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Hotels in Dordogne Valley

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THE DORDOGNE VALLEY

 

With its fascinating cultural heritage and beautifully preserved natural environment, the Dordogne Valley has it all. In the summer months, the clear waters of the Dordogne river provide lots of fun activities including swimming and canoeing. It is the only river in France to be part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, a prestigious recognition for an environment of exceptional quality.

 

The Dordogne Valley retains many traces of its historic past. From cave paintings to Roman occupation, or from the Hundred Years War to the Renaissance, all have shaped the landscape you see today.

 

The Dordogne Valley boasts no less than 5 of the « Most Beautiful Villages in France », including Collonges-la-Rouge, a fairy-tale like village built entirely in red sandstone. With its cobbled streets, manors, artisan shops, cafés and restaurants, it seems to glow in the evening sun. 

 

At the heart of the Dordogne Valley stands the sacred city of Rocamadour. Spectacularly clinging to the cliff, Rocamadour is situated on the Way of Saint James and has been a great pilgrimage site since the Middle Ages. The basilica Saint-Sauveur and the crypt Saint-Amadour are both listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites and the chapel of Miracles holds the renowned statue of the Black Virgin, worshiped here for over a millenium.

 

With its limestone plateaus, the region is also home to an infinite number of cliff dwellings and adorned with extraordinary stalactites, stalagmites and prehistoric drawings... The caves of Lascaux contain some of the most terrific examples of Paleolithic art in Europe. Another must-see is The Gouffre de Padirac, the biggest chasm in Europe and a fascinating boat journey into a magical underground world, 103 metres under the surface.

 

The Dordogne Valley proudly owns a stunning cultural heritage and some of the prettiest sites in France, including the mighty fortress of Castelnau-Bretenoux and the Renaissance castle of Montal.

 

Also not to be missed are the impressive Tours de Merle, some medieval towers that look like a set from Game of Thrones.

 

The Dordogne Valley is ideal for nature lovers with an endless choice of hiking, biking and riding tracks in unspoilt countryside. After all of these activities and sightseeing, there is the food to taste! Try our local specialities : truffles, duck, strawberries, walnuts, goats cheese, lamb, chestnuts… a platter of choice that makes the Dordogne Valley world famous for its gastronomy.

 

www.visit-dordogne-valley.co.uk

 


Best hotels

in Rocamadour

9.1

Les Esclargies hotel rocamadour dordogne france

Hôtel Les Esclargies ★★★

Next to the Rocamadour old town

View, location, swimming-pool

 

9.1

Best Western Beau Site hotel rocamadour

Best Western Beau Site ★★★

Ideally situated in the heart of Rocamadour

Very good breakfast, staff, great location

 

9.1

Le-Relais-Amadourien-hotel-rocamadour-dordogne-france

Relais Amadourien ★★

Located near the centre of Rocamadour

Family room, top location, fabulous breakfast

 


The Dordogne Valley

image gallery

Top things to do

in the Dordogne Valley

Rocamadour

The sacred city of Rocamadour is one of France's most important tourist destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A crucial pilgrimage site on the 'Way of Saint James' since the Middle-Ages, the breathtaking city of Rocamadour is a testament to human and spiritual history. 

 

Rising up 120 metres, this vertiginous Citadel of Faith clings dramatically to the cliffs in a spectacular overlap of roofs, houses and churches. At the top of the Great Staircase, the Chapelle Notre Dame and the statue of the Black Madonna are the highlight of any visitor's journey. Carved from the wood of a walnut tree in the 12th century, the Vierge Noire has ever since drawn worshippers from all over Europe in search of miracles.

 

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Rocamadour ©The Dordogne Valley

The most beautiful villages in France

In the Dordogne Valley, no less than 5 villages have received the prestigious label of « Most Beautiful Village in France ». Chosen for the beauty of their architecture and heritage, these select few all have distinctive charm and appeal… Collonges-la-Rouge is a colourful display of manors and houses built in a unique red sandstone. Carennac  boasts an incredible 11th century priory and Renaissance houses along the Dordogne river. Autoire’s honey coloured stone and brown tiled roofs blend harmoniously with the backdrop of dramatic cliffs. Autoire has so many manors, the locals call it “Little Versailles”!.

  

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Loubressac ©The Dordogne Valley

Great water activities

Jump in the clear and refreshing waters of the Dordogne river! What better way to leave the stresses of life behind than to canoe down the river enjoying beautiful scenery. Stop off on a secluded beach to have a picnic or a swim, try your hand at fly-fishing and for the more adventurous have a go at paddle boarding ! . The Dordogne river is the only one in France to be recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. As the water levels drop in summer, it reveals a fantastic array of untamed beaches where holiday-goers can enjoy a refreshing break from the hot climate and the chance to splash about in the warm clear waters. With crescent-shaped pebble beaches offering out-of-the-way places to set up camp for the day, these pristine swimming hubs make great spots for lazy days out in the sun. 

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Water activities ©The Dordogne Valley

Collonges-la-Rouge

Collonges-la-Rouge's hallmark is undoubtedly its blazing red buildings (hence the name) built with sandstone rich in iron oxide, characteristic of this part of the Dordogne Valley.

 

Visitors can enjoy a stroll along the narrow alleyways fringed with medieval houses covered with either clusters of grapes or lashings of wisteria.

 

 

collonges-la-rouge-best-things-to-do-dordogne-valley
©The Dordogne Valley

Land of 1,001 castles

From mighty fortresses to Renaissance castles and medieval towers, the Dordogne Valley is known as the land of 1001 castles. With a new discovery around each river bend, you will be transported back in an era of brave knights and fair princesses, fierce battles and legends. Once an impregnable fortress, the medieval castle of Castelnau-Bretenoux shines for miles around in the evening sun. Close by, the Renaissance castle of Montal, designed by a woman, displays all the finesse of the 16th century with period rooms, an ornate stairwell and a courtyard brimming with mouldings and sculptures…

 

Slightly north, hidden away by hills and thick forests, the towers and feudal citadel of the Tours de Merle stand like a set from Game of Thrones…

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©The Dordogne Valley

Food delicacies

In the Dordogne Valley, enjoying life starts with enjoying good food. From small market stalls to the terrace of a Michelin-star restaurant, fresh local produce bring out the best flavours. Each season offers mouth-watering treats : asparagus and strawberries in the spring, melons and plums in summer, walnuts and ceps in autumn, black truffles in winter…. And all year round, free range lamb from the Causse plateaus, farm-raised veal, Rocamadour goats cheese, river trout, duck confit, foie gras…

 

 

 

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©The Dordogne Valley

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of The Dordogne Valley