Dordogne vs Périgord 

The names of France’s many regions and provinces have changed more than once over recent years. Périgord is the old name for the region, and is still used by locals, although officially the area is now known as Dordogne. The name Périgord comes from four different tribes that inhabited this region, and each area has been assigned a descriptive colour; the Green Périgord is known for its forests and pasturelands, the White Périgord is where you’ll find the regional capital Perigueux, and is named after the limestone found here. The Purple Périgord is a vital wine region where the city of Bergerac is located, and Black Périgord is known for its dense oak and pine forests. 

Land of truffles, paté and walnuts

One of the best things about living in the Dordogne region is the food. Foie gras, delicious pates, mushrooms, prunes, walnuts, juicy strawberries, are just a tiny selection of what you’ll have to look forward to. There are food markets on every day of the week in various villages, but the piece de resistance is the sprawling Saturday market in Sarlat, which is the foodie capital of the region. Also in Sarlat, the annual truffle festival attracts visitors from all over the world in search of the perfect black truffle. Imagine the fabulous meals you could eat every night of the week if you lived here!

You had me at Merlot

As this is France, we can’t not mention the wine of the region; in the north Perigord area, expect some tongue-tingling fruit and nut flavoured wines. Vin de Peche (peach wine) is a staple on aperitif menus everywhere, and the walnut flavour wine is good too. Further south west towards Bordeaux, you will find some of the most famous vineyards in the world - St Emillion, Monbazillac, Montravel… it’s every wine enthusiast’s dream come true! 

Explore castles caves and chateaus

The Dordogne offers some of the most expansive and exciting history in all of France. The troglodyte caves carved into the cliffs and the ancient paintings within date back to 400,000 BC. The pretty villages of Rocamadour, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Beynac-et-Cazenac are home to impressive Medieval castles, and there’s rumoured to be more than 1,000 exquisite chateaux to explore in Dordogne. 

Boats and balloons

There are more walking trails here than you can shake a nordic walking pole at, but you need to get out on the water or up in the air to fully experience the magic of the Dordogne landscape; from canoe paddling to historic boat cruises, to balloon rides over some of France’s prettiest villages, there’s lots to do for all ages, perfect for when friends and family come to visit. 

Essential Information

Getting around

There are two airports in the Dordogne, Bergerac is in the south west (close to all those wonderful vineyards), while Brive-la-Gaillarde (technically over the border in the Corrèze department) is in the north, not far from Sarlat and the prehistoric caves the region is known for. You will need a car to explore and carry out your day to day errands, as public transport can be sparse and unreliable.

Weather 

With a temperate climate year-round, it’s easy to see why living in the Dordogne is so appealing. Summertime can be hot, with temperatures anywhere from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. Summer storms are common (and often spectacular!). Winter is cold and crisp but blue skies are still common. Spring usually brings plenty of rain, with temperatures between 12 to 16 degrees celsius in March and April and then warmer temperatures in May and June.

Schools & Education 

The general rule when moving to France with children is that if they’re under 10, you can send them to a French school and they should pick up the language with time. If they’re over 10 and their French is limited, it’s best to send them to an International school so that they don’t fall behind during a crucial time, as it’s around this age in French schools that pupils start working towards their exams. Check out our article on Schools & Education in France for more information.

There is one International School just across the border in the Lot et Garonne department - The Old School - which is a 10 min drive from Eymet, and 30 mins from Bergerac. There are plenty of French-speaking schools to choose from in Dordogne; Sainte-Croix is a popular French private school located in Sarlat for under 10s that accepts expat children. Le Cluzeau is a middle/high school and college 20 mins south of Bergerac that offers iGCSE courses (an English language based secondary qualification similar to GCSEs, that is recognised in the UK).

Healthcare 

For minor complaints, most towns and villages have a Pharmacie, and a doctor’s surgery. There are 24 multi-disciplinary health centres in the Dordogne region, plus nine hospitals, the largest of which are located in Sarlat, Perigeux and Bergerac.  

For more information about how to access healthcare in France, check out our Guide to the French Healthcare System.  

Where to move

Sarlat-la-Canéda

One of the most beautiful and atmospheric towns in France, Sarlat is a food lover's dream, with specialist gourmet shops around every corner, specialising in truffles, cheese, charcuterie, wine and much, much more. If you base yourself in or close to Sarlat, you’ll also be within 20 mins drive of some of the prettiest villages in the country such as Beynac-et-Cazenac and La Roque-Gageac. 
Sarlat property prices start from €60,000.

Domme

The ludicrously photogenic Bastide town of Domme sits atop a rocky outcrop above the Dordogne river and offers some of the finest panoramic views of the region. It enjoys membership of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, which is no surprise, the beautiful architecture suggests that the town has plenty of historic stories to tell! It’s also home to one of the best loved ice cream shops in Dordogne.  
Domme property prices start from €150,000
 

Bergerac

A small but perfectly formed medieval city that sits along the Dordogne river, in the middle of one of the world’s most famous wine regions. Known for its half-timbered houses, wonderful restaurants and the birthplace of Cyrano de Bergerac - there is a statue of him in one of the main town squares. Base yourself here and you’ll never have a bad glass of wine ever again! 
Bergerac property prices start from €65,000
 

Eymet 

Lively town with a fortified castle, centred around a handsome main square lined with half-timbered houses. Market day is Thursday, and we highly recommend a stop at La Maison d’Amour in the central square for a delicious crêpe. Eymet has been popular with Brits (and other nationalities) for decades, if you choose Eymet as your base you’re practically guaranteed to make plenty of expat friends - they even have their own cricket team! 
Eymet property prices start from €100,000

Monpazier

One of the region’s best preserved bastide towns, founded in 1284 by King Edward I of England, and boasting a particularly bloody history. Nowadays, Monpazier is a picturesque time capsule with some lovely cafes and restaurants in its main square. On Thursday mornings you can wander around the weekly market, which expands into a full blown fayre on the 3rd Thursday of the month. There are also seasonal truffle and mushroom markets, plus annual events such as a Medieval Festival, and regular book fairs. 
Monpazier property prices start from €150,000
 

Brantôme

Appealing town set on the Dronne river, nicknamed the Venice of the Périgord, and known as the gateway to the Périgord-Limousin National Park. The rich heritage of Brantôme is closely linked to its Benedictine Abbey and troglodyte caves. Medieval and renaissance houses are very common. Brantôme hosts lots of lively markets, including a weekly Friday morning market that’s been doing a roaring trade for 450 years. Plus there’s a Tuesday morning farmers market in the summer, and various flea and antique markets throughout the year. 
Brantôme property prices start from €60,000  
 

Lalinde 

Famous for its swans, the pretty town of Lalinde, 20km east of Bergerac along the Dordogne river was the first English-governed Bastide in the region, first constructed on an old Roman fishing village. The popular Thursday market has been running for 700 years! There are lots of events to keep you busy throughout the year, such as an annual flower festival and chocolate fair, and a three day ‘fete des vins’ celebrating local food, wine and heritage.
Lalinde property prices start from €60,000