Holiday Villa Rentals in Dordogne

Dordogne

Dordogne is situated in south west France between the Loire Valley and the High Pyrenees and is named after the river which runs through it.
It is part of the Aquitaine region and is surrounded by the departments of Haute-Vienne, Correze, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Gironde and Charante.

The Dordogne is a region full of meandering rivers, chateaux, charming ancient villages and rich vineyards. The green hills of the Dordogne are topped by Bastide towns set in some of the loveliest countryside in France and this makes it such a unique area of interest to visitors from around the world.

This region is beautiful all year round but, is at its best in spring, when the many fruit orchards are in full bloom, or in autumn when the landscape comes alive with spectacular colour. For a great value holiday home, vacation rental in this stunning part of France search through the wide selection on Rent Property Direct and enjoy a dream holiday in the Dordogne.

Whatever your interests, this region has so much to offer, from beautiful scenery to magical forests, spectacular gorges and beautiful rivers, all accessible and waiting for you to discover from your holiday rental villa in the Dordogne. You can find wonderful markets; the ones in this region are among the finest in France, with Sarlat being the market hub of the region. You will be spoiled for the choice with the cheeses, wines and pates on display at any of the markets in this region.

Activities

Because of the beautiful nature of this region there are numerous cycling routes, the possibility to go horse riding, hang gliding, trekking, fishing and many water sports. There are adventure parks in the forest areas along with several climbing and swimming spots dotted around the lakes and rivers. The gentle rolling countryside is also ideal for walking and bird watching.

There are many first class golf courses in the Dordogne region, the most popular and well known being the Chateau des Vigiers Golf Club in Monestier. The Golf de la Forge in Perigord Golf Club and the Golf du Domaine de Rochebois in Sarlat-la-Caneda are also excellent courses.

Cuisine

The best known specialities of the Dordogne region are foi gras, truffles and preserved meat. Potted meats are a major part of the traditional Perigord cuisine. There is a delicious flan known as ‘clafoutis’ decorated with black cherries and then there is the ‘Gateaux aux Noix, a scrumptious walnut cake.
The areas of Cahors and Bergerac are known for their full-bodied red wines, but are famous for their sweet white Monbazillac at very reasonable prices. The region offers a large range of delicious fruit liqueurs to round off your meal at your holiday home.

Cultural Interests

The Dordogne has more than 150 prehistoric sites along the Vezere alone, the best known being the amazing caves of Lascaux, which houses some of the oldest human artwork ever discovered and some of the most spectacular prehistoric sites. It is well noting here that the original caves have been permanently closed due to over use, but there is a perfect reproduction which is still authentic enough to give you goose bumps.

There are medieval castles and churches, chateaux, and many historical museums sprinkled throughout the region. These are complimented perfectly by breath-taking scenery. From your holiday let, go for day excursions and really feel part of the area.

Towns

Perigueux is on the River Isle. In this beautiful medieval old town you can visit the beautiful La Cathedral Saint-Font with its Bystantine style and the Musee de Perigord with its Gallo – Roman, Medieval and Renaissance collections. The markets of the old town display an array of local produce to delight any gourmets. There is a large choice of holiday rentals in this area.

Sarlat-la-Caneda is a must for all lovers of architecture, with its medieval old town, with wonderful little picturesque alleyways and where you will find mansions from the Gothic and Renaissance periods. It is a good idea to visit this town on Saturday so as not to miss the wonderful market on the Place de la Liberte, presenting a wonderful array of local specialities.

Bergerac is situated on the northern bank of the Dordogne River and is among the largest towns in the region. There is a wide variety of self catering holiday accommodation in and around this town. The old town, with its medieval half timbered streets is a highlight of any visit to Bergerac.
There are several restaurants and many open – air cafes where you can relax, enjoy the local cuisine and watch the world go by. For those who enjoy visiting markets, you will find Bergerac’s Saturday market at the higher end of the town. Bergerac’s Aqua park with 4 swimming pools, chutes, crazy golf and go karting is geared towards older children and adults is sure to provide a fun day out for everyone and is well worth the drive from your holiday home.

Nontron is very well placed for exploring the northern area of the Dordogne. The Regional Park of the Perigord is in the north of the town, while the town’s medieval centre has some very attractive buildings. The medieval village of Bussiere- Vadil and the pretty and picturesque village and chateau of Varaignes are worthy of a visit.

Villefranche du Perigord is a Bastide town dating back to the 12th century and located among pretty countryside to the south of Manpazier. This area is considered to be one of the most scenic parts of the Dordogne with many large forests and picturesque villages dotted around. You will find many places worthy of exploration in this area. There is an impressive range of holiday accommodation which can be rented directly from the owners and their managers.