Looking for the most beautiful small towns in Dordogne, France? You’ve come to the right place!
The Dordogne is one of the most authentic regions in France. It’s known for its delicious food and wine but also medieval castles, gorgeous river valley and of course, the UNESCO world heritage site of Lascaux caves.
There are so many cute villages and towns to visit in the Dordogne. Most of them date from the Middle Ages and look like they are straight out of a fairytale.
In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about the most charming towns in Dordogne.
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Table of Contents
Sarlat-la-Canéda
Sarlat-la-Canéda is one of the most beautiful and well-preserved medieval towns in Europe.
It is located in the heart of the Périgord Noir, the area of Dordogne known for the truffles, and is the perfect destination for foodies.
It is an excellent example of medieval towns in France. The town was founded in the 12th century and became particularly important during the hundred years’ war.
Today, visitors can admire the well-preserved architecture of the town, with its cobbled streets and beautiful stone buildings. Sarlat is also home to several museums and art galleries.
Here are some ideas things to do in Sarlat:
- Visiting the market. The marché de Sarlat is one of the best places in France to try authentic food such as duck confits, foie gras and truffles.
- Biking on the ‘Voie Verte’.
- Visiting one of the local farms to discover how local products are made.
- Go for a swim in the river Dordogne.
- Join the Gourmet tour of Sarlat which includes tastings and a visit to the local market. See prices here.
- Go on a day trip to Lascaux and the castles. See prices here.
Bergerac
Bergerac is a beautiful small town located in the Périgord Pourpre, an area known for its vineyards and wine.
The town is situated on the banks of the river Dordogne and is surrounded by picturesque countryside.
Bergerac has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages. The town was an important trading post, and many of the buildings reflect this. The picturesque old town is a great place to wander around, with its cobbled streets and stone houses.
There are several vineyards in the vicinity of Bergerac where you can go on wine tours and tastings. The area is also home to many pretty villages and castles, making it the perfect place to explore.
Here are some ideas for things to do in Bergerac:
- Visit the Maison des Vins to learn about the wines of the region.
- Check out the statue of Cyrano. Cyrano de Bergerac is one of the most famous characters in French literature. He is particularly well known for his big nose and that’s exactly what the statue is like!
- Take a boat trip on the river Dordogne.
- Go to the Place de la Myrpe and discover the beautiful half-timbered houses.
Montignac
Montignac is a beautiful small town in the Dordogne. It’s situated on the banks of the river Vézère and is surrounded by picturesque countryside.
Montignac is best known for being the home of the Lascaux caves, one of the most unique UNESCO world heritage sites in the world.
The caves are famous for their Paleolithic paintings which date back over 17,000 years.
The town of Montignac is a great place to stay when visiting the caves, as it’s just a short walk away.
Monbazillac
Monbazillac is one of the most famous wine towns in France. It’s situated in the picturesque countryside near Bergerac and is known for its vineyards and sweet wine.
The town is home to the Château Monbazillac, which was built in the 11th century.
This Château from the Renaissance is a great place to visit if you want to learn about the history of the town, the wine-making process and see a beautiful French Château.
There are several vineyards in Monbazillac where you can go on tours and tastings including the Château de Monbazillac, Château de Bridoire and the Château du Haut-Pezaud.
The area is also home to many pretty villages and castles, making it the perfect place to explore.
Les Eyzies
The town is situated in the heart of the Vézère valley and is home to many prehistoric cave paintings.
The caves of Font-de-Gaume and Lascaux are both located nearby and are well worth visiting.
It’s also the place where the Cromagnon man was discovered, making it one of the most important spots in terms of prehistorical attractions.
Here are some ideas of things to do in Les Eyzies:
- Visit the Musée National de Préhistoire.
- Take a walk around the pretty town centre.
- Visit the caves of Font-de-Gaume.
- Discover the Abri Cro-Magnon, a prehistoric shelter.
La Roque-Gageac
Let’s continue with one of the most famous towns in Dordogne: la Roque-Gageac.
This historic town along the banks of the Dordogne River has some of the most picturesque houses in the municipality.
The best place to get a wide-angle view of the village is on the Dordogne River while sitting on a kayak.
The town is at the foot of a tall cliff with cobbled stones lining the narrow streets between old cottages.
Notable pre-historic buildings in this town include the chateau de la Malartrie and Manoir de la Tarde.
Here are some ideas of things to do in La Roque-Gageac:
- Kayaking on the Dordogne River. You will get a chance to take breathtaking photos of the town and the towering cliff in the background as you enjoy kayaking or canoeing on the Dordogne River.
- Visit historic sites. The church in La Roque-Gageac and the manoir de la Tarde are the most significant symbols of history here. You will learn about the fortified caves in the cliff and how were used as defence stations against England’s invasion.
Beynac-et-Cazenac
The village of Beynac-et-Cazenac looks like it cropped right out of a classic medieval film.
The castle of Beynac is the landmark and most imposing building here. The castle holds treasures and war stories that date back thousands of years.
The views of the valley from the castle are spectacular.
The village is easily accessible as it lies along the banks of river Dordogne, and the old, quaint houses with arched stone roofs make this one of the most beautiful villages to visit in France.
Here are some ideas of things to do in Beynac-et-Cazenac:
- Visit the Beynac castle. Get a chance to walk the steps and halls that Richard the lionheart once walked and enjoy the magnificent views of the valley from the castle. The castle is well-preserved and it is open for visitors throughout the year.
- Enjoy a local meal. As you walk on the medieval cobbled streets in the village, pop into any of the small charming restaurants for a delicious meal.
FUN FACT: The castle of Beynac-et-Cazenac was used as a filming location for the movie ‘Les Visiteurs 2’. This is one of the most famous French movies of all time!
Castelnaud-la-Chapelle
Castelnaud-la-chapelle is located only 20 minutes drive from Sarlat.
It is a small village nestled on a hill overlooking the Dordogne River.
The village also contains a chateau that details the hundred years of war between France and England.
The streets are narrow and the buildings are old and well maintained.
The castle overlooking the village has the perfect vantage point for taking in the stunning countryside below.
Here are some ideas of things to do in Castelnaud-la-Chapelle:
- Be a knight for a day. Wear a suit of armour at the castle to re-live how life must have been for knights in medieval times. The castle is now a museum with fascinating artifacts on display.
- Bike on the Ceou cycle route
- Canoe or kayak on the Dordogne River
- Hiking. Castelnaud-la-Chapelle is a very scenic village and for this reason, the best way to experience what it has to offer is by going on a walk.
Belvès
Like most villages along the Dordogne-Perigord region, Belvès is a well-preserved ancient village.
Belvès sits on a rocky outcrop – and this gave the village an advantage in case of invasion.
The views of the Nauze valley below are magnificent. Belvès is regarded as the ‘village of seven bells’ because it has seven 11th-century bell towers which alerted dwellers whenever danger was close.
Here are some ideas of things to do in Belvès:
- Visit the Belfort tower.
- Explore the underground troglodyte dwellings. These 13th-century caves are located in the center of the town underneath the central square (Place d’Armes). You will see clear marking for direction.
- Visit the castle at Belves. The 14th-century castle has an impeccable display of medieval items. Visit the seven towers to learn more about the architecture and heritage of the village.
Domme
The main gate (Porte des Tours) ushering you into this town is perhaps among the best-preserved gates in the Dordogne-Perigord region.
There towers on either side of the gate were used as prison cells for templars in the 13th century. The town was built in 1281 as a strategic centre to spy on invading English troops.
There is a lot to explore including an underground cave (Grotte de Domme) at the town’s centre, and the narrow, cobbled streets.
Walking around this village is an adventure by itself. There is so much to see and do while you are here. Most buildings have been well-preserved and others renovated to preserve the rustic, medieval charm.
Here are some ideas of things to do in Domme:
- Take breathtaking photos of the valley below. Enjoy watching and taking pictures at the fortified gates that have withstood the test of time.
Monpazier
Monpazier is perhaps the best-preserved town in Dordogne. It still features pre-historic buildings that have withstood the test of time.
Maybe the thick defensive walls that surrounded the town helped with that.
Today, medieval architecture co-exists beautifully with classic style houses.
All roads in this village converge at the main square. The Maison du Chapitre and the Church of Monpazier are the most imposing buildings in the town.
Here are some ideas of things to do in Monpazier:
- Enjoy a cozy meal at any of the charming restaurants near the square
- Visit the Convent des Recollets to sample exhibitions that date back to the 15th century
Limeuil
Limeuil village is located at the intersection of Dordogne and Vezere. Time seems to stand still when you get to this village.
The peaceful atmosphere here is unmatched and the villagers seem to take life in stride. Walk through narrow cobbled streets to get to the top of the town where the vast valley below comes into perspective.
The ruins and fortified gates inside the town bear witness to the horror of war during medieval times.
As you take a walk to explore attractions inside the village, stop by the little, charming restaurants for a bite. The dark-tilled ancient houses are well preserved.
Here are some ideas of things to do in Limeuil:
- Go kayaking. The village was once a popular river port. There is a small beach at the edge of town where you can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, or a picnic.
St-Léon-sur-Vézère
On the northern side of Dordogne, St-Léon-sur-Vézére stands out as one of the most impressive towns to visit in the region.
It is nestled in the Vezere valley between Les-Eyzies and Montignac.
The buildings have been well-preserved, with the highlight being the old church because it is built on the site where an old Gallo-Roman villa once stood.
Steep Lauze roofs don the top of the buildings in the square and village.
Here are some ideas of things to do in St-Léon-sur-Vézére:
- Visit the chateau de Chaban located at the edge of the village to enjoy its beautiful garden
- Visit the oldest house in the village – a 15th-century Manoir de la Salle that has underground dungeons
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