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Towns & Villages in Dordogne

Discover the top Dordogne towns and villages

Explore some of the loveliest towns and villages around Dordogne.

Find loads of top tips and local insights in our Dordogne Destinations Guide.

looking over the bridge to le bugue

Le Bugue, Perigord Noir

Location
Le Bugue

The relaxed town of Le Bugue sits on the river Vézère where it's joined by the Doux. A more tranquil base for exploring the region, it has some pretty, narrow streets and a bustling market twice a week.

the main market square in sarlat la caneda

Sarlat-la-Canéda, Perigord Noir

Location
Sarlat-la-Caneda

Standing out as one of the most charming towns in the region, this medieval dwelling remains much as it was when it was built in the 14th century. 

looking across the river and bridge at lalinde

Lalinde, Perigord Pourpre

Location
Lalinde

Founded in 1261, Lalinde was the first English bastide. Situated on the banks of the Dorgdogne, the town is also crossed by the Canal de Lalinde, constructed to bypass the dangerous rapids of Grand Thoret.

an aerial photo of a town & river at Cahors

Cahors, Lot

Location
Cahors

Formerly the capital of the old province of Quercy, Cahors is the largest town in the Lot valley. The site was inhabited by the Cadurci tribe in Roman-Gaul times. 

Medieval architecture in Ste-Foy-la-Grande

Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, Gironde

Location
Sainte-Foy-la-Grande

Sainte-Foy-la-Grande sits on the south bank of the Dordogne river. This attractive walled bastide town still has some of its medieval houses and is a good base for visiting the surrounding Sainte-Foy-Bordeaux wine region and nearby Château de Montaigne, home of Michel de Montaigne.

Couze-et-Saint-Front

Couze-et-Saint-Front, Perigord Pourpre

Location
Couze-et-Saint-Front

Couze used to be a paper-making village and a number of its old mills are still in existence, using the power of the Couze river to turn the water wheel.

a chapel reflected int he Dordogne in Beaulieu sur Dordogne

Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, Correze

Location
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne

This medieval town on a bend in the Dordogne grew around its 9th century Benedictine abbey of Saint-Pierre.

looking across the river to the town of montignac in dordogne

Montignac, Perigord Noir

Location
Montignac

The pretty old town of Montignac serves as a good base for visiting the nearby prehistoric caves.

Town of limeuil & two rivers

Limeuil, Perigord Pourpre

Location
Limeuil

Limeuil is a picturesque old village which features on the list of 'Les Plus Beaux Villages de France'. It has a pretty park on the top of the hill and some ruins from its medieval past.

the town of brantome as seen from the air

Brantôme, Perigord Vert

Location
Brantome

Located on an ancient Roman road, the town of Brantôme on the Dronne river is centred around its 8th century Benedictine abbey.

Belves, Perigord Noir

Belvès, Perigord Noir

Location
Belves

Sitting proud on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Nauze valley, this fortified town boasts seven bell towers and an 11th century keep that is still standing, despite numerous invasions and wars.

river, bridge & medieval architecture in saint cere

Saint-Céré, Lot

Location
Saint-Céré

The riverside town of Saint-Céré is a lovely place to base yourself for excursions in the region. The La Bave river winds its way through the centre of the town and its old buildings have been carefully restored, retaining their timber vaulting or Renaissance stonework. 

Looking over at the cloisters in Moissac

Moissac

Location
Moissac

The main town of the area between 1800 and 1926, it was all but destroyed during the floods of 1930, which caused devastation across the entire south west of France and counted as a 100 year flood.

looking from the shore opposite over to castillon

Castillon-la-Bataille

Location
Castillon-la-Bataille

You get a sense of this town's history as soon as you arrive, with are flags and coats of arms lining the roads that lead you to the main square.

a pretty house & street in tremolat

Trémolat, Perigord Noir

Location
Tremolat

Trémolat was originally home to a 6th century hermit, Saint-Cybard, before monks built their monastery here in the 9th century.

view over rooftops to the church monlithe

Saint-Emilion, Gironde

Location
Saint-Emilion

Vineyards were planted around this old town in Roman times and whilst most people associate the name with the wine, the town itself is worth a visit for its ramparted old centre with interesting Romanesque churches and an incredible underground monolithic church.

Porte des Tours in Domme

Domme, Perigord Noir

Location
Domme

This bastide town, sitting high above the Dordogne river, has an impressive number of its 13th century fortifications still intact, including three of its original gates.

the old halle and other medieval buildings in souillac

Souillac, Lot

Location
Souillac

A base for exploring the region, Souillac has a medieval past and is filled with Romanesque-style sculptures.