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Camping in the Dordogne
143 campsites in France, Aquitaine, Dordogne for Pets allowed
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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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Domaine Du Lac is a spacious site covering eight hectares, bordering a spring fed lake containing large carp. The site has 110 large pitches, 75 for touring (10A electricity). There are two areas, one has large, well shaded pitches divided by hedges dispersed amongst chalets and mobile homes. The second area, further from the lake, is more open and has a little shade from young trees and small hedges. The site is ideally located for visits to Les Eyzies and Lascaux. It has been family-run for over 30 years, who are very welcoming. English is spoken.
Les Nauves is a pretty and well maintained site, 4 km. from the beautiful medieval village of Belvès in the Périgord Noir region of the Dordogne. The site consists of 100 pitches, 60 for touring (slight slope, 12A electricity, long leads necessary) and 45 dedicated to mobile homes, chalets and bungalow tents. There are some pitches that are separated and shaded by mature trees, while others are open with good views of the surrounding countryside. The ground on most of the pitches is soft, sandy soil and may cause some difficulty for large vehicles in wet weather. The owners are very dedicated to providing a quality site.
La Bouquerie is situated within easy reach of the main road network in the Dordogne but without any associated traffic noise. The main complex is based around some beautifully restored traditional Périgord buildings. There is a bar and restaurant that overlook the impressive pool complex, with a large outdoor terrace for fine weather. The excellent restaurant menu is varied and reasonably priced. Of the 185 pitches, 58 are used for touring units and these are of varying size (80-120 sq.m), flat and grassy, some with shade, and all with 10A electrical connections. The majority of the remainder are for mobile homes and chalets for rent.
Sites et Paysages La Dordogne Vert is a well-run family-orientated campsite in Saint-Aulaye, Dordogne. Since the change of ownership in 2017, there have been many renovations on site resulting in an accommodating and competent team looking after holidaymakers.
This gem of a small, family-run site is situated in the rural heart of the Périgord, and the delightful owners will give you a warm and friendly welcome. There are only 50 slightly sloping, grass pitches, 40 for touring and all have 10A electricity. They are separated by hedging, and flowering shrubs and trees give varying amounts of shade. A shaded terrace is next to the beautiful, original Perigordine building and the barn has been lovingly converted into a bar/restaurant, a superb children’s playroom and the toilet facilities. The play area makes this a paradise for toddlers.
Le Temps de Vivre is situated in the centre of the Périgord Noir, in the countryside and lies about 250 m. above sea level. The area of the campsite covers about 6.5 hectares in total, with 1.5 acres in use at present. It is a small, friendly, family run site with 50 pitches, 28 of which are for touring and 22 for mobile homes available to rent. The pitches are wide and terraces separate some of them. All have 10A Europlug, and you will find a variety of trees and bushes often as a natural separation. This is a delightful and peaceful rural site.
Le Capeyrou is an excellent and very well maintained site. It is situated by the River Dordogne, within easy walking distance of the picturesque château village of Beynac. The friendly Dutch and French owners pride themselves on maintaining the traditions of a true camping site, but with the benefits of modern facilities. Most of the 125 level pitches have good views of the hilltop château, and all have access to electricity (6/10A, mainly Europlug). Four fully equipped tents are available for hire.
This high quality campsite, set in the heart of the Dordogne, has fine views looking up to the fortified town of Belvès. It is a splendid rural estate where there is plenty of space and a good mixture of trees and shrubs. Set in the grounds of a former mill, the superb traditional buildings date back to the 18th century. There are 219 level pitches with 159 for touring units, all with 10A electricity, a water point and drainage. The remainder are used for mobile homes to rent. The site is ideally suited for families with young and teenage children as there is so much to do, both on site and in the surrounding area.
Le Rocher de la Granelle is a friendly site, attractively located on the banks of the River Vézère, and close to the lively market town of Le Bugue. There are 150 good sized, level grass pitches, around 100 of which are for touring, all with 10A electricity. Most are well shaded and some have pleasant views across the Vézère. On-site amenities include a swimming pool, water slide and a bar/snack bar which is the base for activities and entertainment during the peak season. Many of the facilities here are being upgraded. The river is good for fishing and canoeing but bathing is not recommended.
Camping La Ripole is a rural site in the heart of the vast Périgord Limousin regional park. This small site has just 40 pitches, all with 10A electricity, arranged around six hectares of woodland that provide a fair amount of shade. There are mobile homes and chalets available to rent. Facilities here include a pleasant swimming pool with a sunbathing area and a small lake for fishing. There is a small restaurant and snack bar on site. Walking and cycling is very popular in the area and there are several routes leading direct from the campsite.
Camping d’Orpheo Negro can be found midway between Périgueux and Bergerac. There are 60 grassy pitches in a park which extends over 16 hectares. Pitches are large and generally well shaded. Most have electrical connections (6A). A few chalets and mobile homes are available for rent. The site has been developed on the banks of a three hectare lake which is well stocked with carp, so this is a popular site with anglers. Rowing boats and pedaloes are provided free of charge. Other leisure amenities include a swimming pool (with water slide), tennis, an open-air bowling alley and minigolf.
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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
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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.