Traditional Barge Boat Trip, Bergerac
A delightful trip along the river that runs through the heart of Bergerac on a traditional wooden barge.

© PWilliamson
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!
A delightful trip along the river that runs through the heart of Bergerac on a traditional wooden barge.
This traditional wooden barge will take you on a picturesque cruise down the river Dordogne from La Roque-Gageac to the Castelnaud bridge.
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.
Travel along the valley of the five chateaux on traditional barges and discover some of the most beautiful sites.
One of the most beautiful and well-preserved examples of a town gate in the Perigord, the Porte des Tours in Domme is flanked by two large round towers from the 13th-century.
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.
Created in the 1980s this garden is an expression of personal inspiration and shows a strong link between artistic and landscaped garden design.
Treat yourself to an intriguing discovery with this intimate and charming medieval castle. Walk in the garden and enjoy unforgettable views of the Nauze valley.
The first owner of this estate was Guy de Lastours around the year 1000. The medieval fortress, which is only known about through writings, then consisted of a keep and several towers linked by battlements.
The Wine Centre (Maison des Vins) is right in the historic heart of Bergerac, in the Récollets Cloisters, a magnificent group of monastic buildings from the 17th-century.
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.
Cycle hire located in the Périgord Noir region of the Dordogne, in the village of Coux-et-Bigaroque.
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.
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.
Come fly over the Dordogne, Perigord, castles, manors, fortresses, the valleys of the Dordogne and Vézère, discover it in all its charm.
Open every day of the year this 9-hole, par 35, course is set in the lush countryside of the Dordogne and the grounds of Chateau les Merles.
With a base at the very beginning of the Voie Verte in Sarlat, this company provides mountain bikes, electric bikes, and children's bikes for hire, as well as guided tours for groups.
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.
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
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.
From tree climbing to paintballing and even via ferrata, the Foret des Ecureuils Adventure Park has plenty of offer all ages.
This outdoor park has a tree-top trail, paintball, mountain-biking, canoeing and horse-riding for those seeking a bit more adventure or a change from the pretty villages and vineyard visits.
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.
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.
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.
A relatively small theme park but with a great atmosphere, plenty to do and a good day out for all of the family.
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.
Enjoy a single or multi-day trip down the river Dordogne to town such as Beynac, Castelnaud, Montfort and Fayac.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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.