Travel Around The Clock

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. 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 time...

Beynac In the heart of the Périgord Noir, in the Dordogne Valley, Beynac-et-Cazenac is one of the “most beautiful villages in France”.  Built on limestone cliffs, it has a unique character, surely more defensive than La Roque Gageac but more open than Domme , with its castle clinging to the cliff and overlooking the entire valley.  Beynac The “magic trio” of Beynac, namely the river, the village and the castle, is somewhat a trademark, which contributes to the reputation of this charming village of just over 500 inhabitants. Beynac The small medieval village of Beynac-et-Cazenac 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. Beynac Beynac Beynac Beynac Beynac Walking through the narrow and steep alleys, amidst houses with lauze roofs and blond facades, you can reach the top of the village, from where the imposing Beynac cas...

The area of Saint-Emilion extends around the homonymous village, near the city of Libourne, along the Dordogne river.  Here, among gentle hills covered with vineyards, some of the most prestigious French red wines are produced.  And walking in this wonderful landscape is a pure pleasure! Saint Emilion The main grapes are Merlot and Cabernet Franc, followed, in a much lower percentage, by Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec. The wines of Saint-Emilion are quite different from those produced in Médoc; this is due both to the different composition of the soil (mainly limestone in Saint Emilion) and to the greater use of Merlot grapes that produce wines much rounder and softer than the Médoc ones. Grapes, Saint Emilion The tourist office in Saint Emilion offers plenty of brochures and maps to explore the surrounding area. During our weekend there, after visiting the beautiful city centre , we chose to walk the 11Km long circular trail called 'Entre Combes et Coteaux' .   T...

Saint-Emilion is the ideal destination for a weekend break in the countryside and a must stop on a road trip through France. Saint-Emilion Saint-Emilion is known all over the world for its wines and its beautiful chateaux surrounded by vineyards, but very few people know that this village has a rich history of 2000 years. One of the testimonies of this historical baggage is underground, in the 200 Km of galleries that run under the village; the rest is above, in the many religious buildings and monuments to visit .  The village was founded in the 8th century by a Breton monk, Emilian. Since 1999, Saint Emilion and the 8 municipalities within its jurisdiction have been listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site .  Here, the omnipresent limestone provides an exceptional soil for the vines. And the same limestone was used to build the elegant medieval city and many buildings in Bordeaux. As soon as you enter this small town, you will come across the ancient ruins of a former Dominic...

Gateway to the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park , Brantôme is the pearl of the Périgord Vert. Its position on an island nestled below a cliff, between two arms of the Dronne river, earned it the nickname "Venice of the Périgord". Brantome Brantôme has the appearance of a magical city that reveals its beauty around its medieval alleys: its imposing abbey, its beautiful Renaissance style houses and its gardens crossed by canals project the visitor back in time. Brantome The majestic Benedictine abbey, founded at the end of the 8th century, rises by the river, watched over by its Romanesque bell tower (one of the oldest in France), while, behind the limestone cliff, a little jewel shelters: the remains of the troglodyte monastery including the enigmatic Cave of the Last Judgment adorned with two monumental bas-reliefs.   Bell Tower, Brantome  Last Judgement cave, Brantome  Saint Sicarius fountain, Brantome It is said that Charlemagne consecrated the abbey a...

Dramatically built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the homonymous village, the Château de Bourdeilles, is one of the four baronies of Périgord  (Beynac, Mareuil, Biron et Bourdeilles). It had an eventful history, especially during the Hundred Years War , and has seen, over the centuries, the construction and destruction of several buildings. Chateau de Bourdeilles Today the site brings together two castles from different eras: a medieval fortress from the 13th century flanked by an impressive keep and an elegant Renaissance dwelling housing the richest furniture collection in Nouvelle Aquitaine , including more than 700 works. Chateau de Bourdeilles The architecture of the 13th century castle is clearly military: the imposing ensemble consists of a courtyard surrounded by fortified walls, an octagonal keep and a stately home.  In the courtyard, there is a gate tower, surrounding walls pierced with niches and machicolations as well as a rampart walk, attesting to the defen...