Activities in Dordogne
Discover the top Dordogne activities
Whatever you choose to do on your summer holiday you are sure to find a huge range of activities across the Dordogne area.
From relaxing to full on adrenaline there is something for everyone, every ability and every age in Dordogne. Check out the selection of things below for some holiday inspiration!
Boat trips & sailing in Dordogne
Boat Trips in Dordogne
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Traditional Barge Boat Trip, La Roque-Gageac
Travel along the valley of the five chateaux on traditional barges and discover some of the most beautiful sites.
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Traditional Barge Boat Trip, Beynac-et-Cazenac
Passing under the limestones cliff of Beynac you will travel along the Dordogne valley to Marqueyssac and the hanging gardens, Chateau de Fayrac and Chateau de Castelnaud.
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Traditional Barge Boat Trip, La Roque-Gageac
This traditional wooden barge will take you on a picturesque cruise down the river Dordogne from La Roque-Gageac to the Castelnaud bridge.
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Traditional Barge Boat Trip, Bergerac
A delightful trip along the river that runs through the heart of Bergerac on a traditional wooden barge.
Culture and guided tours in Dordogne
Sights in Dordogne
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Chateau de Bonaguil, Saint-Front-sur-Lemance
The ruins of Château de Bonaguil house what is left of a castle constructed in the time of Louis XI, and then rebuilt in the 15th century. With its six towers and seven turrets, it was one of the most grand château in the region. It is heavily fortified with double walls and a leaf-shaped keep. It is a popular attraction and holds summer performances in its grounds.
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Abri du Cap Blanc, near Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
This rock shelter houses outstanding prehistoric animal sculptures, the most significant being eight figures carved into the rock, which are thought to have been there for over 15,000 years.
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Musee d'Art et Archeologie
The museum of art and archaeology houses an excellent prehistoric selection of findings and skeletons from the region.
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International Centre of Prehistory (Pole International de la Prehistoire), Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Opened in July 2010, located near the National Museum of Prehistory, it aims to enhance and make accessible to all audiences the universal heritage of the Vézère valley, rich in many important prehistoric sites.
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Chateau de Commarque, Commarque
It is thought that the keep at Commarque was originally founded by two abbots in the 12th century. Its ruins, built into the cliff face, have undergone some extensive restoration work over the last 50 years.
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Le Chemin de Fer Touristique du Haut-Quercy
Also known as the Truffle train, it will take you on a journey of 8 miles (13 Km) round trip, more than 80 meters (260 feet) high cliff, giving a wonderful panorama of the Dordogne Valley.
Cycling in Dordogne
Enjoy a number of cycling trails and routes in Dordogne and what better way to explore Dordogne than on a bike when you can enjoy the beautiful scenery. Have a look at our cycling guide for more information and explore the cycling routes that are in the area. If you are in Dordogne without your biking gear there are a number of cycle hire shops in who rent and sell bikes, gear and more.
Bike Hire in Dordogne
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Road bike hire
Cycle hire located in the Périgord Noir region of the Dordogne, in the village of Coux-et-Bigaroque.
Flying in Dordogne
Flying in Dordogne
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Montgolfieres du Perigord, La Roque-Gageac
With a fleet of five hot air balloons this company can take groups of 2 or 3 passengers up into the air above La Roque Gageac and the Dordogne river to enjoy a birds-eye view of this beautiful area.
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Montgolfiere et Chateaux, Beynac-et-Cazenac
Shortly before sunset, or at dawn, following the preparation of the flight you can take off with Lionel, a professional balloonist and paraglider who has been working as a guide in Dordogne for more than 15 years.
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Perigord Dordogne Montgolfieres, Beynac-et-Cazenac
Come fly over the Dordogne, Perigord, castles, manors, fortresses, the valleys of the Dordogne and Vézère, discover it in all its charm.
Spas and massages in Dordogne
Spas in Dordogne
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Saint-Emilion Spa, Saint Emilion
Discover the Spa du Château Grand Barrail, where local guests and visitors are warmly welcomed to enjoy a range of beauty treatments. Each spa journey is uniquely designed to meet the desires and needs of their clients
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Clos de Boetie Hotel & Spa, Sarlat-la-Caneda
The hotel offers the perfect opportunity to escape from the strains of day to day life. With luscious gardens, outdoor terrace, a swimming pool, bar, sauna and even a piano, it would be next to impossible not relax into this contemporary yet comforting environment.
Theme parks, waterparks and aquariums in Dordogne
Try an adventure playground or a theme park for a day of family fun. There are a number of adventure playground and theme parks, where both adults and children can play for hours. Head to our theme parks page to find out more and get your adventure started.
Theme & Adventure Parks in Dordogne
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Les Sangliers de Mortemart, near Le Bugue
This is a great outing for a family as you will have the chance to see these magnificent wild boar in a natural environment where they forage and feed in the forests of oak and chestnut trees.
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Reptiland Animal Park, Martel
For over 25 years this park has allowed visitors to come into close (and safe!) encounter with crocodiles, cobras and more than 200 other reptiles and venomous species.
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Foret des Singes Wildlife Park, Rocamadour
This wildlife park is dedicated to the Barbary Macaque monkey who roams free in the 20 hectares of woodland.
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Port Miniature, Bergerac
Take this opportunity to drive the electric replicas of real boats: tug, trawler, ferry, steam Mississippi barges...The small port has everything for those who want to go out there and play sailor "for real".
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La Foret des Ecureuils Adventure Park, Sarlat-la-Caneda
From tree climbing to paintballing and even via ferrata, the Foret des Ecureuils Adventure Park has plenty of offer all ages.
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Rocamadour Aventure, Rocamadour
Aerial adventures including treetop ladders, zip lines, cave routes and rocks faces to climb. This adventure park offers a mix of everything to keep the whole family entertained.
Walking, hiking and running in Dordogne
The hilly trails take you through the many hill top villages and banked vineyards of the region and are a great way to explore the terrain inland and the many medieval villages and vineyards that are dotted around the countryside.
Watersports in Dordogne
Watersports in Dordogne
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AVCK (Animation Vezere Canoe Kayak), Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
This area provides water-sports for all ages. Renowned for its architectural heritage and sites of natural beauty, you will find that paddling is a great way to relax and have fun whilst enjoying the scenery.
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Canoe Dordogne
Hire a canoe or kayak from this company and you can enjoy a gentle river cruise and the chance to explore the wonderful Dordogne river and its banks.
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Canoes Rivieres Loisirs, Limeuil
With family, in a group, with friends and at any age, you can explore at your own pace two of the most beautiful rivers of Périgord.
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Canoe Vacances, La Roque-Gageac
Enjoy a single or multi-day trip down the river Dordogne to town such as Beynac, Castelnaud, Montfort and Fayac.
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Carennac Aventure Watersports, Carennac
Situated at the foot of Carennac village this watersports centre offers more than just fun on the water! They offer three main activities; canoeing or kayaking, group canoeing with up to six people in the same boat, and adventure trekking with overnight camping out in the wild.
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Canoes Loisirs Watersports, Vitrac
Offering various routes along the Dordogne river to enjoy the sights of the Perigord Noir region. Discover hidden treasures during a relaxing journey down the river.

Best bathing spots in Dordogne
Whilst some may flock to the south coast in summer, there are literally hundreds of uncrowded beaches and fresh rivers in the Dordogne offering a welcome alternative to the busy Mediterranean coast. The cool, clear waters of the Dordogne river, or indeed one of the other rivers in the department on a hot summer's day cannot be beaten.

Chateau des Milandes - the fairytale castle
Everyone is looking for something different from their chateaux visits but for me this was by far my favourite trip in Dordogne...intriguing history (of a more recent variety), stunning gardens, a bird of prey show and great tea-room!

Durandal Equestrian Show
There are so many medieval buildings, towns, remains and museums in the Dordogne region, all intriguing in their own way; but sometimes it's nice to sit back, relax, let history come to you and enjoy an energetic and comical show.

Exploring Troglodyte dwellings
This area has been occupied by humans since prehistoric times and nowhere is this more evident that at the troglodyte dwellings at La Roque Saint Christophe.

Guided tour of Chateau de Losse near Montignac
On a slightly drizzly in September, a visit to a chateau is the ideal way to escape the gloom and delve into the past of this wonderfully historic area of the Dordogne.

Lascaux - a trip back in time
I'm not entirely a history buff but when you are in the Dordogne you really do have to at least try and see some of the pre-historic art that litters this region.

Taking a tour on St Emilion's wine train
Only having time for an afternoon in St Emilion I was pleased to discover the Train des Grandes Vignobles which could take me around the region...without me even having to take a step.

Visit to Gouffre de Padirac cave
Even in September the temperatures in the Dordogne can reach a toasty 32 degrees, so a trip to a cave offers some welcome respite from the sun's strong rays. Descending into the darkness and to a constant 13 degrees was just what I needed...

Visiting Maison Forte de Reignac
One of the most unusual sights in the Dordogne is Maison Forte de Reignac, a half house, half troglodyte cave dwelling set into the cliffside close to the town of Tursac.