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The four colours of the Dordogne

The Dordogne has four regions, each with its own character. This is also reflected in their names: Périgord Blanc, Périgord Noir, Périgord Vert and Périgord Pourpre.

Périgord Blanc

The Périgord Blanc is located around the provincial capital of Périgueux. This city is known for its rich history. You will find beautiful palaces in the medieval city centre. There are even remnants of Roman times. The landscape in Périgord Blanc is a variation of hills, vast forests and various rivers. From your holiday home in the Dordogne, you can go on all kinds of excursions. The name Périgord Blanc refers to the limestone subsoil.

Périgord Noir

From white we move on to black, or rather to the truffles of the Périgord Noir. No other place in France has more truffles than this region. That is where the name comes from. The Dordogne is also known for its foie gras. This dish originates from this region, so you will see many geese being raised here. In the Périgord Noir, you will find one of the most beautiful places in the Dordogne: Sarlat. The centre is full of alleys and courtyards, and many houses date back to the Renaissance. In Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireui, you can visit various caves. It is not without reason that this place is called the capital of prehistory.

Périgord Pourpre

When you think of France, you think of wine. In your holiday home in the Dordogne, you can enjoy a variety of fine wines, including those from the region. The Périgord Pourpre owes its name to the many vineyards in the south-west of the Dordogne. Bergerac is the wine capital of this region. Full-bodied red wines and delicious sweet white wines come from this region.

You don't have to go to the Périgord Pourpre just for the wine. Monpazier, Lalinde and Beaumont-du-Périgord are also worth a visit. You can swim, canoe and relax on the banks of the Dordogne, where there are small beaches to enjoy. Good to know: Bergerac has an airport and the large city of Bordeaux is easily accessible from the Périgord Poupre.

Périgord Vert

Finally, there is the region that is green all year round and is therefore called the Périgord Vert. This is the region par excellence for lovers of peace and nature. In the Périgord Vert, you will find many forests, rivers and lakes. It is a fairly sparsely populated region, but that does not mean there is nothing to do.

Nontron is the most famous place in this green region. The town is built on a ridge and has beautiful parks and gardens. Nontron is known as the green and white town because its houses are plastered white. If you stay in a holiday home in this region, you will return fully rested and have the opportunity to visit various castles and estates. Not to mention the authentic French markets that are organised every week, even in the smallest villages.

The climate of the Dordogne

Lovers of sunshine and dry weather will be in their element in summer. Although the climate in the Dordogne can vary from region to region, it is generally around seven degrees warmer than in the United Kingdom. Officially, it is referred to as a temperate maritime climate. In practice, this means warm summers, with temperatures regularly reaching (well) above 30 degrees.

In summer, there can be heavy thunderstorms, but these are often short-lived. Due to the hilly landscape, these can be quite violent. The next day, the weather is often fine again. There are an average of 2,000 hours of sunshine per year and approximately 750 millimetres of rainfall. This ensures that the Dordogne is richly forested.

If you want to visit the Dordogne for the good weather, the period from May to September is ideal. However, autumn, winter and early spring are also great times to enjoy a holiday here.

Booking a holiday home in the Dordogne

There are various options for your holiday home in the Dordogne. The region has a lot to offer, from tranquillity to beautiful medieval towns where all kinds of activities are organised. The Dordogne (the river) and Vezère provide the necessary cooling in summer and offer the opportunity to awaken the adventurous animal in you.

Would you like a holiday home with its own swimming pool? That is certainly possible. Basic Travel offers all kinds of holiday homes in the Dordogne. Enter your preferences on our website and we will get to work for you. Popular search filters include free Wi-Fi, location near a village or town, and whether pets are allowed.

Our travel specialists will be happy to tell you more about the peaceful and, above all, beautiful Dordogne.