For excitement and adventure, look no further than the Dordogne region of France where you will discover ancient castles and prehistoric cave attractions and energetic activities including kayaking and cycling. If you decide to visit the Dordogne on vacation, consider renting one of the comfortable gites in Dordogne so that you can have plenty of time to explore the top tourist attractions in this beautiful area of Southwest France. Below is the top five attractions that you will not want to miss when visiting Dordogne.
1. Lascaux Caves – These celebrated caves contain some of the best-known Paleolithic cave paintings in the world. The original caves are currently closed, however, a detailed replica as well as a mini-museum is available to tourists providing a unique insight and educational look at Paleolithic cave art.
2. Chateau de Castelnaud – Combining education with entertainment this medieval castle reconstruction overlooking the Dordogne river offers an insight into medieval castle life through sword fight demonstrations, interactive displays and exhibitions depicting what life was like.
3. La Roque St-Christophe – Discover this famous prehistoric troglodyte site tourist attraction and learn how humans inhabited this harsh environment. There is the opportunity to explore alone and view the remnants of many of the ancient structures such as the church. Its perhaps best to consider wearing sturdy walking shoes during a visit to this site and consider bringing a picnic as this area makes a lovely place to stop for lunch.
4. Rocamadour – Known as one of the most famous pilgrimage destinations, Rocamadour has attracted visitors for over 1,000 years. This beautiful village located on a cliff top is one of the most awe-inspiring sites in France and still attracts over a million visitors each year. You can take a stroll through its medieval streets and visit the famous sanctuaries.
5. Canoeing on the Dordogne – The beautiful rivers in the Dordogne region can easily be explored by canoe. Choose one of the olde worlde and convenient French villas nearby so that you can enjoy plenty of time canoeing the area. Many holidaymakers to the area find this a relaxing way to discover the Dordogne valley and take in the stunning scenery. For a quieter river experience, consider canoeing on the river Vezere.
