Discover the top Dordogne family activities
Whatever you choose to do on your family holiday, you are sure to find a huge range of activities across Dordogne. There is something for everyone, every ability and every age. Check out the selection of things to do below for some holiday inspiration!
Travel along the valley of the five chateaux on traditional barges and discover some of the most beautiful sites.
A delightful trip along the river that runs through the heart of Bergerac on a traditional wooden barge.
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.
This traditional wooden barge will take you on a picturesque cruise down the river Dordogne from La Roque-Gageac to the Castelnaud bridge.
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 and adventure companies who can take you out for your kayaking experience.
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.
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.
Easy canoeing for everybody. You can navigate with family or friends in peace. You’ll be given a solid equipment, stable canoes and buoyancy aids.
Not only can you take a relaxing journey down the Dronne river in a canoe but you can try your hand at stand up paddle boarding or take to the cliffs and trees for some adventure above ground.
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.
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.
Explore the best that Dordogne's has to offer with an expert local guide. From natural tracks to traditional buildings and crafts, food and drink... there's lots to be discovered in Dordogne.
This beautiful and vast area has been split into themed garden areas, with interpretive trails running through them to both educate and add to the enjoyment of visitors.
Built between the 12th & 15th centuries, this church is one of the largest in Gironde. It's design is both Romanesque and Gothic, showing how it has been remodelled and renovated throughout history.
The present castle dates to 1530 when it was built by the Herm family. Its Gothic style consists of a rectangular main building flanked by two round towers.
Not to be confused with the Château de Castelnaud, this château close to Brenetoux stands as an incredible example of a fortified castle, with a combination of architecture from the 13th-century through to the 17th-century.
Situated between Sarlat and Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil this thirteenth-century castle was renovated as recently as 1890.
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.
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.
Come fly over the Dordogne, Perigord, castles, manors, fortresses, the valleys of the Dordogne and Vézère, discover it in all its charm.
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.
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.
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.
Experience the beautiful Vezere valley and its prehistoric sites on horse back.
Open Monday to Saturday all year round this horse riding centre welcomes you for lessons as well as trekking.
Hot air ballooning is a truly unique and fun experience. You can experience views and scenery like never before. There are a few hot air balloon companies in Dordogne who will offer you this enjoyable experience.
The views are stunning, and as you glide over the land or sea below you may see wildlife and animals normally hidden from view. The pilot controls the height but the wind determines which direction you take, so the flight can take anything from one to two hours, depending on when a suitable landing site comes into view.
Hot air ballooning looks serene, but there are moments of excitement; once the creaking wicker basket rises and you are suspended in the air metres above the ground, with nothing but the wind and the pilot taking you through the blue sky, it can be quite thrilling.
There are bowling alleys in Dordogne to keep you entertained on bad weather days, or if you're looking for something to do with a group.
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.
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.
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.
Paddleboarding is a great way to explore the stunning coastline of Dordogne. No previous experience is needed, just hop on the board and start paddling.
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
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.
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.
From tree climbing to paintballing and even via ferrata, the Foret des Ecureuils Adventure Park has plenty of offer all ages.
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".
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.
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.
The hilly trails take you through the many hill-top villages and vineyards of the region and are a great way to explore the terrain. Routes quite often follow the rivers, including the Dordogne itself, or alternatively the canals that work their way between towns in the region.
A relatively small theme park but with a great atmosphere, plenty to do and a good day out for all of the family.
A great place for a family day out and to escape the pre-historic world of the Dordogne...instead, enjoy the family atmosphere and displays of this fresh water aquarium.
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.
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.
Easy canoeing for everybody. You can navigate with family or friends in peace. You’ll be given a solid equipment, stable canoes and buoyancy aids.
Not only can you take a relaxing journey down the Dronne river in a canoe but you can try your hand at stand up paddle boarding or take to the cliffs and trees for some adventure above ground.
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.
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.
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.
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.
