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Camping in the Dordogne
86 campsites in France, Aquitaine, Dordogne for Small Site
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Set on a hilltop on the edge of Sarlat, this site has panoramic views across the Périgord. There are 90 pitches, of which 70 are for touring units, with the remaining 20 for chalets and mobile homes to rent. The site is terraced and the pitches are generally level. All are shady, marked and separated by trees, and have 10/16A electricity. For those with larger units, it is essential to phone in advance for pitch availability, as not all are suitable. A warm and friendly welcome is given by the French owners, whose keen gardening skills are in evidence throughout. This is a well appointed site offering good value for money.
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.
La Nouvelle Croze is in the heart of the Vézère Valley, just a short 40-minute drive from Sarlat-la-Canéda and Périgueux, guests can easily explore historic sites while returning to the campsite.
This is an attractive and well presented site set on a hillside in the heart of the Périgord Blanc near Périgueux. The owners give a warm and friendly welcome and customer service is a high priority. There are 95 level, grassy pitches shaded by tall trees, 70 for touring units, all with electricity (10A). There is an attractive restaurant and bar with a retractable canopy over the terrace. Near the entrance are four hardstanding pitches for motorhomes; large caravans and American style motorhomes are only accepted on site by prior arrangement.
Camping La Chatonnière is a small, family-run campsite located in the Dordogne region of France, near the village of Jumilhac-le-Grand. It is set in a beautiful location right by the river Loue, with a private sandy beach and plenty of opportunities for swimming, kayaking and fishing. The campsite is known for its peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, making it a perfect place to escape and enjoy the French countryside. On-site, 58 touring pitches have electric hook-up points (10 amp). The pitches are spacious and private, many with mature hedging and trees giving plenty of shade during the summer months. Accommodation is also available to hire, some of which have a beautiful view of the river.
Camping la Sagne is a family run site and was significantly rebuilt for the 2012 season. The rebuilding programme included a new reception, bar and snack bar complex and a covered swimming pool and paddling pool with jacuzzi. There are 100 large, level pitches with 65 for touring, all with 16A electricity but long leads are required. Trees and hedges separating the pitches have been planted in the new area, which has little shade as yet, while pitches in the older section are separated by hedges and mature trees providing good shade. The site is close to the Dordogne river and access is available via a track down through the trees.
Located between Sarlat and Bergerac, this great little campsite is set in lovely countryside close to the River Dordogne. It is beautifully landscaped with flowers, shrubs and trees, maintained to a good standard and kept very clean. There are 57 level grass pitches of average size, 36 of which are for touring units. All have 10A electricity and are separated by shrubs and mature trees providing shade. The remainder are used for mobile homes to rent. The river is only 300 metres away and a canoeing centre can be found near the site entrance.
Camping Glamping Le Pré des Chênes is a small family-run site set on three hectares of an old meadow at the top of a small hill bordered by ancient oaks just outside the village of Saint-Cassien. Camping Glamping Le Pré des Chênes is in the heart of the Dordogne, a beautiful region of France known for its rolling hills, picturesque villages, and medieval castles. The campsite is just a short drive from the town of Bergerac, where you can find a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes. On-site, there are 11 touring pitches with electric hook-up points available. Pitches are not delimited but are jotted around the edge of the campsite, giving you shade from the oak trees.
Located in the scenic Périgord region, 10 km. from Périgueux, le Bois du Coderc is a picturesque, part wooded, riverside site. It is ideally situated for visiting many interesting places in the area. The 45 touring pitches cover field and woodland, have 10A electricity and water points, and are separated by young hedging. This family run campsite has a calm, relaxing atmosphere. The River Isle runs through the site and is suitable for paddling but not swimming. The site is well placed near the historic town of Périgueux, which is rich in culture and full of charm and character, with cobbled streets and delightful squares with restaurants, bars and shops.
Camping d'Auberoche is a family-friendly campsite in Bassillac et Auberoche, Dordogne, France. It is situated in the heart of the countryside near Périgueux, in the Périgord Noir region, and at the edge of the Auvézère River. On-site, 53 flat grassy touring pitches with electrical hook-up points are available, delimited by mature hedges and tall trees that provide ample shade.
In the heart of an extensive wooded park on the bank of one of the largest lakes in Périgord, the Rouffiac leisure resort offers a wide range of activities. The campsite has 76 pitches in the shade of mature oak trees and separated by hedges. Fifty-one are for touring units, most with electrical connections, the remainder being occupied by chalets and mobile homes for rent. This corner of Périgord Vert in northeast Dordogne has a number of attractive villages, the nearest being Lanouaille where there are a few shops, bars and restaurants. Périgueux and Limoges are both well worth a visit.
Camping Les Poutiroux is a stylish, family-run campsite Perfectly positioned for exploring the Périgord, it's a short drive from Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil and Le Bugue. The historic towns of Sarlat-la-Canéda, Périgueux, and Bergerac are within easy reach. Adventure seekers will also appreciate the nearby canoeing, golf, and horseback riding opportunities.
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.
Jules Verne was the first person to call this area, in the northern part of the Dordogne, ‘Périgord Vert’. It is a much valued part of the Périgord-Limousin National Park, and its lush, green countryside is crossed by numerous rivers, forested hills, valleys and grassland. Le Petit Lion des Toubières is a small, intimate site with 30 pitches (100-150 sq.m) spread over three hectares; all have 6A electricity (long leads may be required on some) and are enclosed by trees and hedges. They offer a mixture of sun and shade. Rental accommodation comprises five chalets and three gîtes.
This site is very nicely presented with good attention to detail throughout. It is situated ten minutes north of Sarlat in the hills of the Périgord Noir in a very rural position with plenty of greenery all around. The beautiful lake at Tamniès is 300 m. away and provides fishing, boating, a beach and good walks. There are 83 pitches, 53 for touring units and the remaining 30 for mobile homes to rent. The level pitches are of a good size with no access problems for larger units and roads around the site are tarmac. Electricity supplied is 6/10A. Trees provide good levels of shade.
This small family run campsite has just 66 pitches of which 43 are for touring units. There are two distinct areas: by the play area and swimming pool or on more shaded pitches close to the large fishing lake. Electricity is available to most pitches(6/10A, Europlug adaptors on loan) The fishing lake (free for campers) is well stocked with carp and other fish. The small heated swimming pool and paddling pool are popular. The campsite has its own Troglodyte cave just visible from the pitches and accessed via a woodland walkway.
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.
Camping La Peyrugue. You will be charmed by this magnificent site which extends over more than 5 hectares of nature and which offers an amazing panoramic view on the hills, walnut trees, forest, meadow and the castle of Peyruzel of the 13th century, a real jewel of nature. You will find all the ingredients you need to spend an extraordinary holiday and keep memorable memories with family or friends. Camping La Peyrugue is in the Périgord Noir, the Céou valley, ideally located to enjoy all the treasures that the natural and cultural heritage of Périgord offers you, hiking or cycling, cultural visits and sports activities. Come and discover one of the most beautiful places in the Périgord Noir. The owners have turned this site into one of the nicest and friendliest family sites in the area. Pitches are spacious and very well maintained. Walking, cycling, canoeing, and sights close by. The site has around 60 touring pitches and 20 mobile homes.
Camping le Daguet, located in the picturesque Saint-Laurent-la-Vallée, in the Dordogne region of France, is a nature lover's paradise. The campsite is set in a lush, green environment, near the Vézère River and the Lascaux caves. With 35 spacious touring pitches, each with 10 AM electric hook-up points, the site offers a perfect blend of open spaces and natural boundaries. The scattering of trees and the quiet beauty of the surroundings make it an inspiring spot for a summer getaway.
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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.