4 Major Things To Look For and Do When Visiting Dordogne

Dordogne is one of the premier locations to visit in France. It has been one of the historical areas that millions of tourists focus on when traveling. You may be tempted to book a trip, and rightfully so, as it is a beautiful location to visit, explore, and have fun in. Located in the Southwest, you’ll find that exploring becomes a matter of figuring out what to do. If you’re headed to this locale for a vacation, then you no doubt want to look at some destinations that will bring about the greatness of this area. With that in mind, consider the following attractions that will no doubt be fun for you and your family any time of year.

La Roque-Gageac

When visiting, you will no doubt want to get a rich history of France’s past, and that’s exactly what you will get when you visit this location. Tourists flock to this region for the natural beauty, splendor, and peace that comes with this small village. It has been voted as one of the most beautiful areas in the whole country. The population of this village hasn’t really left the 400 resident area in some time. It’s small. But you will definitely want to visit and explore a bit. Bring your camera as there are serene views of green, waterways, and so much more. It’s part of the “Les Plus Beaux Villages of France” which stands for the most beautiful villages of France. If you are on a quest to see the national heritage of the country, you are going to find that this is one of the premier locales. You will find that it’s absolutely stunning, and well worth your time. It’s quaint, and simply marvelous.

Perigeux Cathedral

For those that are visiting the area and want to look at some incredible architecture, you’ll no doubt want to visit the Perigeux Cathedral. This dates back to 1120, but has recently found restorations throughout, giving visitors a look at some of the rich tapestries of French Catholicism. The church is historical, with incredible views, raw materials, and more. Since 1840 this location has been part of the French Historical Monuments list. The layout is similar to that of St. Mark’s Basilica which is located in the city of Venice. Whether you’re religious or not, you can truly appreciate the immense construction and domes that are here. There’s quite a bit to see, including sculptures, and more. You’ll no doubt want to add this to your list of sites to see.

Chateau de Beynac

What would a visit to Dordogne without seeing a chateau? This is perhaps one of the most compelling of structures in the region, mainly because of the fact that it’s been well preserved. While a lot of options have dealt with deterioration, this has been kept relatively nice. It is located on top of a cliff, and it overlooks amazing vantage points. This dates back all the way to the 12^th century, and it is very much a grandiose looking chateau. This castle has found some renovations come through, but overall, it retains the same allure that it did when it was first constructed. Restored in 1962, this is definitely a sight to see, as it has been used for film, art, and so much more. Those that venture forward to this, will see a wide variety of elements from the past, and present. It has been listed as one of the premier cultural landmarks of France, and has been given status from the French Ministry of Culture since 1944.

The Caves of Lascaux

 

One last thing that you are going to want to set your sights on is that of Lascaux. This is a location where you will meet the past, dating tens of thousands of years. Here is where you will find caves, that date back to the Paleolithic age. The caverns and walls get flooded with people daily, and you’ll no doubt want to see the preserved art and rooms that line the massive caves here. There’s quite a bit to look at, even though the original cave is closed. When visiting, you will be able to see replicas, paintings, and exhibits in relationship to this historical site. However, due to fungal growth, you may not be able to see the original interior caves. You can see a reproduction that has been carefully curated at this point.

These are just some of the things that you will want to see when you’re visiting Dordogne, and it’s something well worth investigating when travelling alone or with family and friends.