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Camping in the Dordogne
151 campsites in France, Aquitaine, Dordogne
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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).
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Flower Camping Trémolat Les Berges de la Dordogne is on the banks of the Dordogne River near the village of Trémola, between Bergerac and Sarlat. The site has 100 pitches, of which 65 are for touring units and have a 10-amp hook-up point, five are seasonal, and 30 mobile homes are available to hire. Pitches are well-shaded by mature trees, and some are separated by hedging, giving privacy.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
This site with a charming name is set on the top of a hill in the heart of the Périgord Noir, yet just 2 km. from Les Eyzies. The site is on two levels and the lower, quieter level has a spacious feeling with touring caravans and tents being positioned around its perimeter, leaving the centre clear. There are 80 level pitches, of which 10 are used for mobile homes and 2 new chalets. The pitches have dappled shade and 10A electricity. Donkey renting is popular with donkeys being used to help out with walks lasting from half a day to 3 days and more.
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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.