Region in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Dordogne
Castles, prehistoric caves and river villages, best with a car from Sarlat-la-Canéda or Périgueux. Slow, affordable and popular with British expats; public transport is limited and winter is quiet.
At a glance
- Safety5/5Very safeDetails
- Monthly budget$1,910–2,700Comfortable, one person · €1,700–2,400Details
- Value for money55/100Better value than 54% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–Jun, Sep–OctWarmest: Aug, 28°CDetails
- Internet332 MbpsFixed broadband, France medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableSafe in towns.Details
- LGBTQ+4/5WelcomingDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$34–62Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundRental carWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards are accepted in towns, but weekly markets, farms and small village shops often prefer cash.Details
Where to stay in Dordogne
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Sarlat-la-Canéda old town | Medieval center with markets and easy access to caves and castles |
| Périgueux | Regional capital with trains and cheaper rents |
| Les Eyzies / Vézère valley | Caves and prehistory; quiet stays with a car |
Apps that work in Dordogne
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- SNCF Connect: Train tickets and timetables nationwide
- Bonjour RATP: Paris Métro routes and tickets on phone
- BlaBlaCar: Cheap carpools between cities
- Taxis: Uber and Bolt do not operate in the area. Taxis must be booked by phone and are expensive for long trips.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in France.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards are accepted in towns, but weekly markets, farms and small village shops often prefer cash.
- Currency: Euro (EUR). US$1 ≈ €0.89 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: French bank ATMs rarely add fees; avoid Euronet machines in Paris tourist areas and decline the conversion offer.
- Tipping: Service is included by law. Round up or leave €1–5 for good service; nobody expects 15–20%.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted; card contactless limit €50. Lydia and Wero need a European bank.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 across all Schengen countries; passport issued within 10 years, valid 3 months past departure.
- The EU Entry/Exit System has replaced passport stamps since April 2026: fingerprints and photo at your first entry. Allow extra time.
- ETIAS, the planned €20 online authorisation, isn't required yet (October 2026); check travel-europe.europa.eu for its start date.
Emergency numbers
Police 17 · Ambulance 15 · Fire 18 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, E · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Orange's Holiday SIM or eSIM, or prepaid SIMs from phone shops and tabacs, cost about €20–40 a month; passport needed to activate. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in France
Going to Dordogne solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.