 | | | French property for sale in Dordogne (24), France by the French estate agents, Leggett Immobilier | About Dordogne, France
The Dordogne is France's third largest department, and as well as numerous picturesque villages, it also boasts an incredible 4,000 chateaux, 10% of all the chateaux in France. Many people, including many expatriates, feel that the Dordogne is one of the most beautiful regions of France.
The Dordogne has traditionally been one of the most popular department for foreign buyers, including many British, Irish and Dutch home owners. Like many French departments, the Dordogne is named after the river that flows through it. Foie gras, duck and goose are regional specialities.
The department has four distinct territories. In the north you will find 'Green Périgord' which derives its name from its many green valleys and woodland, covered with trickling streams, and houses the Périgord-Limousin Regional Natural Park. The major towns in the area are Brantome (the "Venice" of the Dordogne), Nontron and Riberac.
In the centre of the department is 'White Périgord', so called because of its limestone plateaux. It contains the capital of the Dordogne, Périgueux, with attractive shopping centre and marvellous winding old town.
The 'Purple Périgord', in the South West of the department, is named from the area's grapes, which are put to good use in Bergerac, the capital of this wine producing region. The area was of great strategic significance during the hundred years war, and visitors will find a number of fortified villages, castles and chateaux built by both the English and the French here.
In the south-east you'll find 'Black Périgord', with deep valleys and ancient forests. It contains the towns of Saint-Cyprien and Sarlat-la-Caneda, which are both popular with foreign buyers. It houses numerous prehistoric caves with some 30,000 year old cave paintings.
Nearest international airports are Limoges, Bergerac and Bordeaux with regular flights back to the UK, and the department has good motorway and TGV access. |
|
