Things to do in the Dordogne

[Bugsy73]

Hi, have a holiday coming up in the Dordogne with my DH and our 3 teens. We have a vague plan but have never been so wondering if any body had any suggestions for must do’s/see’s?
is Domme worth a visit?
Thank you

Kayaking down the Dordogne River from Argentat.
Rocamadour is worth a day trip, as are the Lascaux caves.
If it rains there is a great Escape Room in Brive.

Le Gouffre de Padirac is the biggest and most exciting set of caves, and includes a boat trip.
Chateau de Castelnaud has quite a bit to see and do, including trebuchet firing demonstrations, people making armour and mock battles. Even the most museum-averse teens will find the displays of weapons pretty cool.
My eldest dd enjoyed the Via Ferrata at Argentat. There’s another one at the Gardens of Marquayssac but we didn’t have time for it. We did, however, do the tree top nets which were fun.
There’s a waterpark called Aux Etangs du Bos which is a lovely place to spend a hot day.

Kayaking
Forêt des Singes
Accrobranche
Rocamadour

Not fussed on Domme

Oh and the candlelit evenings at Jardins du Marquayssac! Possibly combined with via Ferrata.
And a market for truffles.

Everything she said!! We went to the Dordogne twice when I was a teen and I remember going to all of these places. One of my favourite family holidays...

Domme does have a stunning view and is a nice place for a drink to admire it, but not a huge amount else to ‘do’.

My kids enjoyed Beynac castle in addition to the existing suggestions.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions 😊

I liked Domme. The weekly market in Sarlat and the glass elevator for a view over the roof tops. Montignac is lovely for lunch by the river after visiting Lascaux. Les Eyzies has some prehistoric dwellings and the National Museum of Pre-history. Le Bugue has an aquarium and the Bornat Parc which has old buildings and fairground attractions. Gouffre de Proumeyssac. We really enjoyed the cliff dwellings at La Roque St Christophe. Lovely views too. The Grotte de Rouffignac has a little train that takes you to see real cave paintings - needs pre-booking though as numbers are limited. We've been a few times to the area and is a fave with dd.

As above really - the Dordogne area is pretty big, so it will depend on where you're based. Also, get to a night market, they're all VERY different, I seem to recall the one in Le Bugue is quite good.

https://www.visit-dordogne-valley.co.uk/french-living/markets/night-food-markets/list-of-marches-gourmands-and-themed-markets

We have loved Domme, there is a very good ice cream seller at the top of the village, not far from the walls where you look down on to the river.

Canoeing on the river is a must, as is the candlelit evening at the Jardins, as mentioned above.

We did a hot air balloon last year too, I’d wanted to do one since we first went there in 2009 (they regularly flew, occasionally landed, across our caravan site)! It was exhilarating, with stunning views. Not cheap, but worth it once.

Where are you staying? We go to a campsite nr Castelnaud, and love just messing about on the river there!

We’re staying about 30 mins from Sarlat. DH has professed interest in Bergerac… should I steer him otherwise?

Domme has a lovely view, and a few interesting shops, but isn't a place for a whole day. However, from the foot of Domme, at Cénac-et-Saint-Julien you can get canoes to head along the river past La Roque-Gageac. This is an absolute must do!

As mentioned above, Le Gouffre de Padirac is stunning - you go on a boat on an underground river.

Sarlat itself is gorgeous with some good shopping and eating.

The gardens at Marquayssac at night are amazing - I think it’s on a Thursday?

Yes the candlelit gardens have always been Thursdays when we have been, July and August only.

We left just before they started last year, as our kids are older, we were there late June.

Lots to do, I loved our 2 holidays there are few years ago.

https://www.maison-forte-reignac.com/
Fun place to visit, a Manor House built into the cliff, with an amazing/horrifying torture museum! Our 8 yr old DD loved it, so I’m sure your teens will too ;)