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Central France Dordogne
Best bits " Walking " Fishing " Birdwatching " Exploring Châteaux
What to see
Above: The picturesque Tarn Gorge. Right: Market stalls of Belvès.
Immersed in history, this beautiful region has an unforgettable charm. Beautifully preserved Dordogne was one of the original 83 départements created during the French Revolution. It was formed from the province of Périgord, and even to this day the locals are known as Périgordiens. Inhabited since prehistoric times, youll find the most complete ancient cave paintings ever discovered at Lascaux. Its all about meandering rivers, quaint ancient villages set on steep hillsides and charming countryside thats ideal for walking, birdwatching, fishing and water sports. Oh, and châteaux, lots of châteaux, built as a result of centuries of conflict in the region, most notably the Hundred Years War between France and England. Nowadays Dordogne is the supplier of much of France's finest produce, including Bergerac wines, crèpes mushrooms, rare truffles and foie gras. The mighty Dordogne river bisects the region, and offers all the attractions youd expect from one of Europes most dramatic waterways.
Average daily maximum temperature
There are over 1000 fascinating châteaux to explore with Beynac-et-Cazenac, perched precariously on a sheer cliff, perhaps the most famous of all. Other notable examples include Biron, Bourdeilles, Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, Commarque, Herm, Monbazillac and Pécany. Go to town and visit Sarlat with its golden stoned buildings, cobbled streets and adorable market stalls. Or for something altogether fruitier, theres the charmingly madcap Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne Strawberry Festival, where every year the sweet toothed villagers attempt to create the largest possible tart. Then theres the wine centre of Bergerac a pretty medieval town with old squares and an excellent market. For even more inspiration visit thomsonalfresco.co.uk
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Tulle Périgueux Brive La Gaillarde Bergerac
Le Bugue La Roque-Gageac Domme Sarlat Belvès
30
80 70 60 50 40
25 20 15 10 5
Dordogne
Rcn le Rocamadour Moulin de la Pique
Figeac
Cahors
London
°F
Apr 6 5 May Jun Jul Aug Sep Average daily hours of sunshine 8 8 9 8 7 6 7 6 6 5 Oct 6 3
°C
Dordogne
DORDOGNE
30 km
© TUI 2006
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