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Camping in the Dordogne
150 campsites in France, Aquitaine, Dordogne
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Le Paradis is an excellent, well-maintained riverside site, halfway between Les Eyzies and Montignac in the Valley of the Vézère. The site is landscaped with a variety of mature shrubs and trees. The gardens are beautiful, which gives a wonderful sense of tranquillity. It is very easy to relax on this ecologically friendly site. Systems of reed filters enhance the efficient natural drainage.
Lanmary, the first Huttopia forest camp, opened in 2013 has been carefully integrated into the landscape of the Lanmary National Forest. Some of the access routes in the campsite are quite rough and steep. Cars are only allowed on arrival and departure days. There are several designs of pre-erected tents and chalets, some on substantial stilts. Two chalets are adapted for those with reduced mobility (car access permitted). The touring tents can be pitched in defined areas and have plenty of space around each pitch, while other units must use the level pitches by the entrance. These are served by a large sanitary block, while three smaller blocks serve the tented areas.
Huttopia Sarlat (Formerly Les Perières) is a pleasant small site set on an attractive, wooded, terraced hillside within walking distance of the beautiful medieval town of Sarlat. The 107 touring pitches (all with 6A electricity) are arranged around the semi-circle of a fairly steep slope, overlooking a central leisure area that includes indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a tennis court. They range from 80-100 sq.m. Mixed pine and deciduous trees provide dappled shade. Close to the central buildings are numerous walnut trees (the walnuts can be bought in the campsite shop).
You will be guaranteed a friendly welcome from the the campsite staff who are justifiably proud of their well kept and attractive site, built in the grounds surrounding an old mill. The facilities have been continually updated and improved over the years. Most of the 176 shady pitches all have 10A electricity (102 offer full services) and are separated by hedges and shrubs. Many pitches are next to a small river that runs through the site and joins the River Ceou along the far edge. A tent field slopes gently down to the river which is quite shallow and used for swimming. This site with its superb pool complex will appeal in particular to families with younger children.
Set in a peaceful wooded valley only a few kilometres from the river Ceou, this spacious and shaded site is perfect for those looking to get back to nature and unwind. There are a total of 22 touring pitches and around 245 mobile homes, offering plenty of shade from the sun on this 8-hectare site. You'll find plenty to do at Camping Carbonnier, with a wide program of events for all the family. With boules tournaments, football and volleyball on offer. Children will love the many activities and amenities such as indoor and outdoor swimming pools, slides, a petting farm and various sports fields.
This family run site is beautifully situated in the Céou Valley, in the Périgord. There are 140 spacious touring pitches, all with 6/10A electricity. Some are well separated, whilst others are on two open, grassy areas. Most pitches have some shade. The site’s facilities are grouped around the old farmhouse. Swimming, fishing and canoeing are all possible in the Céou river which borders the site and can be accessed directly. There are also swimming and paddling pools on site and in high season entertainment is organised several evenings each week. This is an excellent location from which to explore the beautiful region of the Périgord.
La Plage is a straightforward, unpretentious site with adequate facilities and ideally situated as a low cost base for visiting the many tourist destinations in the Dordogne. There are 80 touring pitches which are all quite large with shade provided by trees and all with electrical hook-ups (3-10A). The views from the site of the Château de Castelnaud and Roque-Gageac are picturesque and the pitches on the banks of the River Dordogne are especially pleasant.
Within easy reach of all the attractions of the Périgord region, Sandaya has created an attractive and friendly family campsite at les Péneyrals. There are around 274 pitches, 122 of which are for touring. The pitches at the bottom of the hill tend to be quieter as they are further from the main facilities but are all level and grassy (some on terraces), with electricity (5/10A), and most have some shade.
This campsite lies in a wooded area in a good location from which to discover the area of the Dordogne. The village of Atur is closest to the site and the town of Périgueux, the capital of the region, is just a few kilometres away. There are 425 medium size, grassy pitches, with about 90 for touring, all with electricity (6A). Twenty-eight pitches are in open fields with no shade, with some a long way from the facilities. The remaining seven are sloping and enclosed by high hedges. Facilities include a superb swimming pool complex and an extensive, all-season entertainment programme.
The site is just off the main N21 road near Pont Saint Mamet, mid-way between Bergerac and Périgueux. There are 104 large pitches, most are flat, shaded and wooded, some on more sloping open meadow with views across the valley and others on flat ground beside the lake. Pitches are marked and all have electricity (6/10A), some requiring long leads. The swimming pool and small lake with diving platform and beach encourage longer stays. A pleasant, shaded patio terrace under vines and maples leads to a general room with a bar and a separate room for young people with amusement machines (July/Aug).
Built on flat ground around a 17th-century mill, this friendly, family run site is proving to be very popular especially for visiting the prehistoric cave paintings in Lascaux and the picturesque town of Montignac. It is separated from the banks of the Vézère river by a quiet road. Located in the Pérgord Noir, it is a five minute walk into the town. There are 83 level pitches (66 for touring) which are marked and divided by mature hedges, all with electricity and most with some shade from mature trees. Pitches tend to be on the smaller size (80 sq.m) and not suitable for large outfits. There is a sizeable river bank for fishing. This is an ideal base from which to visit a fascinating and beautiful area.
Welcome to Le Garrit, a small family campsite on the banks of the Dordogne river, less than 2 km from the village of Saint-Cyprien, a pretty medieval village and its shops. Easy cycle, safe walk if you take the route under the bridge or short drive if you need to stock up in the local supermarket. With 70 pitches that are generous in size and have hedging in between for privacy. The swimming Pool overlooks the river it's unheated but welcome in the heat. There are Lots to do in the area, walking, cycling, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding. There is a little road noise if you choose a pitch away from the entrance but these are shadier.
Set in quiet countryside in the heart of the Périgord Vert, next to a small fishing lake, le Repaire is a beautiful, spacious and peaceful municipal site, well situated for visiting towns such as Périgueux and Brantôme. There are 110 good sized, slightly sloping, grassy pitches (90 for touring), all with electricity (6A). They are in small groups, separated by shrubs and a variety of trees providing shade to some pitches. A few shadier pitches are available at the edge of the adjoining woodland. The interesting town of Thiviers can be reached in 20 minutes along a footpath and is just 2 km. by road.
Le Pigeonnier is attractively located at the heart of the Périgord Noir, 12 km. from the celebrated market town of Sarlat. This site extends over 15 hectares with a variety of shaded and semi-shaded pitches on offer. There are 100 pitches in total, 65 for touring, all with electricity, and the remainder are for chalets and mobile homes available to rent. An L-shaped swimming pool can be found in the middle of the site, and other on-site amenities include a shop and restaurant. Unusually, there is also a professionally run nightclub, Club 24, on site.
Camping Le Douzou is located in the Périgord Noir Nestled amidst lush greenery and the serene Céou River, this family-friendly campsite offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. On-site, there are 36 spacious and shady touring pitches providing a quiet escape, with options by the river or on terraced areas. The natural vegetation between pitches ensures privacy, making it ideal for families with children who can play freely in a car-free environment. The campsite provides ten dedicated spots with flexible arrival and departure times for those arriving by camper van.
Camping le Plein Air des Bories is located 900 metres from the charming village of Carsac Aillac where you will find all the amenities you could need during your stay (bakery, supermarket, pharmacy etc), only 7 kms from the medieval town of Sarlat and also close to a sandy beach. The campsite has marked out pitches with shade, pitches without shade and pitches with some shade. It is possible to rent one of their many mobile homes which range from one to three bedrooms.
This pretty Dordogne site is located in the Périgord Noir with magnificent views of rolling hills and the Vézère valley. Here, there is a feeling of tranquility, space and calm. The new owners offer an outstanding welcome and customer service. Of the 90 pitches, 56 are for tourist units and the other 34 for chalets and mobile homes, all of which are for rent. Rental of Ecolodge tent with separate sanitary facilities (new 2019) possible.The pitches are flat, easily accessible and most of the time shaded. There is a pond at the end of the site. The main building is of a fine traditional Périgord quality and houses a very attractive restaurant and bar. This is a small site where you can relax in a friendly and family atmosphere.
This well kept little campsite, between Le Bugue and Les Eyzies, is an ideal base to explore the châteaux and prehistoric sites of the Périgord region. Around 100 pitches (62 for touring, all with 15A electricity) are flat, grassy and all of a good size.
Camping Le Plein Air Neuvicois is a family camping located on the banks of the Isle River in Neuvic, Dordogne, France. It is an excellent base for exploring the Dordogne region, with many historical sites and villages nearby. On-site, there are 54 touring pitches, of which 10Amp electric hook-up points are available. Pitches are mostly delimited by hedges and trees. As a result, you have ample privacy and shade.
Camping à la ferme les Pierres Chaudes is a family-friendly campsite located in Veyrignac, France. The campsite is set on a hillside and offers a variety of pitches, including 39 for touring and Electric hook-up points are available. Pitches are separated by mature hedging and trees o you have an option of shaded and unshaded pitches. Mobile homes and apartments are also available to rent.
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One of the earliest cradles of civilisation, the Dordogne is a collage of prehistoric caves adorned with ancient paintings and medieval fortresses watching over a landscape of languid rivers, soft grassy plains and oak forests. Sheltering mankind since the Palaeolithic era, it cannot help but invoke a sense of timelessness and wonder in the curious visitor.
The Font de Gaume cave is the ultimate place to experience this awareness of our enduring history. The carefully executed cave paintings are mostly of animals, portrayed in rich colour and expressing lifelike energy. To protect them, the number of visitors is limited daily, so booking is essential. Close by is Sarlat, an attractive town that sprang up around a 9th-century Benedictine abbey. The streets of its old town are lined with sandstone buildings that lend the place a pleasant warmth when the sun shines on them.
Walking and cycling holidays in the Dordogne are best in the spring when the flowers bloom and the town markets are well stocked or in autumn when the heat subsides, and the grape harvest begins.
The Dordogne Blogs
The Dordogne - Royal Variety Show
Russell Wheldon | 10 Feb 2023 | Read time: 4m 59s
I well remember visiting the Dordogne (as we British usually refer to it) for the first time and feeling...
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Each of France's regions has its unique allure: endless beaches, majestic châteaux, historic cities, undulating vineyards, wild rugged garrigue. The choice is vast.
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Technically the Dordogne is one of the three regions that make up Aquitaine, the huge swathe of south west France that stretches from Bordeaux to the Biarritz. The other two regions are the Gironde and Gascony.
The history of the Dordogne goes back many thousands of years to when man lived in the caves of the Périgord in the beautiful valleys of the Dordogne and Vézère, leaving cave paintings at sites such as Les Eyzies and Lascaux.
The Dordogne river rises in the volcanic mountains of the Auvergne from where it forges west through the craggy forests of Limousin and on to Périgord. Mellow stone villages, celebrated castles, vineyards, meandering rivers and lush hillsides crowned with medieval bastide villages all combine to make this a region of unparalleled diversity and appeal.
Campsites in the Dordogne
There are some truly exceptional campsites here in the real heart of the Dordogne. Typically in sublime locations, they are surrounded by rolling wooded hills with sleepy honey coloured villages all around, adorned with vibrant geraniums overflowing from crumbling pots.
Campsites in the Dordogne are often just a stone’s throw from extraordinary castles and many too are set in the grounds of old farmhouses or mills with large, grassy pitches set between tall oak and walnut trees. These shady trees, welcome during the hot summers, are often a legacy from the days when farmers planted walnut trees for the benefit of future generations. The trees were uniquely able to provide food, fuel, timber and flour and consequently a mature specimen was highly prized. Don’t be surprised if you are offered a bag of walnuts occasionally!
Many campsites offer a host of great activities, either on the site itself (such as river swimming, swimming pools or tennis) or a short drive away (canoe trips). Walking and cycling routes are invariably numerous, and with options suitable for all levels of fitness and age.
Excursions and activities
Excursions might include boat trips from Domme and historic La Roque Gageac or canoe excursions with a guide – there are routes for beginners and the more ‘hesitant’. Children love the crystal caves at Proumeyssac and also the underground train at Rouffignac, or you can pass through the vast underground chasm of Padirac.
Head to the spectacular medieval sanctuary of Rocamadour for incredible views and the astonishing houses clinging to the cliffs (not to mention the Forêt des Singes where the mischievous macaques roam free). Discover medieval gems at Beaulieu, Collonges-la-Rouge and Biron and view the incredible son et lumière at Tours de Merle.
Castles and bastides
The ancient dukedom of Aquitaine was ruled by the English for 300 years following the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry Plantagenet, the future king, in 1154. The fortified villages and castles of the area bear evidence of the resulting conflict between the French and the English for control, and today add character to the countryside.
The resulting castles still dominate the skyline. Brooding and austere, they occupy strategic positions and make a fascinating day out where the kids’ imaginations can run free. Popular castles to visit include Castelnaud and Beynac which famously faced each other across the river during the Hundred Years War, one French, one English. Also elegant Milandes, long associated with the colourful Josephine Baker, and others like Feyrac.
The fortified hilltop villages, or bastides, are quite magical. One of the most iconic is Domme, whose far reaching views from the ramparts over the majestic river Dordogne below are quite indescribable and certainly among the finest in France.
The 13th century bastide of Monpazier is delightful. Enter via fortified gateways and stroll beneath covered arches surrounding the elegant main square, pausing for refreshment in one of the pleasant cafés.
Sarlat
The medieval town of Sarlat is not only itself one of the jewels in the crown of the Dordogne but it is also wonderfully well-placed for exploring the area’s pre-history, ancient villages and pastoral countryside. The mellow stone buildings are beautifully preserved – so much so that if the cobbled streets and alleys seem familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen them before in one of many historical films made here, including a version of Les Misérables.
The Saturday market is widely held up as one of France’s best and choosing a restaurant can be a serious challenge – all look very tempting and generally prices are reasonable for excellent fare. Tough local competition ensures prices are kept keen and value high.
Prehistory
The valley of the Vézère is the cradle of man’s past and teems with prehistoric treasures from 17,000 years ago. Les Eyzies is the world centre and the famed cave paintings at Lascaux were discovered by boys in 1940, quickly becoming a sensation before it was realised that visitors were damaging the very thing they came to marvel at. An incredibly intricate replica was created at Lascaux II and a Lascaux 4 offers an even more immersive experience.
Wines
Some of the world’s most famous vineyards are located around Bordeaux and St Emilion. The most famous are from the renowned estates of the Médoc with wine communes like Pomerol, Margaux, Graves, St Julien and St Estèphe and Sauternes enjoying stellar status. Many, but certainly not all, allow visits to their cellars and wine tastings. Bergerac, among others, offers excellent wines at affordable prices.
Cuisine of the Dordogne
The Dordogne is gastronomy central and fantastic delicacies can be found in restaurants as well as markets and on the roadside. This is very much the land of the duck - foie gras is a regional tradition, with confit de canard a ubiquitous and hearty dish and duck fat being used as the cooking medium of choice. Duck breast is on pretty much every menu, and rightly so.
Truffles are a prized delicacy, as well as cep mushrooms. Look out for cheese from Rocamadour, walnuts, strawberries, honey, chestnuts, an incredible array of salads and vegetables. You will not go hungry!
St Emilion
This is a great place for a tour of big name vineyards, perhaps starting with the illustrious Château Ausone whose rock-hewn cellars stretch under the vineyard. The ancient town is gorgeous, perched on a hill with great views of the encircling countryside. Explore the cobbled alleys to discover fine houses, the Château du Roy and the curious Eglise Monolithie, carved out of the hill by 8th century monks.