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Relaxing in style in The Dordogne

Although many visitors to France love to experience the culture of Paris, or the beaches of the French Riviera, the region of The Dordogne is the perfect place to enjoy a more relaxed way of life. This enchanting area in the south-west of France is a fantastic remedy if you want to get away from it all, and as soon as you see the lush countryside of The Dordogne, you will quickly understand why this region has become such a hit.

With elegant chateaux, legendary French cuisine and some stunning landscapes, The Dordogne offers you a great snapshot of everything that’s wonderful about France. Here’s a look at a few of the key reasons why you should factor in The Dordogne when you are thinking about taking your next trip away.

Beautiful landscapes

Mother nature has been very kind to The Dordogne, and you just need to take a look at the scenery to realise that this is one of the biggest reasons why so many people come to this enchanting place. With soft rolling hills, some dramatic mountains, spectacular valleys, and of course, the lovely Dordogne River that runs through the area, you shouldn’t have any problem in impressing your friends back home with your holiday photographs.

The Dordogne is overwhelmingly rural, you will probably need to get a hire car to get around. Thankfully all of the roads are well maintained and it’s easy to fly into a small local airport like the one at Bergerac, pick up a hire car, and then hopefully find your perfect little villa in the hills without too much of a problem.

Stunning Chateaux

If you are looking to see some of the most beautiful chateaux in the whole of France, then The Dordogne has you covered. Just check out the way that the Chateau de Castelnaud clings on to the cliffs with its cute turrets and you’ll feel like you have been transported back in a French fairytale. This is also home to an interesting collection of medieval weaponry that belies the important military and strategic placement of these chateaux.

No matter where you are in The Dordogne, it seems that you are never to far away from one of this pretty chateaux. From the majestic Chateau de Beynac that can be reached by traipsing up the cute stone village of the same name, to the ridiculously ornate Chateau des Milandes that was owned by the famous dancer, Josephine Baker, it seems that they all have their own charm. Don’t forget that all of these chateaux have stunning views over the surrounding countryside with the likes of Chateau de Commarque being a particularly dramatic example.

Endlessly cute villages and towns

If you visit any of the villages in The Dordogne, it will feel like you are stepping back in time. Villages like Beynac and La Roque Gageac are almost impossibly pretty, and there’s plenty of fun to be had in exploring these places. Whether you are relaxing with a coffee in one of the cafes, or are gearing yourself up for another trip up the steep cobbled streets, there’s always something interesting to discover in the charming villages of The Dordogne.

However, these villages aren’t just about being cute, as the incredible location of mountainside villages like Rocamadour shows that they have managed to survive some remote conditions. Rocamadour is well worth the trip however, as it has plenty of lovely cafes and restaurants, as well as the Chapelle Notre-Dame which houses the hallowed Black Madonna.

Even some of the larger towns still retain a pleasant village-esque feel. The town of Sarlat still feels charmingly ramshackle and its honey-coloured stone buildings are relentlessly photogenic. Plus it’s worth taking the time to head to the lovely small town of Monpazier that is famous for its art studios and its welcoming cafes and restaurants.

Fine food and wine in the Dordogne

As The Dordogne is a largely rural and agricultural area, then it should come as little surprise to find that this area has an outstanding gastronomic legacy. Simply by visiting one of the many markets in villages like Domme, you will get to see a mouth-watering selection of fresh local produce.

Obviously, the wines of the area are second to none with the cabernet sauvignon of Bergerac being particularly exceptional. While some of the delicacies like foie gras might prove a little too rich for some tastes, everything from the Croustilot bread and cheese to the heavenly black truffles means that The Dordogne is true foodie heaven.

Fun activities in the Dordogne

Of course, a holiday in The Dordogne doesn’t have to be just about relaxing with some wine and cheese. Just about anybody would enjoy taking a fun kayak ride down the Dordogne River. The current might occasionally be strong, but you will be rewarded with some stunning views that you just won’t get to experience any other way.

The Dordogne is also famous for its many prehistoric cave dwellings. Many of these can be found along the Vezere river with the likes of Les Eyzies including a prehistoric museum, while Grotte du Grand Roc shows off a huge cavern filled with stalactites and stalagmites. But the pick of the bunch has to be the recently refurbished Lascaux. This offers an excellent recreation of the hundreds of prehistoric wall paintings that were created over 50,000 years ago by the Neanderthals.

If you prefer to stay above ground, then there are some stunning formal gardens to enjoy. From the famous Jardins Suspendus at Marqueyssac that offer a fun maze to negotiate, to the perfumed rose garden of Manoir d’Eyrignac, there are plenty of ways to witness some magnificent floral displays.

It goes without saying that The Dordogne also offers many spectacular walks that are a great way to experience the scenery. As long as you don’t mind some steep climbs, then you will discover that The Dordogne serves up an incredibly serene walking experience.

alex has written posts on Cadiza - Your Travel Guide.
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