Périgord: Brantôme, the Vézère and Dordogne castles
From Périgueux to Brantôme, down the prehistoric Vézère valley and along the Dordogne past Beynac, Castelnaud and Domme to Sarlat.
- Distance
- 141 km (88 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 57 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 9
- Countries
- France
- Updated
- July 2, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 141 km (88 mi) with 9 stops, from Périgueux to Sarlat-la-Canéda. About 1 h 57 min of driving in total.
More road trips in France
Route description
Start in Périgueux, whose domed cathedral of Saint-Front rises above the Isle, and drive 27 km north on the D939 to Brantôme. The Benedictine abbey leans against a cliff on a loop of the Dronne, with caves behind it. Walk the riverside and the angled bridge, then head south-east through Thiviers or back via Périgueux towards the Vézère valley.
The Vézère between Montignac and Les Eyzies has one of the richest concentrations of decorated caves and prehistoric shelters in Europe. Stop at La Roque Saint-Christophe, a kilometre of cliff terraces once used as a fortified village, and at the National Museum of Prehistory in Les Eyzies. Places at the painted cave of Font-de-Gaume are limited, so book online weeks ahead in summer.
Follow the D703 along the Dordogne to Beynac, where the fortress stands on a cliff above the village. Cross the river to Castelnaud, with its museum of medieval warfare, then return to the north bank for the gardens of Marqueyssac. Canoe hire is available all along this stretch, and a short paddle is the best way to see the castles from below.
Cross again to Domme, a bastide on the cliff edge with a belvedere over the valley; park outside the walls. End in Sarlat, 12 km north, whose golden stone old town is busiest on Saturday market day. The valley roads are narrow and the village car parks small, so motorhomes should use the larger car parks on the edges and cycle or walk in.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Périgueux
France - 226 km
Brantôme Abbey
HistoryBrantôme, FranceA Benedictine abbey backed against a cliff with caves behind it, on an island loop of the Dronne. Walk the riverside park and the elbow bridge; parking is on the edge of the village.
- 366 km
La Roque Saint-Christophe
HistoryPeyzac-le-Moustier, FranceA limestone cliff with terraces and shelters about 1 km long, used from prehistory to the Middle Ages as a fortified village. Allow an hour; the D706 along the Vézère has a car park below.
- 46 km
National Museum of Prehistory
HistoryLes Eyzies, FranceA museum built into the cliff above Les Eyzies with the largest collection of Palaeolithic objects in France. Book the Font-de-Gaume painted cave nearby well ahead; daily places are limited.
- 519 km
Château de Beynac
HistoryBeynac-et-Cazenac, FranceA medieval fortress on a 150 m cliff above the Dordogne, with the village stacked below. The castle car park is at the top; the riverside car park is better for large vehicles.
- 64 km
Château de Castelnaud
HistoryCastelnaud-la-Chapelle, FranceA restored castle facing Beynac across the Dordogne, with a museum of medieval warfare and working replica siege engines. Popular with children; park in the paid car park below.
- 72 km
Gardens of Marqueyssac
ViewsVézac, FranceHanging gardens of clipped boxwood on a ridge, with a belvedere 130 m above the Dordogne. About 6 km of paths wind through the gardens; candlelit evenings run on summer Thursdays.
- 86 km
Domme
ViewsDomme, FranceA bastide founded in 1281 on a cliff edge, whose belvedere looks straight down the Dordogne valley. Park outside the gates; a small tourist train climbs from the lower car park.
- 912 km
Sarlat-la-Canéda
France
FAQs
How long is Périgord: Brantôme, the Vézère and Dordogne castles?
4-day road trip of about 141 km (88 mi) with 9 stops, from Périgueux to Sarlat-la-Canéda. About 1 h 57 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Périgord: Brantôme, the Vézère and Dordogne castles?
We suggest 4 days: about 1 h 57 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Périgord: Brantôme, the Vézère and Dordogne castles start and end?
It starts in Périgueux and ends in Sarlat-la-Canéda.
Which countries does Périgord: Brantôme, the Vézère and Dordogne castles pass through?
France.
