Carlux and Domme (Sarlat and the Dordogne valley)
This is where most of our Dordogne villas are. Carlux is a small village above the river between Sarlat and Souillac, around 20 minutes from Sarlat's medieval centre and its Saturday market. Domme is a clifftop bastide with huge views over the valley, close to La Roque-Gageac, Beynac and Castelnaud. Canoe hire is easy along this stretch. Brive airport is under an hour away; Bergerac is around an hour and a half.
Best for: First-timers who want castles, canoeing and Sarlat's markets
Not for you if: You want to avoid crowds in August: this is the busiest stretch of the region.
Cause-de-Clerans and Urval (the middle Dordogne)
A quieter stretch of the river between Bergerac and the Périgord Noir. Cause-de-Clerans is close to Lalinde and the great river loop at Trémolat, and Urval is a few minutes from the abbey at Cadouin and the market town of Le Buisson-de-Cadouin. Bergerac's vineyards, including Monbazillac, are easy day trips, and Bergerac airport is roughly 30 to 45 minutes away.
Best for: Wine, river views and a shorter transfer from Bergerac
Not for you if: You want medieval showpiece towns nearby: Sarlat is around an hour east.
Eymet and Beaumont du Périgord (the bastide towns)
South of Bergerac, the countryside opens out into vineyards and sunflower fields dotted with bastides, the fortified market towns built around arcaded squares. Eymet has a popular Thursday market and a well-established English-speaking community. Beaumont du Périgord is a quieter bastide with a fortified church. Bergerac airport is around 30 minutes from Eymet and a little more from Beaumont.
Best for: Couples and families wanting a lively small town with cafés and markets
Not for you if: You want the famous castles and caves on the doorstep: they are an hour or more away.
Coly and La Bachellerie (the Vézère valley and Lascaux)
The Vézère valley is the Dordogne's prehistoric heartland. Coly is a short drive from Montignac, home to Lascaux IV, the full-scale replica of the famous cave paintings, and the caves and museum at Les Eyzies are further down the valley. La Bachellerie is close to Terrasson and the A89 motorway. Brive airport is roughly 30 to 40 minutes away, and Sarlat around half an hour from Coly.
Best for: Prehistory, caves and easy access from Brive
Not for you if: You want lots of choice: we have only a couple of villas here.
Nontron, Piégut-Pluviers and Périgueux (Périgord Vert and the north)
The north of the department is known as the Périgord Vert for its woods and pastures, and it sits within the Périgord-Limousin regional nature park. Nontron is a small hilltop town, and Piégut-Pluviers has a large Wednesday market. Brantôme, with its abbey on the river Dronne, is a short drive. Périgueux, the department's capital, has a Roman museum and a domed cathedral. Limoges airport is about an hour from Nontron.
Best for: Space, woodland and quiet countryside away from the summer crowds
Not for you if: You want the classic Dordogne river scenery: this is a different, greener landscape.
