Vacation Rentals in the Dordogne
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Travel destination Dordogne.
You can choose from 864 vacation rentals and holiday rentals.
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Destination
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(175)
Beaumont-du-Périgord (2), Daglan (2), Douzains (2), Escamps (1), EYgurande-Gardedeuil (3), Fons (1), Hautefort (1), Labastide-Murat (1), Labretonie (2), Lacépède (1), Lachapelle-Auzac (1), Lavergne (1), Les Eyzies-de-Tayac (1), Malemort-sur-Corrèze (1), Marcilhac-sur-cele (1), Montagnac-sur-auvignon (1), Paleyrac (1), Plazac (1), Saint amand-de-coly (1), Saint-Cyprien (143), Saint-Front-la-Rivière (2), Saint-Seurin-de-Prats (1), Savignac-de-Duras (1), Thenon (1), Tourtoirac (2)
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(66)
Aubazines (2), Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne (2), Bergerac (10), Beynac (3), Collonges (1), Coussac-Bonneval (8), Eymet (5), Gavaudun (11), Lalinde (2), Le Bugue (2), Montignac-Lascaux (8), Neuvic (2), Perigueux (2), Peyrelevade (1), Saint Agnant-pres-croq (1), Saint Sulpice-les-Feuilles (1), Saint-Robert (1), Terrasson (2), Treignac (1), Vigeois (1)
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(606)
ALBAS (1), Ambarès-et-La Grave (1), Andernos-les-Bains (35), Aureilhan (2), Azur (12), Bassussarry (3), Baudreix (1), Bayonne (1), Berbiguières (1), Beynac-et-Cazenac (1), Bias (11), Biscarrosse-Plage (52), Blanquefort-sur-Briolance (1), Brantome (4), Calès (1), Cambo Les Bains (1), Carcans-Plage (15), Carlucet (1), Castelmoron-sur-Lot (4), Castelnaud-de-Gratecambe (1), Castillonnès (2), Cauvignac (1), Cazals (1), Contis-les-Bains (1), Courant (1), Doissat (1), Excideuil (1), Grayan-et-l'Hôpital (6), Gujan-Mestras (10), Herm (1), Hontanx (1), Jau-Dignac-et-Loirac (2), Juillac (1), La Force (1), La Teste-de-Buch (7), Lalbenque (1), Landiras (1), Laugnac (1), Le Verdon-sur-Mer (9), Lège - Cap Ferret (4), Lesparre-Medoc (1), Lit-et-Mixe (3), Lucbardez-et-Bargues (2), Maubuisson (10), Mezos (8), Moliets-et-Maa (128), Monprimblanc (1), Montpon-Ménestérol (1), Naujac-sur-Mer (1), Nontron (2), Ogenne-Camptort (2), Onesse-et-Laharie (1), Parcoul (1), Pauillac (1), Pontenx-les-Forges (1), Port D'Albret (10), Pyla Sur Mer (3), Riberac (1), Rimbez et Baudiets (1), RUFFIAC (1), Sagelat (1), Saint-André-et-Appelles (4), Saint-Colomb-de-Lauzun (1), Saint-Girons (1), Saint-Jean-de-Luz (57), Saint-Julien-en-Born (5), Saint-Laurent (3), Saint-Laurent-la-Vallée (1), Saint-Martial-de-Nabirat (1), Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle (3), Saint-Pierre-d'Irube (1), Saint-Vincent-de-Paul (1), Saint-Vivien-de-Médoc (1), Sainte-Eulalie-en-Born (2), Sainte-Foy-de-Longas (3), Sare (2), Sarlat-la-Canéda (2), Saubion (1), Savignac-Lédrier (3), Soulac-sur-Mer (66), Soustons (31), ST. AUBIN DE NABIRAT (1), ST. PEE-SUR-NIVELLE (9), Thiviers (3), Urrugne (2), Varaignes (3), Vendays-Montalivet (1), Veyrignac (6), Vianne (1), Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains (7), Villeneuve-sur-Lot (2)
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Overview of the Dordogne
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| Size |
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9060 sq km (4,25 sq mi) |
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| Population |
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388.293 |
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| Language |
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The official language is French. |
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| Time Zone |
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1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (+1 GMT). |
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| Electricity |
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220, 50 Hz. Generally, round two-pin plugs and screw-type lamp fittings are in use. |
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| Clothing |
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Light- to medium weights and rainwear, according to the season. |
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| Religion |
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90% Roman Catholic, 2% Protestant, 1% Muslim, 1% Jewish, 6% unaffiliated. |
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| Currency |
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Euro (EUR)
Currency Converter |
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Location of the Dordogne
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Dordogne is a departement in central France named after the Dordogne River - but it is the
wonderful mix of caves, chateaux, medieval towns and villages, rich regional cuisine and countryside
that has led to it having such a powerful fan club. The borders of the former province of Perigord
are shadowed almost exactly by the present département.
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Climate in the Dordogne
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The Dordogne in Southwest France shares the same temperate climate as central western Europe.
Mild Winter, coolest month above 0°C (32°F), but below 18°C (64°F), warmest month above 10°C (50°F).
The summertime climate in Dordogne is mostly sunny and warm. June days are long with temperatures
ranging between 21-27°C (70-80°F). July is warmer still, with temperatures rising as high as 29°C (85°F).
September typically cools off slightly as fall draws nearer and the days become shorter.
Although heavy rainfall is unlikely, rain showers are always a possibility making adequate
raingear a necessity.
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Best Time to Travel to the Dordogne
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Although the Dordogne is beautiful throughout the year, it is most beautiful in the spring,
when the many fruit orchards are in bloom, and the fall, when the light is rich and the landscape
alive with color. The Dordogne has many beautiful golf courses, the landscape is sloping, therefore
ideal for golf. You can make canoetrips on the Dordogne, Vezere and Gronne, the landscape varying
from gorges, castles, woods and cornfields. The area is also perfect for walking tours, biking,
mountainbiking and horsebackriding.
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Attractions in the Dordogne
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The Dordogne - Perigord is the Human Land, the Land of the Art of Life. It is a fascinating
region where man has chosen to live for thousand years in harmony with the nature that displays
itself here in its most glorious colors. The Perigord has a charm all of its own: from prehistoric
caves with man's first artistic creations, through small villages with their golden stone houses
bunched around a Romanesque church, to the Dordogne River and its majestic landscapes. The richness
of its prehistoric past is known throughout the world, but there are so many more witnesses to the
past here: the Middle Ages above all, with an incredible number of castles, fortified towns (bastides)
and mediaeval villages... You will find the same profusion and generosity on the tables of the Perigord
and in the small Farmers' Markets: foie gras of course, but also the confits, magrets of goose and
duck, walnuts, strawberries, the mysterious truffle, the wines from Bergerac, cepe and girole wild
mushrooms... the list is never ending!...
Bergerac has always been an important centre and port. The old town has plenty of narrow streets
to explore, most with restaurants catering for the huge tourist influx. The Maison du Vin lists all
the local chateaux open to the public and has details on the four main types: Pecharment, Rosette,
the white and red Cotes de Bergerac and the white Montravel. There is also an increasing number of
newer winemakers who produce faux Medoc mimicking their neighbours in Bordeaux.
Top cave for paintings is the replica of Lascaux, Lascaux II at Montignac - the original cave
is closed. Don’t bypass it in the mistaken belief that because it’s a replica it will be awful, it isn’t.
Ten years in the making and claimed to be within a millimetre of the original, the paintings of bulls,
bears, horses and deer are breathtaking.
Perigueux's cathedral St Front is Venetian in style with five cupolas and the nearby square
Place de la Clautre has a market on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Its Roman amphitheatre could apparently
seat 20,000 but was demolished in the third century to construct the ramparts. It is a major market
centre and the best place to buy anything from the area. The Musée du Perigord charts the local prehistory.
Brantome, on the banks of the Dronne, almost deserves its nickname of the Venice of Perigord.
Its pride and joy is the 8th century Benedictine abbey and Carolingian belfry - the oldest in France.
North is the tourist trap of Sarlat-La-Caneda. Sarlat heaves during high season, particularly
on Saturdays when the best market in the region takes over Place de la Liberte to compete with the
luxury shops. Once a month there is also a fair.
Rocamadour is the most visited site in France after Versailles and is a must. Always busy
this fortified town is perilously perched high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Alzou valley.
Once the centre of medieval Christianity, steeped in history with interesting architecture including
the churches and castle. Somewhat commercialised with tourist shops and restaurants with easy access
by road train from the large parking areas it is worth a visit for the views alone.
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Events in the Dordogne
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Theatre, music, dance, mime, one-day prehistory programmes, sporting contests, village fetes,
antique markets... there is no shortage of events in Perigord, summer and winter. Created in 1983,
the International Contemporary Mime Festival (MIMOS) in Perigueux is the most important of
its kind in the world. Performances range from free shows in Perigueux's picturesque, Renaissance
streets to more elaborate shows in some of the town's larger venues (Le Theatre, Le Palace and
La Cour de la Visitation), and there are plenty of workshops for the dedicated mime enthusiast.
La Félibrée draws 25,000 visitors each year for a journey into the Dordogne's romantic
past and the Occitan language (langue d'Oc). It takes place in a different town every year.
Nontron - Bellows Festival - It's no April Fool - in early April, the town of Nontron
celebrates the Bellows Festival (le Carnaval des Soufflets), dressed up in nightshirts, cotton
caps, clogs, masks and, last but not least, carrying the all-important bellows.
In the heart of the historic Old Town in Terrasson, the streets are overtaken by performers,
fireworks and exciting happenings during the annual summer street festival, Les Chemins de
L'Imaginaire (Paths of Imagination). Sigoules - Fete des Vendanges - Wine growers,
pleased to see their harvest safely gathered and the grapes crushed, live it up for a weekend
in the wine-growing centre of Sigoules in the Dordogne.
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Food in the Dordogne
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The Dordogne is renowned for two reasons: the beauty of the landscapes and the distinctive, rich
gastronomy based on duck and goose and flavoured with truffles. Experience foie gras,
served pre-cooked and cold or pan-fried and meltingly delicious.
Goose breeding, truffles, mushrooms, magrets, confits... you will find all these products on
the heavily leaden tables of the "fermes-auberges" and restaurants of Belves, and also in the
farms. In summer, the farmers' market every wednesday afternoon offers goat cheese called cabecous,
local honey or stawberries from the Perigord... there is no doubt, you are in the land of well-being,
well-living and well-eating! Don't forget the walnut of Perigord: one of the largest walnut orchards
of Europe is here. You can eat them as they are, or mixed in cakes. Walnut oil is delicious, also
walnut mustard and walnut wine. Bon appetit!
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Society in the Dordogne
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The inhabitants of the departement are called Perigordiens or Perigourdins. As Dordogne has become
one of the favourate destination of British immigration to France, Dordogne is now sometimes called
"Dordogneshire" as a joke.
Tipping: 12-15% service charge is normally added to the bill in hotels, restaurants and bars,
but it is customary to leave small change with the payment; more if the service has been exceptional.
Other services such as washroom attendants, 10-15% of the meter fare.
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