Campsites in Dordogne

The best campsites in the Dordogne

Wake up to croissants fresh from the boulangerie, hire a kayak to paddle downstream, stop off to buy picnic food at the local market and gaze in awe at the turrets of a medieval château… this is what days in the Dordogne are all about. Life seems to slow down in this part of south-west France which makes it the perfect place for a holiday. Stay on a Dordogne camping or glamping site and evenings are just as idyllic: take a dip in the pool, enjoy a game of petanque and eat al fresco with a glass of wine from nearby Bordeaux to wash it all down. That’s not to say there’s no adventure here though: if you’re into action and adventure you’ll find plenty to keep you busy with wild swimming, cycling, horse riding, hiking, canoeing, kayaking and exploring underground caves all on the agenda.

With reliable sunshine in the summer months, camping and glamping in the Dordogne region offer the ideal way to make the most of the rural splendour. We’re not the only ones to have noticed, of course, and there are plenty of camping and glamping sites to choose from but you should find that sites in the Cool Camping collection all offer something a little different. We’ve scoured the region to find the best campsites in the Dordogne to make finding the place that suits you a little easier. You won’t find sprawling holiday parks in our collection but you might just find the little gem you’ve been looking for whether that’s a sociable site with family-friendly facilities or a romantic rural retreat.

Dordogne: the river, the region and the Périgord

Officially speaking, the Dordogne is a county (or department) in south-west France and, also, a river which runs through it and beyond to the coast west of Bordeaux. But when we Brits conjure up an image of “the Dordogne” we are not usually thinking of county lines or the full 450km of river – we’re thinking of that special region in south-west France where natural beauty, historic sites and fantastic food have been tempting our countrymen on holiday for decades. This part of France roughly corresponds to the Dordogne department but, somewhat confusingly, is known by the French as the Périgord.

There’s no denying that the Dordogne and several other rivers which flow through the region have collectively shaped the landscape. They have carved caves and crags into the landscape and feed the forests and agricultural land around them. These well-watered soils provide natural riches that have been attracting people for about 20,000 years – and that’s no exaggeration: the region’s Vézère valley is home to 147 prehistoric sites. If it’s the river valley that you’re particularly interested in take a look at the Cool Camping Dordogne Valley campsite collection which includes sites further east and west on the Dordogne river.

Within Périgord there are distinct landscapes which have been nicknamed by their dominant colour in a bid to help steer visitors towards the area which will suit them best and make sure they are not missing out on any of the region’s many delights. There’s lots of information on the Visit Perigord website about Périgord Vert, Blanc, Pourpre and Noir but our quick guide might just help you decide which part of the Périgord is best for your next camping or glamping holiday.

Périgord Vert

The north of the region is known as the Périgord Vert or Périgord Green thanks to the amount of greenery in the landscape. Characterised by fields and forests and including part of the Natural Parc Regional Périgord-Limousin, this part of the region is lesser populated and lesser visited than some of the other regions. If you want quiet camping in beautiful countryside, look out for campsites in Périgord Vert. The River Dronne flows through this northern part of the county and some of its bigger towns. You can take to the water at Brantôme to paddle through the town and its surrounds spotting wildlife and marvelling at its architecture which includes an impressive abbey. Also in the region are the attractive towns of Nontron and Bourdeilles, prehistoric sites including Grotte de Villars and the impressive Jumilhac le Grand castle.

Périgord Blanc

The Périgord Blanc (white) is so called because of the chalk in the landscape and surrounding the River Isle which is one of two rivers in the Périgord Blanc. The Dordogne’s capital, Perigueux, is in this area: worth a visit for food markets, museums, an excavated Roman house and its unusual cathedral. Foodies won’t want to miss nearby Sorges which is, it’s claimed, the “truffle capital” of the Dordogne and has an annual festival and a museum dedicated to these wonder-mushrooms. The Châteaux de Hautefort is an impressive stately home in this area which provides an interesting contrast to some of the other Dordogne châteaux as it was transformed in the 17th century. Despite the name, this is still the Périgord and there’s still a fair amount of green in the “blanc” so if you’re looking for forest camping in the Dordogne, you may find what you’re looking for here. It’s also a great place for camping or glamping in the heart of the Dordogne with easy access to the neighbouring regions.

Périgord Pourpre

South-west Dordogne is where vineyards begin to dominate the landscape. Growing either side of the Dordogne River and covering some 13,000 hectares, the vines are used to grow a variety of grapes destined for both red and white Bergerac wines. Understandably this region is christened Périgord Pourpre (purple). Visiting a vineyard, or even taking a tour of several, is a classic day out in the Périgord Pourpre, but will probably entertain parents more than kids. Hiking, canoeing and horse-riding in the region may prove more popular with all ages and there are plenty of châteaux here too including Châteaux de Monbazillac which is a 16th-century castle, vineyard and contemporary art gallery rolled in to one. The region’s capital Bergerac has an attractive old town and there are several fortified towns (or bastides) including Monpazier, Beaumont and Eymet. Pretty Limeuil is another village worth a visit with the added bonus of having a riverside beach that’s perfect for a swim.

Périgord Noir           

If you need a quick reminder of what the Dordogne is famous for, head for the south-east corner – the Périgord Noir. Here is where you’ll find the Vézère Valley’s 147 prehistoric sites, including the Lascaux Caves. It’s also here that some of the most beautiful and scenically-situated châteaux can be found including Châteaux de Beynac and Châteaux de Castelnaud both high above the Dordogne river itself. One of the Dordogne’s most-famous, most-visited and most-photographed towns, Sarlat-le-Caneda is here too with its characteristic golden-coloured stone buildings, bustling food market, cafes and restaurants. The noir or black in the name is said to be in reference to the forested parts of the region. Camping in the Périgord Noir includes options for riverside and woodland camping at the very heart of the Dordogne with easy access to the main sights and attractions.

Tent camping in the Dordogne

Whichever part of the Périgord you choose to visit, you’ll find plenty of classic campsites where you can pitch your tent to enjoy the sunshine. The variety of scenery means that there are woodland campsites, lakeside campsites and meadow campsites. You can choose from sociable sites with lots of facilities and smaller sites with more secluded pitches.

Classic camping in your own tent is a great-value way to enjoy a holiday in the Dordogne and is family-friendly too. The adventure of camping is usually enough to keep the kids happy and while days out visiting vineyards and medieval villages may appeal more to us parents, there are plenty of family-friendly days out too from kayaking and canoeing to exploring fairytale châteaux. On-site facilities when camping in France tend to cater well for children with play areas, sports facilities and swimming pools more common on smaller sites than we are used to in the UK.

Glamping in the Dordogne

If having the best facilities appeals then it’s worth checking out our Dordogne glamping sites too. The Cool Camping team have put just as much care in to selecting glamping sites in the region and some of them have fantastic facilities. Fancy staying in a luxury tent with its own bathroom? No problem. Want to have access to a hot tub? We know just the place. There are sites where you can stay under canvas in a pre-erected bell tent, yurt, safari tent or tipi to retain the feel of a classic camping holiday and sites where you can stay somewhere with a more solid roof: in a wooden chalet, roulotte (gypsy caravans) or perhaps even a treehouse.

On a glamping holiday, you won’t have to worry about pitching your tent or tying yourself up in guy ropes: everything will be set up ready for your arrival. Glamping also means you won’t have to pack up everything but the kitchen sink to take with you as everything including a kitchen sink is likely to be part of the deal. In some places you won’t even need a kitchen sink as a dishwasher is not out of the question with some of the high-end glamping accommodation on offer these days! But if you prefer to keep it more simple than that, don’t worry – our glamping range covers everything from basic summer bell tent camping to the truly luxurious so there’s bound to be something to suit you.

Top Things To Do on a Camping Holiday in the Dordogne

1. Eat croissants for breakfast. Most campsites have a daily bread and croissant delivery from the local boulangerie. Take advantage of it and enjoy a classic French breakfast of croissants and hot chocolate.

2. Hire a kayak or canoe. The Dordogne itself, the Dronne, the Isle... the Dordogne region is awash (pardon the pun) with waterways that are perfect for kayaks and canoes and there are plenty of places to hire them – including many campsites.

3. Explore a château. The turrets of the Dordogne’s many châteaux peeking through the trees or overlooking the river are one of the classic postcard views of the region. Many are open to visitors and make for an interesting day out.

4. Go to town. The big attraction of the Dordogne is its beautiful countryside but its pretty towns and villages hold an appeal too with honey-hued stone buildings, bustling food markets and pavement cafés.

5. Shop at the market. Pick up the freshest fruit and veg and regional specialities like walnuts and goats’ cheese at one of the weekly food markets France is famous for – perfect for a picnic.

6. Discover Dordogne’s long history. Head underground in to the Lascaux Caves, one of 147 prehistoric sites recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in the Vézère Valley.

7. Eat out. Barbecues are the mainstay of camping holidays but French cuisine is one of the great pleasures of a holiday in the Dordogne so make time for dinner in a restaurant at least once. Forget frogs’ legs and think salade au chevre, confit de canard and classic cassoulets.

8. Sample a Bergerac wine. Vines thrive on the banks of the Dordogne around Bergerac so there’s no better place to try the reds, whites and rosés that are produced from the grapes – a bottle of the local vin makes a great present too!

9. Go for a swim. If you’ve got a pool or access to the river from your Dordogne campsite, you and your kids will probably be in and out of the water all day... but, if not, seek out a river beach like the one at Limeuil to keep cool on hot days.

10. Play pétanque. All ages can compete on a fairly level playing field in the sport of pétanque (boules) and many campsites have a pitch so you can spend the holiday honing your skills!