Dordogne - staying near Les Eyzies - any top tips for days outs/must dos?

[Portofino]

We are off next Friday - yay! I've never been to the Dordogne before so wondered if anyone had recommendations of things we MUST do in between lounging about and drinking wine. Travelling with dh and dd (8). Thanks!

We stayed in the Dordogne a few years ago, no idea if its anywhere near where you are staying but there were loads of caves I wanted to go and see but unfortunately DS was too young. If I went back now I would love it!

ooh i went when I was 16, best holiday ever! That was in 1995 though so it may be different...

Definitely the caves, can't remember what they're called but the cave paintings are awesome

Rocamadour (sp?) is gorgeous

There's a monkey place too but the monkeys are a bit full-on IIRC.

Wow, that was not helpful was it?!

I wrote a long email with suggestions, and then Mumsnet went offline! Grr! Anyway, I don't have time to repost, but I will give you this link of recommendations:

Trip Advisor things to do in the Dordogne

We did a fair few things suggested in this list and rate them all!

We used to holiday in the Dordogne a lot when I was a child. I think the caves mentioned here are in Les Eyzies itself and I also recommend visiting La Roque Gageac, a beautiful town almost built into a cliff, overlooking the Dordogne river. Bergerac is also a nice town to visit if you're anywhere near (complete with statue of Cyrano himself).

Bon voyage!

Thanks everyone! I am very excited!

We were camping nearby just outside Sarlat two weeks ago and I've been to the Dordogne a couple of times before. It's a beautiful area. But it's not that green and lush for nothing, it rained a fair bit and spectacular thunderstorms are quite common. When the sun comes out though it is really hot.

I second La Roque Gageac. You can get a boat trip from there down the river to Castelnaud and back. Castelnaud and Beynac Castle are both worth a visit, very 'castley' castles IYSWIM.

The Gouffre de Padirac is awesome.

Rocamadour and Domme are both very pretty.

DS is only 3 so not sure what there is for 8 year olds. Canoeing on the river is good fun.

I hope you have a great time.

We were there last summerfor a week. Loved it.

The weather was great - overly hot for the first couple of days - the car therm read 40c! However at the end of the week there was a storm and rain for a full day.

As above - Rocamadour, Domme - nice for a visit. There are markets most days - therew ill be an informatinleaflet somewhere in a tourist info
. we hired a house and there were lots of leaflets detailing activities and things to see.

The river is great - we saw a lot of people doing the canoe thing. We didn't get to try it but would if we went again.

Those caves look amazing. How young is too young to visit them duckdodgers?

We went down one particular set of caves in Domme. There were very young children(toddler age) in there, and even a dog?

There are fantastic caves at Lascaux (sp?) - are these the same ones? The town of Perigeux is also pretty, I seem to remember.

marking my place as we are off to Dordogne later this month

My family three generations' worth were near Les Eyzies this time last year for two weeks.

The things my 8-year-old DS enjoyed the most: Castelnaud and Beynac, paddling down the Dordogne in a rented canoe, visiting outdoor markets (so long as he could buy something fun, like a toy, or sweet, like a crepe), getting ice cream in Sarlat after a bit of a wander 'round, and, of course, swimming at the gite. Another good outing was to a walnut mill at St. Nathalene.

We also enjoyed the Chateau de Losse and the gardens at Eyrignac and Marquessac. And having as many meals outside as possible.

Wow. I want to return.

Roc Amadour

Sarlat - goregous medieval market town with fabbie market

There's a great aquarium at Le Bugue which isn't too far from Sarlat. And near there, is Domme and Castelnaud (really great castle). There are some beautiful hanging gardens near Domme but can't remember what they're called but they have a good play area for kids too.

Near Domme are some great boat trips down the Dordogne and canoeing hire companies.

There is also a faberoony old fashioned theme park and petting zoo near Le Bugue jacquou Park
We spent the day there and took a picnic. You pay to get in and lots of the rides were self start ones so you go on loads of times and water part with chutes/pool.