What to do in Dordogne Périgord when it rains?

It rains during your stay in Périgord ? Bad luck, but that doesn't mean you'll be bored! The Dordogne owes its green pastures and exuberant forests to its rainfall, which is quite rare in summer, but in spring and winter it rains! In the fall you will sometimes have a few rainy days, but the sun comes back pretty quickly. So what do we do?

Visits sheltered from the rain

If our ancestors were looking for rock shelters to protect themselves from the rain, you can imagine that visiting the troglodyte sites and caves will bring you the same comfort!

Dive into the caves ! There are the decorated caves, which will make you discover the fascinating heritage of our ancestors, these incredible artists, who already knew how to portray animals by using the reliefs of the rock walls to increase the realism and dynamism of their sketches.

Discover the unmissable Lascaux II and Lascaux IV in Montignac, the Grotte de Rouffignac which can be visited by small train, the Sorcerer's Grotto in Saint-Cirq. There are also the caves with concretions, they are caves filled with magnificent stalactites, stalagmites, drapes of limestone, formed over the ages by the circulation of water which, slowly, has amassed deposits to create these incredible fairy shapes. Go for example to discover the Grotte du Grand Roc in Les Eyzies, that of Maxange at Buisson de Cadouin, the Grotte of Villars, of Tourtoirac… And the most famous which is not a cave but a chasm, the Gouffre de Proumeyssac !

Sheltered in the caves. That of the Grand Roc and its concretions, that of Lascaux and its rock paintings

La Roque Saint-Christophe after the rain

Caves are closed environments, sometimes you also prefer to be in the open air and enjoy the scenery, that's why rock shelters are perfect! You will still have to take the umbrella, because part of the path until you reach the sheltered terrace, will be in the forest (with a perfectly practicable ground), it is La Roque Saint-Christophe in Peyzac-le-Moustier which will reserve you a sumptuous point of view on the Vézère. To reserve for the days of gray, because the shelters will protect you but not the whole route either , the troglodyte village of Madeleine, in Tursac, sumptuous if at the end of the day, you have some clearings. Perfectly sheltered, La Maison Forte de Reignac will make you shiver with pleasure. Go to Belvès, to see the troglodyte dwellings. A museum for a change, but which is also in a shelter: L'abri Cro Magnon lui Eyzies.

• To find out more and find out about all the caves to visit in Périgord, read our article
• All the rock shelters and chasms of Périgord, it's in this article, click!

Museums to visit when it rains

Well sheltered, visit the museums of Périgord ! They are diverse, specialized, interesting and sometimes delicious.

In Périgueux, capital of Périgord Blanc, there are several museums to discover:

• the MAAP (Museum of Art and Archeology),
• the magnificent Vesunna Museum, in its glass gallery, designed by Jean Nouvel, is a museum on the Gallo-Roman villa, on the very site of its remains.
• The Perigord Military Museum, with more than 12,000 objects to discover.
  
  

In Vesunna, you are well sheltered to discover the wonders of this ancient Gallo-Roman residence.

Two gourmet museums: the Walnut Ecomuseum in Castelnaud-la-Chapelle and the Truffle Ecomuseum in Sorges. Complete this with a visit to the Cognac and Wine Museum in Saint-Aulaye to taste the Cognac produced between Périgord and Charente. And to cut your sausage like a king, visit the Nontronnaise cutlery and admire the know-how of the artisans.

Two living and educational museums, for the whole family, on industries in Périgord : La Filature de Belvès and the Moulin de la Rouzigue.

In Bergerac, the Wine and Batelerie Museum, as well as the Tobacco Museum.

Visit the Musée de la Rue du Temps qui passe to immerse yourself in the 1840s and 1960s. More than a museum, it is a family collection that will warm the hearts of lovers of old crafts, vintage cars and objects. of yesteryear.

The National Museum of Prehistory in Les Eyzies to complete your knowledge acquired during the visit of the tourist sites of the region.

The Museum of the Rue du Temps qui passe and the Ecomusée de la Noix

The castles to visit in Périgord, sheltered to fill up on culture

The castles, this is not what is lacking in Périgord! The hard part is choosing because they all have a little something that makes them exceptional. A magical visit, an exceptional place, a warm encounter with the owners, there is something for everyone. Many are open all year round or by reservation, just make a quick phone call to find out if the coveted castle can open its doors to you ...

We have prepared an article to present all the castles to visit in Périgord

• The unmissable castles not to be missed: Le Château de Hautefort, Château de Biron, Château de Commarque, Château de Beynac, Château de Bourdeilles, Château des Milandes, Château de Puymartin

• The less known, but charming and superb: the Château de Lacypierre, the Château de Fénelon, the Château de Bridoire, the Château de Losse, the Château l'Evêque …
  
  

Bourdeilles castle

The Château des Milandes

Visits to wine châteaux, to taste good wine and be safe!

The winegrowers open their doors to you, to taste the fruit of their labor and of the vines. The wine châteaux, but also the smaller estates offer tastings and tours, all year round! All you have to do is call (especially during the harvest period) to be sure of their availability. In the Bergerac region, we recommend that you start your stay with a visit to Quai Cyrano, which houses the Tourist Office as well as the Maison des Vins de Bergerac Duras. You will meet wine growers there and have all the addresses you need to organize visits, according to your preferences.

Do not miss the discovery of Château de Monbazillac, it is beautiful and it contains this precious sweet and sweet nectar which is the pride of Bergerac Duras wines. Still in Monbazillac, the Domaine Grande Maison. The Château de Tiregand in the Pécharmant, as well as the Château Champarel. The Domaine du Siorac which is very dynamic and offers wine tourism events regularly. Domaine de Grange Neuve has existed for 5 generations.

• Click for the list of Vignobles & Découvertes certified providers in the Bergerac region.
  
  

The cellar of Domaine Grande Maison

Fun and cultural visits

There is no shortage of indoor leisure activities when it rains in the Dordogne ! Whether you have a playful or athletic spirit, you will always find something to do. Here are some valuable ideas.

In Le Bugue, you can take a tour of the Périgord Noir Aquarium, the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe. You will come across local species, but also a whole range of exotic species of aquatic environments. Right next door is the Prehistoric Labyrinth, to scare yourself deliciously ...

Think of the indoor playrooms, if you have young children, like Giga Parc near Bergerac or Wakari near Périgueux, this is the place to let off steam all the energy of your toddlers (and yours! )! In the same vein, think of the aquatic and fun complexes ! There are municipal swimming pools everywhere and very fun complexes, such as L'Ovive near Nontron or Aquacap near Périgueux. Another idea of sport usually outdoors, but this time indoors: the boulder climbing room next to Périgueux, Antipode escalade, for an afternoon defying gravity.

Do you like to play ? Test your logic in Bergerac, at the Escape-Game La Clef. Take advantage of the rain, as a good opportunity to spend a moment racking your brains… Next to Périgueux, the Info Tech 24 oasis arcade and virtual reality games room will take you back to childhood. A few rooms in Lazer Quest will appeal to those who missed out on their military vocation. Bowling enthusiasts will have a good afternoon at the Perigueux bowling alley at the Snook Bowl Palace or at the Bergerac bowling alley of the Bergeracois.

Escape Game La Clef and Wakari indoor playground

Gourmet visits

Discover the products of the Périgord region ! Gluttony will get the better of the rain. For example, you can go to a cannery and prepare a basket for a country picnic on the next few days when the weather is good or for a frichti at home.

• Click to see the canneries that produce Foie-gras in Périgord

Beer lover? Meet in the many breweries in Périgord. Visit for example the brewery of the BAM, or that of La Chavagn ' in Coly. Taste the Lutine in Limeuil, La Brasserie artisanale de Sarlat ...

Read our article to know (almost) all the micro breweries in the Dordogne.

Remember to visit the mills, there are many in Périgord, these are fascinating visits to the heritage of our region: Le Moulin du Trel in Vézac, a magical visit! The Duellas water mill in the north-west of the territory, Le Moulin d'Acquit, the Landry walnut oil mill. In Neuvic, the Veyssière water mill. A very interesting site on the mills in Périgord.

Foies Gras Grolière and the BAM brewery

There are also the little tourist train tours, it's fun in the summer season, even when it rains a little! That of Périgueux, and the small train of Bergerac. The little Domme train offers a 20-minute circuit in the city.

Craft tours in Périgord

Go and visit the craftsmen of Périgord, who will present their work to you, you will meet great people, that's for sure! The Dordogne Métiers d'Art Route will take you in the footsteps of these exceptional craftsmen ... Go and explore the village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, that of Limeuil, they are also numerous in Monpazier and of course in the towns in Bergerac and Périgueux. Potters, glassblowers, painters, sculptors, leatherworkers, jewelers ...

Glassblower, Mr Guittet in Limeuil

Piqoli, mammoth ivory jewelry sculpture shop in Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère

You see, even in the rain, Périgord remains warm and welcoming. In addition, there are more and more sites, which are open all year round, and villages which are dynamic and lively. Consult our AGENDA, to be kept informed of festivals and events, this will give you valuable ideas in case of rain. I promise, after the rain, the sun returns!

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