About the Dordogne
The most popular area of the Dordogne is known as Le Périgord Noir, situated in the South East of the department. Here you will find an abundance of picturesque, medieval towns and villages such as Sarlat, Domme, Beynac and La Roque Gageac (voted one of the prettiest villages in France), the beautiful River Dordogne with its limestone cliffs and magnificent chateaux such as Beynac, Milandes, Castlenaud and Hautefort. Also not to be missed are the spectacular gardens and views from Les Jardins de Marqueyssac.
There is a museum of prehistory at Les Eyzies, while the caves at Lascaux boasts the world’s most famous prehistoric cave paintings.There are several other prehistoric caves such as Font de Gaume and La Grotte de Rouffignac and some beautiful natural caves, rich in stalactites and stalagmites, such as La Grotte de Domme and Le Gouffre de Proumeyssac.
Bergerac lies to the West of Le Perigord Noir and is a region most famous for its wines, vineyards and chateaux.
About the Lot
The River Dordogne just passes through the northern tip of the Lot department and this is a department that has also become very popular with visitors, the Lot valley in particular. The department boasts one of France’s major tourist attractions, the village of Rocamadour, perched precariously on a steep cliff face overlooking the valley of the Ouysse. Other pretty towns and villages include Saint Cirq Lapopie, Carennac, Autoire and Loubressac.
Like the Dordogne, the department has a number of spectacular underground caves, including Le Gouffre de Padirac and La Grotte de Cougnac.
Both the Dordogne and the Lot are famous for its gourmet delights, notably Paté de Foie Gras, Magret de Canard (duck), Walnuts and Truffles.