The heart of the Périgord Noir: a medieval town, listed villages and castles facing each other across the river.
The capital of the Périgord NoirSarlat-la-Canéda
One of the best-preserved historic centres in France: grand town houses of golden stone, squares, passageways and stone-slab (lauze) roofs. The former Église Sainte-Marie, converted into a covered market by Jean Nouvel, has a panoramic lift in its bell tower.
Main market on Saturdays (food until 1 pm, everything else until 6 pm) and on Wednesday mornings. In summer, use the car parks on the edge of town and walk in – it only takes a few minutes.
- From the Domaine≈ 45 min · 38 km
- DurationHalf a day to a full day
- PricesFree · charge for the panoramic lift
- OpenAll year round
The royal bastide and its panoramaDomme
Founded in 1281 on a clifftop, the bastide town of Domme offers one of the finest panoramas of the Dordogne valley from La Barre. Beneath the market hall, you go down into a cave full of delicate rock formations, then come back up in a panoramic lift.
- From the Domaine≈ 40 min · 31 km
- Duration1½ to 2 hours
- PricesVillage free · cave €10 adult · €8 child (ages 5–14)
- OpenCave: from the February school holidays to December
The village beneath the cliffLa Roque-Gageac and its gabares
Listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of France, La Roque-Gageac stretches out between the cliff and the river. Board a gabare, a traditional river boat, for a guided trip along the foot of the castles.
Gabares: booking online is recommended, as places are limited in summer.
- From the Domaine≈ 40 min · 39 km
- Duration1 to 2 hours
- PricesGabare €12.90–20 adult · €9.90–15 (ages 2–12)
- OpenGabares: 1 April to 31 October
The hanging gardens of the DordogneJardins de Marqueyssac
150,000 hand-clipped box shrubs, shady paths and a viewpoint perched sheer above the river, facing the castles of Beynac and Castelnaud. A maze, games and workshops for children.
On Thursday evenings in July and August, 2,000 candles light up the gardens: online booking required.
- From the Domaine≈ 50 min · 43 km
- DurationAbout 1½ hours
- Prices€12.90 adult · €6.50 (ages 10–17) · free under 10 · candlelit evenings €24
- OpenAll year round
The fortress above the riverChâteau de Beynac
Perched on its cliff, the fortified castle of Beynac towers over the Dordogne and the village of golden-stone houses. Furnished rooms, a rampart walk and an exceptional panorama from the keep.
Round off your visit with a gabare (traditional river boat) trip from Beynac (€10 adult, €5.50 child aged 4 to 12).
- From the Domaine≈ 50 min · 45 km
- DurationAbout 1 hour
- Prices€12.50 adult · free under 10
- OpenFebruary to early January
The museum of medieval warfareChâteau de Castelnaud
Facing Beynac, this fortress houses a collection of weapons and armour, as well as life-size siege engines. In summer there are firing demonstrations and medieval activities: children love it.
- From the Domaine≈ 50 min · 44 km
- Duration1½ hours
- Prices€13.60 adult · €6.80 child · free under 10
- OpenAll year round
Josephine Baker’s châteauChâteau des Milandes
This Renaissance château traces the life of Josephine Baker – performer, Resistance member and mother of the ‘Rainbow Tribe’. Remarkable gardens and a daily birds-of-prey display.
- From the Domaine≈ 1 h · 50 km
- Duration1 hour 15 minutes (plus the birds-of-prey show)
- Prices€15 adult · €9.50 (ages 5–16) · free under 5
- OpenFebruary to mid-December
The sculpted garden of the Périgord NoirJardins du Manoir d’Eyrignac
Around a 17th-century manor house, formal French gardens of rare precision: hand-clipped box, yew and hornbeam, fountains, a kitchen garden and a flower garden.
- From the Domaine≈ 50 min · 37 km
- DurationAbout 1½ hours
- Prices€12.90–13.90 adult · €6.50–9 child · family ticket
- OpenEvery day of the year; seasonal opening hours
Fénelon’s birthplaceChâteau de Fénelon
Above the Dordogne, a château with stone-slab roofs and intact defences, whose furnished rooms tell five centuries of history. An exhibition is devoted to the author of The Adventures of Telemachus.
Closed on Tuesdays.
- From the Domaine≈ 35 min · 24 km
- DurationAbout 1½ hours
- Prices€11.80 adult · €7.50 (ages 12–17) · €6.50 (ages 5–11)
- OpenApril to October
The Dordogne from Vitrac to BeynacCanoeing beneath the castles
The most famous stretch of all: in a few hours’ paddling, you pass beneath La Roque-Gageac, Castelnaud, Marqueyssac and Beynac. Plenty of hire companies in Vitrac, Cénac and La Roque-Gageac, with a return shuttle.
You need to be able to swim. In August, set off early in the morning.
- From the Domaine≈ 45 min · 33 km
- DurationHalf or full day
- PricesAbout €22 per person for a full day by canoe
- OpenIn season, from spring to the end of August depending on the hire company
