The Dordogne Valley is arguably one of the most beautiful places to visit in France and one that’s very easily overlooked in favour of more popular parts of France. Even for me, who lives in the UK, the Dordogne Valley is one French region we’d overlooked. That said, until last summer, we finally got to spend five glorious days exploring this amazing part of France.
Now, you might be wondering what makes the Dordogne Valley so special.
Well, it’s France, as you’ve probably pictured it in the movies and online. Crumbling, highly-pigged villages, endless vineyards with the promise of excellent wines, a chateau that leaves you in awe and more Michelin-star restaurants than you can shake a stick at.
Seriously, once you visit, you’ll very easily find yourself wanting to return every year for an amazing, laid-back French holiday!
One of my favourite things about the places we visited was how ungeared up they were for travellers. Everything was so very French (which left me wanting to learn as much French as possible), and the best part about that is that the experiences are about as authentic as they get here.
It’s how people live and thrive, and nothing is done to impress you or show off to you – which, in the end, impresses you even more than if they’d been trying to.
Right, I’ll get right to it, if you’re considering visiting the Dordogne Valley soon, I’ve put together the perfect itinerary for you to see, eat and drink all that there is in the beautiful Dordogne Valley of France.
How To Get To The Dordogne Valley?
Fly into Brive Airport of Bergerac. I recommend arriving at Brive like we did and flying out of Bergerac, but you could flip the itinerary around and reverse it if you wanted to.
Oh, and you should get a car to drive around in. I’m sure you can get around without one, but it makes so much more sense to get a car (or indeed a driver) to take you around.
Day 1
Morning/early afternoon: Arrive at Brive Dordogne Valley Airport, grab your bags and head over to the beautiful Château de Lissac for a French “Casse croûte” (i.e. a light meal).
Optional—4.30 pm: If you have free time, you can visit Bovetti chocolatiers to make your own chocolate. Otherwise, head to your hotel below.
6.00 pm: Check into your hotel, L’Imaginaire . Dinner will be later (you’re in France after all), so you have free time to explore Terrasson (where your hotel is) or visit the gardens, Les Jardins de l’Imaginaire.
8.00 pm: Dinner in the 1* Michelin restaurant – L’Imaginaire Restaurant (the Chef is François Adamski, and he’s kind of a big deal 😉 ). Enjoy!
CLICK BELOW TO SEE WHAT IT WAS LIKE WHEN WE VISITED:
Chateau de Lissac and Bovetti || Terrason and L’Imaginaire
Day 2
9.30 am: Have breakfast at the hotel and head over to the famous Brive market. Also, the perfect opportunity to explore its town centre.
10.30 am: Visit the Denoix Distillery, one of the oldest in the region, to taste some traditional walnut liquors. After all, this area in France is known for a few things—one being anything related to walnuts, the other being pate.
…oh yes, and wine too!
11.30 am: Head over to what is arguably the most beautiful village in France – Collonges-la-Rouge (this isn’t a title I made up either 🙂 this is what it’s referred to as).
Also, when you’re here, pop into Distillerie des Terres Rouges to make your cocktail.
1.00 pm: Go for lunch at Auberge de Benges (still in Collonges-la-Rouge) and walk off that lunch by exploring more of the village.
Optional – around 4.30 pm: Head over to La Ferme de la Truffe, a truffle farm in Cuzance where you can hunt for your truffles and get your hands on some of the best truffles in the world. (I’m not fond of mushrooms or anything mushroom-esque, but even I will make an exception regarding truffles).
6.00 pm: Check into Manoir de Malagorse in Cuzance. If you arrange this in advance, you can have a wine (and cheese) tasting event before an amazing dinner at the Manoir. (In English – Manor).
CLICK BELOW TO SEE WHAT IT WAS LIKE WHEN WE VISITED:
Collonges-la-Rouge | Truffle hunting and Manoir de Malagorse
DAY 3
9:00 am: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Rocamadour. This is one place you must visit when you’re in the area!
11.30 am: While in the general Rocamadour area, you need to get your hands on some Rocamadour cheese before heading over to La Borie d’Imbert (a goat cheese farm) for some fromage.
12.30 am: Go for lunch at Le Château de la Treyne in Lacave.
3.30 pm: Pop into the sleepy yet beautiful town of Martel.
6.00 pm: Check into the hotel Plaza Madeleine & Spa, and if you have free time, go check out the UNESCO World Heritage old town centre of Sarlat.
This is the one place you might bump into other travellers and holidaymakers, as seasoned travellers appear to have been visiting for years and keeping this a little open secret.
8.00 pm: Dinner time! Head over to Les Jardins d’Harmonie in the old town centre of Sarlat.
CLICK BELOW TO SEE WHAT IT WAS LIKE WHEN WE VISITED:
Rocamadour || Chateau de la Treyne || Martel || Sarlat
DAY 4
9.00 am: Visit the market in Sarlat after breakfast to pick up some knick-knacks and ingredients for the afternoon.
11.00 am: Attend a cooking course in Sarlat with a private chef – after which you eat the meal you’ve spent all morning preparing. Alternatively, you could just explore the town and pop into a local restaurant for lunch.
You’ll be spoilt for choice in Sarlat.
Early Afternoon: Visit the quiet village of Beaumont-du-Perigord.
Late Afternoon: Pop into the medieval village of Issigeac.
6.00 pm: Check-in at Château de Panisseau and kick back with a glass of wine or two.
8.00 pm: Go for dinner at the Michelin star restaurant; La Tour des Vents in Monbazillac.
CLICK BELOW TO SEE WHAT IT WAS LIKE WHEN WE VISITED:
Sarlat (the next day) and Beaumont-du-Perigord || Issigeac
DAY 5
9.30 am: Explore Château de Panisseau some more, pop into the castle and wander through the vineyard before trying your hands at tasting the wines from the Chateau. Just remember, spit it out if you’re driving.
11.00 am: Go on an electric bike ride (it’s easier) in the vineyards around Bergerac and Monbazillac (this was the plan when we visited, but it was raining so much in the morning that we had to skip this one).
Finish off by tasting the local products in Maison Vari, Monbazillac (the wines here are a steal, so be sure to stock up before heading back home).
1.00 pm: Head over to Bergerac Airport for your return flight home.
Read more: Château de Panisseau and Monbazillac
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