12 best places to visit in the Dordogne region

Dordogne-Périgord is part of the Aquitaine region in southwest France, just one hour's drive east of Bordeaux. It is one of the largest and most picturesque "départements" in France, as well as one of the most popular in terms of historic buildings.

Unspoiled nature, spectacular landscapes, and a wide variety of magical sights overflowing with history await you here. Notable are the prehistoric caves in the Vézère valley, which show that man has lived in the Dordogne for 450,000 years.

It's not just a popular tourist destination in France, Rocamadour has long served as a significant place of pilgrimage as well. For many visitors, the Chapelle Notre Dame and the Vierge Noire, which are built into the rock face and surround a central courtyard, are the high points of their journey. In the 12th century, a walnut tree was carved into the shape of a Black Madonna, which has attracted pilgrims from across Europe ever since. At the foot of the Alzou canyon, old stone houses, majestic towers, and a castle keep cascade into the Alzou river.

Reminder: a village is still an active place of worship, so it's best to dress accordingly. Rocamadour receives more than a million visitors each year, so plan your trip early in the morning to avoid the crowds during the day.

Collonges-la-Rouge is one of the most beautiful villages in France. It is surrounded by rolling hills and has chestnut and walnut trees all around. Red-and-white-striped buildings and 25 towers loom over the village's narrow streets, which are lined with manor houses and artisan boutiques.

In the afternoon, visitors can stroll through the streets and peruse souvenir shops, and art galleries before deciding where to settle down for some refreshing drink.

The Gouffre de Padirac is France's most popular cave, with a depth of 103 metres and an age of 10,000 years. The 94-metre-high ceiling of the Salle du Grand Dôme, the largest of the cave's stalactites, can be reached by descending 75m below ground and boarding a boat. It's guaranteed to be a show-stopper.

Here are a few hints to get you ready for your journey: Because the average temperature in the cave is only 13 degrees Celsius, you'll want to bring a jacket and sturdy shoes to keep from slipping and falling to your death. You won't be the only one planning a trip during the busiest times of the year. Avoid the long lines by purchasing your tickets online in advance.

The village's history is marked by three great families: Curemonte, Candaillac, and Plas. There are three castles: the Château Saint-Hilaire, distinguished by its square tower; the Château de Plas, distinguished by its round towers; and the Château de la Johannie. When the great French writer Colette sought refuge here during WWII, the first two welcomed her. Curemonte also has three churches, one of which is on the outskirts of the village and is one of the oldest in Corrèze. The village hall, which was once a grain market and still has its original oak frame, is also worth seeing. Look up when walking down the streets because the facades of noble houses feature details such as mullioned windows, turrets topped with slates, and other carved ornaments that are well worth seeing.

On a remote peninsula by the Maronne River, the Tours de Merle feudal fortress was built in the 12th century to house lords and families. It has seven towers and two churches. It also has a mediaeval village and the Madège house. Visit this seven-tower citadel on a guided tour and enjoy the breathtaking views from the top.

Don't forget to look at the calendar of events, which features dozens of annual festivities, workshops, and kid-friendly activities.

Topping a list of France's "Most Beautiful Villages," Domme sits atop the Dordogne River and is home to an impressive array of shops and restaurants.

Like many other bastide villages in the Dordogne Valley, Domme has a successful architectural and natural heritage combination, but it also has an additional bonus: the Grotte de Domme. A panoramic lift takes you to the top of the 450-meter-long stalactite-decorated galleries beneath the city's main square.

One of eight English castles built during the Hundred Years' War, Autoire's magnificent Chateau des Anglais is embedded in the limestone cliffs above the village and is a 13th-century piece of fine art. Even though only the main body and one turret are left, it is in excellent condition and provides stunning views of the valley.

Even though the hike up is short and doable by most, any trip to a cliffside ruin necessitates close supervision of children and the wearing of sturdy shoes (in other words, losing the flip flops). Before venturing out to explore this little gem, it is free, but there are no guides or leaflets. 

A visit to the village of Autoire and a hike to a stunning waterfall is not to be missed while you're here.

Les Jardins d'Eyrignac is a massive topiary garden near Sarlat in the Dordogne department. The gardens, which began in the 18th century, were inspired by popular Italian gardens at the time.

When you enter the gardens of Eyrignac, the first thing that strikes you is the stunning tapestry of different greens that greets you. It really is a green oasis, especially in the middle of a hot summer when the land around it is drying up quickly.

The garden, which spans many hectares, is divided into five distinct areas: the Box Labyrinth, the Plant Sculptures Kingdom, the Manor and French gardens, Capucine's gardens, and the White Garden and Flower Meadow.

Visit the stunning village, the magnificent 12th-century Cistercian Abbey, and the Canal des Moines abound in Aubazine. During her time at the orphanage, Coco Chanel was inspired by the interlocking C window designs to make her future logo, and the Abbey continues to benefit from this sudden fame.

In the 7th century, monks carved out the 1.5-mile-long Canal des Moines from rock to bring water from a nearby stream to their abbey. After taking this walk, people will be able to see beautiful, colourful landscapes.

It's a great opportunity for visitors to sample local delicacies while basking in the midday/evening sun all summer long in the Dordogne Valley. The Meyssac market is the perfect place to begin this food-buying spree.

A throng of buyers, sellers, and photographers descend on Meyssac on Tuesday and Friday mornings in search of the perfect shot of a French marketplace. The central square is surrounded by beautiful buildings in the Collonges-la-Rouge style, making it a must-see for anyone going to the market.

The village of La Roque-Gageac is one of France's most stunning sights. It's hard to believe that much has changed in the past 300 years in La Roque-Gageac, which sits perched on the north bank of the Dordogne River and is backed by a sheer cliff. The mediaeval town of Sarlat is just over 8 kilometres away from this location.

Perigord-style roofs and golden-yellow buildings line both sides of the river. La Roque Gageac has a wide range of properties, some of which are more modest than others. Even though it appears to be older, the Renaissance-style Chateau de la Malartrie is one of the finest examples of the style.

 It's a fascinating "tropical style" exotic garden that you can explore as you ascend the hill in the entire village. Because the rock behind the settlement shields it from cold weather from the north and the open view to the south ensures enough sunlight, the settlement can support such a diverse array of vegetation. The company was founded in 1970 by Gerard Dorin, and it has been a success since then.

Just as Loubressac is known for its beautiful village, the surrounding countryside offers breathtaking vistas. The village sits atop a rocky ridge overlooking the valleys of the Dordogne, Cère, and Bave in the southwest region of France. While wandering the narrow streets and flowering squares, you'll fall in love with the ochre-coloured stone and brown tiles that make up the region's historic houses. It is easy to see why photographer Robert Doisneau referred to the light in Loubressac as "the most beautiful in the world" as you approach the castle. The castles of Castelnau and Montal, as well as the towers of Saint-Laurent, offer spectacular views.