Several villages here are classed among the 'most beautiful villages in France' such as Belves, a very attractive village with a great deal of character; Monpazier, which is among our favourite five villages in the whole of France and unforgettable when you visit. Limeuil is a pretty village on the confluence of the Vézère and Dordogne rivers, a perfect stop for a coffee whilst you watch the world go by.

Gorgeous Eymet and Duras are traditional medieval bastide towns built around a central square which are filled with trestle tables during the night food festivals; Issigeac is a most authentic and unspoiled medieval village very well known for its Sunday market, which was voted the best in Aquitaine during 2018.

Domme is a gorgeous village perched upon the cliffs by the Dordogne river with magnificent views, popular caves to visit and many ancient streets, some over 1000 years old.

A video was made of the Dropt Valley to showcase the remarkable sites and bastides. You can watch the full film below.

Bergerac is a maze of cobbled streets with fascinating shops and restaurants.

Eating out in Bergerac is not so much a special occasion but more a necessity. It is renowned for its dedication to gastronomy. Numerous restaurants, cafés and crêperies serve everything from flavoursome light meals to glorious presentations of several courses – accompanied, of course, by some of the world’s finest wines.

Look out for Tourins; a local speciality soup, truffles and foie gras. The area is known for its wild boar, partridge, hare, quail, duck, geese and trout, all of which will feature on almost all restaurant menus.

There are enough local french markets to visit a different one each day. We think two of the best are Issigeac and Eymet. They also have night time food markets where you can taste and try before you make your selection. These are normally packed events with a great buzzy atmosphere and live music to accompany your meal.

As you wander, your senses will be aroused with the perfume of herbs and spices, you will find quality fruit and vegetables at excellent prices, also meat, bread and cheese. We think it’s the perfect way to begin your holiday and a good excuse to stock up with food. Our favourites are the foie gras, stuffed figs, the olive paste, the large tomatoes and of course the cheese... lots of cheese!

A day in a canoe drifting down the Dordogne River is one of our favourite things to do each summer. Whilst you glide gently past Beynac, La Roque-Gageac and other small villages along the Dordogne, you will see beautiful sections of the river that are not visible from anywhere else. River beaches such as those at Vitrac will tempt you to stop for a picnic. Beyond Beynac the river is quieter and the scenery more gentle.

The hiring of the canoe and equipment is reasonably priced and so as a days entertainment it is very good value. There are some safety considerations to look into especially if you have children, so it is well worth checking these beforehand.

Whilst canoeing there are plenty of places along the route where you can pull your canoe over to the river bank for a picnic, a paddle and a sunbathe. Most of the canoe companies have minibuses to pick you up, so don’t worry about being a canoe expert as you always go with the flow of the river.

Château de Rocamadour was built to defend the village's sanctuaries in the Middle Ages. It sits proudly at the top in an extraordinary balancing act. Only the castle’s ramparts are open to visitors but the viewpoints over the Alzou Valley are simply outstanding. Our children love a day out visiting the château and other sights in the area.

With soaring panoramic views over the river and neighbouring castles, a trip to the Dordogne Valley would not be complete without a visit to the Château de Beynac. Make your way through the beautifully preserved castle and catch a glimpse of the Great Hall of State and 15th century frescoes in the Oratory. Adventure seekers can park at the bottom of the village and walk (or crawl) up, however there is also parking at the top of the hill near the castle itself. You will be glad to know there is a quaint café and ice-cream shop at the top.

Gouffre de Proumeyssac is near Le Bugue and the caves are highly recommended. The main feature is the enormous 'Cathedral of Crystal' - a stunning, huge and beautifully lit cavern. You can pay extra and enter by the same method as the original visitors - a suspended basket, now motorised but originally lowered by a horse. 

A fantastic family day out, especially with children but do book ahead in the summer as the queues can be 3 or 4 hours long. In addition to the caves there is a picnic area, bookshop, bar and a forest trail.

The Aquarium du Perigord Noir bear Le Bugue is the biggest fresh water aquarium in Europe. With aquariums full of carp, trout and various other freshwater fish, you can also take the chance to visit the outdoor pools where you can participate in feeding the fish.

The Anaconda House is full of lizards and serpents in a wide range of sizes and colours. You can also see turtles in yet another pool area. When you have enjoyed all the sights there is a pleasant cafe area selling drinks and snacks and next door is a mini-golf if you are looking for more entertainment.

The French are passionate about their wine and nowhere more so than the Côtes de Duras region. Our favourite micro vineyards are the superb Domain du Grand Mayne where you can walk through the vines and taste their award winning wines. The Domain du Siorac is a wonderful family owned vineyard just outside Eymet, with a well-stocked shop and interesting guided tour.

One of the best ways to visit the local vineyards is a guided tour. We would recommend Bergerac Wine Tours which have an excellent trip advisor review status and come highly recommended.

Bordeaux is so close and is a must to visit during your stay. Bordeaux is a wonderful city full of beautiful historic buildings and it is the largest urban area to be given the UNSECO world heritage site status.

The city has a mix of medieval streets and wide boulevards with lots of cafes and squares to take in the atmosphere. The riverside area has recently undergone a transformation and is now a must see part of the city. There is evidence of Bordeaux’s Roman past with a 1.1km shopping street for you to pick up some holiday treats.