Castles
Over 1000 castles and fortified villages including Beynac, Castelnaud and Commarque
Wine region · France
Dordogne
Medieval castles on the rocks, black truffles of Périgord and the gastronomic heritage of southwest France
Region
About the region
The Dordogne is a region in southwestern France where medieval history is intertwined with prehistoric heritage. Here, more than 1,000 castles overlook the picturesque Dordogne River valley.
The region is famous for its gastronomy: black truffles, foie gras, duck confit and walnuts. This is an ideal destination for lovers of history, nature and fine cuisine.
Gastronomy
Capital of foie gras, Périgord black truffles, duck confit and walnuts
Prehistory
Lascaux Caves with 17,000-year-old rock art
Wine
Bergerac, Monbazillac - elegant wines of the southwest of France
What to see
Main attractions
From medieval castles to prehistoric caves, discover the Dordogne
Click a marker or card: they are linked.
CastlesBeynac Castle
Majestic 12th century fortress on a cliff above the Dordogne River
- 12th century
- Panoramic views
- Medieval interior
VillagesSarlat-la-Canéda
Medieval city with the best preserved architecture in France
- Medieval Market
- Foie gras
- Architecture
CavesLascaux Cave
Prehistoric cave paintings dating back 17,000 years
- Rock painting
- Museum
- Cave Replica
CastlesChâteau de Castelnaud
12th century fortress with a museum of medieval weapons
- Weapons Museum
- Trebuchets
- Valley Views
VillagesLa Roque-Gageac
Picturesque village clinging to a cliff above the river
- Tropical Garden
- Gabarre boat trips
- Rock houses
NatureMarqueyssac Gardens
Romantic gardens with 150,000 boxwoods and panoramic views
- Topiary
- Panoramas
- Romantic alleys
CavesFont-de-Gaume Cave
One of the last caves with original prehistoric paintings
- Original drawings
- Bison
- Restricted Access
VillagesDomme
13th century fortified bastide with panoramic views
- Bastide
- Observation deck
- Underground Caves
NatureDordogne River
Scenic canoe river with views of castles and villages
- Canoe
- Castles
- Beaches
Towns and villages
Towns and villages of the Dordogne
From golden Sarlat to rocky La Roque-Gageac, every place breathes medieval history
Town
Sarlat-la-Canéda
A medieval town with some of the best-preserved architecture in France - narrow streets, golden limestone and a famous foie gras market.
- Medieval Market
- Saint-Sacerdos Cathedral
- Foie gras and truffles
- Street lights
Town
Bergerac
The wine capital of Périgord on the banks of the Dordogne with the historic center where Cyrano de Bergerac was born and famous wineries.
70 km from Sarlat
- Bergerac wines
- Monbazillac
- Old Port
- Wine Museum
Town
Périgueux
The capital of Périgord, with the Byzantine Saint-Front Cathedral, Roman ruins and a rich gastronomic tradition.
60 km from Sarlat
- Saint-Front Cathedral
- Roman amphitheater
- Périgord Museum
- Truffle Market
Village
La Roque-Gageac
The picturesque village, nestled against a sheer cliff above the Dordogne River, is one of the most beautiful villages in France with a tropical garden.
10 km from Sarlat
- Tropical Garden
- Gabarre boat trips
- Rock houses
- Sandy Beach
Village
Domme
A 13th-century fortified bastide on top of a cliff with the most beautiful panorama of the Dordogne Valley - 180° views of the castles and river.
12 km from Sarlat
- Observation deck
- Bastide
- Underground Caves
- Medieval Gate
Village
Beynac-et-Cazenac
The medieval village at the foot of the majestic Castle of Beynac on the banks of the Dordogne is the setting for many historical films.
12 km from Sarlat
- Beynac Castle
- Waterfront promenade
- Stone streets
- River view
Traditions
Traditions and culture
The Dordogne preserves the ancient traditions of the Périgord - from truffle hunting to knightly tournaments near the walls of thousand-year-old castles
Truffle Hunting
From November to March is a sacred ritual of Périgord. Searching for black diamonds with trained dogs in oak groves and tasting.
- Périgord black truffles
- Trained truffle dogs
- November - March
- Truffle Festival in Sarlat
Medieval Festivals
Knightly tournaments, costumed processions and medieval markets near castle walls - the living history of Périgord.
- Tournaments at Beynac Castle
- Costume parades
- Medieval crafts
- July - August
Harvesting walnuts
A fall tradition in the walnut groves, the Perigord walnut has an AOC and is used in dozens of local dishes.
- AOC Noix du Périgord
- September - October
- Nut Mills
- Walnut oil and liqueur
Marchés au gras
Marchés au gras are traditional markets where farmers sell foie gras, duck fat and confit straight from the farm.
- Foie gras and confit
- Duck fat
- November - March
- Best in Sarlat
Prehistoric Legacy
The caves of Lascaux and Font-de-Gaume are the cradle of human art. Prehistoric festivals and rock painting workshops.
- Prehistory Festival
- Painting workshops
- Museum of Prehistory
- June - September
Christmas markets
Winter fairs in Sarlat and Bergerac with foie gras, truffles and nut liqueur in the festive atmosphere of medieval cities.
- Foie gras and truffles
- Walnut liqueur
- Medieval scenery
- December
Gastronomy
Gastronomy of the Dordogne
Discover the richness of Périgord cuisine, from black truffles to legendary foie gras and sweet Monbazillac
Producers
Producers and workshops
Visit the legendary wineries, truffle farms and nut mills of Périgord
Monbazillac winery
Château de Monbazillac
A majestic 16th-century castle and legendary winery producing late-harvest sweet wines steeped in history.
WhereMonbazillacExcursionsDaily 10:00–18:00PriceFrom 15€
Truffle Farm
Truffière de Péchalifour
Century-old family truffle farm - truffle hunting with dogs and tasting fresh black diamonds.
WhereSaint-CyprienExcursionsBy appointment (November–March)PriceFrom 35€
Foie Gras Farm
Ferme de Turnac
A traditional farm producing foie gras and duck delicacies, from raising the birds to the finished product.
WhereDommeExcursionsMon–Sat 9:00–17:00PriceFrom 10€
Nut Mill
Moulin de la Veyssière
An ancient 16th-century watermill that still produces cold-pressed walnut oil from Périgord walnuts.
WhereNeuvicExcursionsDaily 10:00–17:00PriceFree
Bergerac Winery
Château de Tiregand
Prestigious 18th-century chateau with vineyards producing some of Bergerac's finest red wines, aged for many years.
WhereCreysseExcursionsBy appointmentPriceFrom 20€
House of Foie Gras
Maison Godard
A prestigious foie gras producer in central Sarlat, with a tasting room and a history dating to 1920.
WhereSarlat-la-CanédaExcursionsMon–Sat 9:30–19:00PriceFrom 8€
What to bring home
What to bring from the Dordogne
The best souvenirs and gifts that will preserve the memory of your trip to the medieval Périgord
Wine · From €18
Monbazillac
Legendary late-harvest sweet wine from vineyards around Château de Monbazillac, in an elegant bottle
Tip: Look for Sélection de Grains Nobles bottles, the finest vintages
Wineries, vinotheques
Food · From €25
Foie gras in a jar
Canned foie gras entier from Périgord is the main gastronomic souvenir of the region
Tip: Foie gras entier (whole) is more highly prized than bloc; look for this label
Farms, Maison Godard, markets
Crafts · From €20
Ceramics from Périgord
Traditional hand-painted pottery with motifs of medieval castles and rural life
Tip: Authentic pieces bear the workshop’s mark
Sarlat workshops, souvenir shops
Food · From €40
Black truffles
Fresh or canned Perigord black truffles - a royal gift for gourmets
Tip: Preserved versions keep up to a year; fresh ones,5–7 days
Truffle markets, Truffière de Péchalifour
Wine · From €12
Bergerac red
Elegant red wine from the Bergerac region in a beautiful gift box
Tip: Côtes de Bergerac produces the region’s finest reds
Château de Tiregand, wine shops
Food · From €15
Duck confit in a jar
Ready-made duck confit from Périgord - the most tender meat in its own fat for a homemade dinner
Tip: Heat in a pan until crisp, just as in a restaurant
Farms, grocery stores
Crafts · From €25
Books about prehistory
Illustrated albums about the Lascaux caves and prehistoric art in different languages
Tip: English-language editions are available
Museum shops, bookstores
Cosmetics · From €10
Walnut oil
Natural cold-pressed oil from Perigord walnuts - for cooking and cosmetics
Tip: Ideal for salad dressings and skincare
Moulin de la Veyssière, markets
Crafts · From €30
Castle miniatures
Hand-made miniatures of the castles of Beynac, Castelnaud and other Dordogne fortresses from local limestone
Tip: The best miniatures are sold at the châteaux themselves
Castle souvenir shops
Food · From €18
Walnut liqueur
Traditional Perigord green walnut liqueur - strong and aromatic
Tip: Serve chilled as an after-dinner digestif
Wine shops and markets
Cosmetics · From €7
Lavender soap
Natural soap with lavender from the Perigord gardens - the aroma of the French province
Tip: Look for products from local Sarlat soapmakers
Markets, craft shops
Food · From €10
Perigord Walnuts
AOC Noix du Périgord walnut kernels in festive packaging
Tip: AOC guarantees the walnuts’ origin and quality
Nut mills, markets
·
Directly from producers, at Sarlat markets and château souvenir shops Many producers arrange delivery Bordeaux and Toulouse airports have regional wines Look for AOC and IGP labels, which guarantee origin and quality
Where to stay
Where to stay in the Dordogne
The best hotels in the region - from medieval castles to cozy rural estates among vineyards
Luxury · Eugénie-les-Bains ★★★★★
Les Prés d'Eugénie
Michel Guerard's legendary hotel with three Michelin stars, thermal springs and spa in a 10-hectare park
- Three Michelin stars
- Thermal Spa
- Park 10 hectares
- Gastronomy
From 380€4.9 ·512 reviews
Château · Lacave ★★★★
Château de la Treyne
Fairy-tale 14th-century castle on a cliff above the Dordogne River with restaurant, park and panoramic views of the valley
- 14th century castle
- View of the Dordogne
- Park
- Restaurant
From 250€4.8 ·389 reviews
Boutique · Sarlat-la-Canéda ★★★★
Plaza Madeleine
Elegant boutique hotel in a historic mansion in the heart of Sarlat with swimming pool and spa
- Historic mansion
- Pool
- Spa
- Sarlat Center
From 160€4.7 ·345 reviews
Château · Beynac ★★★★
Château de Beynac
Rooms in historical buildings at the foot of Beynac Castle overlooking the river and medieval village
- At Beynac Castle
- Medieval atmosphere
- River view
- Restaurant
From 180€4.6 · 298 reviews
Country · Vitrac ★★★★★
Domaine de Rochebois
Luxurious 19th-century country estate with golf course, spa and vineyard views
- 19th century manor
- Golf
- Spa
- Vineyards
From 320€4.8 · 267 reviews
Boutique · Trémolat ★★★★
Le Vieux Logis
Charming hotel in a traditional Périgord house with a gourmet restaurant and shaded garden
- Périgord style
- Restaurant
- Garden
- Terrace
From 140€4.7 ·312 reviews
Country · Les Eyzies ★★★
Moulin de la Beune
A cosy former watermill on the Beune River in the heart of the prehistoric Vézère Valley
- Watermill
- On the river
- Vézère Valley
- Home cooking
From 100€4.6 ·234 reviews
Luxury · Mouleydier ★★★★
Château les Merles
Elegant castle among vineyards with golf course, restaurant and Bergerac wine tastings
- Château
- Golf
- Tastings
- Vineyards
From 220€4.7 · 289 reviews
Boutique · Sarlat-la-Canéda ★★★
La Maison du Notaire
Charming 17th-century guest house in the center of Sarlat with authentic stone walls and oak beams
- 17th century house
- Sarlat Center
- Stone walls
- Breakfast
From 110€4.5 ·178 reviews
·
In season, June–September, book 2–3 months ahead, or 4 months for festivals Sarlat is a convenient base; Dordogne châteaux offer atmosphere; country estates offer seclusion Average prices are €120–250 per night. Château-hotels cost more,€250–400. Winter discounts reach 25%
· reviews
Route Examples
Route Examples
Ready-made routes for independent travel through the medieval Dordogne
- Day 1
Sarlat and castles
Arrive in Sarlat, walk through the medieval center, lunch at the famous market and visit the Beynac Castle with panoramic views.
- Day 2
Castles and river
Castelnaud Castle with its weapons museum, a gabaret tour of the Dordogne and the picturesque village of La Roque-Gageac.
- Day 3
Caves and departure
Visit Lascaux IV, an exact reproduction of prehistoric cave paintings, have lunch in Les Eyzies and return.
Don't want to plan it yourself?
Join our guided tour with an expert, comfortable transport and exclusive access to castles and wineries.
Dordogne food tourExperiences
What awaits you
Immerse yourself in the medieval history and gastronomy of Périgord
Medieval castles
Visits to Beynac, Castelnaud, Commarque and other cliff-top fortresses
Truffle Hunting
Searching for black truffles with trained dogs and tasting
Périgord Gastronomy
Foie gras, duck confit, walnuts and cooking classes
Lascaux Caves
Prehistoric cave paintings dating back 17,000 years
Bergerac wines
Tastings at wineries in the region, including sweet Monbazillac
Canoeing on the Dordogne
River rafting with views of castles and picturesque villages
Signature tour
Gastronomic tour of the Dordogne
6 days · from €1,100 per day
Gastronomic tour of the Dordogne
Truffles, foie gras, châteaux and a personally designed itinerary through Périgord
Tour programmeFAQ
Frequently asked questions
Answers to popular questions about tours to the Dordogne
When is the best time to visit the Dordogne?
April to October is the best time. Winter, November–March, is black truffle-hunting season. Summer is excellent for canoeing and river beaches.
What is truffle hunting?
This is a search for black truffles with a trained dog in oak groves. After the hunt, there will be a tasting of dishes with truffles and the opportunity to buy fresh truffles.
Is it possible to visit the original Lascaux cave?
The original cave has been closed to the public since 1963 to preserve the paintings. But Lascaux IV is an exact copy using modern technology.
What delicacies are worth trying?
Be sure to try foie gras, duck confit, black truffles, walnuts and sweet Monbazillac wine.
How to get to the Dordogne?
The nearest airports are Bordeaux and Toulouse (1.5-2 hours by car). We provide transfers from both cities.
Art Wine Guide
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