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Camping in the Dordogne
85 campsites in France, Aquitaine, Dordogne for Small Site
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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.
Camping Le Clupeau is a family campsite situated near the village of Cherveix-Cubas in the Dordogne region of France. The river Auvézère with its reservoir and old mill runs alongside the campsite. There are 33 touring pitches with electric hook-up points available (10Amp). The pitches are delimited by mature hedging, and mature trees offer shade during the summer. Almost half of the pitches can be found along the river, giving great views of the water.
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.
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.
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.
The delightful French owners, Michel and Noelle Paille, make this a happy place to stay and everyone we spoke to praised it highly. The site nestles beautifully in a very natural environment at the base of tree-lined hills which provide a wonderful scenic background. Flowers, bushes and trees give a superb sense of well being and much care and attention is given to the environment. A superb lake is 100 m. from the site where visitors staying at the farm may fish without charge. The river is also the same distance away in a different direction. There are only 44 touring pitches (all with electricity 10A) and 15 mobile homes to rent.
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.
Belle Vue is a small, family owned site, with a fine view of the Château de Hautefort, an imposing structure to the east of Périgueux. This is a tiny site with just six pitches, all of which are spacious (and all with 6A electricity). The current owners arrived in 2008 and have set about enhancing the site’s facilities. They will be delighted to recommend walking or cycling routes in the vicinity. The château has an enviable position, overlooking the Auvézère valley and the medieval village of Hautefort.
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.
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 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.
Located on the outskirts of the village of Verteillac, Camping Le Pontis offers a fantastic base for exploring the top attractions of the Dordogne region between the communes of Angoulème and Périgueux. The site is ideally situated for outdoor adventures and sightseeing, with several marked walking trails passing right by. Additionally, you're only a half-hour drive from Brantôme, often referred to as the "Venice of Périgord," where you can enjoy scenic boat trips along the Dronne, taking in views of its famous riverside abbey. The local village hosts a beloved farmers' market in July and August featuring live music and a welcoming atmosphere. On-site, there are 11 touring pitches, which have electric hook-up points available. There are also 57 accommodation options available to hire.
This site is enviably situated almost under the shadow of Château Beynac in the heart of the Dordogne. There are 92 flat marked touring pitches, most of a good size, some large, and with electricity (6/10A). There is plenty of shade. A small fishing lake is on site and it is only a short distance to the Dordogne river for swimming or canoeing. The site is managed by a Dutch/French couple who provide a warm and friendly welcome. This year the owners have built a new reception area in traditional style. English is spoken. A small train passes close to the site but it is unobtrusive. Nearby Beynac is a short walk through the woods and Roque-Gageac, with its troglodyte fort and ancient church, is just 3 km. away.
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.
This site is situated in the Périgord Vert in an open rural position. The camping site is set on one side of the road with a leisure park on the other side. There are 100 pitches of which 30 are for mobile homes and chalets, all available to rent. There are 70 pitches for touring units. Pitch size tends to be generous at 100-300 sq.m. each and all are level and on grass. There is some shade and 10A electricity is available. Large units are accepted and there is a motorhome service point with good access around the site. Open to the public, the leisure park is free for guests of the campsite, although a few activities are charged for.
At the confluence of the Dordogne and Vézère rivers, opposite the picturesque village of Limeuil, this delightful and popular family site exudes a peaceful and relaxed ambience. There are 98 marked touring pitches on grass or hardstanding, some spacious and all with electricity (6/10A). The buildings are in traditional Périgourdine style and surrounded by flowers and shrubs. A sports area on a large, open, grassy space between the river bank and the main camping area adds to the feeling of space and provides an additional recreation and picnic area (there are additional unmarked pitches for tents and camper vans along the river bank).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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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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.