Domme Holiday Home-
Exploring Domme and the Dordogne area
Rick Steves explores the Dordogne
Domme
Domme is situated in one of the most beautiful parts of the Dordogne and is close to other most beautiful villages such as La Roque Gageac and Beynac as well as the fabulous town of Sarlat on the other side of the river - indeed you can see La Roque Gageac from the Belvedere de la barre in Domme.
There are also gardens including the wonderful Jardins de Marquayssac, and the splendid castles of Castelnaud, Beynac and the Chateau des Milandes as well as much much more - see the map below which can be expanded out or magnified.
Unusually among the bastide towns, Domme retains part of its original fortified walls and the gateways into the town. The ramparts are extremely thick and there remain three of the original doors.
The Porte des Tours is perhaps the most impressive, with its round towers but the Porte de la Combe and the Porte del Bos are both very pretty and are reached by walking down really lovely streets lined with a mixed array of houses and cottages all in the lovely honey-coloured stone distinctive to this region.
The towers of the Porte des Tours were converted into prisons in 1307 when the Knights Templers were arrested by the king, and it is still possible to see the engraved crucifixes they carved whilst they were imprisoned. The prison is open throughout the year.
You can walk round the ramparts on the south side of the town between the Port del Bos and the Porte de la Combe. There are some great views across the countryside (and glimpses of some very impressive houses and gardens built just inside the ramparts).
Exploring Domme:
The tourist office and Mairie (or Mayor) are located in the very impressive Maison du Gouverneur on the Place de la Halle. This is the main part of the town and as well as admiring the beautiful 13th century buildings (the bastide was founded in 1281 by Philip the Bold) you can find the entrance to the Grottes de Domme.
The caves (grottes) have been used in the past to shelter the town's inhabitants during the Hundred Years' War, though the upper part was only discovered in 1954. There are more than 400m of stalactite filled galleries and a glass lift takes you back up to the surface.
Just above the Place de la Halle is the Belvedere de la Barre, a great viewpoint and the start of the Promenade des Falaises - a short walk leading to a public park. The walk is all high up above the River Dordogne and so the views are splendid. Parts of the walk are bordered by remains of the fortified walls that surrounded parts of Domme. The Jardin Public at the end is a good place for a picnic. A little further along is the Moulin du Roy.
In the town look out for the old convent, the Couvent des Augustins (though this can only really be seen in summer) and the Maison du batteur de monnaie du Roy where money was minted in the Middle Ages. Now a pleasant cafe and a nice spot to sit out and admire the surrounding buildings.
From the main square, the Place de la Halle wander down the adjacent streets. All of them reveal interesting architecture ranging from colombage buildings, to steep perigordine roofs, to small turrets and also some of them lead to the different stone gateways in the walls surrounding Domme.
Domme is larger than many of the bastide towns in the region, and because it is found perched high above the Dordogne River, with magnificent views over the river and surrounding countryside it is a 'must' if you are exploring the Dordogne region
Domme is classified as 'one of the most beautiful villages in France'
The Grotte de Domme
The entrance is under the halle in the main square. The huge caves exist under the whole town and during the visit you can see beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations. They are the biggest caves in the Perigord Noir area. At the end of the visit a lift takes you to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Dordogne valley.
The caves are open from the beginning of February to the 11th November plus the December school holidays. In the quiet season visits might be cancelled if there are not enough people.
February, March, October, November, December. : 11.00-12.00 and 14h30-16h30
April, May: 10.00-12.00 and 14.30-17.30
June, September: 10.00-12.00 and 14.00-18.00
July, August: 10-00-18.40
Le Petit Train
Domme has a little tourist train which travels around the key points of interest in the town. The trip is accompanied by an audio-commentary. Le Petit Train runs from the 1st April to the 31st October.
L'Oustal du Perigord
Domme's museum housed in one of the lovely buildings on the main square. Inside the museum are lots of items relating to life in the Perigord during the last century.
Thursday is market day in Domme!
Domme is situated in one of the most beautiful parts of the Dordogne and is close to other most beautiful villages such as La Roque Gageac and Beynac as well as the fabulous town of Sarlat on the other side of the river - indeed you can see La Roque Gageac from the Belvedere de la barre in Domme.
There are also gardens including the wonderful Jardins de Marquayssac, and the splendid castles of Castelnaud, Beynac and the Chateau des Milandes as well as much much more - see the map below which can be expanded out or magnified.
Unusually among the bastide towns, Domme retains part of its original fortified walls and the gateways into the town. The ramparts are extremely thick and there remain three of the original doors.
The Porte des Tours is perhaps the most impressive, with its round towers but the Porte de la Combe and the Porte del Bos are both very pretty and are reached by walking down really lovely streets lined with a mixed array of houses and cottages all in the lovely honey-coloured stone distinctive to this region.
The towers of the Porte des Tours were converted into prisons in 1307 when the Knights Templers were arrested by the king, and it is still possible to see the engraved crucifixes they carved whilst they were imprisoned. The prison is open throughout the year.
You can walk round the ramparts on the south side of the town between the Port del Bos and the Porte de la Combe. There are some great views across the countryside (and glimpses of some very impressive houses and gardens built just inside the ramparts).
Exploring Domme:
The tourist office and Mairie (or Mayor) are located in the very impressive Maison du Gouverneur on the Place de la Halle. This is the main part of the town and as well as admiring the beautiful 13th century buildings (the bastide was founded in 1281 by Philip the Bold) you can find the entrance to the Grottes de Domme.
The caves (grottes) have been used in the past to shelter the town's inhabitants during the Hundred Years' War, though the upper part was only discovered in 1954. There are more than 400m of stalactite filled galleries and a glass lift takes you back up to the surface.
Just above the Place de la Halle is the Belvedere de la Barre, a great viewpoint and the start of the Promenade des Falaises - a short walk leading to a public park. The walk is all high up above the River Dordogne and so the views are splendid. Parts of the walk are bordered by remains of the fortified walls that surrounded parts of Domme. The Jardin Public at the end is a good place for a picnic. A little further along is the Moulin du Roy.
In the town look out for the old convent, the Couvent des Augustins (though this can only really be seen in summer) and the Maison du batteur de monnaie du Roy where money was minted in the Middle Ages. Now a pleasant cafe and a nice spot to sit out and admire the surrounding buildings.
From the main square, the Place de la Halle wander down the adjacent streets. All of them reveal interesting architecture ranging from colombage buildings, to steep perigordine roofs, to small turrets and also some of them lead to the different stone gateways in the walls surrounding Domme.
Domme is larger than many of the bastide towns in the region, and because it is found perched high above the Dordogne River, with magnificent views over the river and surrounding countryside it is a 'must' if you are exploring the Dordogne region
Domme is classified as 'one of the most beautiful villages in France'
The Grotte de Domme
The entrance is under the halle in the main square. The huge caves exist under the whole town and during the visit you can see beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations. They are the biggest caves in the Perigord Noir area. At the end of the visit a lift takes you to a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Dordogne valley.
The caves are open from the beginning of February to the 11th November plus the December school holidays. In the quiet season visits might be cancelled if there are not enough people.
February, March, October, November, December. : 11.00-12.00 and 14h30-16h30
April, May: 10.00-12.00 and 14.30-17.30
June, September: 10.00-12.00 and 14.00-18.00
July, August: 10-00-18.40
Le Petit Train
Domme has a little tourist train which travels around the key points of interest in the town. The trip is accompanied by an audio-commentary. Le Petit Train runs from the 1st April to the 31st October.
L'Oustal du Perigord
Domme's museum housed in one of the lovely buildings on the main square. Inside the museum are lots of items relating to life in the Perigord during the last century.
Thursday is market day in Domme!
The Dordogne Region
There are many 'famous sights' that we associate with the Dordogne, including Lascaux caves, Marqueyssac gardens, medieval Sarlat, castles such as Chateau Castelnaud and the prehistoric caves in the Vezere Valley.
Some of the best known highlights include the gouffre de Padirac caves and canoeing the Dordogne, with the most popular towns and villages including Beynac, La Roque-Gageac, St Cirq la Popie, Les Eyzies, and Rocamadour.
The Dordogne Valley usually refers to the path followed by the river, and is towards the south of the department where it travels from east to west, passing through Bergerac and many of the other popular villages. The more northerly half of the department is quite a way from the river - but tourism in the department certainly doesn't start and end with the river - be sure to venture north and south a little to discover the quiet but equally beautiful regions a little more hidden from the public gaze.
The heart of the golden triangle is Sarlat-le-Caneda. It is the most famous town in the region and one of the most renowned and visited in France. It is also one of the most attractive. Often called just Sarlat, the town is actually twinned with its less famous neighbour Caneda. Sarlat is a beautiful, well restored town a few kilometres north of the River Dordogne and our home in Domme. The old town, dating from both medieval and renaissance times is a pleasure to visit, especially during the spring and autumn, or early in the morning. If you can catch the early morning sunshine on the yellow sandstone buildings, so much the better.Before setting off for your walk around Sarlat, visit the tourist office which can provide a suggested walking tour to take in the key attractions. The tourist information office is near to the cathedral.
Don't forget to try the fois gras, or goose liver. It is the speciality of the region and not something to be missed. Cheese, locally produced wine, and famous french pastries and bread, will foster warm memories and perhaps a few inches on the waste and hips--be so advised!
If you're visiting during the prime summer months please make sure you attend the night markets. Google Dordogne night markets and get a list. It is a great way to experience the french people (and quite a few English as well) and get of taste of various cuisines as many restaurants set up stands to go with the music and meandering tourists.
Some of the best known highlights include the gouffre de Padirac caves and canoeing the Dordogne, with the most popular towns and villages including Beynac, La Roque-Gageac, St Cirq la Popie, Les Eyzies, and Rocamadour.
The Dordogne Valley usually refers to the path followed by the river, and is towards the south of the department where it travels from east to west, passing through Bergerac and many of the other popular villages. The more northerly half of the department is quite a way from the river - but tourism in the department certainly doesn't start and end with the river - be sure to venture north and south a little to discover the quiet but equally beautiful regions a little more hidden from the public gaze.
The heart of the golden triangle is Sarlat-le-Caneda. It is the most famous town in the region and one of the most renowned and visited in France. It is also one of the most attractive. Often called just Sarlat, the town is actually twinned with its less famous neighbour Caneda. Sarlat is a beautiful, well restored town a few kilometres north of the River Dordogne and our home in Domme. The old town, dating from both medieval and renaissance times is a pleasure to visit, especially during the spring and autumn, or early in the morning. If you can catch the early morning sunshine on the yellow sandstone buildings, so much the better.Before setting off for your walk around Sarlat, visit the tourist office which can provide a suggested walking tour to take in the key attractions. The tourist information office is near to the cathedral.
Don't forget to try the fois gras, or goose liver. It is the speciality of the region and not something to be missed. Cheese, locally produced wine, and famous french pastries and bread, will foster warm memories and perhaps a few inches on the waste and hips--be so advised!
If you're visiting during the prime summer months please make sure you attend the night markets. Google Dordogne night markets and get a list. It is a great way to experience the french people (and quite a few English as well) and get of taste of various cuisines as many restaurants set up stands to go with the music and meandering tourists.
