Travel Around The Clock

From rustic cuisine to gourmet meals, the Dordogne is renowned for its tasty traditional cuisine, typical of South-West France, widely appreciated for its simplicity and the great quality of local products. Fruity sweets, natural treasures and good agricultural production colour the weekly markets, delight gourmets and celebrate the richness of this exceptional terroir. Here are some of the most delicious specialties of the Dordogne, that you should absolutely taste while visiting the region! Foie gras Absolute reference in the gastronomy of Périgord, foie gras, both from goose and duck, pan-fried or semi-cooked, is always a delicious temptation. An IGP (French acronym for PGI meaning Protected Geographical Indication) that guarantees and protect the local production, has been obtained in 1992. The majority of the production is carried out from duck, the goose having unfortunately been a little neglected in the years 80's-90's, even if the demand for goose has been slowly maki...

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...

Domme is one of the prettiest villages in France . Perched on a breathtakingly high cliff overlooking the Dordogne , this Medieval “bastide” or fortified village, is a perfect combination of architectural, natural and gastronomic heritage, typical of the Périgord Noir .  Domme It was the French king Philippe III , called the Bold, who had the idea to found Domme in 1283, in order to gain a strategic position over the Dordogne valley and to thwart the English inclinations.  Endowed with important privileges (it had for example its own currency), Domme played a major role during the Franco-English wars and was the seat of the Sénéchaussée of Périgord Quercy since the 14th century. Still very prosperous, going through the troubles of the reform, Domme resisted the Huguenots and it was not until 1588 that the bastide fell into the hands of Geoffroi de Vivans. The latter will not leave it, driven out by the Catholics, until 1592! Unusually for a bastide town, the village reta...

La Roque-Gageac is one of the most recognizable (and Instagrammed) villages in the Dordogne . Located on the side of a cliff, it seems to have been placed on the edge of the Dordogne by the benevolent hand of a giant.  La Roque Gageac La Roque Gageac With its brimming charm, La Roque Gageac, labeled " most beautiful village in France ", is bathed in a soft light from dawn to dusk and benefits from a peculiar micro-climate. On top of the cliff, the troglodyte fort dominates the village: built in the 12th century to resist invaders from northern France , the fort was then dismantled in the early 18th century to serve as a stone quarry. La Roque Gageac The riches of La Roque-Gageac date back to the Middle Ages, when the impregnable city became the place of refuge for the bishops of Sarlat . Their residence, as well as other vestiges of the same period, are still there, ready to be discovered. Although, the most imposing of them, the castle and its majestic turret, unfortunately,...

In the heart of the Dordogne Valley, the Chateau de Castelnaud , built in the 12th century on a rocky outcrop, is one of the most visited castles in the South-West of France . Chateau de Castelnaud Standing opposite to the Château de Beynac, its rival during the  Hundred Years War , it has a troubled and eventful history, made up of successive battles for its possession and numerous reconstructions. It was first owned by the Cathar lord Bernard de Casnac, then it was taken by Simon de Montfort in 1214, during the crusade against the Albigenses.  The fortress was then taken and retaken seven times during the Hundred Years War, but the French won it definitively in 1442.  When the conflict was over, the castle was returned to the Caumonts, owners since 1368. They reinforced the defensive system: the low enclosure and the new barbican were equipped with gunboats and the artillery tower was built. The various works of fortifications, however, will only have a dissua...

Built at the end of the 15th century and later transformed by François de Caumont out of love for his wife, the Chateau des Milandes became famous thanks to Joséphine Baker who acquired it in 1937. Often called a “woman's castle” because of its history and its architecture with soft and harmonious lines, it perfectly combines the spirit of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Chateau des Milandes A stately chapel to the south of the castle was built in 1503. True gem of Gothic art, this funeral chapel  chapel, mutilated during the Revolution, is now under restoration. During excavations inside the building, 16th century paintings and wall frescoes were discovered; a true unsuspected and inestimable treasure. A painting restoration project has been launched by the owner of the castle, to safeguard this heritage. Chapel, Chateau des Milandes Let’s not forget the architectural beauty of the Château des Milandes with its delicate, regular and elegant lines and its typically Gothic so...

On the banks of the Beune river, 10 km from the center of Les Eyzies de Tayac and close to the prehistoric shelter of Cap-Blanc , the magnificent ruins of the Château de Commarque are nestled in a small valley, in front of the Château de Laussel, surrounded by woods and reachable after a pleasant 800m walk under the trees, on a gentle slope. Chateau de Commarque Built in the 12th and 13th centuries. by the de Commarque family, it was, for a long time, the possession of a younger branch of the de Beynac family. It was occupied by the English, then taken again, and finally abandoned from the end of the 16th century, gradually sinking into relative oblivion, with only the powerful keep still emerging from the vegetation. Chateau de Commarque In the 1962, the castle was acquired by a descendant of the family that built it, Hubert de Commarque with the intent of restoring it. A tremendous human adventure then began, testimony to the passion and perseverance that heritage lovers can demons...