©Place Palissiere à Bergerac / Luc Fauret / Dordogne Périgord Tourisme
©La Roque-Gageac / Clara-Ferrand-CRTNA
Ease into the rhythm of the Dordogne with riverside walks and a first evening in a cliffside village.
©Les Eyzies de Tayak-Sireuil / CRTNA / Les Mich Mich en vadrouille
©Château de Beynac / Les Coflocs-CRTNA
Morning
Arrival in the valley and check-in to your accommodation. Before anything else, take the time to look around: sunlight on golden stone, deep green hillsides, peaceful silence. A first stroll along the Dordogne River is enough to change your pace. Here, nothing is rushed.
Afternoon & Evening
Head to La Roque-Gageac, nestled between cliff and river. Wander without a plan, follow the water, stop often. In the evening, settle on a terrace facing the Dordogne. Dinner naturally stretches into the softness of dusk.
©Aubas, L’Étable Gourmande / amb martel
Tucked into lush greenery just minutes from the river, this charming country house offers an intimate and welcoming retreat, perfect for beginning your stay. Known for its strong gastronomic spirit, it invites you to slow down from the very first evening.
See the valley from the water on a peaceful canoe ride, drifting past cliffs and castles.
©Canoë sur la Dordogne / APA St Léon
©Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère / APA St Léon
©Randonnée et canoé en Dordogne / CRTNA / Clara Ferrand
Morning
This morning, change perspectives. Enjoy a peaceful canoe ride for two along a calm stretch of river. The movement becomes fluid, almost silent. Cliffs pass by, castles appear around each bend. You speak little, you watch a lot.
(More contemplative alternative: a traditional gabarre boat cruise, to admire the valley effortlessly.)
Afternoon & Evening
Back on land for a relaxed lunch, then free time: a nap, a book, an impromptu walk… At sunset, climb to a viewpoint and watch the valley turn golden. Dinner in a discreet country inn, where cuisine tells the story of the land with sincerity.
©Gabares quais de Cyrano à Bergerac / CDT Dordogne / Déclic & Décolle
Once, traditional flat-bottomed boats known as gabarres drifted slowly along the Dordogne, carrying wood, wine and stone with the current. Today, you can step aboard and be carried by the gentle lapping of the water and the stories whispered by the river. Time seems to stand still, between golden cliffs and shimmering reflections.
Wander through medieval streets and hilltop villages that capture the soul of the Dordogne.
©Place de la halle à Domme / Luc Fauret Photographe
©La Vallée de la Dordogne depuis Beynac / CRTNA – Clara Ferrand
©Sarlat / CDT Dordogne -Déclic & Décolle
Morning
Set off for Sarlat-la-Canéda, the vibrant heart of the Dordogne Valley. Wander through the medieval centre, its lively squares, narrow streets, and market stalls (depending on the day). Here, Dordogne feels warm, generous and deeply human.
Afternoon & Evening
Continue to Beynac-et-Cazenac. The climb is slow, each step revealing a new panorama over the river. Then head to Domme, a hilltop bastide village suspended above the valley.
Before enjoying the ramparts, descend into the Domme Cave: a cool, silent underground world, almost unreal.
(Outdoor alternative: the Marqueyssac Gardens, for a romantic walk among sculpted box trees and breathtaking viewpoints.)
You then have the choice of returning to your first accommodation or heading to Bergerac, the destination for your next adventures.
Hovering above the Dordogne, the gardens of Marqueyssac unfold their winding paths amongst sculpted box trees and spectacular viewpoints. Here, you stroll slowly, carried along by the scents, the play of light and shadow, and the views that open out onto the valley. A timeless place, perfect for losing yourself with a loved one and letting the landscape do the rest.
Shift to a softer landscape of vineyards and discover the flavours of the Bergerac wine region.
©Bergerac / CDT Dordogne / Déclic & Décolle
©Bergerac, Quai Cyrano, Cloître des Recollets / OTBSD
©Château de Monbazillac / Dordogne Libre / Dordogne Périgord Tourisme
Morning
Travel towards Bergerac. The landscape softens, vineyards appear, and the Dordogne widens. Check in, then enjoy your first stroll through the old town: quiet lanes, half-timbered houses, shaded squares.
Stop at Quai Cyrano, on the riverbanks, to discover the Bergerac vineyards through tastings and friendly conversations.
Afternoon & Evening
Continue into the vines around Monbazillac, on sunlit hills overlooking the valley. Visit a wine estate at an unhurried pace, guided by scenery and shared exchange.
(Alternative: Pécharmant vineyards, for another expression of Bergerac wines.)
Return to town for dinner in Bergerac, soft and lively all at once.
©La Chartreuse du Bignac, vue aérienne / Chartreuse du Bignac
Set on the heights above the Bergerac vineyards, this elegant 17th-century residence embodies the refined art of living in Southwest France. Surrounded by vines and countryside, it is the ideal place to end your journey in a soft, romantic atmosphere.
End your stay gently with a final stroll along the river and a taste of local life.
©Ville de Bergerac, plan large / Dordogne Libre
©Place Palissiere à Bergerac / Luc Fauret / Dordogne Périgord Tourisme
©Gabares quais de Cyrano à Bergerac / CDT Dordogne / Déclic & Décolle
Morning
Your last morning in Bergerac. Depending on the day, stroll through the market or simply walk along the Dordogne River. A coffee on a terrace, a few aimless steps… and that lovely feeling of having found the right rhythm.
Afternoon
Departure from Bergerac or return to your arrival point, with the sense of a perfectly balanced journey, between nature, heritage and the art of living well.
©Artisanat vitro céramiste à Monpazier / CDT Dordogne / Coflocs
In Bergerac and its surrounding villages, craftsmanship reveals itself in quiet streets and open studios. Potters, glassmakers, painters and artisans bring the region to life through both tradition and contemporary creativity. An invitation to meet the makers—and to take home a piece of the place, shaped by hand.
Here are some practical answers to the most common questions, to help you plan your stay with ease and confidence.
Yes. Distances are short and the programme leaves plenty of breathing space.
Not at all. Vineyards are discovered here as landscapes and culture, accessible to everyone.
May–June and September–October offer superb light and a more peaceful atmosphere.
(Based on 2 people)
💡 The total budget may vary depending on the season, accommodation category and availability of guided activities. Travelling outside peak summer periods generally allows for a more comfortable budget and a quieter experience.
For the undecided, the charm of the South-West France can be found throughout the region. Go explore our other destinations, from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the hidden villages of Deux-Sèvres, or enjoy surf sessions on the coast and hikes in the vast landscapes of Limousin. You will certainly find the stay that suits you.
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