What to do around Montignac in the Vézère Valley?

Are you coming to spend your holidays in Montignac Lascaux, discover this town, host to the very famous and renowned Lascaux II and the International Center for Cave Art? Here you are in the heart of one of the most touristy regions rich in cultural, historical and natural heritage in France... It's difficult to make an exhaustive list of all the things to visit, as they are so numerous and each more fascinating than others. We still lend ourselves to the exercise, follow us for good ideas for a stay in the Vézère Valley.

Opening photo: Périgord Guide

The Vézère Valley in Périgord Noir

The Vézère is a river, a tributary of the Dordogne, which flows in Périgord from Terrasson, to Limeuil, where its confluence with the Dordogne is located. All along its winding path, it is a paradise, to be discovered in all seasons, with for us, a preference on the " seasonal wings " (from April to July, from the beginning of September to the beginning of November), it is where the landscape takes on its most beautiful colors, where the tourist sites and the majority of places are open; and the pressure from tourism is less. In summer, however, the Vézère Valley is less busy than its neighbor, the Dordogne Valley. Indeed, there are fewer vacation spots, major traffic arteries and very large campsites and you will appreciate the calm, despite the high tourist season. Its geographical configuration, sometimes in broad alluvial plain landscapes and then in small, intimate roads, bordered by high cliffs, makes it popular with everyone. It is nature in its raw state, yet with many charming villages and tourist sites which highlight the presence of humanity for tens of thousands of years. Here we go !?

Montignac Lascaux in Périgord Noir

Montignac is a very welcoming and pleasant little country town, a perfect place to anchor your holiday in Périgord Noir. The Vézère Valley lies at its feet, the Dordogne Valley is only a 20-minute drive away, Périgueux 45 minutes and the Périgord Vert 30 minutes. It's an epicenter ! Montignac is home to the famous Lascaux Caves. The original cave is on the hill of Lascaux and at its base is Lascaux IV, the International Center for Cave Art which will allow you to know everything about the cave thanks to its modern museography and its exceptional facsimile (the cave does not has not been visited for decades for questions of preservation) and its discovery rooms to go further on the techniques of rock art in our region and in Lascaux. It is a must-see in the region, some come from far away to go there and marvel at the talent of our ancestors. Montignac on its own is also an interesting destination, take a stroll through the center of the town, which is spread out on either side on the banks of the Vézère. The Périgord Noir Festival, the Culture aux Coeurs Festival in summer and other events punctuate this attractive place all year round. Gourmet restaurants, beautiful hotels, lodges and guest rooms, shops selling local products and crafts, you will appreciate the really nice atmosphere, without forgetting the market on Wednesday and the smaller one on Saturday.

Montignac, market day

Doing outdoor sports around Montignac

Montignac is a family destination, you can do a multitude of sports there, with accessibility to all levels.

• Come go hiking, there are many marked trails that leave from Montignac or the surrounding areas. All levels are available, the Lascaux Dordogne Vallée de la Vézère Tourist Office will provide you with topo guides and many are present on our site: Hikes around Montignac.
• Come go mountain biking and electric biking. Rental for the day or your stay, at terminals in the city center. It's ideal for discovering the Vézère Valley, because be careful, it goes uphill! Here you need good calves, especially for mountain biking, but also road biking (equip yourself with a gravel bike if you have the choice, to travel the country roads). We enjoy the beautiful landscapes of cliffs, which plunge into the water like gorges... We love the rural side of the region for walking. Soon a greenway, just a little more patience!
• Come and discover the Vézère Valley from the water, by renting a canoe or kayak. You can leave by canoe from Montignac directly and reach Thonac, Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère or further afield Tursac and Les Eyzies. It is the distance that dictates the difficulty of the route, but don't worry, the Vézère is gentle and accessible to everyone, as a family.
• Other activities are available, notably in summer through the active summer (information in the Tourist Offices), archery, electric scooter, downhill cycling, climbing, speleo... And don’t miss the Montignac Mini-Golf!

Visit charming villages around Montignac

Do you like heritage and beautiful visits? Here are some ideas for discovering interesting places around Montignac:

• Aubas is a small village which adjoins Montignac, we advise you to take the road which connects it to Condat-sur-Vézère (a Templar village with a waterfall at the confluence of the Coly with the Vézère, magical!), passing through the point of view from l'Escaleyrou. Very nice discovery and view of the Château de la Fleunie.

• Auriac-du-Périgord is also a pretty little village, with a nice gourmet market in summer and beautiful stones for a short walk (with a beautiful playground and picnic area for children).

• Saint-Amand-de-Coly (or Coly Saint-Amand) is a sumptuous village about ten minutes from Montignac, which is one of the Most Beautiful Villages in France. Its abbey is monumental, its old center all in stone and slate roofs, is worth the detour. A little further towards Sarladais is Saint-Geniès which is also a village made of high quality cut stones.

• Fanlac is the village known thanks to Jacquou le Croquant. Pretty stones, church, hiking trails, we never tire of this very rural place!

• In Valojoulx, we recommend a pleasant walk around the Valojoulx ponds. Observation of birdlife all year round and preserved nature surrounds them.

• In Sergeac not far away, the small village offers a nice walk with river banks designed for a picnic. At the very end of the village, a path joins Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, following the river, behind the very interesting prehistoric and archaeological site to visit, Castel-Merle.

• Saint-Léon sur Vézère is also one of the most beautiful villages in France. 10 minutes from Montignac towards Limeuil, it is nestled in a meander of the river and its small streets are home to many artisans. It is a poetic village where it is pleasant to walk, stop to eat or have a picnic by the water. Don't miss the breathtaking view of the Cote de Jor !

• Further away are Tursac (and its beach with its very pleasant bridge), Les Eyzies (the Capital of Prehistory). Continuing it's Campagne (and its estate and castle), Bugue (very beautiful market on Tuesdays) and Limeuil. The entire Vézère Valley has an exciting story to tell you!

Cultural, historical and tourist sites around Montignac

This is where it gets tricky, because you'll have to choose, or come back! They are so numerous and interesting that in a few days you won't be able to do them all! We help you choose!

• With family, with children? Visit Lascaux IV by taking a combined ticket with Le Thot (Thonac, to see animals contemporary to our ancestors and wolves!). Don't miss the Regourdou site with its bears (Montignac). The Dinosaur Park, the Préhistobranche and the Conquil are 3 sites in the same place, with visits to a forest, tree climbing and a site with troglodyte dwellings in Saint-Léon. La Roque Saint-Christophe (Le Moustier) is a large cliff with ancient semi-troglodyte habitats and a large terrace, a superb promontory over the Valley. The Troglodyte Village of La Madeleine and its educational farm is a sumptuous site, in a green setting above the river. We walk there for a long time and many places of life, work and homes have been recreated, shelters are still present, the whole family loves it.  The Prehistoric Shelter at Laugerie Basse is also a must-see attraction in the Périgord Noir region.

• Do you like heritage? Visit the Château and Gardens of Losse (Thonac), with the belvedere on the river in front of its gardens. The Dungeon and Manor of La Salle (Saint-Léon) opens its doors and its cabinet of curiosities to you. The Maison Forte de Reignac is an unusual cliff castle with a visit that will amaze and thrill at the same time.

• Bonus for enthusiasts: The Ruth Prehistoric Deposit is run by a passionate man, it’s a small, very intimate place, give us a call in advance…

You have seen it for yourself, the region around Montignac is full of wonders! And again, we haven't talked about gastronomy... Don't hesitate to consult our page on Restaurants in Montignac and Hotels in Montignac. We wish you a pleasant stay in the Montignac region!

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