Mounea Hotel, Marquay

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

This elegant and sophisticated two Michelin star restaurant offers creative dishes designed by chef Cédric Béchade, who plays with colours and textures in his cuisine.

The dining rooms allow for views of the surrounding vineyards and rolling hills. Drinks can also be enjoyed in the small library or among the chestnut trees.

The young chef at this restaurant, David Beyney, produces creative French cuisine using local products. It is a real gem of a restaurant, located high in the Périgord village of Audrix. There is also a small attractive hotel attached.

This traditional farm serves good quality Périgord dishes using locally-sourced ingredients from its own farm and those nearby. It also has a lovely gîte which sleeps up to five people.

Founded in 1848, this restaurant is one of the oldest in the town of Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site. French creative cuisine is served in its terrace and three dining rooms, accompanied by wines from the region.

Chez Alain is located in the beautiful medieval village of Issigeac, known for its colourful market on Sunday. The chef, Sébastien, offers a refined and colourful cuisine using fresh and seasonal produce. The stone walls and old beams give off a warm atmosphere inside and it has a pretty outdoor area.

It is thought that the keep at Commarque was originally founded by two abbots in the 12th century. Its ruins, built into the cliff face, have undergone some extensive restoration work over the last 50 years.

This rock shelter houses outstanding prehistoric animal sculptures, the most significant being eight figures carved into the rock, which are thought to have been there for over 15,000 years. 

Situated between Sarlat and Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil this thirteenth-century castle was renovated as recently as 1890.

The walk through this park will take you past rock shelters, caves and dwellings where a great number of tools and weapons, dating back over 12,000, have been discovered.

These impressive caves and cliff face are situated halfway between les Eyzies and Montignac-Lascaux.

This cave houses an impressive collection of prehistoric paintings and engravings dating from the Magdalenian period. Through its winding passageways, there are over 600 engravings of animals and stylised humans.

The town and the surrounding prehistoric sites have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nearly 150 sites have already been discovered and contain significant finds dating back as far as the Middle Stone Age - about 300,000 to 40,000 years ago.

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. 

The village of Beynac-et-Cazenac is thought to date back to the 12th century when its imposing cliff top château was constructed.

It's hard to imagine a nicer village than La Roque-Gageac, with its huge limestone cliffs that tower behind the Renaissance-style houses built in creamy stone with burnt red roofs. 

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

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.