Dordogne

FRANCE'S MOST FAMOUS HISTORICAL REGION, ready to explore at your leisure

The Dordogne region of France offers a microcosm of the best that France has to offer. Boasting enchanting medieval villages, scenic rolling countryside, and incredible prehistoric landmarks, the Dordogne department offers travelers an authentic French experience somewhat removed from the typical tourist path.

Also notable are the exquisite French wines that originate in this region, which can be sampled at some of the many chateaus that dot the countryside. The cuisine of the region is among the most exquisite and affordable in France.

With its diverse offerings, the Dordogne region beckons to be explored over many days. Join Ophorus in the Dordogne on an array of excursions. Journey with us through historic villages such as la roque gageac, explore the alluring countryside and its prolific vineyards or take a jaunt to the sparkling coast. Discover singular prehistoric sites and caves such as Lascaux IV.

With our Essential Dordogne packages, our expert travel specialists combined a few of our Dordogne tours to offer a comprehensive experience of the Dordogne over a few days. Whatever you choose, we ensure you that at the hands of Ophorus, your Dordogne experience will be one to remember and cherish!

Dordogne tours from Sarlat

Departing from Sarlat la Canéda, we organize small group tours, exclusive private tours and more affordable shared tours to all the major attractions of the area. Our half day or full day tours are conducted by Expert Guides that speak impeccable English. Transportation is done in new or recent fully equipped air conditioned minivans.

Our destinations include the Dordogne Valley, Les Eyzies de Tayac with its Prehistory Museum and close by Rouffignac Cave. We also organize guided tours of the medieval towns of Sarlat or Périgueux. Other option include great activities such as canoeing or a boat ride along the Dordogne River.

We also organize day trips from Bordeaux & Toulouse to the Dordogne region. These sightseeing day trips are the perfect way to reach the Dordogne region of France that is not the most accessible of towns. Once you have reached Sarlat la Canéda, our day trips from Sarlat are the perfect option to visit the surrounding countryside.

The Four colors of the Perigord

The Périgord noir

It is undoubtedly the oldest of the appellations that existed even before the Dordogne department. The black color refers to the very dark holm oaks that are very present in this part of the Dordogne. They give the landscape a beautiful dark color. Black adds a touch of mystery that appeals to locals and tourists alike.

The Périgord Noir extends over the south-eastern part of the Department. It is known for Sarlat-la-Canédat but Les Eyzies, Montignac or Domme are also very popular towns and villages for visitors. This Périgord Noir is rich in a thousand vestiges to discover, preferably in low season because the summer season is particularly busy.

The white Périgord

It takes its name from the limestone plateaus of this part of the Dordogne and covers the central part of the department. Historically, it included the Riberacois (named after the town of Riberac) who, for a few years now, preferred to join the Périgord vert, which has more authenticity.

The Périgord blanc is home to Périgueux, the capital of the Dordogne, but also the villages of Savignac-les-Églises, Montpon, Sorges, Saint-Astier, Neuvic and Mussidan. Less wooded than the other Périgords, this area is relatively agricultural and is watered by Auvézère, Isle, La Double and Dronne Rivers.

The green Périgord

The story goes that the name was found by Jules Vernes himself during a stay in the north of the Department. This hopeful color comes from the lush nature, watered by the many rivers that cover this land. Historically, the Périgord Vert extended mainly to the north of the department, in particular around the region of Nontron. Today, it spreads west to encompass Ribérac as far as Saint Aulaye.

The Périgord Vert is hilly, dotted with small meadows and beautiful forests. This unspoiled nature offers a very authentic charm which promotes the development of green and sustainable tourism. Nontron, Thiviers, the admirable Brantôme, Lanouaille, Piégut-Pluviers, Jumilhac le grand and Ribérac are the main towns of the Périgord vert. The rivers that cross it are the Côle, the Dronne, the Belle and L’Auvézère.

The purple Périgord

It is undoubtedly the most contested color because it responds above all to tourist considerations and not to historical reality. The purple color of the Périgord refers to the vineyard that are very present in this part of the southwest around Bergerac, going as far as Montpazier.

This purple Périgord is rich in a wide variety of landscapes and famous heritage in particular for its bastides such as Montpazier, Beaumont du Périgord, Villefranche du Périgord. Bastides were organized towns that were completely created by man during the Middle Ages. These modern towns were built to attract the surrounding population, put in place a market and protect the town with walls.

The purple Perigord is crossed by the Dordogne river. This Périgord is the cradle of the famous Bergerac wine that I strongly invite you to discover during your stay.