The best of the Dordogne Valley in the spring, activities and festivals What to do in the spring Visit Dordogne Valley

Spring is a perfect time to explore the Dordogne Valley. With long warm days and nature looking at its best, it’s the ideal time to escape the summer crowds and bask in the season’s natural beauty.

Don’t miss tasting the freshest local delicacies: juicy strawberries from Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, crisp asparagus, and creamy Rocamadour goat’s cheese, made even more delicious by them munching on the springtime sweet grass.

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A spring in your step

The air is filled with the sweet fragrance of blossoms, enticing travellers to make the most of being outdoors after the long wintery months.

First port of call, the gardens. A festival of scents and colours with the whole spectrum of greens, the purple of lilacs and wisterias, warm yellows and vibrant reds… From the elegance of boxwood hedges to the charm of English-styled gardens, spring is a truly special time to visit the many and varied green spaces throughout the Dordogne Valley.

Great hikes

Hundreds of marked hiking trails criss-cross the lush countryside, through forests, valleys and timeless villages.

For longer ventures, a hike on the Way to Compostela does wonders for the body and soul. So does the absolutely breathtaking 430 km trek in the Gorges of the Dordogne : De Villages en Barrages. A 15 stages hike with accommodation along the way.

For a truly unusual experience, follow the Transhumance in April. This ancestral tradition sees shepherds taking their flocks of sheep from Rocamadour to the plateaus near Luzech in a 5 day walk. Feel free to join in for a day or the whole way!

As for fun family outings in April, check out Les Printanières where experts take you into the heart of nature to listen to bird songs or find wild orchids.

Also not to be missed in April, Les Insolites du Périgord is your opportunity to discover places normally closed to the public. Private castles and caves as well as some museums and churches open their doors during one week-end only.

Seasonal harvest

Goodbye root vegetables, hello fresh greens and seasonal fruits! The markets throughout the Dordogne Valley are full of colours again with fresh strawberries, asparagus and local wines to go with it.

Here are a few gourmet events not to be missed in the spring:

– Journées du Terroir in Sarlat : a weekend of food extravaganza in the medieval city centre where you can taste all the local specialities straight from the producers (May)

– Fête des fromages in Rocamadour: the famous goats cheese is celebrated every which way along with delicious local and national cheeses in this yearly festival (May)

– Fête de la Fraise in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne: the whole town celebrates the sweet local strawberry with various events including your chance to get a slice of the world’s biggest strawberry cake, literally, -a Guiness World record holder! (May)

– Bienvenue à la Ferme – Printemps à la Ferme: come and enjoy the best spring has to offer directly on the farm with events throughout the region including picnics at the farm, concerts, visits….(througout the spring season)

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Spring into action

No more lounging around, it’s time to answer the call of the great outdoors!

There are so many activities to choose from: biking, paragliding, rock-climbing and even canyoning. Canyoning is great fun. You will be abseiling over waterfalls, sliding down natural slides and jumping into rock pools!

In May, you can witness two major water championships: The French Canoe-Kayak championships and the Paddle Dordogne Fest, a canoe and paddle event with concerts, outdoor cinema and a race from Argentat-sur-Dordogne to Castelnaud-la-Chapelle.

For a less competitive but still really enjoyable boat ride, traditional flat-bottomed barges called Gabares welcome passengers on board to discover villages, castles and the local biodiversity from the famous river.

There is a lot of family fun to be had. Try the Terra Aventura app (free and with an English language option) and turn a village discovery or countryside walk into an interactive adventure.

In the Dordogne Valley, locals take rugby very seriously. The CAB team in Brive is the pride and joy of the inhabitants and the atmosphere on match days is fantastic. So why not join in the fun and get yourself a seat?

Last but not least, horse races and events in Pompadour are a grand affair. With the famous castle as a backdrop, horse races and competitions are held between March and October. While you are there, you can visit this beautiful castle donated to Madame de Pompadour by the French King Louis XV. The prestigious national stud farm is also open to the public.

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Spring festivals

Another highlight of spring is the many events and music festivals happening all around the Dordogne Valley.

Music lovers should absolutely attend the Baroque festival Les Instants Baroques, combining concerts and heritage from that period. Watch out for several events both in the spring and the autumn.

If jazz is more your thing, the Festival Jazz Pourpre transports Bergerac to the rhythm of swing music for 3 weeks every year. On the menu, concerts, arts and crafts as well as a Farmer’s market.

Châteaux en Fête is another unmissable event that should definitely be put down in your calendar. This is a unique opportunity to enjoy exclusive, festive, cultural and gastronomic experiences. Sumptuous castles and manor houses open up their worlds and organise exceptional events and festivities every year in April.

Salon des Métiers d’Art in Bergerac (May): Every year since 2009, the show has brought together forty artisans and artists from all over France to set up permanent shops and temporary stalls. This Arts and Crafts event is committed to the excellence of the sector, promoting a local, sustainable and ethical economy.

Finally, film lovers keen to discover the up and coming talents in the industry have the opportunity to watch short movies in the international Festival du Cinéma in Brive, every year in April.