Department
Museums, galleries and heritage in Dordogne
75 places to discover across Dordogne.
Including Château de Beynac, Château de Castelnaud and Château des Milandes.
20 of 75 places, sorted by distance from the center
Towns to explore
Beaumontois en Périgord · Bergerac · Boulazac Isle Manoire · Brantôme en Périgord · Chancelade · Excideuil · Eymet · Jumilhac-le-Grand · Le Buisson-de-Cadouin · Le Lardin-Saint-Lazare · Les Eyzies · Montignac-Lascaux · Mussidan · Nontron · Périgueux · Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin-de-Reilhac · Sarlat-la-Canéda · Sorges et Ligueux en Périgord
A Department Shaped by Deep Time
Dordogne, part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, owes its cultural identity to an exceptional archaeological record. The Sites préhistoriques et grottes ornées de la vallée de la Vézère, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, gathers decorated caves and rock shelters around Les Eyzies that document human occupation from the Paleolithic onward.
The Musée National de Préhistoire, also in Les Eyzies, anchors this landscape with a national collection dedicated to the study and presentation of prehistoric life in the region. In Périgueux, the department's capital, Gallo-Roman history surfaces at Musée Gallo-romain Vesunna, built directly over the remains of the domus de Vésone, while the Musée d'Art et d'Archéologie du Périgord brings together art and archaeology collections in the same city.
Périgueux, Bergerac and the Périgord Territories
Périgueux concentrates several of the department's key institutions within walking distance of one another, including the Musée Militaire du Périgord, which holds more than 20,000 objects across 800 m² since its founding in 1911, and smaller contemporary spaces such as Galerie L'app'art and Mes Deux Mondes et L'art.
Bergerac, on the Dordogne river, has developed a distinct cultural cluster around its old town: the Dordonha - Pôle patrimonial et culturel de Bergerac occupies the Petite Mission, a listed architectural ensemble, while the Centre d'Art de la photographie, espace Romain-Rolland focuses on photography exhibitions. Nearby galleries such as Atelier galerie Romain Thiery and La Nouvelle Galerie extend this contemporary art presence.
Frequently asked questions
How much time should I plan to visit the prehistoric sites of the Vézère valley?
A minimum of two full days is recommended to see the Musée National de Préhistoire and two or three decorated caves, since sites are spread across several communes and some require pre-booked timed entry.
Is the Musée National de Préhistoire suitable for visitors with limited mobility?
The museum building in Les Eyzies is accessible, though some associated cave sites in the valley have uneven terrain or steps and are less easily accessible.
What is the best time of year to visit Dordogne's museums and caves?
Spring and early autumn offer smaller crowds and comfortable temperatures for both museum visits and outdoor archaeological sites; cave visits often require advance booking in July and August.
Are there contemporary art galleries outside the main towns?
Yes, smaller communes host notable spaces, including Le Domaine Perdu and Galerie Magis in Meyrals, and Rodrigues Art Gallery in Calviac-en-Périgord.
Can the truffle and tobacco museums be combined in one day?
