Illustrate the turbulent history of this region. The troglodyte fortresses of La Roque Saint-Christophe, the Madeleine and Reignac and the remarkable castles such as Hautefort, Beynac, Losse, Castelnaud. You will discover parietal art in the frescoes of the Lascaux cave in Montignac and in the ornate caves and shelters that line the valley to Les Eyzies de Tayac where the National Museum of Prehistory and the International pole of prehistory remind us In particular that this is where the Cro-Magnon man was discovered.Ī country loaded with history from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance where the castles witnessing past conflicts now print a sense of serenity and calm found in the Dordogne Valley. With its 15 sites classified as World Heritage by UNESCO, it is a part of the history of mankind that is available to you. Sacred Temple of Prehistory where already Cro Magnon inspired by the Vézère Valley expressed all his art. The Dordogne Department (here we call it Perigord) is located in the New Aquitaine (but we say South West) bordered by the ramparts of the Massif Central, the Causses of Quercy, the orchards of the Lot et Garonne and the gravel of Gironde, you will cross many landscapes and the most beautiful villages of France. The Périgord Purple, whose valley widens downstream from Bergerac, is a region of orchards and vineyards. It is a country of basins and valleys, of which the greasy meadow invades the gentle slopes. The Périgord vert, the Nontronnais, is covered with trees, heath heaths The Chestnut reigns supreme. The region of Sarladais, is a country of pechs, these round hills capped with thickets of chestnut trees and pine forests Low valleys planted with walnut trees, tobacco fields, orchards. The Middle Valley of the Isle serves as a backbone to a slightly different region south of Périgueux, where the maritime pines are appearing. The Périgord Blanc is composed of limestone plateaus, carved by rivers (Isle, Auvézère, Rent, Dronne), where the valleys widen. The criteria chosen for the name of the departments being geographical or hydrographic, the Périgord thus receives the name of its main river: the Dordogne.Ĭertainly the most beautiful department in France, It contains four major natural regions: in the centre, the Périgord Blanc (Périgueux, Ribérac) In the southeast, the Périgord Noir (Sarladais) The Périgord vert (Nontronnais) at the foot of the Limousin Mountains In the southwest, the Périgord Purple (Bergeracois). 21 Most Beautiful Dordogne Towns and Villages to Visit Magnificent castles, beautiful medieval villages, a dreamy bucolic landscape, bustling markets, a bountiful gastronomy Dordogne in southwest France has long been a big draw for its beautiful small country towns The third largest department of France, forming part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, the Dordogne department is more. During the French Revolution, the National Assembly decided to create the departments in order to simplify the administrative organisation of France. Today the Périgord and the Dordogne department are synomynes and designate the same territory.

Is there a difference between Dordogne and Périgord? It was adorned with paintings and engravings around 19,000 years ago. Calendar of flea markets and garage sales It will be hard for you to miss the famous cave of Lascaux, the most visited cave in France.

Dordogne map region