What’s the most beautiful place in the Dordogne?

The Dordogne, located in southwest France, offers a multitude of magnificent places to visit.
Whether for its medieval villages, majestic castles or breathtaking natural landscapes, this region is ideal for an outdoor holiday.
If you’re considering a Dordogne campsite for your next vacation, here’s everything you need to know !

Discover the most beautiful places in the Dordogne

  The Dordogne, a jewel box ofnatural and historical riches, invites you on an exceptional journey through its emblematic sites.
This region, famous for its landscapes and cultural heritage, reveals itself through medieval villages, imposing castles and remarkable prehistoric caves.
Exploring the Dordogne is an opportunity to immerse yourself in a world where the beauty of nature blends harmoniously with the traces of a fascinating past.
Whether strolling through the cobbled streets of Sarlat-la-Canéda or admiring the breathtaking views from La Roque-Gageac, every corner of this region promises an enriching and unforgettable experience.
Discover the most beautiful places in the Dordogne, where every stone and every path tells an eternal story, attracting curious holidaymakers in search of authenticity and hidden wonders.  

The villages of the Dordogne

The Dordogne is a region full of resources, particularly renowned for its villages that seem frozen in time.
When visiting the Dordogne, it’s essential to discover the villages to soak up the unique atmosphere of the Périgord.
From Beynac-et-Cazenac to Monpazier, each village has its own unique character, with golden stone houses and cobbled streets.
Stroll through the Place des Cornières to feel the soul of this historic village, or lose yourself in the hiking trails that surround these sites for a more intimate experience with nature and local history.
A stay in the Dordogne, dotted with these treasures, is a true journey back in time that will delight lovers of culture, history and unspoilt landscapes.

• Sarlat-la-Canéda: This medieval village is famous for its cobbled streets and Renaissance architecture.
  It is often considered the historic heart of the Dordogne.
• Roque-Gageac Roque-Gageac: Nestled between the cliffs and the Dordogne River, this village offers breathtaking views and gabarre rides on the river.
• Beynac-et-Cazenac Beynac-et-Cazenac: Dominated by its imposing fortified castle, this village, listed as one of the most beautiful in France, takes visitors straight back to the time of the knights.

Prehistoric caves

The caves of the Dordogne, located mainly in the Vézère valley, are prehistoric gems offering a fascinating insight intoancient art and geological formations.
Among them is the Lascaux IV cave, famous for its faithful reproductions.
Not far away, the Rouffignac cave, accessible via a small train that winds through the underground passages.
The Proumeyssac chasm, nicknamed the “crystal cathedral”, dazzles with its sparkling concretions and stalactites, offering a spectacular descent in a gondola.
Finally, the Font-de-Gaume cave remains one of the last caves with visible polychrome paintings, where painted bison and reindeer bear witness to the artistic richness of the Magdalenian era.
These sites, veritable natural museums, continue to amaze and fascinate researchers and visitors alike with their beauty and ancestral history.
During your stay in the Dordogne, be sure to visit :

• Lascaux cave Known as the “Sistine Chapel of Prehistory”, this site is famous for its incredible cave paintings dating back over 17,000 years.
• Grotte de Rouffignac Also known as the “Cave of a hundred mammoths”, it features detailed frescoes of mammoths, woolly rhinoceroses and other prehistoric animals.

Medieval castles

The Dordogne, with its rich medieval heritage, is home to an impressive collection of castles that recount tumultuous eras and tales of power and prestige.
Among them, medieval castles stand like guardians of history in a landscape of forests and winding rivers.
These stone bastions, often perched on promontories, offer not only a glimpse ofdefensive architecture, but also a window into the lives of medieval lords and ladies. To visit these castles is to wander through vaulted halls and towers that seem to touch the sky, while admiring breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding countryside.
Each castle, with its unique architectural features and stories, invites visitors on a journey through time, where the past meets the present in a spectacular embrace.
Their walls, witnesses to centuries of history, offer an immersive experience where every stone has a story to tell.
The many châteaux of the Dordogne evoke eras of grandeur and historic battles that have shaped France.
Come and discover these castles on your family vacation in the Dordogne:

• Château de Castelnaud Castelnaud: With its strategic position overlooking the Dordogne valley, this castle not only offers panoramic views, but also houses a museum dedicated to medieval arms and armor.
• Château de Beynac Château de Beynac: Perched atop a steep rock, it dominates the valley and bears witness to eight centuries of history.

Enchanting gardens

In the gentle Dordogne, far from the crowded tourist circuit, enchanted gardens offer a unique escape for those seeking to immerse themselves in tranquility and natural beauty.
Among these havens of peace, the Jardin de Marqueyssac stands out for its inventive composition, inviting visitors on a sensory journey to the heart of nature.
Cleverly laid out around small ponds and babbling brooks, this garden celebrates the region’s floral wealth, with arrangements that change with the seasons, offering each visit a renewed palette of colors and scents.
Alleys wind between arrangements of flowers and carefully trimmed shrubs, allowing visitors to lose themselves in a magical plant maze.
It’s a place where every nook and cranny reveals botanical wonders, discreet benches for resting and captivating vistas that blend harmoniously into the rural Périgord landscape.
For a refreshing break, come and discover some of France’s most beautiful gardens in the Dordogne.

• Gardens of Marqueyssac Located on a rocky promontory, these hanging gardens offer romantic walks with a breathtaking view over the Dordogne valley.
• Gardens of Eyrignac These French-style gardens are renowned for their elegance and perfectly manicured plant sculptures.

Stay at Le Moulin de Paulhiac campsite in the Dordogne

Camping is one of the best ways to discover the natural and historical beauty of the Dordogne.
One of the strong points of this activity is the possibility of staying right in the heart of the tourist sites while enjoying modern comforts.
Among the countless campsites in the Dordogne, Camping Le Moulin de Paulhiac particularly stands out.
Ideally located, this 4-star campsite in the Dordogne offers modern facilities and equipment while preserving its natural riverside setting.

4-star campsite in the Dordogne with top-of-the-range facilities

• Water park: This campsite with a water park is comparable to a 5-star campsite, with a swimming pool, children’s pool and waterslides.
  An indoor pool is available for bad weather.
  In addition to the water activities, you can enjoy sunbathing and relaxing on the deckchairs.
  Children will love the water games and refreshing jets.
  The campsite also offers wild swimming for a more natural experience on the banks of the Dordogne River.
• Sport and leisure: Enjoy outdoor activities such as canoeing, archery, yoga, hiking and cycling.
  Children can have fun at the kids’ club, with its varied activities.
  The nearby Céou River is perfect for a natural swim.
  Relax on our sandy banks or in our relaxation area by the heated pool.
  Come and discover an enchanting setting in the heart of Périgord.
• Food & beverage: After a day exploring the region or enjoying the heated swimming pools, get together with family or friends to enjoy typical Périgord Noir dishes, prepared with local produce.
  The varied menu features local specialties, as well as pizzas, burgers and salads.
  Enjoy your meals on the outdoor terrace by the pools, while taking advantage of the entertainment.
  For a quiet evening, order our takeaway dishes.

Campsite rentals in Dordogne

Discover the comfort of our 4-star Dordogne campsite with a variety of accommodation options to suit all needs.
Choose from our fully-equipped mobile homes with terraces, garden furniture and barbecue, ideal for comfortable family stays.
For a closer-to-nature experience, our lodge tents and pitches for tents, caravans and camper vans offer total immersion in the lush greenery of the Dordogne.
Some of our ‘Grand Confort’ and ‘Privilège’ pitches add amenities such as water and electricity, guaranteeing a simple yet luxurious stay in the heart of the Périgord Noir.

Whether visiting charming villages, exploring ancient caves, contemplating majestic castles, or simply relaxing in lush gardens, the Dordogne undoubtedly boasts some of the most beautiful destinations in France.
To fully enjoy this experience, a stay at a Dordogne campsite allows you to combine discovery with the pleasure of nature, like Camping Le Moulin de Paulhiac near Sarlat.