What to see in Dordogne? Here is my little one Lot and Dordogne circuit which crosses classified sites major sites in France, castles and some of the most beautiful villages in France !

My itinerary, for which you will find the Google Map below, is done in 3 days in the form of a road trip. But it can serve as the basis for a 5 or 6 day tour or adapt to day trips depending on the situation of your accommodation.

It can also be added to my 2-day road trip in Périgord: Weekend in Périgord

Where is the Dordogne located?

Dordogne is a southwestern department (former province of Périgord) located between the departments of Gironde, Corrèze and Lot. Moreover, by its proximity to the Lot, I was able to integrate one of the most beautiful tourist sites in the Lot : Rocamadour!

Comment come en Dordogne?

If you come from Paris for example, the closest cities served by planes or trains are Périgueux (airport), Bergerac (airport), Brive-La-Gaillarde, Libourne or Bordeaux.

What to see in Dordogne?

Dordogne is full of many classified medieval villages, has hundreds of castles and the most beautiful prehistoric caves from France including the famous Lascaux cave.

What to see in Dordogne - My essentials

To develop an itinerary with the most beautiful tourist visits in Dordogne in just 3 days, you have to make compromises ... I had to select only the most beautiful villages, the must-see caves and the greatest natural and historical sites:

• Bergerac
• Monpazier village
• Sarlat
• Beynac Castle
• Castelnaud la Chapelle castle
• Roque Gageac village
• Domme village
• Cruise on the Dordogne (http://www.gabarres.com/)
• City of Rocamadour
• The Gouffre de Padirac
• The Lascaux Caves
• Périgueux

What to see in Dordogne - Tourist route map

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Here are the steps of my Lot and Dordogne circuit :

Lot and Dordogne tour - Day 1

Mon 3-day tourist circuit starts from Bergerac and ends in Périgueux. But as the route is in a loop, you can do it in the opposite direction starting from Périgueux if this is more convenient for you.

What to see in Dordogne - Bergerac

Classified as a city of art and history, Bergerac is known thanks to Cyrano de Bergerac, whose statues can be found in the city. But this city has many other assets: half-timbered houses, small alleys, Renaissance-style architecture ...

I recommend that you take a short trip in a barge (flat-bottomed boat typical of the region). You just have to book on 05 53 24 58 80 and go to Quai Salvette to go on a barge cruise!

All along the Dordogne, you will discover the origin of the inland waterway industry and the history of the city of Bergerac. Then in the heart of the nature reserve, you can observe (depending on the season) kingfishers, herons, cormorants and water turtles.

You will have the choice between 1 circuit of 50 minutes and another of 3h30 or to rent a barge by the hour. See info on the site: https://www.gabarresdebergerac.fr/circuits-individuels/

After spending the morning in Bergerac, you will take the car towards Monpazier (1 hour drive).

What to see in Dordogne - Monpazier

There is no special visit to Monpazier but you have to walk there to discover all its charm. Indeed, Monpazier is the most typical of the Bastides de Dordogne. This 13th century village offers a decor of old stones, vaults especially around its Place des Cornières.

From Monpazier, my circuit takes us to Sarlat (50 km) to spend the afternoon and night there.

What to see in Dordogne - Sarlat

In the heart of the Périgord Noir, this ancient market town was very rich in the 13th and 14th century, and has retained its remarkable stone architecture.

Listed as a City of Art and History, you can visit this medieval city on foot (guided tours of 1h30 to be booked directly at the Tourist Office).

An activity to do absolutely: Take the panoramic elevator!

Its access is located behind the old church of Sainte-Marie in the heart of the medieval city. You will climb to 35 meters high to enjoy a super nice panorama!

Otherwise you can follow my walking itinerary to visit Sarlat.

Where to sleep in Sarlat?

To stay in the heart of the medieval old town, in a spacious room, very well equipped for a reasonable price, here is a good address: Les chambres du glacier.

See this hotel on Booking

Lot and Dordogne tour - Day 2

In the early morning, my circuit takes us in 20 minutes by road to the Château de Beynac.

What to see in Dordogne - Château de Beynac

Even if you don't have time to visit it inside, the Chateau de Beynac is worth a visit. Indeed, classified as a historical monument, it overlooks the Dordogne and offers a Panorama not to be missed!

What to see in Dordogne - Château Castelnaud la Chapelle

Only 6 km from the Château de Beynac, you can stop to take some photos of the Château de Castelnaud la Chapelle. It is a restored fortified castle with inside the Museum of the War of the Middle Ages.

After a short visit, you will set off for a 7 km drive towards La Roque Gageac.

What to see in Dordogne - La Roque Gageac

This is my favorite! Ranked among the most beautiful villages in France, La Roque Gageac is a magnificent ocher and sienna village nestled against the cliff facing the Dordogne.

10 km after this charming village, you will reach another magnificent village: Domme.

What to see in Dordogne - Domme

The small village of Domme deserves to spend an hour there. Perched on a cliff above the Dordogne, this fortified town was founded as a fortress in 1281. This magnificent country house has retained part of its ramparts and some beautiful vestiges of its history.

After this stage in Dordogne, we will change department and pass in the Lot to reach Rocamadour, 50 km away.

See my tour of the most beautiful villages of France in the Lot

What to see in the Lot - Rocamadour

Another village classified among the most beautiful in France, but this one in the Lot department!

Medieval fortified city, perched on a cliff, its historical monuments and its sanctuary of the Black Madonna are known around the world. Indeed, it is a high place of pilgrimage but also a simply remarkable site!

Where to sleep in Rocamadour?

Here is a magnificent hotel full of charm and character that I particularly recommend: Best Western Beau Site.

It is located in the heart of the medieval city and offers free parking. With its panoramic dining room, you will enjoy the hotel restaurant which offers regional gastronomic cuisine.

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Lot and Dordogne tour - Day 3

For this third day, my circuit takes us in 30 minutes by road to the Gouffre de Padirac.

Lot and Dordogne circuit - Gouffre de Padirac

The 1st stop of the day is an incredible cave with an underground river and spectacular stalactite formations.

After visiting the Gouffre, you will take the car for around 1h30 drive to reach the Lascaux Caves.

Lot and Dordogne circuit - Lascaux II cave

To discover the prehistoric paintings of the Lascaux Caves, you can visit the Lascaux II Cave. This is a 39-meter-long replica of the cave paintings of animals discovered in 1940.

Lot and Dordogne circuit - Périgueux

Périgueux is the capital of Périgord which has more than 2000 years of history. To visit it, everything is done on foot: Saint-Front Cathedral, the quays, the Vésunna Museum, the Tour de Vésonne, its alleys, its squares, its mansions. See my circuit with map to visit Périgueux on foot.

Where to sleep in Périgueux?

Very well located, very close to the old town (5 minutes on foot), the Ibis Périgueux Center hotel is a good place to stay in Périgueux!

Visit the Dordogne from a campsite

Another idea to discover the region: Choose a campsite in Dordogne well placed to wander around and visit for the day!

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Need others weekend ideas in France ?

Discover my good weekend plan in Marseille,

mon circuit to visit the Gorges du Tarn

4 days in the Gorges du Verdon

or why not a little getaway in the Camargue ?