Discover the Dordogne : its heritage and gastronomy
Above all, the region has an extraordinary prehistoric heritage. The Dordogne is home to many caves and caverns, once inhabited by our distant ancestors, between 30,000 and 19,000 years before our era. For example, it was in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac that the first bones of Cro-Magnon man were discovered, and it is to the excavations undertaken at Montignac that we owe the unearthing of the rock frescoes of Lascaux, internationally recognized as one of the most beautiful remains of cave art.
This unique heritage is showcased on the many tours, trails and museums dedicated to archaeology in the Dordogne. You can visit the Museum of Prehistory in Les Eyzies or the troglodyte fort of Payzac-le-Moustier, and finally discover the caves of Lascaux , which are open to the public.
The castles of the Dordogne
The department also includes a good number of castles inherited from the conflicts between France and England in medieval times, with no less than forty castles open to the public. From Nontron to Sarlat via Périgueux, these former strongholds, often on the mountainside, are prime destinations during your visit to the Dordogne, from the castle of Castelnaud to that of Beynac, via the unmissable castles of Commarque, Fénélon or Puymartin.
Visit to Domme
Discover Domme, a jewel of the Dordogne. Between its medieval streets and its breathtaking panoramas, this city offers a unique experience. Explore the must-see activities and visits for a holiday full of discoveries:
Domme, perched on a cliff, offers a captivating experience with its medieval lanes, artisan shops and stunning panoramas of the Dordogne valley. Visitors can explore the Grotte de Domme, a fascinating underground cavity, or stroll through the bustling Place de la Halle. The nearby Chateau de Castelnaud invites you to travel back in time, while cruises on the Dordogne River offer picturesque views of the region.
For outdoor enthusiasts and sports enthusiasts, the surroundings of Sarlat offer an exceptional playground. The picturesque hiking trails of the Périgord invite you to explore on foot or by bike, revealing enchanting landscapes. The Dordogne and Vézère rivers are paradises for canoeing enthusiasts, offering adrenaline-pumping descents. The surrounding cliffs lend themselves to climbing, offering challenges for all levels. Golfers can perfect their swing on scenic courses. Thus, for sports enthusiasts, Sarlat and its surroundings are a destination where adventure and exercise merge harmoniously.
The charm of Sarlat-la-Canéda
Capital of the Périgord Noir, on the borders of the Causses du Quercy, Sarlat-La-Canéda is a major tourist destination in the Dordogne and offers a central location, privileged to discover the rest of the region.
Largely renowned for its architecture and medieval town centre, Sarlat is regularly used as a setting for the filming of historical films. Its picturesque, pleasant and shaded streets make strolling very pleasant, especially on market days when the weather is fine.
Notre camping est très proche de Sarlat-La-Canéda, dans la commune de Sainte-Nathalène, à moins de 10 minutes en voiture.
Inescapable! Discover Rocamadour and Padirac
The town of Rocamadour is a must-see tourist hotspot if you pass through the Haut-Quercy in the Dordogne valley. Located in the Lot department and bordering the Périgord Noir, the town is built on a cliff overlooking the Alzou valley, offering a Exceptional panorama which has won over many visitors and curious onlookers, the city welcoming an average of no less than 1.5 million tourists every year!
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is true that the city has a special charm, perhaps due to its heritage as an ancient place of pilgrimage. The city is indeed monumental, like its immense staircases of 216 steps, which lead to the esplanade of the sanctuaries and its chapels, basilica and crypt.
The Bishops’ Palace of Tulle dominates the whole, ending on a Way of the Cross leading to the castle of Rocamadour and the Cross of Jerusalem, where a belvedere offers visitors a breathtaking view of the city and the landscapes of the Alzou.
Our campsite is about an hour’s drive from Rocamadour.
Visit Les Eyzies
It is quite natural that the town of Les Eyzies has inherited the title of “World Capital of Prehistory” so great is its tourist reputation in terms of archaeology: An exceptional natural area, the town is built partly on the side of a cliff, presenting a fascinating troglodyte architecture. The cave networks around the city brought to light many prehistoric remains in the late 19th century, leading to further research.
For example, it was here that Cro-Magnon Man was found in 1868, one of the most important archaeological discoveries of that time. Gradually, the city became a prime research location, with no less than nine caves discovered revealing a wealth of remains from the Paleolithic era. These caves are now listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Built around these archaeological discoveries, the city has been able to promote its unique heritage by developing its tourism around the visit of caves and by creating the National Museum of Prehistory. Our campsite is about half an hour’s drive from Les Eyzies-de-Tayac.
A moment out of time at the Lascaux caves
Located in Montignac, the Lascaux Cave is one of the most recognized archaeological discoveries of the twentieth century, with frescoes dating back to around 15,000 BCE. Unfortunately, now closed to the public, two replacement caves named “Lascaux 2 and Lascaux 4″ have been set up to be able to make visits.
Our campsite is about 20 minutes by car from the Lascaux caves.
A stone’s throw from the campsite, the Causses du Quercy Regional Natural Park
Encompassing the Causses de Gramat, Saint-Chels, and Limogne, as well as part of the Quercy Blanc to the south and the heights of the Limargue, the Causses du Quercy Natural Park is cut by several valleys including those of the Dordogne at its northern end, the Célé and the Lot.
