What you can expect of Dordogne walking, landscape and wildlife: 

 

The Dordogne is a hilly well-wooded region lying mid-way between the Massif Central and the south-western Atlantic cost of France.  You will be invited to share the wonderful aroma of the woodlands of Maritime Pine, Sweet Chestnut, Pedunculate and Pyrenean oak.  Meadows are scattered throughout the forests.  The impermeable clays form wet meadows, marshes and many hundreds of ponds.  There is a dense network of streams criss-crossing this thinly populated area.  And to add more positives, this fantastic landscape is a patchwork mosaic of habitats studded with pretty stone villages and chateaux, a honey coloured stone in this region combines nicely with the bright blue skies.  It is an area of low and manageable hills with a network of valleys where arable farming and livestock rearing take place. On the hillslopes there are some wonderful stoney grasslands, harbouring a wide variety of wildflowers and splendid views.  Naturally these also attract butterflies and other invertebrates.

The forests are a more difficult terrain to spot birds but with patience, the rewards are there and we briefly outline what birds you can expect to see at the end of this article.  The common Crane migration across Dordogne in spring and autumn is a major event of the wildlife year. And while talking about birds it is a good time to mention that it is possible to see reptiles and amphibians and we list some of these below.   The Dordogne river (cleanest in Europe) has 30 or more species of fish including Sturgeon at one of its few remaining European sites. The cool clean waters of the Dordogne are wonderful to bathe in during the hot summer months and a pleasure to stroll along in the winter. One of our favourite walks is at Limeuil, a magnificent village built on a promontory overlooking the confluence of the Dordogne and Vezere rivers, drawn by two bridges.  Ask us for details. 

Butterflies are one of the wonders of the Dordogne with nearly 120 species, so take your pick, Cleopatra, Great Sooty Satyr and Turquoise Blue to mention only a few.  Dragonflies and damselflies animate the banks of most water bodies in summer. There are a myriad of other invertebrates to be found including both the bizarre and most beautiful with easily seen species to include the Praying Mantis, Yellow and Black-winged Owlflies to mention some. There are many deer in the forests and never is a walk complete without at least seeing one. Boars inhabit the forests as do foxes and hares which can also be easily spotted.  Much of this wildlife we have shared can be seen in the surrounding area of the gite forests, meadow and parklands, but you need to look, as the wildlife is not always home.  Early morning and evening time for the deer is best.  In southern Dordogne, most  hill tops and some slopes are covered with Downy Oak or mixed woodland.  Most of these are set high up on the cliffs providing the most spectacular views as you walk this wonderful countryside.  There is good road network from the motorways down to the small country roads.  In addition, an extension network of tracks and footpaths run off these roads and into the countryside, some of which are way-marked for the public.  Walking is the best way to explore the region, although the large number of narrow, quiet country lanes make bike trips or car trips also enjoyable. We enjoy many picnic lunches on route or when the mood takes us, we stop at a restaurant hosting a wonder Plat du Jour that cannot be missed.  Walkers lunches can be purchased in the local bakery in Cenac et St. Julien, and a little feast is always unpacked enjoying the million dollar view. Boat trips and canoes are available on the main river and ask us for our favourite pick up spot for canoeing close to the gite.  Close to the farmhouse, there is a village called Doome, set in a hill and provides wonderful walks.  Roque Gageac and Begnac are also close by and set in the hills and have fabulous walks to offer with little places to have a hot or cool drink afterwards.  One of our favourite is Rocamadour and magnificent.

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The varied geology and a long history of human activity have created a rich flora and fauna in this relatively small area. Being the home of the Cro-Magnon people, the cave sites are often important wildlife and well worth a visit.  This magical area is our home now and we hope you come and to visit and enjoy it.

 

Birds in Southern Dordorgne, to mention only some:
Black and Middle spotted Woodpeckers, Woodlark, Crested Tit, Bonelli’s and Dartford Warblers, Golden Oriole, and birds of prey: Short-toed Eagle, Hen Harrier, Goshawk and Honey Buzzard.  Also let’s not forget the Hoopoe, Turtle Dove, Cuckooo, Hobby and Melodious Warbler and Nightengale, Redstarts Tree sparrow and owls very vocal beside the gite.

 

Reptiles and Amphibians: Green and Parsley Frogs, Midwife and Natterjack Toads, these live in the Gite garden also.  Some Reptiles include Grass and Viperine Snakes and we have only ever seen one. Common tree frog and ocellated lizards.

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