- Perigueux: The capital of the Dordogne and one of the largest Medieval-Renaissance towns in France. You can visit the ancient walled town of Vesunna, a Roman site which dates back over 2000 years. The cathedral of Saint Front is the largest church in the south west and one of the stops on the pilgrimage route to Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle (in town the route is marked by golden clam shells and is also the same route that runs in front of Chateau de Siorac). There are plenty of shops and restaurants, 4 museums (Le Musee du Périgord, Le Musee Gallo-romaine, Le Musee Militaire, Le Musee Atelier du Trompe l'Oeil) also theatre, cinema, market, shops, boat trips, etc…
- Brantome: A beautiful picturesque small town on an island, known as the Venice of the Dordogne. The Carolingian abbey has the oldest bell tower in France. You can sign up for canoe or boat rides..
- Bergerac: Founded on the banks of the Dordogne, has preserved the evidence of the XIV century when its role as supplier of wine to the English kingdom established its importance and wealth. With over 100 vineyards open to the public you will have much to choose from for those wine tasting tours. For white sweet wines visit Monbazillac.
- Sarlat: A medieval town where one can feel transported back in time. It gathers all types of artists, musicians, sculptures, painters, etc... The Sarlat market is well known in the region. Three stars in Michelin Guide.
- Domme: A fortress founded in 1281 by the French king Philippe III as a front against the English. At the bastide you can see the graffiti left on the walls by prisoners during the English war.
- Rocamadour: A breathtaking site cascading down the side of a mountain. It paid homage to the pilgrimage in the Middle Ages.
- Monpazier: The bastide founded in 1284 by Edward I of England. A bastide was a new town built in the Middle Ages on the initiative of a lord for economic reasons in colonizing and exploiting an area, and for military purposes in setting up garrisons guaranteeing security at the borders of their possession. In the second half of the XIII century, the kings of England (then masters of Aquitaine, and of France), built several of these in the Dordogne.
- Limeuil: A truly beautiful medieval village situated at the crossing point between the rivers Dordogne and Vezere.
- Les Eyzies: world capital of Prehistoric finds, has plenty of museums, caves, and interesting places to visit.
- Saint Emilion: It's a very important wine town, and is blessed with impressive medieval architecture, including an entire church carved out inside a hill. A walk up to the tower is well worth the effort for beautiful panoramic pictures of the surrounding vineyards that go on as far as your eye can see. Explore the many vineyards open for wine-tasting; also many of the stores in St. Emilion will ship the wine to your home address.
- Brantome: A beautiful picturesque small town on an island, known as the Venice of the Dordogne. The Carolingian abbey has the oldest bell tower in France. You can sign up for canoe or boat rides..
- Bergerac: Founded on the banks of the Dordogne, has preserved the evidence of the XIV century when its role as supplier of wine to the English kingdom established its importance and wealth. With over 100 vineyards open to the public you will have much to choose from for those wine tasting tours. For white sweet wines visit Monbazillac.
- Sarlat: A medieval town where one can feel transported back in time. It gathers all types of artists, musicians, sculptures, painters, etc... The Sarlat market is well known in the region. Three stars in Michelin Guide.
- Domme: A fortress founded in 1281 by the French king Philippe III as a front against the English. At the bastide you can see the graffiti left on the walls by prisoners during the English war.
- Rocamadour: A breathtaking site cascading down the side of a mountain. It paid homage to the pilgrimage in the Middle Ages.
- Monpazier: The bastide founded in 1284 by Edward I of England. A bastide was a new town built in the Middle Ages on the initiative of a lord for economic reasons in colonizing and exploiting an area, and for military purposes in setting up garrisons guaranteeing security at the borders of their possession. In the second half of the XIII century, the kings of England (then masters of Aquitaine, and of France), built several of these in the Dordogne.
- Limeuil: A truly beautiful medieval village situated at the crossing point between the rivers Dordogne and Vezere.
- Les Eyzies: world capital of Prehistoric finds, has plenty of museums, caves, and interesting places to visit.
- Saint Emilion: It's a very important wine town, and is blessed with impressive medieval architecture, including an entire church carved out inside a hill. A walk up to the tower is well worth the effort for beautiful panoramic pictures of the surrounding vineyards that go on as far as your eye can see. Explore the many vineyards open for wine-tasting; also many of the stores in St. Emilion will ship the wine to your home address.
CHATEAUX TO VISIT
- Chateau Castelnaude-la-Chapelle, near Domme. Feudal castle, war museum of the Middle Ages, sometimes offers evening medieval reanimations.
- Chateau de Marqueyssac, its gardens offer pleasant shaded walks through a maze of 150,000 hand-pruned boxwoods.
- Chateau de Beynac, Sits on top of a mountain with breathtaking views. Beynac was captured by Richard the Lionhearted in 1189, but it returned to French control in 1199..
- Château de Chabanas, Situated at the highest point of the "Cote de Jord", occupies a spectacular position overlooking a valley first lived by Neanderthal man. It's a good example of the Renaissance period.
- Château de Losse, overlooks the Vezere, a Medieval stronghold with its' elegant Renaissance hall, architecture, decor and period furniture.
- Château de Fenelon, situated in the valley of the Dordogne between Sarlat and Souillac.
- Château de Bourdeilles close to Brantome it's two chateaux of different periods built on a fortified bank, a medieval fortress and a Renaissance palace.
- Château de Puyguilhem is situated north of Brantome. It's an early renaissance castle under Val de Loire style.
- Le Chateau de Bonaguil is a medieval fortress, an example of late XV century military architecture.
- Château Hautefort, east of Perigueux. Ancient strong fortress rebuilt in the XVII century.
- Chateau de Marqueyssac, its gardens offer pleasant shaded walks through a maze of 150,000 hand-pruned boxwoods.
- Chateau de Beynac, Sits on top of a mountain with breathtaking views. Beynac was captured by Richard the Lionhearted in 1189, but it returned to French control in 1199..
- Château de Chabanas, Situated at the highest point of the "Cote de Jord", occupies a spectacular position overlooking a valley first lived by Neanderthal man. It's a good example of the Renaissance period.
- Château de Losse, overlooks the Vezere, a Medieval stronghold with its' elegant Renaissance hall, architecture, decor and period furniture.
- Château de Fenelon, situated in the valley of the Dordogne between Sarlat and Souillac.
- Château de Bourdeilles close to Brantome it's two chateaux of different periods built on a fortified bank, a medieval fortress and a Renaissance palace.
- Château de Puyguilhem is situated north of Brantome. It's an early renaissance castle under Val de Loire style.
- Le Chateau de Bonaguil is a medieval fortress, an example of late XV century military architecture.
- Château Hautefort, east of Perigueux. Ancient strong fortress rebuilt in the XVII century.
CAVES/PREHISTORIC SITES
- Les-Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil: The 35,000-year old Cro-Magnon site gave its name to the race Homo sapiens.
- La Grotte du Grand Roc: located west of Les Eyzies is a truly natural masterpiece.
- Pataud: Prehistoric site where Cro-Magnon men settled many times between 35,000 to 20,000 years ago.
- Village Troglodytique de la Madeleine: Cro-Magnon men settled here over 15,000 years ago.
- Lascaux II: the most famous Paleolithic sanctuary in the world.
- Le Thot: Animal Park with fauna prevailing in the Cro-Magnon period. A museum providing a broad view of prehistoric art.
- Gouffre de Proumeyssac: baptized the "Crystal Cathedral", it's the largest developed abyss in Périgord.
- Grotte de Villars: The grotte is the largest underground network in Périgord with more than 13 km explored.
- La Roque Saint Christophe is a cliff refuge built by the People of the Cliffs thousands of years ago.
- Grottes du Roc de Cazelle: Special for children : workshop : demonstration of flint cutting, engraving, music, fire and excavation.
- La Grotte du Grand Roc: located west of Les Eyzies is a truly natural masterpiece.
- Pataud: Prehistoric site where Cro-Magnon men settled many times between 35,000 to 20,000 years ago.
- Village Troglodytique de la Madeleine: Cro-Magnon men settled here over 15,000 years ago.
- Lascaux II: the most famous Paleolithic sanctuary in the world.
- Le Thot: Animal Park with fauna prevailing in the Cro-Magnon period. A museum providing a broad view of prehistoric art.
- Gouffre de Proumeyssac: baptized the "Crystal Cathedral", it's the largest developed abyss in Périgord.
- Grotte de Villars: The grotte is the largest underground network in Périgord with more than 13 km explored.
- La Roque Saint Christophe is a cliff refuge built by the People of the Cliffs thousands of years ago.
- Grottes du Roc de Cazelle: Special for children : workshop : demonstration of flint cutting, engraving, music, fire and excavation.
GARDENS
- Les Jardins du Manoir d'Eyrignac: The gardens are of outstanding beauty and unique in the originality of their design.
- Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire: Overlooking the Valley of Vezere, covering more than 6 ha of terraced gardens.
- Les Jardins suspendus de Marqueyssac: Sits at 130 meters above the river Dordogne, it offers one of the most beautiful panoramas of Périgord.
- Les Jardins de l'Imaginaire: Overlooking the Valley of Vezere, covering more than 6 ha of terraced gardens.
- Les Jardins suspendus de Marqueyssac: Sits at 130 meters above the river Dordogne, it offers one of the most beautiful panoramas of Périgord.
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