Glamping in Dordogne

With some of France's prettiest villages scattered across the rolling hills and cliffs, the peaceful Dordogne valley is a place that looks like something out of a medieval fairytale. In this romantic and ancient holiday destination you can find charming glamping options in the French countryside close to beautiful sunflower fields, and medieval and Renaissance villages with vine-covered facades, lauzé roofs, narrow stone lanes, multiple châteaux and riverside restaurants. The mix of charming villages and the wealth of architectural wonders of the Dordogne will give you plenty to see and visit on this wonderful holiday!

Set around dreamy landscapes of countryside and vineyards, the Dordogne's glamping sites have something for everyone, from campers, caravans and small cabins to traditional medieval-style houses. The Dordogne's glamping accommodations will give you an excellent stay with attractions such as air-conditioned rooms, modern spaces, swimming pools, gardens, hot tubs as well as terraces and balconies overlooking the lakes and the fascinating French hills. You can enjoy an ambience like no other while sipping champagne on the candlelit terrace dining room.

Canoeing on the Dordogne is one of the summer's favourite activities. This activity allows you to get to know the region much better and appreciate the beauty of its charming villages, forests, magical castles, cliffs and countless places of interest. The river's crystal clear waters and currents are very light, making it an excellent place for both canoeing and swimming. The most idyllic canoe trip in the Dordogne Valley is the one from Saint-Sozy to the beautiful village of Pinsac. With this trip, you can enjoy the three magnificent castles overlooking the river: the Château de Belcastel, the Château de Lanzac and the Château de la Treyne. However, if you are more adventurous you can opt to do the whole stretch from Gluges to Souillac. The Dordogne is one of France's leading canoeing rivers and has been named a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve for its exceptional environment and heritage.

With 250 examples of Upper Palaeolithic art, Grotte de Rouffignac is one of the most popular caves in the Dordogne. You can access the caves on a tourist train and observe more than 250 animal figures including mammoths, bison, rhinoceroses and many more engravings and paintings dating back 140 centuries! You can also explore other caves such as the Padirac caves which have extraordinary rock formations and a boat ride through an underground rainwater river that will give you the sensation of having entered another universe. However, the Dordogne has many other excellent caves to explore, as well as incredible cliffs such as the cliffs on the south bank of the Vézère which stretch for over a kilometre. Here you can explore this fortified haven where there are traces of prehistoric human occupation. From caves, cliffs to grottoes, the landscapes of the Dordogne valley hide endless millenary treasures waiting to be discovered by you.

Occupied by the English during the Hundred Years' War, Château de Castelnaud is the most visited castle in southwest France, and is located at the mouth of the Céou river, in the south of the Dordogne department, in the village of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle. The fortress dates back to the 1200s and is a French Historical Monument. Explore the tower, the massive ramparts, climb the dark 16th century artillery tower and discover the large exhibition of historical weaponry used in the Hundred Years War. This great medieval fortress will show you daggers, cannons, halberds, crossbows and other most powerful siege machines of the Middle Ages. You will also be entertained by evening events with costumed actors and mock battles!

High on a ridge above the Dordogne, Les Jardins de Marqueyssac, or The Marqueyssac Gardens, are the most popular gardens in the Périgord region and a must-visit in the Dordogne. Discover the more than 150,000 hedges cut into extravagant shapes, relax by the waterfalls and marvel at the exceptional view from the 130-metre belvedere over the Dordogne! You will be able to enjoy the most beautiful panoramas of the Dordogne and see boxwoods with rounded, irregular shapes and more. The garden is a masterpiece that will leave you spellbound.

Sarlat-la-Canéda's traditional open-air market is a treasure trove for shoppers. Here you can sample regional delicacies and discover hundreds of markets selling everything! Live a gourmet experience and savour gastronomic delights from the nearby regions, such as foie gras, strawberries and chestnuts from Périgord, duck, truffles, honey, Bergerac wines, goat's cheese from Rocamadour, walnuts and more. You can soak up the exceptional surroundings, the tremendous flavours of the Dordogne and stock up on fresh produce to provide the perfect ingredients for a meal. To find the market, head there on Wednesday mornings or Saturdays.

Despite having many charming villages, tourists agree that the Dordogne Valley's most outstanding jewel is Rocamadour. With beautiful architecture perched on a vertical cliff, Rocamadour is one of France's top tourist destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During your visit you should not miss going to the Chapelle Notre Dame and seeing the Black Madonna of Rocamadour carved in wood. This is the highlight of the town, and it is said that every time the iron bell rings alone, a miracle in the world takes place. Rocamadour is an active place of worship and is considered a sacred wonder, making it an excellent destination if you are a believer in miracles.

Located on the north bank of the Dordogne, on the heights of one of the most beautiful villages in France, the Château de Beynac is another fortress that should not be missed. This castle is the former rival of the castle of Castelnaud and is one of the best preserved in the Dordogne. Step inside this fortress once under Richard the Lionheart, see the keep (the oldest part of the castle), climb the five-pointed terrace to appreciate the views over the valley, and listen to the echoes of the battles of the Hundred Years' War! Beynac Castle has been featured in films such as Joan of Arc and The Visitors 2, and is one of the highlights of the Dordogne valley.

Filled with vibrant yellow, the Dordogne is full of enchanting sunflower fields stretching as far as the eye can see. Immerse yourself in a sea of yellow and take a picture to remember. You can wander through fields where the sunflowers are taller than you are and be enveloped in a happy atmosphere.

With a Byzantine Romanesque style inspired by St Mark's Basilica in Venice, Cathédrale Saint-Front is a well-known Dordogne World Heritage Site located in the town of Périgueux. You should admire the many remarkable cream-coloured Byzantine domes from the Pont des Barris, just to the east. This is the best spot in town to get the best views of this emblematic monument of the city of Périgueux. You are sure to be fascinated by its majesty and imposing size.