Visiting the Périgord Noir in 3 days: between culture and gastronomy!

Planning a 3-day getaway to the Dordogne, in the heart of the Périgord Noir? It's not easy to choose from the multitude of charming villages to explore, culinary specialties to sample, and castles and fortresses to visit in the Vézère Valley! They say the Dordogne is the land of 1001 castles… The Périgord is a very attractive destination focused on high-quality, cultural, and diverse tourism. Follow us for some ideas for short breaks in the Périgord!

A short family break in the Dordogne

With a long weekend, a bank holiday weekend, or even just three days off, visiting the Périgord Noir region with the family is a fantastic idea. There are countless tourist attractions suitable for children, amusement parks, and charming, interesting villages to explore.

For your accommodation, choose a strategic location between the Dordogne and Vézère valleys. Children don't like to travel too far, and during a long weekend, you have the option of exploring both valleys.

Day 1: Prehistory in the Vézère Valley

Start your first day in the charming Vézère Valley. Visit Lascaux IV, the International Centre for Cave Art, and take the opportunity to buy a combined ticket with the Parc du Thot to walk among the animals and participate in workshops during the season; this way you will spend a beautiful day around Montignac in the Vézère Valley.

Option 2: Children also love La Roque Saint-Christophe, an ancient troglodytic village, a veritable little town clinging to the cliff. You'll visit a large fissure in the rock, over 400 meters long! Guided tours during the holidays and as soon as the weather warms up are fantastic. For fun and exercise just a short distance away, head to Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, to Le Conquil park to visit troglodytic shelters. Right next door is the Préhistobranche treetop adventure park, as well as a dinosaur park. Take the opportunity to enjoy an ice cream by the river, along the bank in the shade of the willows, and don't miss the magnificent viewpoint of Côte de Jor, 200 meters high overlooking the valley!

Day 2: The magic of the castles in the Dordogne Valley

Do you love fairy tales? Just a stone's throw from Castelnaud-la-Chapelle lies the Château des Milandes, Josephine Baker's former home. It's a true marvel to discover, with beautiful landscaped gardens featuring water features, a large park, birds in aviaries, and a breathtaking birds of prey show. Don't forget the castle tour, which retraces the life of this extraordinary woman. You're also close to La Roque-Gageac, the perfect place for a morning or late afternoon gabarre boat trip to admire the valley from the water. Gain a new perspective by visiting the Fort de la Roque-Gageac and discovering its impressive history! There's also a cycle path in the area, running from Castelnaud to Daglan in the Céou Valley, perfect for families!

Option 2: The Château de Beynac, in the village of the same name, will charm you with its grandeur and beautiful crenellated towers! Children love this village, straight out of a storybook. It's hilly, with narrow streets and mysterious cellars… Don't miss the magnificent viewpoint by taking the small road above the château's parking lot. From there, you can see the entire valley… You can then continue your day with a canoe trip in Vézac.

Day 3: Gastronomy of the Périgord Noir

You'll never tire of it; good food is important, and you won't disagree while on holiday in the Périgord Noir! How about visiting the Walnut Ecomuseum ? After a short film, you'll learn all about the walnut, the marvel of Périgord, which yields a sweet, smooth, and fragrant oil … Bring some home for your summer salads! Walnut enthusiasts will surely want to explore the Walnut Route to learn everything about this fruit and taste it in all its forms. Don't miss a visit to Sarlat, the gastronomic capital of Périgord. Ideally, go on Saturday morning for the weekly market, but there are also delicious treats to be found during the week. Check the Tourist Office's program to plan your holiday and end your day with a ride on the panoramic elevator. If you're in need of some exercise, there's even a cycle path in Sarlat for a ride along the valley towards the Lot.

A weekend dedicated to prehistory

Easy in the Périgord Noir! History has left its mark on our villages, in caves, troglodytic dwellings… It's a haven of knowledge for enthusiasts and a veritable open history book for the curious. Here are a few ideas; it's not easy to choose, once again…

For this type of stay, stay in Montignac or Les Eyzies, to be in the heart of the Vallée de l'Homme.

Day 1: Les Eyzies

This is the perfect place to begin your getaway. Visit the National Museum of Prehistory to learn more before exploring other sites. Les Eyzies is also a charming village to discover, nestled along the Vézère River. Don't miss the lovely waterfall as you walk along the river towards Sarlat! You can also visit the Laugerie Basse rock shelters, an ancient excavation site showcasing prehistoric artifacts, as well as the Grand Roc Cave, which immerses you in the world of geology and prehistory. And don't miss the guided tour of the Fort du Roc de Tayac with Marie.

Day 2: Cave Paintings

Visit the Font-de-Gaume cave, one of the few caves in the Périgord region with genuine paintings, which, for conservation reasons, has restricted access … It's a gem; who knows how much longer it will be open to the public? Don't miss it! You must go there on the day of your visit to buy a ticket, and you will be given a specific time slot. Just a few dozen minutes from Les Eyzies lies Rouffignac, home to another pristine and original cave: the Rouffignac Cave, which you can visit on a small train—you'll love it!

Day 3: Take advantage of this third day to visit smaller but exceptional sites

To go into detail, take the time to thoroughly explore your topic:

The Prehistoric site of Castel-Merle in Sergeac and its rock shelters occupied for 85,000 years.

• The Cap Blanc rock shelter ; tickets can be collected in Font-de-Gaume. There you can see Paleolithic sculptures carved from flint in the limestone…
• The Sorcerer's Cave, decorated 17,000 years ago, offers one of the only representations of a human being in rock painting.

A weekend to stroll through the fortified towns and pretty villages

There are so many of them in Périgord! Put on your walking shoes and head to our charming villages. For treasure hunt enthusiasts, download the Terra Aventura app and go geocaching to find the hidden Poiz in the villages!

Day 1: Limeuil

Limeuil is a charming village located at the confluence of the Dordogne and Vézère rivers. Perched on a hill, it offers breathtaking views from the top, as well as from the Panoramic Gardens. Take the opportunity to also enjoy a lovely view of Limeuil and the rivers from the bridge on the other side of the village.

Day 2: Saint-Léon and Saint-Amand

Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère: Discover this charming village, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, nestled on the banks of the Vézère River. Stroll through its narrow lanes, dine in its delightful restaurants… Pack a picnic with local products from the grocery store and leave with a basket full of treats to enjoy by the Vézère, in the shade of the willows. In the warmer months, it's a lively and cheerful village. In winter, a walk through its streets is a truly intimate and delightful experience! Take a canoe trip with APA Canoë.

Coly-Saint-Amand: Another village listed among the most beautiful villages in France. You'll enjoy strolling through it, visiting its medieval town center and cathedral, and admiring the charming stone houses. The village itself is situated below the town, but Saint-Amand also boasts numerous hiking trails that lead to higher ground, offering stunning views. Extend your visit to Coly, home to a craft brewery well worth a visit: Brasserie La Chavagn'.

Day 3: Monpazier and Domme

Monpazier is one of the oldest and best-preserved bastides in the region. Stroll through its perfect grid pattern, wander around the arcaded square, and imagine life centuries ago in this perfectly geometric setting. The countryside around Monpazier is beautiful; come and explore!

Ahhhhhhh Domme, perched high above and overlooking the entire Dordogne Valley. It's a majestic village, and its subsoil houses a cave that we highly recommend you visit. With its good restaurants and lovely boutiques, it's also a chic place best enjoyed at a leisurely pace, allowing you to savor the essence of la dolce vita in the Périgord. And be sure to try the Domme wine —it's an exquisite beverage!

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