About the Dordogne
 Dordogne Holiday Properties offers a quality selection of charming holiday homes in "the land of a thousand châteaux". For those who are not familiar with this magnificent region of France we can say that this is one of the few special places where you can really fulfill your dreams and enjoy the relaxing and memorable holiday you wish for.
The Périgord is a former province of France, which corresponds roughly to the current Dordogne department, now forming the northern part of the Aquitaine region. It is divided into four regions, the Périgord Noir (Black), the Périgord Blanc (White), the Périgord Vert (Green) and the Périgord Pourpre (Purple). The geography and natural resources of the Périgord make it one of the untouched regions of Europe, and the newly-created Parc Naturel Régional Périgord-Limousin aims to conserve it as such.
The area is noted for its cuisine, more particularly its products related to ducks and geese, such as foie gras. It is one of the truffle areas of France, historically the most famous. Périgourdine wines include the famed Bergerac (red and white) and Monbazillac.
The prefecture(capital) of the Dordogne is Périgueux, a city steeped in history. Bergerac in the south and Sarlat in the east are the sub-prefectures. There are fine Roman ruins in Périgueux which have been restored and the whole area is known as the 'cradle of mankind' due to its wealth of prehistoric sites, of which the most famous prehistoric site is the painted cave of Lascaux, whose depictions of aurochs, horses, deer and other animals (but not of humans) date back some 17,000 years.
The centre of pre-historic studies is the small town of les Eyzies, home to the newly-rebuilt Museum of Pre-History, where 19th century archaeological investigations established the valley of the River Vezere as an unusually rich array of pre-historic sites dating back some 40,000 years. One of UNESCO's World Heritage locations, the valley contains 147 prehistoric sites dating from the Palaeolithic era and 25 decorated caves.
The Périgord, one of the main battlegrounds of Hundred Years' War between the French and English in the 14th and 15th centuries, is also the land of 1001 medieval and Renaissance castles like Puymartin, Losse, Hautefort and Beynac situated mainly along the Dordogne and Vézère rivers.
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 The countryside is spectacular, a paradise for bird watchers and artists, with a different view around every corner.
 There are several top golf courses.
 You may want to stroll through the forests, ride mountain bikes or horses on the numerous paths where you can witness nature in its prime.
 You may choose to float down the gently winding rivers in canoes... or you may simply sit back and relax in the sunshine!
 The Dordogne is a paradise for gourmets, renowned for its duck, goose, cheese, nuts, strawberries, melons, truffles and game.
 You can taste the famous local wines by visiting the vineyards of the Bergerac region, including Monbazillac, St Emilion and Pécharmant, or simply enjoy sampling them with local gourmet specialities at an amazing variety of wonderful restaurants.
 There are cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes and all pockets.
 Most towns hold a weekly farmers’ market and these are a joy to visit. You can stock up on fresh fruit, bread, pastries, jams, cheeses and pâtés or just enjoy the hustle and bustle.
 Enjoy the traditional festivals held in most towns and villages all through the summer months
 Bergerac is a busy, bustling town on the Dordogne river.
- Visit the Old Port area and take a boat trip.
- See the statue of Cyrano de Bergerac.
- Shop in the beautiful boutiques in the quaint squares and alleyways.
- Sit in a pavement café and enjoy a coffee.
 Périgueux is the cultural Capital of the region. A friendly and hospitable town it hosts a lively market and a feast of restaurants and cafés. It is also home to the largest church in the South West of France, also unique in France. Its Byzantine architecture overlooks the Medieval and renaissance parts of the town, lit up in the evening it is enchanting to any eye.
 Sarlat is probably one of the most beautiful medieval towns of France, by day or by night. You can be sure to find a wide selection of cafés with sunny terraces and restaurants offering the best in traditional cooking.
 Climate
The Dordogne is a country of many faces in its geographical features and climate. The temperate climate is evident throughout the Périgord in the gentle winters and moderate summer temperatures. The position of the valleys, the rolling hills, the profile and position of the forested hillsides, the clear felled land and the lakes all create a range of particular climatic zones. Summers are generally hot and dry.
 Geography
The Périgord encloses four large natural regions:
- In the centre, The Périgord Blanc is made up of limestone plateaux sectioned by rivers (Isle, Auvézère, Loue, Dronne), which open up the wide valleys. The valley of the River Isle forms the backbone of a slightly different region, South of Périgueux, where one may see the maritime pine trees begin to appear on the landscape.
- In the South East, The Périgord Noir and the Sarlat region is a region apart. Its rounded hills are styled with chestnut coppices and pine forests, its deep valleys (of the Dordogne and Vézère) with walnut orchards and fields of tobacco.
- The Périgord Vert and the Nontron region is thick with trees from pines to heather. Here the chestnut tree rules the land. This is a land of lakes and valleys - a land where the rich prairies converge with the gentle slopes.
- In the South West, The Périgord Pourpre has a valley which widens downstream from Bergerac. This is a land of orchards and vineyards.
The land of the Périgord began to form from the first era when the Massif Central emerged from the crust of the earth. One may find the crystalline rocks from the Massif Central in the North of the department on the border of the Limousine region. However, the formation of the Périgord happened mainly during the second tertiary era - an era when the sea covered the Aquitaine, driving the limestone deposits to the foot of the Massif Central. From the Jurassic limestone the Perigourdian plateaux were formed. Later on the Jurassic limestone created the white soil in the Périgord Blanc and the majority of the Périgord Noir. It was during the fourth era that the major rivers (the Dordogne, the Vézère, the Isle and the Dronne) appeared and carved the deep valleys of the region.
 History
The area was an ancient populated region, as evident in the innumerable prehistoric sites. During the Roman times the Périgord was the land of the Petrocorii Celts. In the 13th century it fell under the power of the duchy of Aquitaine with whom it came under English rule, following the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II of England (1152). In 1398 the king of France removed the duchy of the Périgord from his kingdom and it passed successively to the House of Orleans, the House of Penthièvre and then to the House of Albret, before being incorporated into the Royal kingdom of Henry IV of France(1670). In 1790 the Périgord was detached from the rule of Bordeaux to form the largest part of the department of the Dordogne.
 Interesting Facts
Second to Paris, the Dordogne has probably the richest heritage of historical monuments in France. The incredibly rich Perigourdine heritage creates a wonderful region with:-
Once seduced by this region you are sure to keep coming back again and again!
The Dordogne Region of Aquitaine, South West France is a wonderful holiday destination for families, couples and parties of all sizes and types. Dordogne Holiday Properties has the perfect self-catering holiday accommodation just waiting for you.
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