Skip to main content

Activities in Dordogne

Discover the top Dordogne activities

Updated

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!

Climbing in Dordogne

Culture and guided tours in Dordogne

Guides & Tours in Dordogne

See all Guides & Tours

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

See all Bike Hire

Flying in Dordogne

Flying in Dordogne

See all Flying & Flights

Golf in Dordogne

Excellent courses and beautiful scenery across the entire Dordogne region, make this a perfect place for a round of golf. There are also a number of golf specialist hotels and resorts that you stay in if a holiday filled with golfing is what you are looking for!

Golf Courses in Dordogne

See all Golf

Horse riding in Dordogne

Horse ride through the nature reserves, forests, vineyards and along the beautiful rive of the Dordogne is the perfect way to explore the area. Dordogne and the surrounding area is an attractive destination for horse riding, trekking & lessons. 

Horse-riding in Dordogne

See all Horse Riding

Kayaking

Kayaking is a fun watersport that can be enjoyed as a team or on your own. Unlike canoeing, paddlers face forward and have a double bladed paddle. It is a versatile sport that you can enjoy on rivers, lakes and the sea. 

You can take your inflatable or plastic kayak and make your way down the water. Using the double bladed paddle you can control the speed, direction and enjoy the experience and wonderful views in your own time. There are some watersports centres who can take you out for your kayaking experience. 

Markets

Explore and discover the best markets and shopping in Dordogne! A dream for any sort of shopper and in all the villages dotted around you are sure to stumble across some fantastic shopping. The markets in Dordogne are also something not to be missed, explore the many stalls and purchase anything from local food to nicnacs and souvenirs. 

Mountain-biking & Fat-biking

Mountain biking is a challenging and fun activity whether you are an experienced biker or new to the sport it has something to offer everyone. If you are new to mountain biking let a guide take you out for the day and show you the ropes. If you are experienced then seek out the best routes and explore the countryside on the rooty and rocky tracks. 

Bike Hire in Dordogne

See all Bike Hire

Nature Reserves & Parks

Heading to a Nature Reserve you can explore all the beautiful wildlife and soak up all the beautiful scenery. Take a walk around the park, spot the unusual wildlife or even do a spot of birdwatching. There are a number of wonderful nature reserves in Dordogne that you can explore.

Snow and ice activities in Dordogne

Things To Do in Dordogne

See all Activities & Trips

Spas and massages in Dordogne

Spas in Dordogne

See all Spas & Massages

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

See all Theme Parks

Tree-top / Forest adventures

Swing through the trees high above the forest floor on a circuit of zip lines, monkey bridges, ladders and ropes. You can travel through the forest without touching the floor, safely strapped into a harness and attached to a secure safety line. These eco-friendly adventure parks are created around the trees without damaging them in any way and can be dismantled if necessary, leaving the forest as though untouched.

Tree-top adventures can be fun for both adults and kids and with most courses having a few options of varying difficulty anyone can participate in the tree swinging fun. Check out where you can enjoy a tree-top adventure on our theme parks page

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.

Walking Routes in Dordogne

See all Hiking & Walking Routes

Watersports in Dordogne

Watersports in Dordogne

See all Watersports

Wine tasting & vineyard tours in Dordogne

Take a tour around one of the beautiful vineyards in [resname]. Taste the carefully made wines, learn more about them, the grapes and the wine making process whilst enjoying the wonderful vineyard scenery.

Gabares & canoes at La Roque Gageac
Where to find a welcome dip in the Dordogne region

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...

exterior & garden of chateau des milandes
History, beauty & a bird show all in one chateau visit

Chateau des Milandes - the fairytale castle

Beynac-et-Cazenac

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!

a horse sitting down in a horse show at rocamadour
Horse back antics and a great story for young and old

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.

looking out at La Roque saint Christophe
The prehistoric caves of La Roque Saint Christophe

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.

looking through a hedge to chateau de losse
Lovely small private chateau on the banks of the Vezere river

Guided tour of Chateau de Losse near Montignac

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.

Shop at lascaux caves
Visiting the most famous pre-historic cave art in France

Lascaux - a trip back in time

Montignac

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.

View of st emilion from the wine train
Enjoying the vineyard views, a chateau tour & wine-tasting

Taking a tour on St Emilion's wine train

Saint-Emilion

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.

a view from the bottom of the chasm, looking up
An incredible journey into a subterranean world

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...

a building built into the cliff face
Where chateau meets cave dwelling in the Dordogne

Visiting Maison Forte de Reignac

Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil

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.