Family Holidays: Dordogne family holidays and breaks

Take the Family holiday rating 3½ stars out of 5

Why

The Dordogne is life at a slower pace – rolling French countryside, 12th Century chateaux to explore (along with original; torturing equipment in the dungeons), superb food (you're in the middle of foie gras country), plus the whole thing looks like the set of Disney's Beauty and the Beast except it's not a cartoon – the crooked old-beamed houses are actually real. All within a 1½ hour's flight of the UK.

You may be surprised at how many English voices you hear. The area (then Aquitaine) was ruled by the English on and off for centuries back in the days of Richard the Lionheart. Today Crusaders have been replaced by second home owners. But around here they still (generally) like the English, not least because they do the old barns up nicely and spend plenty of money on holiday. Plus it means you can buy an English newspaper at the local shop.

Top left: Mountain Village
Top middle: Quaint houses
Top right: Castle

Bottom left: Castle overlooking village
Bottom right: Blue rivers

When

Summer is the obvious time because you're almost guaranteed sunshine (last year, tragically, it became so hot many old people died) but that is also when it gets busiest with up to 2,000 canoeists on the Dordogne at any one time. Spring and Autumn, the climate is milder but the main attractions are also quieter.

How

take the plane

Flights from Stansted to Bergerac's incredibly small airport take just 80 minutes. Otherwise catch a ferry and drive down.

Stay

There are quaint inns and some hotels but without a doubt, it's best to go self-catering. You often get your own private pool, you can relax and there's a wide selection to choose from for most budgets.

Do

Bastide towns – Built in the 12th and 13th centuries these really are stunning and well worth a visit . Monpazier is one of the finest examples. It boasts an incredible market square with lovely cafes and restaurants and two very good shops selling wooden toys.

Castles (excusez-moi – Chateaux!) Again these are the real thing. There’s plenty to choose from and visit Chateau Biron is one of the best.

Boat trip on the Dordogne – Visit Beynac with its fortified chateau then take a dreamy boat ride down the Dordogne with fun commentary in English. The chateau itself kept changing hands between the French and the English during the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries and boasts extraordinary (and terrifyingly steep) views. Adults €7, Kids (5-11) €3

Horse riding – it’s lovely countryside and good value at around €10 per hour. Equestrian centres are numerous and well signposted.

Eat

Duck and goose in all their various forms are the main staple. Whether it’s sliced on top of a salad, formed into fois gras paté or served as a confit for your main course, it’s fairly tricky to escape our feathered friends. But if it all gets too much, just buy some baguettes, some cheese and a saucisson or deux from a local market then find a local meadow for a pique-nique and you're in business.

If you eat out, many places do a children’s menu offering chicken, steak or omelette and frites plus a dessert and drink for around €7.

Plus there are vineyards everywhere which mean cheap wine and plenty of it for you to quaff in the late evening sun while the kids are (hopefully) asleep. You can buy it on draught (much cheaper than by the bottle) in big 5 litre or even 10 litre barrels. It works out at around €2 a litre. Cheers.

Cost

Reasonable – food and drink are very good value compared with the UK. Although if you go in peak season (August) a reasonably-sized villa with pool will start to add up to around €1,500 per week.