Weather in Dordogne

About Dordogne

The Dordogne winds through a landscape of castles, caves, and golden stone villages that seem extracted from storybooks. Prehistoric art adorns cave walls; Renaissance châteaux crown cliffs; medieval towns huddle beside the river. This is France's most romantic region.

Country

France

Best months to visit

June, July, August, September

Currency

EUR

Language

French

Things to do in Dordogne

Explore Lascaux Cave's prehistoric paintings (replica) Canoe down the Dordogne River between castles Visit Domme's medieval fortified village Climb to Roque-Gageac's cascading village houses Browse the markets of Sarlat Tour Renaissance châteaux like Château de Beynac

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

Cold, with some rainy days.

February

11C

Cool, with some rainy days.

March

14C

Cool, with some rainy days.

April

17C

Cool, with some rainy days.

May

20C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

Recommended

June

24C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

Recommended

July

27C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

Recommended

August

26C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

Recommended

September

24C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

October

19C

Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.

November

13C

Cool, with some rainy days.

December

10C

Cool, with some rainy days.

The Dordogne is rural France at its most postcard-perfect — golden stone villages perched above a looping river, medieval castles on nearly every bend, and prehistoric cave paintings at Lascaux that are older than Stonehenge by tens of thousands of years. Canoeing the river past Beynac and La Roque-Gageac, with their houses seemingly carved into the cliffs, is one of the region's defining experiences.

Best areas to stay in Dordogne

Sarlat-la-Caneda

A beautifully preserved medieval market town, the unofficial capital of the region, with a famous Saturday market.

La Roque-Gageac & Beynac

Cliffside villages along the river, with castles and houses that appear to grow out of the rock.

Lascaux IV

A full-scale replica of the famous prehistoric painted caves, with modern interpretive exhibits.

Domme

A hilltop bastide village with sweeping views over the Dordogne valley and an underground cave network.

Getting to Dordogne

✈

Flights

Bergerac and Brive airports have some seasonal flights from the UK; Bordeaux is a further alternative around 1.5-2 hours away.

⏱

From London

~1.5-2 hours by air from London to Bergerac or Brive (seasonal), plus driving time to villages.

🚕

Getting around

A car is essential for visiting villages, castles and caves; canoe operators provide transport for river trips between launch and pick-up points.

Frequently asked questions

Can I visit the original Lascaux cave paintings?

No — the original cave is closed to protect the paintings, but Lascaux IV is a remarkably faithful full-scale replica with excellent guided tours explaining the artwork's significance.

Is canoeing the Dordogne river family-friendly?

Yes — gentle sections between Vitrac and La Roque-Gageac suit families and beginners, with operators offering half-day or full-day routes and pick-ups at various points.

What are the 'plus beaux villages' of the Dordogne?

Several villages here are officially listed among France's most beautiful, including La Roque-Gageac, Domme and Beynac-et-Cazenac, each with distinctive golden-stone architecture.

Is the Dordogne good for families?

Very much so — canoeing, cave visits, castles to explore and gentle cycling routes make it one of France's most popular regions for multi-generational holidays.

Do I need a car in the Dordogne?

Yes — the villages, castles and caves are spread along the river valleys with very limited public transport, so a car is essential for getting around.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Canoed past Beynac and La Roque-Gageac on a hot afternoon and it was the highlight of the whole trip — the castles really do look like they're carved into the cliffs.

Florence T. · August 2024

★★★★★

Lascaux IV was far more impressive than I expected from a 'replica' — the scale and detail of the paintings were genuinely moving.

Richard N. · June 2023

★★★★☆

Sarlat's Saturday market was wonderful for local produce, and Domme's viewpoint over the valley at sunset was unforgettable. Needed a car for everything though.

Sandrine W. · September 2024