The Dordogne, located in south-west France, is a region brimming with hidden treasures and breathtaking landscapes. Among its many wonders, the villages of the Dordogne are certainly one of its most precious gems. With their stone houses, cobbled streets and imposing castles, these villages are a true journey back in time. In this article, we have selected for you the 15 most beautiful villages to visit in the Dordogne. From the famous town of Sarlat-la-Canéda to the charming commune of Beynac-et-Cazenac, via the perched village of Domme, let yourself be seduced by the charm and authenticity of these exceptional villages.
1. Saint-Jean-de-Côle, in the heart of green Périgord
Château de la Marthonie© Borisb17 - Shutterstock.com
Located on the Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela, in the heart of the Périgord Vert region, Saint-Jean-de-Côle is one of France's "most beautiful villages". The village's river, the Côle, is spanned by a remarkable 15th-century bridge. In addition to the bridge, the Château de la Marthonie is well worth a visit. Built in the 12th century, it was burnt down and rebuilt in the 15th century. Its machicolated towers and battlements face the village square, creating a charming backdrop.
2. Sarlat-la-Canéda, one of Dordogne's most beautiful villages
Sarlat-la-Canéda is a medieval town renowned worldwide for its rich architectural heritage. With no fewer than 60 listed buildings, it holds the record for the highest concentration of protected buildings in France. Strolling through the cobbled streets of the old town, admiring the remains of the ramparts and discovering the mansions built after the Hundred Years' War is a real journey back in time. Every summer, the town hosts a theater festival held in its streets and squares. If you're planning a visit to Sarlat, we recommend taking part in one of the guided tours offered by the tourist office.
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3. Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, a journey through time
Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère© Val1984 - Shutterstock.com
Between Leyzies and Montignac, this village lies in a loop of the Vézère river and is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Dordogne. In the heart of the Périgord Noir region, Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère boasts an interesting medieval heritage, including a 12th-century church that's a real gem. And don't miss the facade of the Château de Clérans, which is not open to the public. Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère is also famous for its Conquil natural leisure park, where you can travel back in time to the land of the dinosaurs.
4. Belvès, a perched village
Belvès© Oliverouge 3 - Shutterstock.com
A perched village with seven bell towers, Belvès enjoysan exceptional panorama over the Nauze valley - Belvès means "beautiful view". A medieval town fortified in the 11th century, the village's heritage is particularly interesting. Visit the 12th-century Tour de l'Auditeur, the 14th-century church and, above all, the troglodyte dwellings, inhabited from the 13th to 18thcenturies . A must-see if you're on vacation with the whole family!
5. Monpazier, a model bastide and one of the most beautiful villages in the Dordogne
Monpazier© Gordon Bell - Shutterstock.com
Between Bergerac and Sarlat, the bastide town of Monpazier is considered a model of its kind. A major national site, its regular orthogonal layout is over 700 years old and has remained virtually unchanged since its foundation. As you stroll through the town, you'll come across many interesting monuments, such as the arcaded houses around the main square, the 16th-century market hall with its old grain scales, and the Gothic church with its 14th-century facade.
6. Limeuil, medieval discovery in the Dordogne
Limeuil© M70 - Shutterstock.com
Nestled between the Dordogne and Vézère valleys, Limeuil is a model medieval town and one of the most beautiful villages in the Dordogne. Its narrow streets are accessed via one of three gateways, still attached to the remains of the ramparts. The 12th-century Saint-Martin chapel is a must-see, particularly for its sober Romanesque architecture. In summer, a stroll along the town's harbour is a pleasant option, including a canoe trip.
7. Beynac-et-Cazenac, a unique character
Beynac-et-Cazenac© Oliverouge 3 - Shutterstock.com
In the Périgord Noir region, not far from Sarlat, Beynac-et-Cazenac is classified as one of France's "most beautiful villages". A town of character, it offers splendid views of some of the most beautiful places in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, particularly from its château, which is certainly the highlight of the visit. Access is via a footpath leading from the village. Beynac-et-Cazenac's history goes back thousands of years, and its medieval architecture is so well preserved that it has been used as a backdrop for numerous films.
8. Domme, the bastide of the hardi
Domme© apgestoso - Shutterstock.com
Built in 1281 by Philip III the Bold, the bastide town of Domme meets all the standards of the genre: from its regular layout to its square squares and covered market, a visit takes us straight back to the Middle Ages. You must also visit Domme's underground caves, a real gem. It's hard to imagine what this village hides beneath your feet as you stroll through its narrow streets: stalactites, stalagmites and other water mirrors - a subterranean world awaits you in Domme!
9. Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, a beautiful terraced village in the Dordogne
Castelnaud-la-Chapelle© Peter Adams Photography - Shutterstock.com
One thing's for sure: you've got to climb to visit Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, one of the most beautiful villages in the Dordogne. This terraced village climbs along narrow streets to its castle, which houses a museum of warfare in the Middle Ages. You'll also pass ancient Périgord houses with lauze roofs, and discover the church of Saint-Michel-Archange. Another of the village's curiosities is its Walnut Ecomuseum , dedicated to the cultivation of the Périgord walnut. It's a really lovely spot in the countryside to visit during your stay!
10. La Roque-Gageac, in the shadow of old stones
La Roque-Gageac© rui vale sousa - Shutterstock.com
Built into the side of a cliff, La Roque-Gageac is as picturesque as they come. The characteristic ochre and sienna colors of its stonework, and its church with its slate roof, give the architecture of this village a real charm. A visit to the tropical garden is a must. You'll discover plants and flowers from all over the world (pomegranates, lemons, coconut palms...), all in the Périgord Noir!
11. Les Eyzies, capital of prehistory: one of the most beautiful villages in the Dordogne
Les Eyzies© FredP - Shutterstock.com
If you're a fan of caves and prehistoric sites, a visit to Les Eyzies is a must! This Dordogne village is home to an exceptionally rich heritage. A major prehistory interpretation center and a national prehistory museum are housed in the old château. Just outside the village, in the direction of Périgueux, you can also discover the excavation techniques used by archaeologists at theAbri Pataud, one of France's largest prehistoric sites. An ideal activity for vacations with children. A busy day awaits you at Les Eyzies!
12. Creysse, a village with character
Creysse church© © capude1957 - stock.adobe.com
Nestling between the banks of the Dordogne and the Cacrey streams, Creysse sits atop a rocky spur that made it almost impregnable in the Middle Ages. Among its monuments of particular interest is the church of Saint-Germain, with its two apses, the only one of its kind in France. In summer, a visit to Creysse is particularly enjoyable for its pebble beaches and canoeing routes. There's also the Station Experimentale de la noix, dedicated to the Périgord walnut.
13. Saint-Aulaye-Puymangou, in the land of cognac
St Aulaye© © JLPC / Wikimedia Commons
This commune is the result of the merger of two villages: Saint-Aulaye and Puymangou. Saint Aulaye-Puymangou has two museums of interest: the Pastel Museum and the Cognac and Wine Museum. A visit to the latter reveals the techniques of the distiller, cellar master, winemaker and cooper. The village's terroir is classified as AOC Cognac. In addition to these two museums, the 12th-century church of Sainte-Eulalie is a remarkable building.
14. Brantôme-en-Périgord, the Serenissima of the Dordogne
Brantôme-en-Périgord© Iakov Filimonov - Shutterstock.com
Brantôme-en-Périgord is nicknamed the Venice of the Périgord and is one of the most beautiful villages in the Dordogne. It owes its name to the fact that it is built on an island bordered by the River Dronne. This atypical village boasts interesting medieval and Renaissance architecture, not to mention a troglodyte Benedictine abbey founded by Charlemagne! The jewel of this edifice is the grotto of the Last Judgement and its rock engravings. Climb the 130 steps to the bell tower for a magnificent view of the village.
15. Issigeac, a historic town
Issigeac© Yoram Benz - Shutterstock.com
Issigeac is one of France's must-visit medieval villages. Built in the 11th century around a bastide town, the village ofIssigeac has a long history, with Gallo-Roman and Merovingian remains discovered in its subsoil! However, as you wander through its narrow streets and half-timbered houses, it's the Middle Ages that set the tone. In the village, stop off at the "Maison des têtes" for its grotesque and grimacing sculptures, and in front of the late Gothic church of Saint-Félicien d'Issigeac.
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