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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lou Castel is attractively located close to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, at the heart of the Périgord Noir, and close to many of the region’s major attractions. There are 99 stony pitches here with just a little grass, 33 are available for touring under oak trees which provide good shade. All have electricity (10A). A range of mobile homes, chalets and bungalow-style tents are available for hire. The pool complex is impressive with three water slides, two swimming pools and a separate children’s paddling pool. There is a bar/restaurant with a large terrace which is used for entertainment in peak season.
Sometimes we come across small but beautifully kept campsites which seem to have been a well kept secret, and les Valades certainly fits the bill. Set on a hillside overlooking lovely countryside between the Dordogne and Vézère rivers, each pitch is surrounded by a variety of shrubs and trees. The 60 pitches are flat and grassy, mostly on terraces, all with 10A electricity and most with individual water and drainage as well. Ten very large pitches (over 300 sq.m) are available for weekly hire, each having a private sanitary unit, dishwashing, fridge and barbecue. At the bottom of the hill, away from the main area, is a swimming pool and a good sized lake for carp fishing, swimming and canoeing (free canoes).
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).
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.
Les Charmes is a pleasant, rural site located amidst forest and farmland overlooking the valley of the Château de Puymartin. There are 85 large, level pitches, with 68 for touring units. Some are in clearings in a wooded area, and others are grassy and more open, with trees giving shade. Almost all pitches have 6A electricity, although some may need longer leads.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A friendly, family run campsite in attractive wooded countryside on the edge of Périgord Noir and the Vézère Valley, le Verdoyant is conveniently located for visiting the historic and tourist sites of the Dordogne. Its 68 good-sized pitches are on level ground with trees providing shade in places, a few are on the edge of a small fishing lake, with 10A electricity available. A variety of mobile homes, chalets and equipped tents are for hire. Small animals on site include goats and two friendly donkeys. Footpaths take you through the trees and past ponds to a ‘Borie’ (a mediaeval farm building) and the village of Bars.
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.
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 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.
Offering just 18 touring pitches, but with a good range of facilities and activities, Les Bo-Bains is a well kept site in an attractive location alongside the Dordogne river. The flat, grassy and good sized pitches are all set along the river bank, with beautiful views across the Dordogne. Pitches are divided by hedges, shrubs and bushes of different varieties and they have plenty of shade. All pitches have electricity, with water taps and drainage points between each pair. Canoeing can be arranged from reception and there are places to launch one’s own small craft.
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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.