Car Hire in The Dordogne

If you want to visit the perfect idyllic patch of countryside in France, then the Dordogne is where you need to go. With patchwork fields visible from the sky, or the hills around the area, seven different rivers winding their way through the area and home to two of Frances most popular culinary exports, Foie Gras and Black Truffle, you’ll find so much in the Dordogne region.

There are so many stunning little towns to visit, with their own style of architecture from the last thousand years and more, and with restaurants, vineyards, hotels and so much more to stay in or visit, you’ll not run out of things to do.

In the winter the entire region does tend to get a lot quieter, and many of the hotels and restaurants take a winter break, closing until the spring like many resorts.

In the summer, and at all times of year you’ll want to hire a car to visit the surrounding areas, and to get to all the different towns and restaurants so you can make the most of your time here.

What to do in The Dordogne when you hire a car here

Le Presidial Restaurant

Located in the medieval town of Sarlet La Caneda, you’ll find Le Presidial restaurants which is located in the 17th century courthouse, and one of the most amazing buildings in the town. With a stunning terrace to eat on in the summer months, you’ll get to enjoy the local cuisine cooked by some of the finest chefs around.

Cathedrale St-Sacerdos

It’s an inside jokes that all roads lead to the cathedral in Sarlet, and you won’t have much trouble finding this one. Originally built in the 10th century, the church was modified in the 1500s and then again in the 1700s when it became a cathedral. The result is a mixture of architectural styles which make it all the more fascinating to look around. See if you can spot the oldest parts of the building, in the belfry and the western facade.

Food Market

If you like food markets, you’ll love this French market run every Saturday in Sarlet. With everything you could think of on offer from their local fields and even the famous black truffles on offer, you’ll have to go a long way to find a better food market than this one.

Laterne des Morts

Built in 1147 to honour the visit of St Bernard to the town ofSarlet Le Caneda, this rocket shaped tower has stood for nearly a thousand years. Access to the tower is sometimes available but not all year round. St Bernard was one of the founders of the Cistercian order.

Puymartin

A stunning turreted castle, found about 5 miles to the northwest of the town, you can still marvel at the interior which remains complete in some parts of the building. It is said locally that Dame Blanche’s spirit still haunts the corridors of the castle.