What to do in Périgord in autumn? The best autumn activities!

Planning your next autumn holiday in the Périgord region and lacking inspiration? Summer is drawing to a close, and tourist sites are much quieter during the autumn. It's the perfect time to slow down and learn more about the Périgord, its history, traditions, and way of life... You can also stroll through the Périgord forests, ablaze with the warm colors of autumn. Or perhaps take advantage of the cooler weather to get back into sports! We're sharing our 10 best ideas for enjoying the beautiful late-season days, rain or shine.

Opening photo: Autumn in Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère

10 activities to discover in the Périgord region this autumn

1) Learning about Prehistory in the Valley of Man

The Dordogne is known as the "Valley of Man " because it was in the Périgord region that early humans left their most beautiful works. This vast prehistoric art center offers a deeper understanding of the lives of our distant ancestors through their spiritual concerns. To preserve these sites, visitor numbers are restricted. Furthermore, their international renown attracts large crowds in the summer, making it difficult to find a suitable time to visit. Autumn, therefore, offers a more peaceful and relaxing way to explore them.

Here are the most unmissable prehistoric sites:

• Visit Lascaux IV, VIP style and with your family, with us!
• The Font-de-Gaume cave ;
• The prehistoric shelters of Laugerie Basse ;
• The Cro-Magnon shelter...

2) Dreaming in the castles of Périgord

Aquitaine, and Périgord in particular, was deeply marked by the Hundred Years' War. The Dordogne Valley is therefore full of medieval castles, vestiges of this turbulent period. Most offer activities, especially during the All Saints' Day holidays and for Halloween.

• Puymartin Castle and its legend of the White Lady ;
• The fortified castle of Beynac ;
• Bridoire Castle: The castle of games for the whole family ;
• Commarque Castle: a surprising stone fortress ;
• The Château de Lacypierre, a family home, an emotional visit.

3) Discover the traditions and life of yesteryear in museums and tourist sites

The Périgord is a rural and authentic region. In autumn, it's walnut and chestnut season, and you can discover the traditions in the Périgord museums dedicated to them. It's also an opportunity to rediscover the skills and crafts of the past.

• The forges of Savignac-Lédrier ;
• Meet the sacred fruit of Périgord at the Walnut Ecomuseum ;
• Nontron and its cutlery ;
• The La Rue du Temps qui Passe museum in Allas-les-Mines ;
• The MAAP in Périgueux...

4) Take a stroll through the traditional villages of Périgord

The region is very popular with lovers of old buildings, as it has preserved its ancient heritage. Many houses tell a story spanning several centuries. You will also discover a wealth of beautiful smaller heritage sites: chapels and churches, wash houses, fountains… Thus, a simple stroll through a village, or even a small town, becomes a true journey back in time.

• Visit Montignac-Lascaux ;
• Don't miss Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, nestled in a bend of the river ;
• Another of the Most Beautiful Villages of France: Coly Saint-Amand: discovering a typical commune of the Périgord ;
• In Périgord Vert, visit Saint-Jean-de-Côle: A delightful medieval village ;
• The delightful village of Jacquou le Croquant: Fanlac...

5) To penetrate the bowels of the earth into the caves

A rainy day is on the horizon and you're looking for an indoor activity? Why not explore the depths of the earth by visiting a cave filled with concretions? The Périgord region is a land of limestone and water. Underground rivers have carved through the rock, creating chambers of sometimes impressive size. Nature has then crafted fabulous and delicate works of art within them.

• The Villars cave: prehistoric concretions and paintings ;
• The Grand Roc cave ;
• The caves of Maxange ;
• The Proumeyssac chasm, a Crystal Cathedral...

6) Enjoy the gastronomy of Périgord

In Périgord, nature is bountiful and the land fertile. Autumn is a season that brings many delicacies: porcini mushrooms and other mushrooms, truffles, walnuts, chestnuts… Not to mention that it's harvest time, with wonderful tastings to look forward to! There's plenty to delight the palates of gourmets and food lovers alike.

• The Geese of Périgord Noir: Farm visit and tasting of goose foie gras ;
• Visit to the Moulin de la Veyssière, production of Périgord walnut oil ;
• In search of the Périgord Truffle: Truffle hunting demonstration ;
• Ort Distillery: The Gin of the Black Périgord ;
• A road trip to discover the Périgord Walnut ;
• Drink wine that aligns with your values! The Bergerac Duras vineyards and the environmental transition...

7) Hiking in the forests of Périgord

Gently hilly, crisscrossed by rivers and covered in forests, the Périgord region is ideal for hiking. The changing seasons paint the trees in beautiful colors, the rivers regain their strength, and the southern climate still offers beautiful days, perfect for walks. Here are our suggestions for walks in the Périgord:

• A very pretty waterfall to see after a short family walk: Le Saut du Chalard in Périgord Vert ;
• Discover an absolutely magnificent corner of the Périgord Vert: Family hike or sporty trail run in the Gorges de l'Auvézère ;
• A hike with a difference: The 4 parishes loop in Cubjac, in the Causses region ;
• A unique place to discover and completely free! The Campagne state forest ;
• A great hike with beautiful scenery: The Montfort Loop: Hiking in the Dordogne Valley...

8) Cycle around the 4 Périgord regions

To truly explore the four territories of Périgord, we recommend hopping on a bike. This way, you can cover greater distances and traverse the region more easily. Our favorite cycling routes:

• A short but pleasant greenway: The Greenway from Saint-Pardoux-la-Rivière to Thiviers in Périgord Vert ;
• An ideal family bike ride: Easy family mountain bike ride along the Coly, from Condat-sur-Vézère ;
• A must-see in the Sarlat region: The Sarlat Green Way: from Sarlat-la-Canéda to Cazoulès ;
• For road cycling enthusiasts: The Castles of the Dordogne Valley by bike ;
• A very pretty greenway, one of our favorites! The Céou Valley cycle route: from Castelnaud-la-Chapelle to Daglan ;
• A route that will take you to the city of Cyrano: The Bergerac greenway cycle route V91...

9) Fishing in the Dordogne or the Vézère

The Dordogne basin has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its remarkably well-preserved environment. The Vézère and Dordogne valleys are crisscrossed by charming streams and small waterways that flow into the two main rivers. These offer excellent fishing spots. You can also head to the banks of a pond to ensure you catch some fish.

• At the Bos Ponds ;
• The Coucou pond in Hautefort ;
• The Mialet Reservoir ;
• The ponds of Fongran in Thonac ;
• The ponds of Tamniès ;
• Lake Rouffiac...

10) Doing sports to get back in shape

After the summer holidays and all the excesses, it's high time to get back into shape. But to get off the beaten track and discover new activities, we suggest a few sporty and original ideas :

• To go and do acrobatics in the trees: Le Préhistobranche: treetop adventure park in Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère ;
• For horseback riding: Horseback riding in Saint-Amand-de-Coly in Périgord Noir ;
• For fun and exercise: The railbike in Corgnac-sur-l'Isle ;
• To venture into the depths of the earth: Caving in the Dordogne...

We hope this top 10 will allow you to fully enjoy your autumn stay in Périgord.

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