The Dordogne is one of France’s most entrancing regions, with a cinematic beauty that seems almost too perfect to be real. Curving gracefully through a landscape of vineyards, pastures and orchards, the Dordogne River is often lined with steep hills and limestone bluffs riddled with caves. And on seemingly every convenient rise stands a château, sometimes alone, sometimes surrounded by a medieval village of golden stone. Top sights include the famous prehistoric cave drawings at Les Eyzies and Lascaux, the formidable Château de Beynac, the well-preserved 13th-century fortified hamlet of Domme and the Renaissance old quarter of Sarlat (the foie gras center of France). Consider a day trip to the vertical village of Rocamadour and to the Padirac Chasm, which has an underground river toured by boat. Spring and fall are the best times for a visit, as summers draw crowds.

Périgord is noted for its duck and goose products such as confit de canard and foie gras. It is also known as a center for truffles.