The 2,000-year Prehistoric paintings in the Lascaux Cave are a Dordogne must-see. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the paintings are considered to be masterpieces of stone age art. Be Fascinated by the 2000 Stone Age Cave Paintings of Lascaux It ends near a picnic area, with tables where you can sit and enjoy the peace and calm of the surroundings. There is a nature walk through the grounds, with info boards explaining the wildlife to look out for and describing the various stages of walnut tree growth and management. The oil is excellent as a salad dressing. Walnut oil, walnut cake, walnut wine, whole walnuts.

Finally, a visit wouldn’t be complete without perusing the on-site shop that sells ‘everything walnut’. The Ecomusée de la Noix is part of a working walnut farm where you can see the walnuts being milled – a surprisingly hands-on process! The museum part shows works of art made from walnut wood and includes a French-language film that details the history of walnuts in the region and the life cycle of a walnut tree. Walnut groves are common in this part of France, and here you can walk through the trees, watch the processing of the fruit, and learn about the history of the industry. However, within a short walk of the castle car park, the Ferme de Vielcroze and the Ecomusée de la Noix are also worth a stop.

Some of these Dordogne castles are also listed as the most beautiful castles in France.Ĭastelnaud is one of the top destinations in Dordogne, mainly for its famous medieval castle. The list of the most beautiful medieval castles in Dordogne includes Castelnaud (cover picture), Fénelon, Beynac, Commarque (in the picture above), and Hautefort. They were solid, imposing, fortified structures, usually in strategically important positions. The Castles in Dordogne, instead, were more functional, built to protect. These iconic châteaux were not built for protection but as elegant retreats for the nobility of Paris. To the north, the castles of the Loire Valley were ornate, graceful structures built to impress. In the Middle Ages, Dordogne was an important area of conflict between France and England: the famous Hundred’s Year War (1337 to 1453) between the House of Plantagenet (rulers of the Kingdom of England) and the House of Valois over the right to rule the Kingdom of France. Security against the enemy was paramount in the valley, and the wealthy were ready to sacrifice beauty and comfort for protection. From fairytale castles to mighty fortresses, the Dordogne Valley boasts a stunning cultural heritage and some of France’s prettiest sites.

One of the best things to do in Dordogne is to visit some of its medieval castles.

Dordogne department map