Days out and activities in the Dordogne for children and adults

The Dordogne is a large region and I remember when we first holidayed here, trying to plan days that maximised our enjoyment of the area, whilst minimising the travel and kept the children happy! Having spent many happy holidays here we thought we would share some of our favourite trips that are an easy distance from Le Baradis while also giving you a flavour of the variety of things there are to see and do in the region. Don't think you will cover everything in your holiday - we have been coming the region for many years and still haven't seen everything!

Trips with children

  1. Visit the prehistoric trail along the Vézère Valley between Montignac and Les Eyzies: the cave paintings at Lascoux (pre book tickets - enquire at the Office de Tourisme at Montignac), the prehistoric dwellings at the Roque St Christophe and then Forte Reignac* (the mysterious fortress built into the rock face). If you still have time, then there is always the prehistorc museum at Les Eyzies. All the sites are equally spectacular for grown ups. (*For older kids there is an exhibition of devices of torture at the Forte Reignac!) There is probably enough here to keep the prehistory enthusiasts busy for two or three days.

  2. Visit the Chateau at Jumilhac and then spend the afternoon at the Lac de Rouffiac at St-Médard-d'Excideuil. Chateau Jumilhac is your dream fairytale castle with towers and turrets and beautiful interiors. Lac de Rouffiac is a huge recreation lake with sandy, supervised bathing, pedaloes, canoes and kayaks, sailing, fishing, bouncy castles - and the only cable water skiing facility in the Aquitaine region (which our two boys love!).

  3. Chateau de Castelnaud. The Chateau de Castelnaud was held predominantly by the English during the 100 years war and was in direct conflict with the occupants of Chateau de Benynac on the opposite side of the valley. The chateau has been beautifully restored and contains a large collection of medieval weaponary. During the summer, the Chateau de Castelnaud has costumed re-enactments. Visit both chateaux and the stunningly beautiful village of Beynac-et-Cazenac for a very full day out.

  4. Visit Le Bugue for the water park, Aux Etangs du Bos (swimming pools and lake with lots of slides and inflatable pontoons etc), the Aquarium du Périgord Noir (the largest privately owned aquarium in Europe) and the wonderful, underground 'Crystal Cathedral' of Gouffre de Proumeyssac.

  5. Visit the 19th century village 'Le Bournat'. This is also at Le Bugue (see above) but is a full day on it's own.

  6. Canoeing and horse riding. Canoes can be hired at nearby Cubjac at Camping de L'ilot and at Cherveix Cubas. Horses riding is available at Les Tourterelles at nearby Tourtoirac. Canoeing is a 'must' for any trip to the Dordogne and is a wonderfully fun and relaxing way of spending anything from a couple of hours to a day (remember to take a picnic!)

  7. Forest adventure park at L'Appel de Forêt. This park is much bigger than many we have experienced elsewhere: 10 courses (ranging from relatively easy to hard enough to challenge dad!), 110 stations and 25 zip slides. You can stay on the park as long as you like and there is a picnic area with tables so you can make a day of your visit. The park is at Thenon, which is about 15-20 minutes from Le Baradis.

  8. Visit the Chateau de Hautefort with it's wonderful park and gardens and then spend the afternoon by the lake at the nearby L'Etang du Coucou. You can swim, fish or just stroll around the lake while the children enjoy the obstacle course that encircles the lake. The lake is overlooked by the chateau and there is a bar / restaurant serving snacks, drinks and ice-creams.

  9. Visit the Dune de Pilat, the biggest sand dune in Europe at 102m high, It's over two hours drive away but, for the adventurous, an opportunity to see one of the natural wonders of Europe...! You could follow it by dinner in Bordeaux or at one of the wonderful fish restaurants in Arcachon.

Trips for Adults

  1. Chateaux (from north to south):

  2. Gardens (from north to south):

  3. Towns and villages

    • Perigueux - the capital of the Périgord. Visit the market (large market is on Wednesday and Saturday). Visit the St Front Cathedral (a UNESCO world heritage site). Wander the winding street of the medieval quarter. Visit Vesunna, the old Roman remains.

    • Hautefort - Chateau, gardens, old hospital museum and beautiful old village. Eat lunch in the old square.

    • Sarlat-la-Canéda - Sarlat is a beautifully preserved medieval town with more listed buildings per square kilometre than anywhere else in Europe.

    • Saint Léon-sur-Vévzère - designated as one of the 300 most beautiful villages in France.

    • Saint Amand-de-Coly - designated as one of the 300 most beautiful villages in France.

    • Domme - designated as one of the 300 most beautiful villages in France.

    • La Roque-Gageac - designated as one of the 300 most beautiful villages in France.

    • Beynac-et-Cazenac - designated as one of the 300 most beautiful villages in France.

    • Belvès - designated as one of the 300 most beautiful villages in France.

    • Monbazillac - producers of the famous sweet dessert wine (free tasting for visitors to the Chateau).

    • Monpazier - designated as one of the 300 most beautiful villages in France.

    • Limeuil - designated as one of the 300 most beautiful villages in France.

    • Segur-le-Chateau - designated as one of the 300 most beautiful villages in France. Combine with a visit to Saint Robert and the horse stud and chateau in the beautiful town of Arnac-Pompadour

    • Saint Robert - designated as one of the 300 most beautiful villages in France. Combine with Segur-le Chateau and Arnac-Pompadour (see above).

    • Arnac Pompadour - combine with Segur-le Chateau and Saint Robert (see above).

    • Turenne - designated as one of the 300 most beautiful villages in France. Combine with Collonges-la Rouge below.

    • Collonges-la-Rouge - designated as one of the 300 most beautiful villages in France. Combine with Turenne above.

    • Carrenac - designated as one of the 300 most beautiful villages in France.

    • Rocamadour - stunning village perched on a cliff top and one of the stops on the Santiago de Compostela pilgrim trail.