Ask for directions to the Dordogne in France and you'll get sent to the banks of the river. The Dordogne is a department of France, but the French refer to it by the region's old name, Périgord.
The area is split into two: the Black Périgord and the White Périgord, and it's the most popular holiday destination in the French interior. It's not hard to see why. Verdant rolling hills plunge into broad valley floors; rocky outcrops hang perilously over meandering rivers; pretty farm houses made from golden stone abound, as do the traditional châteaux.
But there's more to the region than the stunning landscape. It has an astoundingly rich past, featuring the greatest number of French historical sites outside Paris. These include the limestone shelter at Cap Blanc, decorated by a frieze of prehistoric sculptures, and the caves at Lascaux and Cussac.
The Dordogne has museums and galleries galore, but it is in the realm of the culinary that it excels, supplying nearly half of France's fine produce, including wines, truffles, and duck and goose patés. This makes it superb for gourmet getaways.
With its varied landscape you are never stuck for activities outside your caravan either. You'll find yourself surrounded by truly beautiful walks, bike trails and waterways for boating. Essentially, the Dordogone encapsulates everything that makes France such a desirable destination. It's beautiful, historic and fertile; couple these qualities with an abundance of cultural institutions and you have a relaxing and arresting area that is perfectly accessible with a caravan in tow.

SEE ALSO IN THE JANUARY 2007 ISSUE OF PRACTICAL CARAVAN
The Great Outdoors, Holiday Hints, Nature Notes, Contacts, History and Culture, Foodies' Corner, Holiday Souvenirs, Family Fun, Festivals & Events

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