Prehistoric art and traces of human life dating back thousands of years give Dordogne a special focus for discovery. In the Vézère Valley, this history can be explored in different places and in different forms: in caves, at prehistoric sites and in museums. The region’s character also ranges from bastides and vineyards to rivers, forests and rural landscapes.
Prehistory in the Vézère Valley
The UNESCO World Heritage site in the Vézère Valley encompasses 15 prehistoric sites that document dense settlement during the Paleolithic. The area contains more than 150 Paleolithic archaeological sites and around thirty decorated caves. Lascaux is one of the valley’s best-known caves; its paintings depict around a hundred animal figures. The Centre International de l’Art Pariétal offers a different perspective: its gallery is almost 150 metres long and displays around 2,500 painted or engraved animal figures.
At the Musée national de Préhistoire in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, collections of tools, sculptures and objects of prehistoric art tell the story of human development. Together, cave paintings and museum objects offer different ways to explore prehistory: here, the focus is on depictions of animals; there, on objects and works of art from different areas of life.
When planning a cave visit, access is important: some caves are closed to the public because of their vulnerability, and access to sensitive sites is controlled. Check the conditions at the relevant site before visiting.
Bastides, vineyards and historic buildings
Dordogne also offers a range of cultural discoveries beyond prehistory. Périgueux, Bergerac and Sarlat have been awarded the Villes d’Art et d’Histoire designation. The bastide of Monpazier is one of the best-preserved in southwestern France; arcades line its main square. The Château de Beynac-et-Cazenac, a medieval fortress, stands atop a rocky outcrop.
In the Dordogne Valley between Sarlat and Bergerac, prehistoric caves, vineyards and medieval bastides come together. Several periods and themes are represented side by side, so the region need not be reduced to a single attraction. Those particularly interested in historic architecture might focus on Monpazier’s arcaded square or the fortress of Beynac-et-Cazenac, while those interested in the earliest art history will find a different focus in the Vézère Valley.
Rivers and varied landscapes
Forests, rivers and rural areas with a strong natural character define Dordogne. The Dordogne Valley basin is classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In 2020, the Vézère Valley was awarded Grand Site de France status. The Regional Natural Park of Périgord-Limousin describes protected landscapes with diverse flora and fauna. The Auvézère gorges are considered wild; in Brantôme, the Dronne flows through the town’s canals.
The natural landscape is also diverse: Dordogne’s mosaic of habitats includes Mediterranean-influenced heathland and grassland, wetlands, and areas of deciduous and coniferous forest. These varied landscapes complement the region’s cultural discoveries with a perspective on nature. When exploring the region, you can therefore focus on river landscapes, forests or protected natural areas, depending on your interests, without having to follow a particular route.
Regional cuisine and activities
Truffles, foie gras, confit and magret are part of the culinary character of Dordogne-Périgord, along with walnuts, porcini mushrooms, strawberries, apples and chestnuts. Bergerac wines are also associated with the region. Producers’ markets offer an opportunity to find regional products; their dates vary by season and location. The availability of seasonal produce can also vary.
Canoeing and cycling are among the leisure activities on offer in Dordogne-Périgord. Flow Vélo is a family-friendly cycling route laid out as a greenway; check route conditions and services before setting out. Accueil Vélo stations give special attention to cycle tourists. Check in advance which participating services might suit your trip. Throughout the year, Dordogne-Périgord also hosts festivals, exhibitions, performances, celebrations and sporting events. As programmes change from year to year, it is worth checking the dates if an event is to influence your travel dates.
Discover more places
Discover more destinations: Bosset, Paussac-et-Saint-Vivien, Saint-Laurent-des-Hommes, Milhac-D'auberoche, Ajat, Allas-Les-Mines, Azerat, Bassillac, Beaumont-Du-Périgord, Belvès, Berbiguières, Bergerac, Beynac-Et-Cazenac, Brantôme, Carlucet, Carlux, Carsac-Aillac, Cause-De-Clérans, Daglan, Doissat, Domme, Eygurande-Et-Gardedeuil, Fonroque, Gaugeac, Gavaudun, Hautefort, La Chapelle-Aubareil, La Dornac, La Force, Lalinde, Le Bugue, Lempzours, Les Eyzies-De-Tayac-Sireuil, Loubejac, Loubès-Bernac, Marnac, Mialet, Montcaret, Montpon-Ménestérol, Mouzens, Nontron, Parcoul, Périgueux, Plazac, Proissans, Ribérac, Sadillac, Saint-Amand-De-Coly, Saint-André-Et-Appelles, Saint-Aubin-De-Lanquais, Saint-Avit-Saint-Nazaire, Saint-Crépin-De-Richemont, Saint-Cybranet, Saint-Cyprien, Saint-Front-La-Rivière, Saint-Jory-De-Chalais, Saint-Laurent-La-Vallée, Saint-Léon-Sur-Vézère, Saint-Martial-De-Nabirat, Saint-Médard-D'excideuil, Saint-Paul-La-Roche, Saint-Saud-Lacoussière, Saint-Seurin-De-Prats, Sainte-Foy-De-Longas, Sarlande, Savignac-Lédrier, Sergeac, Sigoules, Saint-Aubin-De-Nabirat, Tamniès, Terrasson-Lavilledieu, Thenon, Thiviers, Thonac, Tourtoirac, Varaignes, Verteillac, Veyrignac, Villac, Montignac, Monpazier, Sagelat, Sarlat-La-Canéda, Tocane-Saint-Apre, Coly, Saint-Capraise-D'eymet, Campsegret, Lanouaille, Villefranche-Du-Périgord, Vitrac, Léguillac-De-L'auche, Saint-Geniès, Nanteuil-Auriac-De-Bourzac, Saint-Léon-Sur-L'isle, Montagnac-D'auberoche, Castelnaud-La-Chapelle, La Roque-Gageac, Prats-De-Carlux, Saint-Priest-Les-Fougères, Saint-Avit-De-Vialard, Saint-Crépin-Et-Carlucet, Vieux-Mareuil, Trélissac, Siorac-En-Périgord, Saint-Vincent-De-Cosse, Saint-Laurent-Des-Vignes, Saint-Julien-De-Crempse, Saint-Romain-Et-Saint-Clément, Plaisance, Molières, Meyrals, Mauzens-Et-Miremont, Marquay, Limeuil, Coux-Et-Bigaroque, Chancelade, Boulazac, Barraux, Le Buisson-De-Cadouin, Vezac, Issigeac, La Coquille, Le Change, Villefranche-De-Lonchat, Eymet, Mussidan, Saint-Antoine-De-Breuilh, Saint-Marcel-Du-Périgord, Pezuls, Flaugeac, Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin-De-Reilhac, Cubjac, Issac, Saint-Vincent-Sur-L'isle, Sourzac, Maurens, Lamonzie-Saint-Martin, Florimont-Gaumier, Saint-Julien-De-Lampon, Saint-Pantaly-D'ans, Lembras, Sorges, Ménesplet, Saint-Estèphe, Chalais, Teillots, Fleurac, Alles-Sur-Dordogne, Saint-Antoine-Cumond, Razac-De-Saussignac, Saint-Pancrace, Conne-De-Labarde, Lamonzie-Montastruc, Le Fleix, Monsaguel, Brouchaud, Saint-Cernin-De-L'herm, Saint-Georges-De-Montclard, Saint-Michel-De-Double, Auriac-Du-Périgord, Trémolat, Mouleydier, Bars, Coutures, Le Lardin-Saint-Lazare, Biron, Blis-Et-Born, Celles, Gageac-Et-Rouillac, Ginestet, Ligueux, Pomport, Champs-Romain, Condat-Sur-Trincou, Lisle, Champagnac-De-Belair, Mayac, Queyssac, Lunas, Payzac, Coursac, Razac-Sur-L'isle, Saint-Pardoux-La-Rivière, Grèzes, Sainte-Radegonde, Laveyssière, Montagnac-La-Crempse, Antonne-Et-Trigonant, Saint-Front-Sur-Nizonne, Salon, Champagne-Et-Fontaine, Saint-Vincent-De-Connezac, Saint-Nexans, Montaut, Salignac-Eyvigues, Marsac-Sur-L'isle, Monestier, Saint-Médard-De-Mussidan, Lanquais, Paunat, Montpeyroux, Petit-Bersac, Annesse-Et-Beaulieu, Sainte-Alvère, Saint-Mesmin, Cornille, Vergt, Borrèze, Rouffignac-De-Sigoulès, Condat-Sur-Vézère, La Cassagne, Badefols-Sur-Dordogne, Saint-Amand-De-Vergt, Cherveix-Cubas, Monbazillac, Groléjac, Montagrier, Saint-Aubin-De-Cadelech, Villamblard, Sarrazac, Saint-Front-De-Pradoux, Lamothe-Montravel, Excideuil, Prigonrieux, Saint-Astier, Saint-Martin-Le-Pin, Cours-De-Pile, Saint-Martin-De-Gurson, Mensignac, Faux, Marcillac-Saint-Quentin, Mareuil, Mauzac-Et-Grand-Castang, Saint-Avit-Sénieur, Calviac-En-Périgord, Corgnac-Sur-L'isle, Festalemps, Boisse, Nabirat, Grignols, Saint-Maime-De-Péreyrol, Saint-Germain-Des-Prés, Saint-Sulpice-De-Roumagnac, Saint-Rabier, Douville, Urval, Jumilhac-Le-Grand, Saint-Félix-De-Villadeix, La Chapelle-Faucher, La Douze, Augignac, Liorac-Sur-Louyre, Cendrieux, Vanxains, Audrix, Les Farges, Aubas, La Bachellerie, Saint-Germain-Du-Salembre, Sainte-Orse, Lavalade, Saint-Jean-D'eyraud, Jayac, Pontours, Saint-Aulaye, La Roche-Chalais, La Boissière-D'ans, Saint-André-D'allas, Sceau-Saint-Angel, Saint-Georges-Blancaneix, Les Lèches, Savignac-Les-Églises, Saint-Geyrac, Saint-Pierre-D'eyraud, Javerlhac-Et-La-Chapelle-Saint-Robert, Siorac-De-Ribérac, Port-Sainte-Foy-Et-Ponchapt, Saint-Vivien, Carves, Thénac, Saint-Sulpice-D'excideuil, Granges-D'ans, Creysse, Saint-Pierre-De-Chignac, Manzac-Sur-Vern, Bourdeilles, Sainte-Nathalène, Carsac-De-Gurson, Capdrot, Saint-Avit-Rivière, Saint-Pierre-De-Côle, Clermont-D'excideuil, Castels, Montazeau, Sainte-Mondane, Monsac, Saint-Paul-Lizonne, Château-L'évêque, Sainte-Croix, Fougueyrolles, Valeuil, Bouteilles-Saint-Sébastien, Nantheuil, Couze-Et-Saint-Front, Coubjours, Larzac, Saussignac, Piégut-Pluviers, Atur, La Jemaye, Saint-Laurent-Sur-Manoire, Valojoulx, Tursac, Coulaures, Calès, Puyrenier, Bonneville-Et-Saint-Avit-De-Fumadières, Biras, Cherval, Labouquerie, Notre-Dame-De-Sanilhac, Vélines, Simeyrols, Besse, La Gonterie-Boulouneix, Badefols-D'ans, Agonac, Vaunac, Nanthiat, Gabillou, Les Graulges, Villars, Saint-Martial-D'artenset, Baneuil, Monsec, Villetoureix, Abjat-Sur-Bandiat, Teyjat, Saint-Martin-Des-Combes, Beleymas, Archignac, Peyzac-Le-Moustier, Singleyrac, Chenaud, Champcevinel, La Chapelle-Montmoreau, Bouzic, Allemans, Lolme, Savignac-De-Miremont, Saint-Jean-D'estissac, Saint-Pierre-De-Frugie, Saint-Jean-De-Côle, Quinsac, Nailhac, Saint-Séverin-D'estissac, Négrondes, Cénac-Et-Saint-Julien, Le Pizou, Saint-Pompont, Saint-Félix-De-Reillac-Et-Mortemart, Champniers-Et-Reilhac, Saint-Victor, Lavaur, Peyrignac, Grives, Sainte-Foy-De-Belvès, Montrem, Champeaux-Et-La-Chapelle-Pommier, Beaupouyet, Bourgnac, Saint-Vincent-Le-Paluel, Lusignac, Saint-Just, Orliac, Coulounieix-Chamiers, Clermont-De-Beauregard, Orliaguet, Saint-Amand-de-Belvès, Saint-Martin-de-Fressengeas, Eyliac, Neuvic-sur-l'Isle, Chapdeuil, Ribagnac, Mazeyrolles, Minzac, Anlhiac, Jaure, La Tour-Blanche, Salagnac, Saint-Barthélemy-de-Bussière, Cercles, Saint-Martin-de-Ribérac, Fouleix, Mescoules, Saint-Germain-de-Belvès, Limeyrat, Marsaneix, Saint-Michel-de-Montaigne, Nadaillac, Saint-Cyr-les-Champagnes, Naussannes, Bardou, Saint-Jory-las-Bloux, Salles-de-Belvès, Cunèges, Lacropte, Montferrand-du-Périgord, Campagnac-lès-Quercy, Prats-du-Périgord, Bouniagues, Douzillac, Saint-Romain-de-Monpazier, Fraisse, Serres-et-Montguyard, La Chapelle-Saint-Jean, Bertric-Burée, Paulin, Boisseuilh, Léguillac-de-Cercles, La Chapelle-Grésignac, Grand-Brassac, Servanches, Pazayac, Bézenac, Sarliac-sur-l'Isle, Fossemagne, Dussac, Saint-Front-d'Alemps, Monfaucon, Chantérac, Razac-d'Eymet, Chassaignes, Angoisse, Sainte-Trie, Église-Neuve-d'Issac, Saint-Sauveur, Saint-Méard-de-Gurçon, Saint-Martin-l'Astier, Soulaures, La Rochebeaucourt-et-Argentine, Étouars, Veyrines-de-Vergt, Saint-Marcory, Monmarvès, Génis, Beauregard-de-Terrasson, Campagne, Monplaisant.
For the wider travel overview: Aquitaine.
