Camping in all seasons in the Dordogne

Let's get straight to the point: the weather is always good in the Dordogne! Even so, on the few days when the weather is not as good as usual, it's always nice to be able to visit a castle or go underground to explore a cave. That's lucky! When it comes to castles and caves, the Périgord has nothing to envy other regions of France. In fact, if you ask at the reception of the campsite where you are spending your holidays in the Dordogne, they will be able to tell you which castles or caves are not to be missed during your stay in the Périgord.

What to do in the Dordogne when it's hot?

Since the weather is (almost) always nice in the Dordogne, it's important to know what to do when it's hot. Especially on summer days when the mercury rises. If you're staying at a comfortable 4 - or 5-star campsite, the answer is obvious: the swimming pool or water park! The ideal place for a refreshing family outing! Children love it. Not to mention the campsites located on the banks of the Dordogne, Vézère or Dronne rivers. These rivers are perfect for swimming on hot summer days. Many campsites have a beach where you can dip your toes in the water or launch your inflatable boat. So many water-based activities to enjoy with the family. Canoeing on the Dordogne, Vézère, Isle or Dronne rivers is one of the most popular activities among holidaymakers. It's a great way to cool off while enjoying superb views of the châteaux and landscapes of our region. Canoeing also allows you to reach some of the most beautiful beaches in the Dordogne. Among our favourites are the beaches of Vitrac and Caudon, which offer beautiful views of the cliffs, and those of La Roque-Gageac, Castellnaud and Beynac, with the listed villages of the Dordogne as a backdrop. Saint-Aulaye and Brantôme on the Dronne, Limeuil on the Isle and Saint Léon on the Vézère complete this selection of the most beautiful river swimming spots in the Dordogne.

Water is not the only solution for escaping the heat. As we know, heatwaves have become frequent during the summer season. You can, of course, choose to enjoy the comfort of your air-conditioned mobile home, your shaded terrace or your riverside pitch. However, this is not our idea of a holiday, which is all about visiting and discovering new places. So, if the temperatures soar during your camping holiday in the Périgord, we recommend taking refuge in a cave. Our region is full of caves to discover, each one more beautiful than the last. Starting, of course, with Lascaux, just a few minutes from Sarlat in the Périgord Noir. This cave is considered throughout the world to be a masterpiece of cave art. However, it is just one of many decorated caves in the Dordogne. In other caves, nature has played the artist, sculpting stalagmites and stalactites into masterpieces worthy of an underground museum. The caves of Domme, Tourtoirac and Villars are among the most beautiful in the region. Ask the campsite team for advice on which cave to visit during a heatwave. That's the advantage of our caves: even at the height of summer, the temperature remains around 15°C. In other words, they are a cool haven in the heart of your holiday in Périgord.

When the sky is grey, think of the châteaux of the Dordogne

When you wake up in the morning at your campsite or accommodation and the sky is grey, you wonder what to do. First of all, rest assured, this rarely happens in the Dordogne. But, as everywhere else, we are not immune to the vagaries of the weather. And besides, bad weather days are an invitation to cultural visits. And the Périgord has no shortage of them. The region is full of castles, churches and abbeys, each more beautiful than the last, such as the Château de Puyguilhem, the Abbey of Brantôme, the Château de Monbazillac and, of course, the many hilltop castles dotted along the Dordogne valley, not to mention Sarlat and its medieval old town. The campsites in the Dordogne are ideal starting points for exploring them. Ask at the reception of the campsite where you are staying, the reception team will have all the information you need on the most beautiful monuments to visit nearby. To avoid spending a day cooped up in your rental or tent, take advantage of a gloomy day to visit the major prehistoric sites of the Dordogne, such as the National Museum of Prehistory in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac or La Roque Saint-Christophe clinging to the rock face. At some campsites, however, grey skies don't prevent you from enjoying the swimming pool. It is not uncommon to find an indoor swimming pool in the water parks of 4- or 5-star campsites , whether they are independent or belong to groups such as Capfun or Sandaya. Depending on the establishment where you are camping, it is not uncommon for them to even offer indoor games for children when the weather is not conducive to playing outside.

Holidays in the Dordogne in the off-season

Although some campsites open in winter, the opening dates for campsites in the Dordogne generally run from April to September. While the mild weather in early spring and autumn is often ideal for hiking or cycling, it is not uncommon for mornings to still be cool at these times of year. This won't stop you from swimming, though. Most of the swimming pools at campsites in the Périgord are heated. Similarly, at many of our campsites, services, particularly catering, are open from the start of the season. The advantage of going on holiday at this time of year is that you can enjoy the region to the full without having to contend with the summer crowds. The market in Sarlat, which is very busy during the school holidays, is much quieter in April and September. The campsites are also less crowded, offering you more space and lower prices than in the height of summer, whether you come with a tent or are looking for the comfort of a mobile home rental.