This medieval town on a bend in the Dordogne grew around its 9th century Benedictine abbey of Saint-Pierre.
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, Correze
On the Upper Dordogne this town sits on the border of the Lot and Correze regions
Today the abbey church remains a classical example of Romanesque architecture from the 12th century, combined with a tower and belfry in Gothic design. Its southern portal is most impressive for its ornate sculptures.
The town's narrow streets are filled with attractive façades and it's worth wandering down to the lovely church by the river and taking a ride on the gabares boats. In May the whole town comes alive with an annual strawberry festival.
Events in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
The town is famous for its wonderful strawberry harvest which is celebrated each year on the second Sunday of May. This annual festival brings together producers and consumers aplenty.
Events in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
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Beaujolais Nouveau
The new Beaujolais has arrived!
The third Thursday in November is when this year's Beaujolais hits the shelves and is cause for celebration across France.
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Fête de la Musique
Music festival celebrated across France on the summer solstice
The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.
History & Culture in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
In the early Middle Ages, Beaulieu was a small fishing village surrounded by farms, on a bend of the Dordogne, called Vellinus. Lord of the family Turenne, Rudolph was riding on his land when he stopped in this small village. According to legend, amazed by the beauty of the place, he renamed the village Bellus Locus (Beau Lieu in altered Latin) and decided to found a Benedictine abbey to attract pilgrims and develop the territory.
Sights & Attractions in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
The Abbaye Saint-Pierre church that sits in the centre of the town is certainly one of the main attractions. It's a majestic building and enhanced further by a rather special tympanum (decorated area above the doorway). The stone carving depicts the Second Coming of Christ.
The 12th-century Chapelle des Penitents on the river's edge is a popular building to photograph, seen from across the river the reflections in the Dordogne are very beautiful.
The chapel itself houses temporary exhibitions and is open to the public during the busier summer months, from mid-June and mid-September. It also forms part of the guided tour offered by the tourist office.
Sights in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
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Abbaye Saint-Pierre Church, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
Church belonging to a Benedictine abbey founded in the 9th century
Situated in the heart of the pretty town of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, the Abbaye Saint-Pierre church sits in the Place du Marche and stands high above the surrounding buildings.
Dining in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
Restaurants in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
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Saint Jacques de Compostelle Restaurant, Collonges-la-Rouge
Dining bliss at the centre of town
Large bright dining rooms and a flowery terrace set the scene for a delicious meal. In the winter your food can be enjoyed in front of the large open fire place and in the summer, out on the open terrace looking out over town and surrounding countryside.
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Jehan de Valon Restaurant, Rocamadour
Elegant restaurant with panoramic views
Restaurant within l'Hotel Beau Site located at the heart of the mediaeval village of Rocamadour.
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Le Pont de l'Ouysse Restaurant, Lacave
Restaurant of Le Pont de l'Ouysse Hotel
Michelin star restaurant with 14 immaculate rooms in the Lacave region.
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La Dinee du Viguier Restaurant, Figeac
Creative cuisine from chef Daniel Authié
This restaurant in the old guard rooms of the Château du Viguier Royal, makes this old mansion-house kitchen alive again. The chef, Daniel Authié, creates cooking art which mixes contemporary and traditional flavours. The sommelier and head waiter, Bernard Badia, offers helpful advice on the food characteristics and complementary wines.
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Manoir d'Hautegente Restaurant, Saint-Amand-de-Coly
Traditional gastronomy meets modern flair in beautiful location
The restaurant of this excellent 4-star hotel is one of the best in the region. The manor building is set in beautiful grounds, and chef, Ludovic Lavaud, harmoniously matches local products and traditional cuisine with a touch of oriental perfume. The cave is exceptional too.
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Chateau de la Fleunie Restaurant, Condat-sur-Vezere
Gastronomic haven in Castle retreat
Set inside a 106-hectare estate Castle, the restaurant setting alone is worth a visit, but with beautiful stone walls, painted wooden beams and decorated in traditional fashion, it is very much worth taking a step inside.
Things to do in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
One of the best ways to enjoy the Dordogne river and experience the real history of the region is to take a trip onboard a 'gabare' - a traditional flat-bottomed boat that was used to transport goods along the river. Taking around an hour and a half these guided trips with commentary allow you to discover the history of the skippers and the life of the boatmen.
Things To Do in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
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Carennac Aventure Watersports, Carennac
Canoeing, kayaking and hiking along the Dordogne river
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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Reptiland Animal Park, Martel
Discover the largest collection of live reptiles in Europe
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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Le Chemin de Fer Touristique du Haut-Quercy
A beautiful traditional steam train journey from Martel to Saint Denis
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.
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Rocamadour Aventure, Rocamadour
Aerial adventure course in the forests of the Dordogne
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.
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Foret des Singes Wildlife Park, Rocamadour
See the endangered Barbary Macaque roaming in this wildlife park
This wildlife park is dedicated to the Barbary Macaque monkey who roams free in the 20 hectares of woodland.
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Le Petit Train de Rocamadour, Rocamadour
Train tour from the car park to the centre of Rocamadour
In true French style Le Petit Train will take you on your short journey from the bottom of Rocamadour to the town centre above you.
Watersports in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
Watersports in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
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Carennac Aventure Watersports, Carennac
Canoeing, kayaking and hiking along the Dordogne river
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
Kayak & canoe rental on the Dordogne river south of Sarlat
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.
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Perigord Adventure & Loisirs Canoe, Beynac-et-Cazenac
Canoe hire on the Dordogne river through the beautiful Perigord
Enjoy a relaxing day close to nature as you canoe along the river and explore the waterways of this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
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Canoe Dordogne
Enjoy a gentle kayak down the river Dordogne from La Roque Gageac
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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Canoe Vacances, La Roque-Gageac
Canoe holidays on the river Dordogne
Enjoy a single or multi-day trip down the river Dordogne to town such as Beynac, Castelnaud, Montfort and Fayac.
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AVCK (Animation Vezere Canoe Kayak), Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Explore the Vézère valley from the peace & tranquillity of the river
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.
Where to stay in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
Camping is particularly popular in this area of the Upper Dordogne. As well as a traditional campsite with good amenities situated by the river Dordogne, you'll also find a holiday village and a particular area dedicated to overnight stays with campervans. Sanitation is provided.
Holiday Rentals in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
Holiday Rentals in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
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Maison La Seguinie Villa, Martel
4 bedroom Villa in Dordogne. Sleeps 10
A recently built house owned by an architect and an interior designer who have created a beautifully finished property that evokes the local style yet is thoroughly modern, exuding flair and taste.
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Lou Calvel Villa, Cazals
2 bedroom Villa in Cazals. Sleeps 5
A haven of tranquillity, Lou Calvel sits within private woodland in the picturesque Lot region of South West France where the densely forested landscape teems with a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Hedgerows of bluebells, posies and colourful orchids provide both walkers and keen photographers with much to admire while local market stalls always offer a wealth of freshly harvested, seasonal produce including asparagus, herbs and a wide variety of wild mushrooms.
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La Croix Villa, Prats-du-Périgord
3 bedroom Villa in Prats-du-Périgord, South West France. Sleeps 8
This recently renovated semi-detached stone village house is a delightful addition to our collection of properties in the picturesque Dordogne region. Situated along one of the narrow lanes in the village of Prats-du-Périgord, La Croix is a restoration that blends the traditional with the contemporary to great effect.
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La Cloche Villa, Prats-du-périgor
3 bedroom Villa in Dordogne. Sleeps 8
Surrounded by a patchwork of fields and forests in the picturesque Perigord Noir area, the charming village of Prats-du-Perigord, with its honey coloured stone buildings topped with pitched roofs of deep red tiles, is most typical of the region.
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La Maison Fleurie Villa, Frayssinet-le-Gelat
2 bedroom Villa in Dordogne. Sleeps 4
The undulating countryside north of the River Lot is dotted with chestnut woods and stone villages. In a tiny hamlet, close to the border with the Dordogne (3km), sits La Maison Fleurie, a picturesque stone cottage, adorned with pots of colourful flowers.
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Le Mazet Villa
1 bedroom villa in Dordogne, sleeps 2
Charming renovated detached cottage in the heart of Dordogne.
Hotels in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
This is a small town but there are several decent hotels in the very heart of it. A peaceful town means that you can enjoy a countryside feel wherever you stay and will always be just moments away from the popular Dordogne river.
Hotels in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
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Le Turenne Hotel, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
12th Century building on formerly fortified city walls
Le Turenne is full of character and features a number of intriguing centrepieces, including a 15th century spiral stone staircase, large arched windows and a sizeable terrace.
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Les Flots Bleus Hotel, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
'The house full of light...'
Set on the Rivière Espèrance in peaceful Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, you will immediately feel the calm as you hear the water pass and relax on the terrace or in your contemporary styled room.
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Le Beaulieu Hotel, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
Peaceful living in medieval Beaulieu
Located just a 5 minutes stroll from the riverbanks of the Dordogne and situated in the centre of the picture perfect medieval town, the hotel is the perfect spot from which you can explore or simply enjoy your harmonious surroundings.
How to get to Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
Situated on the banks of the Upper Dordogne river the town of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne sits on the borders of Limousin, Auvergne and Quercy.
Property For Sale in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
Property for Sale in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne
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Chateau For Sale, Sarlat-la-Caneda - Ref.13318
Manor for sale around Sarlat la Caneda
In a typical environment of the Dordogne, superb set of properties with a mansion with a living room of 68m2 and 6 rooms and a listed 3 bedrooms cottages and private pool, a second holiday 3 bedrooms, large heated pool, in a lovely over 1.8 hectares garden.
Chateau For Sale, Sarlat-la-Caneda - Ref.13318
€1,410,000 -
Chateau Domme, Domme - Ref.MP112594
5 bedroom chateau for sale
The chateau is located in a calm area close to the shops, 45 minutes from Brive airport and 75 minutes for Bergerac airport.
Chateau Domme, Domme - Ref.MP112594
€967,200 -
Character Property, Montignac - Ref.MP112569
9 bedroom character house for sale
This property is located close to the village shops, about 10 minutes from Montignac town and 40 minutes from Brive airport.
Character Property, Montignac - Ref.MP112569
€700,000 -
Les Eyzies Property For Sale - REF 3380612, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
Magnificent chartreuse north of Les Eyzies for sale
The property,dating from the 17th century, lies in a quiet, open valley, fed by a small stream.
Les Eyzies Property For Sale - REF 3380612, Les Eyzies-de-Tayac
€3,500,000 -
Character Property, Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin - Ref.MP112684
4 bedroom house for sale
Located about 50 minutes away from Bergerac airport, this house has a living space of 265m2 and a garden of 6398m2 of land.
Character Property, Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin - Ref.MP112684
€465,000 -
Paunat House, Tremolat - Ref.2014
3 bedroom house for sale
Perigord authentic house with about 160m2 living space surrounded by a lovely garden and orchard of 1600m2.
Paunat House, Tremolat - Ref.2014
€249,000












































