An inside guide to the Dordogne, from people who've been there...
- By Simpson Travel
- 23 Jul 2026
- Where to go
As part of our commitment to unbeatable service, our UK staff regularly visit our villas and hotels to ensure you get accurate, first-hand information when you call and speak to us. Time is always a little pressing, but we make sure to allow sufficient opportunity for them to visit not just the villas and hotels but also get an understanding of the local area and what there is to see and do in each place, so they can pass on those helpful tips to you. Read on to see what they thought of each of our beautiful Dordogne holiday houses, and what they recommend to see when you take trip to this beautiful region.
Enya Heffernan
Sales Consultant
Laura Geleit
Sales Consultant
Discovering our villas and holiday houses in the Dordogne
We say: Nestled half-way between the glove capital of St Junien and the ceramics city of Limoges, this handsome, historic home sits in blissful tranquillity in 10,000m2 of private grounds, with far-reaching views over the Vienne valley. Extensive lawned gardens, private heated pool, ideal for groups.
Laura and Enya say: This house was once the owner’s family home, so it has a lovely, lived-in feel and slightly wonky floors for extra character! The owner has great taste, and guests also have the option of the extra services offered at Le Clos Colombier (see below). The grounds are huge, almost like having your own park to explore, and the house is very private. Fun for kids, though there is a low wall at the front of the house which means little ones would need very careful supervision. The airport is only 15 minutes away.
Local tip: bring or rent bikes and allow some time to explore the vast Perigord-Limousin Regional Natural Park, about 20 minutes from the house.
We say: The original building, now entirely and superbly renovated, is over 900 years old and incorporates a tower that belonged to Chateau Veyrac. From the outside, the house is relatively unassuming, clad in ivy and adorned with simple white shutters. Step through the front door however and you’re transported into design-inspired, divinely decorated spaces that take the very best of the house’s venerable history and add a glossy, 21st century finish.
Laura and Enya say: This place is amazing! We think it should be in our Signature collection as it just has everything – gym, sauna, Jacuzzi, cinema room and very extensive grounds. The connection with the hotel means we can also arrange in-villa massages and a private chef or babysitter if you have young kids and want to go out to eat. It’s on the edge of Veyrac village, which has mini-market with fresh bread plus a bar. The owners run a shuttle service from the village to their hotel if you want to go and eat there. Our favourite property in this area, loved it.
Local tip: Take a trip to Limoges, and visit the owners’ cheese shop, which is the oldest in town.
Limoges
We say: Distinctly grander than the typical holiday villa, this imposing maison de maître feels archetypally French, and offers peaceful seclusion amongst the vineyards and open fields of the unspoilt Charente countryside. The house was recently refurbished by its English owners, yet retains a very authentically French feel. We rate Le Grand Logis particularly highly for younger children, with plenty of room for two or three families to spread out and enjoy the fenced, heated swimming pool, the landscaped gardens and the delightful countryside views.
Laura and Enya say: This one would be ideal for a big multi-generation get together. There’s a ground floor twin for grandparents (only two steps up) plus all the rooms have their own en suite and in two of them there’s a cot space. There’s also a kids’ play room off the kitchen area, and a nice big table that fits up to 16 so there’s room for everyone even when the house is at capacity. This is a really foodie area, with a winery just a few minutes’ walk away and lots of Cognac distilleries you can go and tour and taste at. There’s no air-con, only fans, but it felt cool inside as the walls are massive!
Local tip: Spend a day exploring Cognac. Lots of people just pass through and take a distillery tour, but the old town and river walk are worth a visit and there are some really good restaurants too.
We say: Located in the heart of gourmet Dordogne yet comfortably removed from the visitor hot-spots, Maison Chamenon sits in 10,000m2 of fenced, private gardens which are exclusively yours to enjoy. The house has three bedrooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom and therefore ideal for two or three couples or a family. Just below is the 12-metre swimming pool, helpfully heatable by arrangement, so you can enjoy a dip even in the early or late season.
Laura and Enya say: Loved the great location on the edge of the village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, as it’s quite unusual for our French country properties to have much within walking distance, especially when it also has a really big garden like this one does. In St Léon there’s the usual bakery and a small shop, plus eight restaurants so you can walk out for dinner in about 15 minutes. It’s a really cute village, and you can also do kayaking on the river there, or hire bikes.
Local tip: Visit Chateau Beynac, once the home of Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. The views from the top are wonderful.
Chateau Beynac
Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère
We say: A classic and romantic Périgord country house set in a private, 32-acre estate with carefully tended gardens, wild meadows, mature trees and a picture-perfect brook complete with pretty bridge to transport you across it.
Laura and Enya say: The grounds are gorgeous and the high ceilings give everything inside a very grand feeling. It really does feel like a chateau, great for a multi-generation party or a special celebration. Great location halfway between Bergerac and Périgueux, with village minimarket and café-bar you can walk to in about 15 minutes.
Local tip: As well as wine, this area is famous for its top-quality strawberries, with nearby Vegt hosting a famous strawberry festival on the third Sunday in May.
We say: Perched on a hilltop, this handsome 18th-century manor house is set in the heart of the Dordogne’s Bessède Forest, with tranquil views across seemingly endless wooded valleys and green fields. Outside, there is plenty of space for little ones to run around in the extensive grounds.
Laura and Enya say: Another beautiful historic building – looks like something from a film set. This would be a great choice for a family group wanting to spend time together ‘at home’ as well as exploring. The kitchen is very well equipped, plus there’s a games room, honesty wine cellar, table tennis in the barn and a fitness room with rowing machine, exercise bike and weights. The grounds are massive.
Local tip: Nearby Montpazier is a total time hop. Dating back to the 13th century, it’s almost perfectly preserved. The town was originally constructed on the orders of English King Edward I, also known as Edward Longshanks.
We say: A gorgeous barn conversion, nestled into unspoilt Lot-et-Garonne countryside with glorious views from the house, the garden and the pool. Seasoned Francophiles know that the Lot-et-Garonne offers all the charm of the neighbouring Dordogne, but with rather fewer visitors, so you’ll find the pace of life altogether gentler in amongst its sunflower fields, fruit orchards and meandering waterways.
Laura and Enya say: It’s great to be able to see a smaller property for those travelling just as a couple, as most of the houses in this area are huge. It’s quite romantic, with beautiful interiors and lovely views out over the surrounding countryside which looks like it stretches on forever.
Local tip: If you fancy a change from your pool, there are lots of river-based activities in the area. Castelmoron has a base nautique where you can rent canoes and paddleboards or just chill out on its sandy beach. There are also lots of river cruises, which makes for a really peaceful way to see the area.
We say: Beautiful Tarrit de Bas has also remained pretty much impervious to the passage of time, owned and much loved by the same English family for a quarter of a century. As such, the house is furnished and equipped with all the comfort and practicality of a private home, perfectly designed for relaxed family gatherings and gourmet breaks enjoying the incredible culinary richness of the region.
Laura and Enya say: This is much simpler in style than most of our France houses, but it is very homely and generously sized, with big squishy sofas and lovely, well-kept gardens. It’s very private and peaceful, so a real countryside retreat. And it has aircon!
Local tip: In summer the locals head to Lac d’Uby (15min drive) where there’s a supervised swim area plus various watersports activities on offer. Alternatively, on cooler days try the healing waters of the thermal baths at Barbotan.
