The Journal
Stories from the Dordogne
Your insider guide to one of France's most fascinating regions. Beyond the listings — the people, places and quiet luxury that make the Dordogne truly special.
6 April 2026
Discover the Dordogne
One of France's most beautiful and storied regions, the Dordogne offers ancient stone villages, prehistoric caves, exceptional food and four distinct Périgords — each with its own character and its own reasons to linger.
Read article →30 March 2026
The Dordogne with Kids: A Region Made for Young Explorers
Canoeing past medieval castles, descending into prehistoric caves, splashing in river beaches, and staying up late at summer night markets — the Dordogne delivers a genuinely unforgettable family holiday. Here is everything you need to know, including why a private villa makes the perfect family base.
Read article →30 March 2026
Why Discerning Travellers Are Quietly Choosing Dordogne Over Provence
For those who have seen Provence in all its lavender-scented glory, the Dordogne offers something far rarer: elegant authenticity without the crowds, the cost, or the performance. Here is why sophisticated travellers are making the switch — and not looking back.
Read article →25 March 2026
Les Eyzies and the Musée National de Préhistoire: A Complete Guide
The world's finest collection of Upper Palaeolithic artefacts lives in a cliff-side building above a village of 900 people. Pair it with Font-de-Gaume, Cap-Blanc and Les Combarelles and you have the most concentrated day of prehistoric art available anywhere on earth — or, better still, a full week.
Read article →18 March 2026
The New Standards of Luxury in Dordogne Holiday Rentals
What today's discerning travellers seek from a holiday home has evolved far beyond thread counts and infinity pools. Connection, authenticity, and a genuine sense of place are the new benchmarks — and the Dordogne delivers them better than almost anywhere in France.
Read article →10 March 2026
Things to Do in the Dordogne for Every Type of Traveller
One of the Dordogne's greatest strengths is its remarkable versatility. Whether you are a history devotee, a food-obsessed couple, an adventurous family, or a multi-generational group, this curated guide matches the region's best experiences to your travel style.
Read article →21 February 2026
The Weekly Markets of the Dordogne: A Complete Day-by-Day Guide
Every single day of the week, somewhere in the Dordogne, a market sets up its stalls. This is your complete guide to the best markets for each day — from quiet village squares to the magnificent Saturday spectacle in Sarlat.
Read article →14 February 2026
The Dordogne: One Destination, Four Flavours
The Dordogne is not one place, but many. Its four historic regions — Périgord Vert, Blanc, Noir and Pourpre — each offer something entirely distinct, from prehistoric river valleys to sun-warmed wine country. Here is your honest guide to finding the right corner for your holiday.
Read article →15 January 2026
Autumn in the Périgord: Walnuts, Truffles, Foie Gras and the Best-Kept Secret in French Travel
Autumn transforms the Dordogne into its most delicious, most beautiful and least crowded version of itself. From the walnut harvest in October to the first truffle markets of November, here is everything you need to know about visiting the Périgord in the finest season of the year.
Read article →4 January 2026
Hidden Gems of Périgord Noir: The Best Places to Visit in the Dordogne
Périgord Noir is one of France's most rewarding corners — medieval villages, prehistoric caves, castle-topped cliffs, and markets that make you want to move here permanently. Here is where to go, how long to spend, and how to arrange a week that does justice to it all.
Read article →25 December 2025
Swimming in the Dordogne: Lakes, Rivers and the Best Natural Spots
When temperatures climb above 35°C in high summer, the Dordogne's rivers, lakes and quiet étangs become essential. Here is an honest guide to the best swimming spots in the region — from supervised river beaches to hidden natural bends — plus an honest look at when your villa's private pool simply wins.
Read article →23 December 2025
Castles, Gardens and History: A Three-Day Circuit from Périgord Noir
From cliff-top fortresses to candlelit topiary gardens, the Dordogne's castles and historic estates are among the finest in France. This guide takes you through the best of them — with a practical three-day itinerary, driving distances, and honest advice on what to prioritise.
Read article →22 December 2025
A Guest's Guide to Truffle Season in the Dordogne
From December to February, the Dordogne becomes the world's truffle capital. Here is how to find the markets, join a hunt, cook with the black diamond — and why a full week in a private villa is the only way to do it properly.
Read article →16 December 2025
Hosting With Heart: The Story Behind Dordogne Collection
Dordogne Collection began not with a business plan, but with a family from London, a terrace in the July heat, and a conversation about where to find proper bread. Here is what that taught us — and why it shapes everything we do.
Read article →21 November 2025
Caves of the Dordogne: The Underground Legacy of Prehistoric Art
The Dordogne conceals some of the world's most extraordinary underground worlds — from Palaeolithic painted caves that rewrote human history to cathedral chambers of living crystal. Here is everything you need to plan a serious cave week in the Vézère valley and beyond.
Read article →1 November 2025
Planning Your First Holiday in the Dordogne: A Complete First-Timer's Guide
Timeless villages, prehistoric caves, world-class cuisine, and a pace that quietly insists you slow down — if you are planning your first visit to the Dordogne, this guide covers everything from getting there to choosing the perfect base, with a sample week-long itinerary included.
Read article →25 October 2025
Where Natural Beauty Meets Outdoor Passion: Active Holidays in the Dordogne
The Dordogne is a landscape that invites you to move through it — by paddle, on foot, by bike, or simply by drifting on a warm current between limestone cliffs. From river canoe routes past medieval châteaux to ridge walks through ancient oak forest, this is a region that rewards the curious and the active in equal measure. And when you return to a private villa at the end of the day, it all falls perfectly into place.
Read article →15 October 2025
Culinary Specialities of the Dordogne: A Food Lover's Guide
In the Dordogne, food is more than sustenance — it is a way of life rooted in the land, the seasons, and generations of craft. From truffle markets and duck farms to candlelit restaurant terraces in Sarlat, this is one of France's great culinary regions. Here is how to eat it properly.
Read article →11 October 2025
Where Wine Is a Way of Life: A Guide to the Dordogne's Wine Regions
Less famous than its Bordeaux neighbour, the Bergerac wine region remains an insider's secret — substance, character, and extraordinary value, without the crowds. From Pécharmant to Monbazillac, and a three-day circuit of the finest estates in Périgord Pourpre, this is wine country at its most intimate and unhurried.
Read article →