Beautiful Villages along the Dordogne

We are currently on a campsite on the Dordogne – Les Deux Vallées, in a little village called Vézac in the Perigord region (N44.83504 E1.15673).  We were last here in 2012 and it was nice meeting up with the owners again, who obviously didn’t remember us but still had our details on their computer system, although we had our other motorhome then (little Hilda).  The owners are a youngish couple, Derrick is Dutch and Caroline is French and in 2012 they'd only had the campsite a few years, so it was nice to see how they had developed it over the last 6 years.  They haven't over commercialised it and the plots are nice and big, surrounded by hedges and trees and you are not all on top of one another. With our ACSI card it is only 15 Euros a night plus tourist tax.

It is the first campsite we have been on this year, as we have been lucky enough to stay on some pretty and free Aires and vineyards.  The weather has been averaging 32°C since we arrived 5 days ago, so it’s just been nice lazing around, swimming in the pool and having plenty of barbeques.

Outdoor heated infinity pool on the campsite

Near to the campsite you can get a hot air balloon ride.  It costs €200 for an hour, okay if you have some cash to splash – we didn't!  It looks good fun but with my fear of heights I don’t think I could do it anyway.

Hot air balloons going over the campsite – looks like a mini solar system.

From the campsite it is a short walk into Beynac and up to the castle.  Beynac is classed as one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in France’ - as are many in this area.  The castle was built in the 12th century and is said to be one of the most authentic and well-preserved in the Perigord.  It was conquered by Richard the Lionheart and was the stage to endless battles during the Hundred Years' War.

We decided to do an evening walk up to the castle, as we thought it would be cooler but at 6.30pm it was still 30°C and it's a very steep climb to the top!

Looking over the Dordogne from the top of the castle

Watching the sunset over Beynac Castle from the campsite

Sarlat is a pretty medieval town, on the River Dordogne, about 6kms from the campsite - a short ride on the scooter and a good way to cool down in this hot weather.   It was market day and it was nice strolling around the cobblestone streets and weaving in and out of the stalls.

The main street leading to the cathedral

House of Etienne de la Boétie, with its large arched entrance and Renaissance styled windows

We took another scooter ride out to St Cyprien, about 10kms away from Vezac.  A fellow Brit on the site had told us that along the main street and side streets there was plastic flowered bunting and a sight to see.  He wasn't wrong!  It must have taken them months to make and many days to put up.

Pretty flowered bunting arched over the streets to celebrate Summer Solstice

La Roque-Gagaac is another village classed as one of the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in France’.  It is nestled right on the River Dordogne, backed by its steep hills and cliffs – the perfect picture postcard village.  A Troglodyte Fort is set in the cliffs and with some cash from the EU they are currently carrying out a lot of repairs to it

You can get a boat ride up the Dordogne to see all the chateaus and castles along the river.  It's a flat-bottomed boat (a Gabare) that were once used to transport goods up the river.  We did it a couple of years ago when we were here and it is well worth €10 for an hour’s boat ride.

The old church on top of the rock, surrounded by some lovely tropical plants

Domme is another one of these beautiful villages of France.  It is perched high above the Dordogne River, surrounded by some of its original fortified wall.  The village is lovely and the views fantastic.

At the top of Domme

Lots of quirky shops, selling local products.

Our 6 days here have been great.  The campsite has been full most of the time with Dutch, Belgique and Brits and we have chatted to some great characters.  Last night was a boozy one, spent at the campsite bar with some fellow Brits and their dog, George sharing motorhome tales!  We move on later today towards the Loire.  Not sure where we are going to stop yet but that's the beauty of motorhoming!

Sally x