Firstly, where is the Dordogne?
The Dordogne is a French département in the southwest of France. It got its name because of the river Dordogne that runs through Bergerac. It is known for its numerous caves, rocky outcrops and archaeological sites. Find well-known rock paintings and petroglyphs on rock overhangs, which are also called abris. Stone Age sculptures, cave paintings and residential caves are just as typical of the area as numerous castles and palaces. You can find seven bastides in the Dordogne. An extensive nature park stretches over the north of the département.
Thus, the Dordogne, which is also called the Périgord here, is worth a longer stay! We will experience the untouched rural France in this area. Obviously, we go camping. There are numerous fantastic campsites, some of which we will explore one after the other
Camping Trip – Our Tips
Camping La Garenne Dordogne
The first stop is Camping La Garenne, as the campsite is very close to the motorway. It has a restaurant and plenty of space for swimming, bathing and relaxing after the long journey. There is a pool, the place is child- and dog-friendly. The soil consists of chalk limestone and tertiary sandstone. In other words: herrings can be placed well in the ground. There is also a small mini-market and a snack bar. The village Saint-Antoine-d’Auberoche is about 30min away, but definitely worth a short excursion. You will find a very interesting church with a remarkable construction. For a little more culture, a trip to Périgueux, 20 kilometres away, is worthwhile. The city is already very old and was founded by the Celts. The Romans used it as a provincial town. Remains of an amphitheatre and the city wall still bear witness to it today. In the Middle Ages, several churches were built and in the Renaissance period, the magnificent town houses were built, which still adorn the old town today.
Camping Sandaya Les Péneyrals
The second station is a campsite near Sarlat. Via Thenon, Auriac-du-Périgord, D704 and D60 it is about 46 kilometres. Camping Sandaya Les Péneyrals has got a large bathing area and offers pleasantly shaded and spacious spaces or cabins with garden. There is also a cute restaurant. Sarlat is a medieval town where industrialisation passed by. Today tourists love it. After about ten kilometres we come to the city south via the D56. There is also a big Carrefour for shopping. The origin of the city was an abbey in the 9th century and until the 14th century a flourishing trading town developed.
Today there is a wide boulevard where the old fortress moats used to be. As soon as we drive on the D704 in northern direction, we come to a jewel that was awarded as one of the 10 most beautiful villages of France in the Périgord. Extraordinary cultural heritage is a reason to drive the 16 kilometres there. Ochre coloured stones in a green landscape. Already from a distance, we have the feeling that the place was always there, it simply belongs here. Especially interesting are a Romanesque church from the 12th century and the castle Grande Filolie from the 14th – 16th century. Just ten kilometres to westward we visit the cave of Lascaux. It is famous for its cave paintings and together with further caves that are located in the valley of the Vézère, it belongs to the UNESCO world cultural heritage. In order to preserve the originals, the cave system has now been completely recreated.
Camping Port de Limeuil
About 40 kilometres to the southwest we drive on to Limeuil to Camping Port de Limeuil. This beautiful campsite does not only offer a big swimming pool, it also has its own beach section with sunbathing lawn at the river La Dordogne. A shop open 12 hours a day offers everything we need for camping. Furthermore, there are activities such as canoeing, tennis and fishing. Pure adventure and relaxation in one of the most beautiful places in France.
As the rivers Dordogne and Vézère merge here, we cross two bridges into the village Limeuil. It is awarded as one of the ten most beautiful places in the département. The village was already populated during the Celtic period.
Only about eight kilometres away we visit the cave Gouffre de Proumeyssac. It has the peculiarity that a plate with visitors rotates 360 degrees in order to enjoy the cave in to all directions.
Camping Dordogne Les Deux Vallées
The last part of the tour takes us after 31 kilometres along the beautiful river valley to the campsite Les Deux Vallées. The campsite has an Ecolabel and a large restaurant. It is surrounded by several villages which rank in the ten most beautiful villages. Beynac-et-Cazenac is just a few steps away. Across the river we see the village on a rocky plateau below a steep wall about 150 metres high. Only this view is uniquely beautiful. Cave settlements already existed here in the Bronze Age. Also the village La Roques Gageac, three kilometres away, is located between steep rock faces and the river. No wonder that our ancestors liked it here. Food leftovers, tools or even weapons testify to human presence. Other pretty and charming villages are Castelnaud-la Chapelle and Domme. They are about four and seven kilometres from the campsite. For garden lovers, the famous Marqueyssac Gardens are not far away.
Want to see even more beautiful spots and campsites? Here you go!
Conclusion
A camping holiday in this beautiful landscape is very relaxing. The villages and castles fit perfectly into the hilly landscape. At each campsite you should plan at least three to four days so that you can enjoy everything in peace. This unique landscape deserves it.