Dordogne And Limousin Overview

A lack of big cities and waterfronts has kept these regions from the fame they deserve. Most sights are relatively undiscovered, offering a respite from the ceaseless crowds that storm the Loire châteaux. Dordogne and Limousin have long been artistic breeding grounds, producing painter Auguste Renoir, dramatist Jean Giraudoux, and novelist George Sand. Shops and museums throughout the regions proudly display local craftsmanship, particularly those in Limoges (below), where some of the world’s finest porcelain is made. The ambling waters of the Dordogne River cut through the regions’ rolling hillsides, creating a spectacular backdrop for castles and hilltop cities. Named after the river, the Dordogne—where green countryside is splashed with yellow sunflowers, steep and chalky limestone cliffs, and ducks paddling down shady rivers—boasts exceptional historical remnants of the Neolithic, Roman, and medieval periods, including the most famous cave paintings in the world at Lascaux. Neighboring Limousin is home to vibrant cities, while the southern Lot Valley offers an assortment of French favorites: villages, vineyards, cliffs, and caves.