Castles on cliffs, canoes on a slow green river and prehistoric cave paintings. Here's what the Dordogne is like with the family, when to go and how long to stay.
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June and September are warm, with fewer people on the river and in the villages. July and August are hot and lively, with markets and festivals, but the castles and canoe launches get busy. Some sights and campsites close or cut their hours from November to March.
A full-size copy of the famous Ice Age cave paintings at Montignac, with hands-on displays children enjoy.
Hire a canoe for a gentle paddle past castles and cliff villages, with a minibus back to the start.
A cliff-top castle full of medieval weapons, with working catapult demonstrations in summer.
Clipped hedge gardens high above the river, with play areas and big views.
Sarlat's medieval streets fill with stalls on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Good for picnic shopping.
A huge cave just over the border in the Lot, where you take a boat along an underground river.
Yes. There's lots to do outdoors, from canoeing and swimming to castles and caves, and the food markets are fun. Most families stay in a gîte or campsite with a pool.
A week gives you time for a canoe trip, a couple of castles and a cave. Ten days lets you slow down and enjoy the pool.
Bergerac airport has direct flights from several UK airports, mostly in summer. Many families take their car on a ferry to France and drive down instead.
Yes, really. The villages, castles and caves are spread out and buses are rare, so hire a car or bring your own.
Put Dordogne on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.