of winemaking. A beautiful place with a great history. After the tour, we were invited to do a lovely winetasting. Great wines and very reasonable prices. We will come back!
2. Brantome Police Horses & Friends
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 347 reviews
Providing a loving and final home for retired British Police horses. Brantome Police Horses provides care and rehabilitation for many horses and ponies alongside donkeys, dogs, cats, sheep, goats and chickens. We are situated in the heart of the countryside, ten minutes north of Brantome, South West France. Our primary aim is to provide a safe and caring environment for retired British Police Horses, for the rest of their lives. We open to the public on certain afternoons. The days will be specified on the home page of our website. As a tourist attraction in the Dordogne, We enjoy having people to visit and it is used as part of the rehabilitation process for some of our animals. We provide a great tea and there is a lovely gift shop to browse. With your help, we can give these animals the best possible care, for the rest of their lives. "Saving just one horse will not change the world, but surely it will change the world for that one horse."
Reviewed By ferris33
We had a lovely afternoon here, learning about the backgrounds of the horses, and getting to meet these beauty's, Roland and his team are very passionate about their horses and are doing an amazing job of giving them all a lovely retirement.......... lovely t and cake too????Would definitely recommend a trip here if you are visiting Brantome...
3. Les Noyeraies du Landers
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 469 reviews
Reviewed By SuzieSarahDavies - Tavistock, United Kingdom
We have just returned from Les Noyeraies Du Lander where we spent a lovely couple of hours. We were welcomed by Julien, the owner, then Manolo took over and gave us the most interesting talk about walnuts from planting, growing, harvesting and all the many processes that goes to producing high quality walnuts and other products. We sampled different coated walnuts and a cake, all quite delicious. We bought some walnut oil to take back to England, which will also remind us of a great tour. Just to say Manolo made such an effort to translate each stage into English and was a real star.
4. Au Pas de L'Ane
5. Cave of Font-de-Gaume
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 764 reviews
The Font-de-Gaume cave is a marvellous example of prehistoric art from the Madgalenian period with a truly remarkable group of polychrome wall paintings and engravings. For reasons of conservation, the number of visitors is limited to 180 each day with a maximum of 12 people per group. Cave of the Vezere valley designated world heritage site by UNESCO. Open: > 15th May to 15th September: from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. > 16th September to 14th May: from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. Last visit at 4 p.m. Open in accordance with conservation necessities. Closed: > Saturdays. > 1st January, 1st May, 1st November, 11th November and 25th December. Admission fees: Adults : 7,50 €; Concessions (18 to 25) = 4,50 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups
Reviewed By wanderingwanda855 - Berkeley, United States
We visited on Sunday, October 13, 2019 and we arrived at 7:30 a.m., two hours before the ticket window opened at 9:30 a.m. It was dark and cool (but not cold) and we got seats #3 and #4. By 9:30 a.m., only about 15 of the 30 available seats where taken, which was surprising given all the posts indicating a much higher early turnout. Perhaps because it was after peak tourist season (?). One important note is the cave is closed on Saturdays. On the Sunday we visited, they were going to allow up to 70 people to enter the Font-de-Gaume cave that day and up to 25 people into Les Combarelles. They were only offering tours in French all day for both caves. However, because the first 9-10 people in line were English speakers, they ended up changing the first tour from French to English. For our French tour of Les Combarelles in the afternoon, there were only 5 people and the two French-speaking guests in the group agreed to allow the tour guide to do the tour in both French and English, which was nice of them and helpful for us. Font de Gaume has polychromatic cave paintings while Les Combarelles has etchings, so they are very different - both are worthwhile. Since we had several hours between the two tours, we visited Le village de la Madeleine, the remains of a troglodyte and medieval village to the north, which was also interesting and worthwhile.
6. Les Combarelles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
Reviewed By wanderingwanda855 - Berkeley, United States
Since it's the same line to get tickets to both caves, and the etchings in this cave are quite different from the polychromatic cave paintings at Font-de-Gaume, it is worthwhile to buy tickets to this cave if they are available, even if there are no English tours. Fewer people are allowed into this cave than Font-de-Gaume but the history is similar. So if you get an English tour at Font-de-Gaume but only a French tour to Les Combarelles, you'll already have learned about the background and history.
7. Grotte de Rouffignac
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 951 reviews
Reviewed By davide-a-g-i
We arrived there around 9.20 to find already a big queue. Could only get a place for 11:30, so I strongly recommend to get there early. That being said, the cave is gorgeous and I totally understand the way it is being protected by limiting the number of daily visitors, to avoid the fate of other famous caves like Lascaux. The train is a nice touch and the guide was clearly passionate about prehistoric art. Lovely place in a lovely region.
8. Roque Saint-Christophe Fort et Cite Troglodytiques
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,432 reviews
Halfway between les eyzies and montignac lascaux the roque saint christophe cliff has been occupied for 55000 years then the place was a fort and a city in the middle age here you will travel through times understanding the life of the people of the cliffs.
Reviewed By Calgarytraveller2 - Calgary, Canada
We really enjoyed visiting this site, that has been used for thousands of years. It's the best of all worlds - ample parking, reasonable price, outdoors, fantastic views from the terrace, interesting information boards with English translations, and it's always more enjoyable to walk where others have walked and see how they actually lived, rather than looking at a diorama in a museum. This was one of the highlights of our trip to the Dordogne - very reminiscent of the cave dwellings in Arizona, etc. Lots of steps but easy to negotiate unless you have mobility issues. A must-see, in our opinion.
9. Chateau de Commarque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,049 reviews
Castle of Commarque, the adventure from Prehistory to the Middle Ages Once upon a time, in a legendary valley, there was a grandiose pile of stones where dungeons and fortified castle, troglodytes and prehistoric grotto were superimposed on a rocky outcrop in a breathtaking landscape. You will engrave the stone with Cro-Magnon, you will draw with the bow like a true knight, you will draw with the pen the poems of the courtly love. You will discover the mysteries of Commarque through games and workshops, medieval investigation but also with free tours, guided tours, exhibitions and 3D projections. Adventure awaits you at Commarque Castle! The ticket includes: free visit, games of yesteryear, exhibitions and 3D projections. During holidays and school holidays are included: guided tours and workshops (archery, stone sculpture, draw me a castle, parietal layout, medieval calligraphy). Medieval survey with small supplement
Reviewed By Marosja - Auderghem, Belgium
We found this place in the book and prospects. And also was close on our way. GPS worked and short walk from parking lot under the trees is great. Go in the morning to enjoy it more. It was a sunny day and when you see valley opened is amazing. No cars, no noise, just history and nature. Greatly recommended for those who love this combination. Real oasis for relax. Small info tables, kiosk to buy a ticket, get your written guide in english and go. Start with meadows, stream, caves under the rock and castle. And “english” private castle on the opposite side. Private, no access. Enjoy as much as possible and let enough time to walk around. Climb to keep to learn castle history since 13 century, with genealogy aa well. Admirable job done by the owner. My respect and all best wishes to continue. Years of precise reconstruction. Middle age games for young and adults. What an idea! Only thing I was missing was a book, booklet to buy and bring piece of it to home. But it remains in us and our pictures.
10. Chateau des Milandes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,634 reviews
Built in 1489, the stunning Chateau des Milandes in the heart of the Black Perigord on the south bank of the Dordogne became home to the black American singer and dancer Josephine Baker in 1947. Baker had become the toast of the Parisian cabaret scene in the ‘20s, being one of the most famous and highly paid entertainers of her day. A French citizen by marriage, during World War II, her status as an international star also enabled her to work covertly for the French Resistance, for which she received the Croix de Guerre. The castle is dedicated to Josephine Baker. In the grounds, bird of prey display with eagle owl and eagle; the garden is a lovely place. Brasserie is open april to first november.
Reviewed By Intlxpatr - Pensacola, United States
This chateau is beautiful. Just seeing it, and the grounds, and eating at the cafe is an enchanting and memorable experience. We toured the castle, but photos are forbidden and there are signs everywhere to remind you. So call me shallow, but I loved the gift shop and was able to find some really neat things for my grandchildren, unusual, lovely and well priced. There is a falconry exhibit throughout the day, There are self guided vox boxes that you are given, and places to hang them when you are about to leave.
