Local Attractions in the Dordogne

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Brantome

Brantome

Brantome is an attractive town on the northern edge of the Dordogne department, sometimes referred to as the Venice of the Dordogne. Brantome has a beautiful mix of medieval and renaissance architecture and is rated as one of 'Les Plus Beaux Detours' most beautiful detours in France.

A must see is the Benedictine Abbey, the Abbey began life as habitable caves which can be visited at night during the peak holiday season. You will find plenty of restaurants in which to sit down to admire the views.

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Grotte de Villars

Grotte de Villars

Grotte de Villars is a huge natural cave formed in the Jurassic period full of spectacular stalactites and stalagmites.

This cave is unique because it also has prehistoric paintings, including a rare human figure. Outside there is a trail with plants that prehistoric man might have eaten and information panels about how he lived.

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Piegut Pluviers

Piegut Pluviers

An important market has been held on Wednesday mornings since 1642, lining the pretty streets.

A great selection of food from the Dordogne and Charente and a great place to buy the famous Charente slippers.

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Oradour sur Glane

Oradour sur Glane

Oradour sur Glane is known in France as the village whose inhabitants and contents were destroyed in the last months of the 2nd World War. It has been preserved in its bombed and burnt out state as a poignant tribute and memorial to those that perished.

Visit the museum to learn about what happened of the events and then explore the village at your leisure with its rubble and burnt-out buildings and the places where 642 people lost their lives on that fateful day.

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Espace Hermeline Bussiere Galant

Espace Hermeline Bussiere Galant

Espace Hermeline Bussiere Galant is a site where you can swim in the lake, enjoy yourself on different levels of obstacle courses, zipline or velorail. The velorail is a small coach on four wheels that moves by pedal power.

One or two people take the saddles whilst the others sit back in a hammock type seat. With minimal effort, the journey is a very pleasant one through glorious countryside. There is also a small railway with train for little ones to enjoy or if you fancy playing a game of mini-golf.

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Bourdeilles

Bourdeilles

This stunning village has a castle, mill, medieval village and panoramic viewpoints over the river Dronne. The castle is actually two inside the same grounds, a 13th-century fortress, and a 16th-century renaissance building.  Inside this can be which displays found some beautifully furnished rooms featuring items from the 16th to 19th century.

The most beautiful is the ‘Salon Dore’ or golden room. The gardens are laid out in a typically French style. Visit the 12th-century church and see the attached medieval garden leading down to the river. This village is a lovely place to stop off for lunch and watch the world go quietly by.

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Limoges

Limoges

Limoges is the 'capital' of the Haute-Vienne department and of the Limousin region. With a long history dating back to the early Middle Ages, its early status was closely linked to the porcelain industry. The town is large and is divided into two parts, the high village, and the cathedral and station area. In-between are many narrow cobbled streets full of artisan boutiques and charming eateries.

Impressionist artist Renoir was born here, and his paintings can be seen at the L’Eveche Museum. There is much to excite porcelain lovers, including the Adrien Debouche Museum. This not only has the largest collection of Limoges porcelain in the world but also other works representing the greatest stages in the history of ceramics.

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Perigueux

Perigueux

Perigueux the capital of the Dordogne is an ancient city, dominated by its UNESCO Byzantine cathedral a model for the Sacre Coeur, Paris. Many small streets radiate from here with Medieval and Renaissance buildings. Perigueux is also home to perhaps the best Roman remains outside Rome, including a glass-roofed Gallo-Roman villa that is part of the museum.

The city’s most famous building is the 14th Century ‘Maison de Patissier’ from where Perigueux's ‘pate de foie gras’ is said to have been first made. Food is important here and nothing illustrates that better than the bustling market on Saturday morning. Afterwards, there's nothing better than to lunch and people-watch from delightful leafy corner cafes.

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St Jean de Cole

St Jean de Cole

St Jean de Cole is officially classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. With its ochre-coloured houses, half-timbered buildings, and renowned tiled roofs it's a photographer’s dream.

The main square is dominated by the beautiful 12th-century Chateau de la Marthonie (private). Les Floralies – The annual flower festival is held the second weekend of May and well worth a visit.

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Chateau de Chalus Chabrol

Chateau de Chalus Chabrol

This medieval castle open to visitors has a huge claim to fame, it was here in 1199 whilst Richard 1st (Richard the Lionheart) was besieging Chalus, that he was hit by a cross bolt and died days later. His entrails are preserved in the chapel and for those interested in this period of history, there is a ‘Richard the Lionheart Trail’ which includes a number of locations in the region that he may have visited in this period.

There is another castle in Chalus called Chateau de Chalus Maulmart which is now ruined. In the village, there is an eco-museum and a village hotel where T E Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) stayed as a student studying 11th-century architecture.

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