Villatent at Camping Le Pech Charmant

Walks, bike rides, donkey walks and horse riding are all excellent ways to see some of the local scenery, but of course if there’s one way to get around in the Dordogne it has to be by canoe or kayak. Head up to Les Eyzies de Tayac for hire centres that will take you out on the Vezère or aim south for about 20 minutes’ drive to tackle the mighty Dordogne itself. Back on dry land, there’s plenty more to explore locally: the hillside Château de Commarque (20 minutes’ drive) and the colourful subterranean Grotte du Grand Roc (five minutes) are good places to take a wander, as are the National Prehistory Museum and prehistory-themed walk in Les Eyzies. It’s also a fine idea to take a day over in Sarlat-la-Canéda (25 minutes), a particularly pretty place with a cathedral, an excellent Saturday market and lots of historic streets and squares to stroll through. If you’ve got a head for heights, take a ride in the church’s glass lift for great views over the rooftops.