Top 10 villages of the Dordogne
With hundreds of medieval villages and 1,001 elegant castles, the Dordogne Valley is a must-see French department and the perfect destination for a romantic getaway in the French countryside.
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| The Dordogne River |
The pretty honey-coloured stone buildings, the medieval or Renaissance windows and the typical lauze roofs that characterise the local architecture have earned some of these villages the label of Most Beautiful Villages in France.
So, if you are planning a visit to this lovely region and are preparing a list of things not to miss, look no further, as we have selected the 10 most beautiful villages in the Dordogne, for you. The list includes some of the most popular ones that you will probably find in every major guide, and some little gems that are a little off the tourist path, but no less fascinating!
SARLAT
Sarlat, capital of the Perigord Noir, is one of the most attractive and renowned town in France. The charming city centre, dating back from Medieval and Renaissance times, develops on both sides of the pedestrian Rue de la Republique with picturesque honey-sandstone buildings, mazes of narrow alleyways and tiny hidden squares.
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| Sarlat-la-Caneda |
Wednesday and Saturday are market days, while on Thursday afternoon there is an organic night market. From November to February, every Wednesday, Place de la Liberté hosts a truffle wholesale market.
DOMME
Perched on a breathtakingly high cliff, Domme is a Medieval “bastide” or fortified village boasting the perfect combination of architectural, natural and gastronomic heritage typical of the Périgord Noir. From the Belvedere, behind the main square, visitors can admire an exceptional view over the Dordogne Valley. Underneath the main square sits a 400m cave system filled of beautiful stalactites, used in the past to shelter the town’s inhabitants during the Hundred Years’ War.
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| Domme |
Thursday morning is the best day to visit as the village is enlivened by a cheerful farmers market.
LA ROQUE GAGEAC
La Roque Gageac is a picturesque waterfront huddle of medieval stone houses sheltering a 12th-century troglodyte fort and overlooking the Dordogne. On the river the traditional Gabarres (cargo boats) once used to transport barrels of wine upstream from Bordeaux and salt and wood downstream are now the best mean for visitors to explore the valley and its beautiful castles.
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| La Roque Gageac |
The village is characterised by a particular Mediterranean micro climate which allows the existence of a surprising exotic garden located next to the church halfway up the cliff and dominating the heart of the village.
BEYNAC
Beynac is the quintessential fairy-tale village. Its castle, known as the most authentic and best preserved among those of the Périgord, has been a stone sentinel watching over the Dordogne for more than nine centuries.
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| Beynac |
This small medieval village enchants the visitors with its old cobbled streets and squares, its stately chapel which has become the Church of Sainte Marie, its Calvary overlooking the Dordogne and its views of exceptional beauty.
It has also served as the backdrop for many film shoots, including Chocolat, Revenge of the Musketeers and The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc.
BRANTOME
Brantôme, also called the Venice of Perigord, is one of the most visited villages in the Dordogne.
The village is characterised by a mix of Medieval and Renaissance architecture. The main historical highlight is the abbey built by Charlemagne in 769 including a troglodyte section and the famous cave of the ‘Last Judgement’, but there is much more to see: the Renaissance Tower and the Tour St Roch, the 11th century belfry church, the church of Saint Pierre, the old stone bridge and the preserved Peyrelevade Dolmen on the right bank of the river.
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| Brantome |
And beside all this, save some time for a nice walk along the edge of the river and through the river-side gardens or hire a canoe and enjoy a relaxing glide along this calm and lovely stretch of the river.
MONPAZIER
Remained practically intact since its foundation in 1284, in the name of King Edward I of England, the bastide of Monpazier surprises the visitor with its exceptional character. It is recognised as a 'model' town with its perfect orthogonal plan, which has inspired the style of some of the greatest architects.
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| Monpazier |
Its medieval centre is surrounded by thick defensive walls with two large stone gateways left of the 6 that used to be. The main square is gorgeous and the arcades around the edge of the square are still present, as it is the wooden market hall.
Take your time to explore the narrow streets and architectural details and don't forget that Thursday is market day!
LIMEUIL
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| Limeuil |
SAINT AMAND DE COLY
Saint-Amand-de-Coly is a small jewel of medieval architecture lost in the woods of the Dordogne.
It was named after a hermit that moved to the area in the 6th century, living in a cave on a hillside.
At the heart of the village is the fortified church which is reputed to be the most beautiful one in the Périgord. Dating from the 12th century but transformed into a fortress in the 14th century it remains a beautiful Romanesque building, characterised by simple lines and an almost austere structure.
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| Saint-Amand-de-Coly |
Saint-Amand-de-Coly is the ideal starting point for an hiking adventure. Various pedestrian circuits marked out with explanatory panels are available in town.
Good to know: every Tuesday evening in July and August, there is a lively a night market in the village.
SAINT LEON-SUR-VEZERE
Saint Léon-sur-Vézère is a pretty village full of history, 25 km from Sarlat, halfway between Lascaux and Les Eyzies. Its church is on the site of an old Gallo-Roman villa. Some traces are still visible on the side of the church by the river.
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| Saint Léon-sur-Vézère |
In addition, Saint Léon-sur-Vézère is located on the pilgrimage route which led from the abbey of Vézelay in Burgundy to the abbeys of Cadouin and Saint-Avit-Senieur.
If you are visiting in summer, do not miss the opportunity to take a canoe trip on the Vezere; the scenery is breathtaking.
PLAZAC
Plazac is a charming village not far from Saint Léon sur Vezere with a central church dating from the 13th century, and the annexed old castle with a characteristic wooden balcony along its entire length. On the same square is the market hall built at the beginning of the 19th century.
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| Plazac |
Behind the church there is a lovely medieval garden with interesting plants often forgotten in modern gardens.
During the Second World War, the inhabitants of Plazac hosted the Alsatians of Binderheim who had fled from Alsace. As a thanks, the latter created a garden and a fountain for the village.
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