Discover the Dronne, a crystalline river emblematic of Périgord Vert

The Dronne is a river that mainly crosses the Périgord Vert, and it does not hesitate to water the prettiest villages and magnificent natural spaces! Wild in the north of the department, wiser when it gets along with the heritage in urban areas, it lets itself be tamed if you travel it aboard a canoe, a kayak and even a barge. It is a river of good quality, clean and unpolluted, you can swim there without fear and fish there (according to the regulations). Discover the Dronne, enjoy this natural heritage of Périgord Vert!

Photos © Guide du Périgord unless otherwise stated

The Dronne in Périgord Vert, its exceptional natural sites

The Dronne is a tributary of the Isle river, it has its source in Haute-Vienne, but quickly joins the Dordogne department where it spends most of its course. It briefly passes through Charente then into Gironde where it meets the Isle which hastily flows into the Dordogne.

The natural site of Trou de Philippou allows you to learn more about the Dronne in its very wild state, in the Périgord Limousin Regional Natural Park. It is a nice hiking circuit with informative panels to do with the family.

The same goes for the Saut du Chalard, it's a nice little family hike to join the Dronne in its stream state, but this time you will see very pretty waterfalls! Perfect for a summer picnic.

Le Saut du Chalard

The Dronne in Brantome

It is in Brantôme, the Venice of the Périgord Vert, that the Dronne is the prettiest. It meanders languidly through the village, isolating certain parts, like small islands. Here you can sail on the Dronne in a barge, in a canoe it is very pleasant on sunny days and an original way to visit Brantôme, before settling down on the banks of the Dronne at the table of one of the good restaurants in Brantôme. And after lunch, follow the course of the Dronne by electric mountain bike, on the towpath.

Visit a unique troglodyte site on the banks of the Dronne, and find out more about life in days gone by at the Moulin du Couvent, with its troglodyte house, unfinished hotel, caves and educational trail with interpretation panels. The Bimbillou Parc is an interesting and magnificent place to take a walk in Brantôme!

The Dronne in Brantome

The Dronne at Bourdeilles

Bourdeilles is a small village where you will enjoy walking, it is host to a pretty castle to visit: Le Château de Bourdeilles. The Dronne crosses the village, it passes under a very beautiful medieval bridge with 7 arches, several of which are no longer submerged: we understand then that the bed of the river has shrunk over time... It was a waterway of primary importance in Périgord and we even imposed a… Tax, a tax, on the passage of barges with their goods. It is also possible to rent a canoe to take a walk on the Dronne in Bourdeilles (but promise, you won't pay tax!)!

The Dronne at Bourdeilles

The Dronne at Montagrier, Ribérac and Saint-Aulaye

The Dronne continues its course towards the south of the Périgord Vert, it passes through Montagrier where you will find information at La Maison de la Dronne, which is located in an old flour mill from the 12th century, near which you can beautiful walks on the banks but also on the water with an electric boat (in summer).

In Ribérac in Val de Dronne, many domed Romanesque churches are to be discovered and in Saint-Aulaye, the Dronne borders on the Charente. You will find pleasant beaches there to take a break and swim in the summer.

Meet Harrison Barker, a traveler from England in the 19th century, who traveled the Dronne in a canoe, during a trip throughout France as was often done at the time. He recorded his travel memoirs in a book. In Val de Dronne, he traveled 90km which are marked out and which can be followed on a beautiful footpath. The path passes through the village of Petit Bersac, where it is good to stop for a few days at the delicious Château le Mas de Montet, the very beautiful bed and breakfast in Périgord Vert.

Canoeing on the Dronne / Photo by Lise Daneels

Paddling on the Dronne / Photo by Lise Daneels

Bathe in the Dronne river

To cool off, the Dronne is a perfect river. Its water is clear and of good quality.

In Brantôme, there is a beach which is supervised in summer (near the car park and the canoes), with picnic tables.
In Petit-Bersac, near the Château de Montet, there is a pleasant beach.
In L'Isle, between Bourdeilles and Tocane-Saint-Apre, there is a swimming spot under the bridge.
In Saint-Aulaye, near the swimming pool and tree climbing, there is a space equipped and supervised in summer.
In Tocane-Saint-Apre, there is also an equipped swimming area.
Some bathing areas are wild and little known, some here (in fr)...

Read our article on bathing areas in the Dordogne, lakes and leisure centers throughout the department.

The fauna and flora of the Dronne

The Dronne is a pure river that delights a whole flora and fauna. Observers will be able to cross along its banks, birds such as the dipper and tichodrome echelette. In the course of the water, bivalve molluscs such as the Great Mussel and the River Mussel. Migratory fish, sculpins and lampreys, mammals like the European otter and the European mink, reptiles like the European pond turtle (a turtle). The Dronne Valley in Brantôme at its confluence with the Isle is a Natura 2000 classified site for the protection of species.

European Pond Terrapin / Holger TK / Adobe Stock

Fishing in the Dronne

Like all fish-farming rivers, the Dronne is subject to regulations, which you should know before fishing. You must also be in possession of a valid fishing license. The Dronne runs for 170km in the Dordogne, it is a 2nd category river. Different types of fishing are allowed, depending on the sections and times of the year. Classic river fish can be found in the Dronne: Pike, Perch, Zander, Black-Bass and Catfish. There are also Roach and Roach, Barbeau, Chub, Minnow, Goujon and Dace. Carp fishermen will find their happiness. Contact the Dordogne Fishing Federation to find out more.