Property for Sale in Dordogne

The Dordogne, formerly Perigord, is a large department in southwest France named after the river Dordogne that lies between the picturesque Loire Valley and the Pyrenees Mountains.

It’s likely that every image you’ve seen of a picturesque French town with multicoloured townhouses, cobblestones streets and a glistening river was taken somewhere in the Dordogne. Property for sale in the Dordogne is largely sought after as the department houses lots of authentic French villages, medieval cities, castles and even caves that are available to buy or rent.

Weather in the Dordogne is quite similar to the UK; however, the main difference is that summer in southwest France is typically hotter (with highs of 28°C) and winters aren’t as cold (lows of 9°C in January).

People come from all over to visit the Dordogne department. A few things that attract visitors to the Dordgone include Rocamadour, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and pilgrimage site; Collonges-la-Rouge, a gorgeous country village; Tours de Merle, a 12th century fortress and river activities such as sailing, fishing, and canoeing.

Approximately 400,000 people live in the Dordogne, which isn’t many considering its size. For comparison there are over 400,000 living in Bournemouth, UK alone. The Dordogne alone is slightly comparable in size to the island of Cyprus.

The department is split into four areas, the Périgord Vert, the Périgord Blanc, the Périgord Pourpre, and the Périgord Noir. The colours denoting each region represent the natural landscapes of each area, The Périgord Vert is abundant with lush greenery, verdant valleys and rolling hills. The most notable town is Nontron. The Périgord Blanc is a region of limestone plateaux, valleys and meadows that surround the department’s capital, Périgueux. The Périgord Poupre represents the wine region, and its capital is beautiful Bergerac – home to many expats! Finally, the Périgot Noir in southeast of the Dordogne overlooks the Vézère valleys and the Dordogne River which is surrounded by dark forests of oak and pine.

When it comes to buying property, the real question is where to choose. The Dordogne is home to 10 of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (the most beautiful villages in France), which provide a great starting point for those new to the area.

Bear in mind the Dordogne is rural, so if you’re used to city-living, this isn’t the department for you. However, if you like the idea of walking down to the village shop for your morning paper or a drive to the next town for breakfast pastries every now and again, this could be the place for you.

Homes in the Dordogne vary quite dramatically, which is great news if you have a small budget. There is a selection of village homes available for as little as €55,000 with varying degrees of restoration needed – from a lot to very little.

Most of the property for sale in the Dordogne is a ‘lock up and leave; style home that’s easy to maintain and perfect for holiday homebuyers. Village homes are typically more affordable in this part of France compared to northern France, where you get less floor space for your euro.

For those with money to play with, there are some truly stunning country homes available from €150,000-€300,000, and as the price goes up as does the land included and possibility of there being a private pool onsite.