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Camping in the Dordogne
150 campsites in France, Aquitaine, Dordogne
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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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Le Moulin de Surier is a very spacious and peaceful site located on the site of a former water mill, midway between Bergerac and Sarlat, and is close to Beaumont-du-Périgord, a delightful, 13th-century, fortified village. Please note that this is a camping village with accommodation to rent (47 attractive wooden chalets and mobile homes). There are no touring pitches here. The chalets and mobile homes are all fully equipped and occupy large shady pitches. Some are on high terraces and others are on a level area adjacent to a lake with its own sandy beach. The lake is used for swimming and fishing, and canoes and pedaloes are available. Leisure amenities include a swimming pool, a play area and a small animal park.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Built on flat ground around a 17th-century mill, this friendly, family run site is proving to be very popular especially for visiting the prehistoric cave paintings in Lascaux and the picturesque town of Montignac. It is separated from the banks of the Vézère river by a quiet road. Located in the Pérgord Noir, it is a five minute walk into the town. There are 83 level pitches (66 for touring) which are marked and divided by mature hedges, all with electricity and most with some shade from mature trees. Pitches tend to be on the smaller size (80 sq.m) and not suitable for large outfits. There is a sizeable river bank for fishing. This is an ideal base from which to visit a fascinating and beautiful area.
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.
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.
Only 3.5 km. from the historic medieval town centre of Sarlat, and yet surrounded by peaceful countryside, this campsite is well suited to those seeking a relaxing and peaceful site within easy reach of the major attractions of the Dordogne. The 122 grassy pitches are mostly flat, divided by hedges or trees, with varying degrees of shade, and all have electricity (10A). The small but welcoming bar and terrace are the focal point for daily events and entertainment during high season, with activities for both adults and children. A bus service 50 m. from the campsite entrance runs six times daily into Sarlat centre.
Set in a 14-hectare wooded valley, le Moulin de David has 160 pitches split into two sections, 100 are available for touring units – 33 below the central reception complex in a shaded situation and 69 above on partly terraced ground with varying degrees of shade. All pitches have electricity (10-16A). Spacing is good and there is no crowding. The site has been planted with a variety of shrubs and trees and combined with the small stream that runs through the centre they create a beautiful and tranquil setting. This pleasant and attractive site is one for those who enjoy peace, away from the hustle and bustle of the main Dordogne attractions, yet sufficiently close for them to be accessible.
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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.