From what age can you discover Périgord?
Lovers of Périgord Noir will tell you that there is no age limit to marveling at a castle or a cave.
Your tribe ranges from 3 to 20 years old, no worries, we have everything you need!
For a successful vacation, choose places and activities that are appropriate for their age. Here are some tips from our local experts.
Are you traveling with young children or a newborn?
For family holidays a stone's throw from Sarlat, if Périgord is not a high mountain destination, it owes its beauty to its hilly landscapes and its villages sometimes high up. Plan for your walks a stroller and a baby carrier to help you move comfortably.
Equipped ? the Vézère Valley opens up to you. Continue your visits as you wish and at your child's pace.
Lunch break ? Our restaurateurs will be delighted to reheat a small dish or offer you a children's menu. Some have even equipped themselves with changing table, just like tourist sites or others.
Little nap in the shade ? THE castle park de Campagne is ideally placed for a stopover between two visits. With free access, its century-old redwoods and cedars offer shaded areas ideal for a nap.
Clever! You are looking for a place where you will not have to carry your baby in your arms for an hour. We have identified the accessible sites in wheelchairs, and therefore accessible by stroller.
Is your child more of a knight/princess, dinosaur or Cro Magnon?
We reassure you, we’ve all been there! What if you visited a castle During your stay ?
Little princesses will marvel at the mores of Joséphine Baker at the Château des Milandes where they will pretend to be the queen during the visit of the Losse castle in Thonac. For great warriors, go to Commarque castle in Les Eyzies to contemplate the 80 meter high fort.
If baby is more team Dino, we have too! Meet at Conquil, in Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère. The shaded park promises you a journey to the times of triceratops, diplodocus and other species that populated the Earth 200 million years ago. The reproductions are animated and a sound ambiance will take your family on a journey out of time.
We immerse ourselves in prehistoric times in the caves of Roc de Cazelle or in Castel-Merle by lighting a fire, hunting game thanks to propellant or by reproducing the gestures of the first cave artists. Follow the guide to find all the workshops offered: Agenda
Children love animals
Au Thot Park, children will experience a unique moment up close to the animals. Through the Man-Animal relationship in prehistoric times, many species are presented there including aurochs, bison, Przewalski's horses, ancestors of the animals painted on the walls of the Lascaux cave. But these are certainly the wolves which will catch their attention the most!
Still on the theme of Prehistory, the site of Regourdou, known for its prehistoric site, a stone's throw from Lascaux, presents its 4 brown bears, Charly, Noisette, Cassy and Mishka, you will discover their link with Neanderthal man.
The Vézère valley is a preserved region, the fauna and the flora are still very present. Difficult to see the fish of the Vézère? We invite you to find them atBlack Périgord Aquarium at Bugue. The excursion begins with the world of myocastors, takes you through the aquatic world of fish fresh water then crocodiles and finally a vivarium. Fish feeding activities will impress your little ones.
Geese, sheep, donkeys, rabbits, chickens... Next to the aquarium, animals have a natural place at the Parc du Bournat. In a dive into the 19th centuryrd century, a visit to the park makes you feel the village atmosphere that reigned in Périgord at that time. We go from the house of meunier at the workshop pottery, by making a detour via the brewery. The whole family has a great day in this park with old crafts. THE vintage rides and games, the funfair make Bournat a must when staying in the Dordogne with children.
Shall we continue? In the direction of Périgueux, these are the wild boars of Mortemart who are waiting for you for the visit.
A little further, horses return to equestrian centers in Sergeac, Les Eyzies or Campagne.
Are your teenagers on screens too much? we will make them want to go out !
Looking for thrills, physical activities ? Tree trails are a great way to challenge your limits while enjoying nature. THE Prehistobranch offers you several circuits and offers the possibility of combining your visit with the Dinosaur park and the visit of prehistoric site of Conquil located in the same place. There's something for the whole family.
Le Big Bird at Le Bugue, an aerial course 22 meters high over 4 floors, will inevitably catch the eye of your children, no need to resist, they will want to go!
Another option, the Lazzer City in Journiac, in teams or individually, your teenagers will evolve in a dark setting of an apocalyptic city. Who will emerge victorious based on points?
Want freshness? On the water park side, Bos ponds which of the children is the most agile to succeed in jumping, climbing, crossing inflatable structures on the water WITHOUT FALLING!
Go cycling on the Greenway : among the different possibilities for cycling routes, the greenway is accessible to everyone, even for the less sporty. With little difference in altitude, the 22 km will be quickly swallowed up and can be a great opportunity to get some fresh air.
On a more cultural side, plan a vacation in the Dordogne to rediscover prehistory with family ! The Dordogne is full of prehistoric sites.
In the Vézère valley, we have the most famous caves: the Lascaux cave. By visiting the International Center for Cave Art Lascaux IV, we promise you an interactive visit that will please everyone. During the visit, a guide accompanies you to tell you about the discovery of the cave as well as the techniques used in cave art.
For adolescents, thedigital universe is widely present. A touchscreen tablet can accompany them throughout their experience, it will follow their movements in the different spaces, activate the digital devices and provide them with information.
An unmissable and unforgettable visit during a stay in Périgord.
Terra aventura, the application that helps all children walk, even teenagers!
Yes, yes, we promise. If you don't know about geocaching, now is the time to start. Finally, children will be able to use a phone to visit!
By downloading the application Terra Adventure, you will have access to walking routes classified according to difficulty and point to find. The what ? The Poiz! It’s a “pin” as the old-timers would say that you have to collect. Geocaching enthusiasts have them everywhere on their backpacks. You quickly find your way among aficionados. ? The principle: move forward using the application's GPS, answer questions throughout the route, in a quiz style accessible to all by observing their environment, to ultimately obtain a geolocated address. Are you there? From there, to the greatest excitement of the children, it's the treasure hunt, you have to look for the cache where the famous poiz is found.
It's an excellent way to discover the Vézère valley as a family through a fun (and sometimes sporting) activity. The Dordogne offers numerous walking circuits on various themes. Download the Terra Aventura app.
What activities are possible with children?
The tourist sites of Lascaux-Dordogne put together a dense program every summer to make your family vacation a real success. Visit our tourist offices to discover this program.
Which town to choose in Dordogne with children?
We choose Le Bugue for
- its activities: gourmet market, local festival, Saint-Louis festival, etc.
- its diversity of tourist sites: the Bournat park, the Périgord Noir Aquarium, the prehistoric labyrinth, the Proumeyssac chasm
- its activities: canoeing, big bird, elves’ wood
- its mid-range and high-end campsites with children’s club
We choose Montignac-Lascaux for
- its prehistoric sites: Lascaux, Regourdou, Thot
- its activities: cultural festival at the hearts, gourmet market, etc.
- its holiday villages
We choose Journiac for
- its amusement parks: Jacquou Parc, Lazzer Game, Ax Fun Game, etc.
- his tranquility
- its vacation rentals
We choose Les Eyzies for
- its prehistoric sites: National Museum, prehistoric shelters, interpretation center, Roc de Cazelle cave
- its hotels
- its proximity to Sarlat
We choose Peyzac, Sergeac, Savignac de Miremont, Audrix or any other villages in the Vézère valley for
- have a wonderful family vacation.
Which sites are aimed at children?
The “Dordogne as a family” guide, the reference for parents
In Dordogne, family is as important as Prehistory or our river, that’s what you’re saying! The Tourist Office lists through the departmental guide “ Dordogne with family » sites particularly suitable for children. It allows you to know the age necessary to participate in the proposed workshop in particular. Check out the list.
Change traditional visits, and practice adapted activities.
The descent into canoeing is a must for a stay in the Dordogne. In scorching weather, we enjoy paddling while discovering the view: the Belcayre castle (which we only see from the river) or the passage under the Roque Saint-Christophe. However, this requires know how to swim and be at least 5 years old.
Ouch, your pitchoune doesn't meet these conditions, no worries. We are sailing on the Dordogne in this case. In Beynac as in Roque-Gageac, templates await you for a discovery along the water, the guide describes the castles and villages which overlook. No effort, just enjoy.
You want to spend a little time with your children, we tell you the mini golf courses of the valley.
When it's hot, we have what you need
Many campings of Périgord Noir have a aquatic area to keep your children busy. Find them in our section Camping by selecting the “swimming pool” criterion.
And if you are looking for a perfect day, the Proumeyssac chasm ! Children love this natural cavity. Inside, a magical spectacle of sounds and lights that will delight young and old. Outside, a fun and educational park for budding discoverers.
Le Jacquou Park is another option to spend the day with the family. A wave pool and roller coasters will entertain teenagers. The youngest will appreciate the old carousels, the wooden horses, the carousel... This leisure park is suitable for all ages.
Where to go for a walk with a young child?
In one week, you won't be able to do everything. We know that a child sleeps.
Well, in principle?
If you are looking to “wear out” your children, we give you a few places where they can run around:
The flat villages of Lascaux – Dordogne
We'll guide you to find a nice village where you can walk around but where it's not too steep.
Firstly, we take you to Campaigns. This is the ideal place to do take your first steps to your child. Stone paths intertwine in this green setting. The lawn or stability to begin with? It's up to him... In the park surrounding the castle, impressive two-hundred-year-old trees will be an inexhaustible source of hide and seek for the whole family.
Then why not visit Coly Saint-Amand, country village between nature and Périgord stone. Located on the road to Sarlat from Montignac-Lascaux, Coly Saint-Amand is full of artisans and artists on its main street in the summer. For a post-nap stroll, it’s quite nice!
If you have brought your baby carrier, a hiking trail around the village allows you to discover the history of this “Most Beautiful Villages in France” and offers an exceptional panorama.
Was it your child stays up late, take advantage of the Tuesday evening gourmet market to taste the local gastronomy.
The Greenway
To stroll in a stroller, there's nothing like walking along the Vézère river. Different sections are possible but we recommend a stroll along the Bugue quays to the Pont de Campagne. This part is relatively wide and very well equipped for strollers. A picnic area is even located at the exit of the quays, near Bournat, for a lunch break.
Need a secure restaurant?
There is no doubt that stomachs will be hollow after all these discoveries! We invite you to consult our page dedicated to restaurants in the area which have an enclosed terrace. A dinner with peace of mind is priceless.
