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Motorhoming In Dordogne
MOTORHOMING IN THE DORDOGNE
Dordogne is one of the five departments of the Aquitaine region in south west of France. If you’re considering hiring a motorhome in France the region is well worth a visit. Aquitaine offers 270kms of fabulous beaches on the Atlantic coast of France. The region breathes the art of good living and is home to some very well known French specialities such as the Fois Gras, duck confit, oysters and of course wine. In the Dordogne the green valleys and prehistoric grottos delight nature lovers and historians alike.
Périgueux is the capital of the Dordogne and takes its name from the Gallic people who occupied the region in the years of Julius Cesar. It survived the years and several wars to be recognised today as Ville d’Art et Histoire’, a town of art and history with no less than 39 edifices classed as historic monuments. You will encounter them by accident when strolling through its squares and alleys dating from Roman times.
The Dordogne has several sites classed by UNESCO. South of Perigueux, the Valley of Vézère is one of the richest and most celebrated prehistoric sites in Europe. In the valley one can find the National Prehistoric Museum and the Lascaux Grotto with its wall paintings dating from the Palaeolithic age.
Towards the south of the region is the town of Bergerac. Well known for its good wine, the Montbazillac perhaps the best known, it is also an important touristic and cultural centre. In the 18th century the town grew around its port, the principal activity of which was to transport the regions wine to Bordeaux. With its half-timbered houses of the old quarter, the town has conserved numerous vestiges of its prosperous past. Find time to visit the Museum of Wine and Canal Transport and the House of the Wines of Bergerac, consecrated to the history of the town.
If motorhome travel in France is on the agenda, why not follow the 450kms of river in the Dordogne Valley - you’ll encounter a multitude of sights. Known as the ‘Valley of Wonders’, you’ll discover châteaux and fortresses clinging precariously to the cliffs. Further south the river Dordogne becomes a canal with grand country houses along its banks and picturesque villages like Saint Avit Sénieur.
The ‘savoir vivre’ of the Dordogne and the region of Aquitaine together with its prehistoric past and rolling green valleys offers a wealth of things to visit and something to interest everyone. If you’re looking for a place to stop along the way, click on Aires de Service in the Dordogne.
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