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Villages of the Dordogne: Domme

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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...

Top 10 villages of the Dordogne

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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...

Top 10 things to do in the Dordogne Valley

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If you ran into this blog post, we assume you are probably already planning a visit to the Dordogne Valley.  Well done, excellent choice! This beautiful and welcoming department of the South-West of France offers plenty of culture, history, beautiful nature and amazing food, so no wonder why it is one of the top destinations in the country. We have prepared a little list for you that it's just meant to be a starting point, to give you an idea of the most interesting sites and things to do during your stay, and if you haven't booked your trip yet, we are pretty sure you'll be doing it straight away after reading this! Here is our top 10 list of things to do in the Dordogne Valley : 1. Savour the local produces: duck, walnuts and truffles Food lovers already know that the Dordogne Valley is a top gourmet destination . And not only for the voluptuous, fairly expensive and surely controversial (in its preparation) foie gras , but for any kind of duck dish, for the h...

Villages of the Dordogne: Beynac

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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...

Your perfect 5-days itinerary in the Dordogne

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Following our 3 days itinerary in the Dordogne , here you will find our suggestions if you have a bit more time to spend in this lovely corner of France. You won’t probably be able to see everything the region has to offer but you will get a real sense of it.                               5 DAYS IN THE DORDOGNE Day One Your first day in the Dordogne should start with the exploration of the medieval city centre of Sarlat . Possibly, choose to do it on a Wednesday or Saturday that are market days, when the city livens up with the hustle and bustle of the farmers and the locals browsing the stalls for delicacies. Start your visit from Place de la Liberté. Explore the little alleys. Enjoy the perfectly preserved Perigourdine architecture, the golden stones, the decorated portals, the beautiful towers and the Reinassance windows. Don't miss ...

Your perfect 3-days travel itinerary in the Dordogne Valley

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The Dordogne is the quintessential French destination offering the perfect blend of culture, nature, typical stone villages, busy farmers markets, plenty of good food and wine ....basically a dream coming through. It is also the area where the ancient Cro-Magnon men left their traces many centuries ago creating the most peculiar examples of rock art in the world. With such a rich heritage, and so many things to do and see, it may be difficult to organise your visit and fit everything in, so we decided to put together a few suggested itineraries to give you some ideas and inspiration depending on the time you have available. This is our recommendations for a 3 days itinerary. 3 DAYS IN THE DORDOGNE (we have to admit that it's not much but you can still have a taste of this beautiful region). Day One No doubt that your first day in the Dordogne should start with the exploration of the medieval city centre of Sarlat . Possibly choose to do it on a Wednesday ...