Dordogne Glamping is nestled between some of the most picturesque villages the French countryside has to offer. As such, this small retreat makes a comfortable base from which to explore them all. There’s the medieval town of Domme perched 150 metres above the Dordogne, the riverside La Roque-Gageac with its houses built into a rock face and Beynec-et-Cazenac with its 12th-century château. All are within a half hour drive of this site which doesn’t do too badly in the scenery stakes either – and offers a pair of swimming pools into the bargain.
There are six luxury bell tents at Dordogne Glamping which is tucked among the trees that this forested part of France is famous for. It’s as good for family holidays as it is for romantic getaways with tents sleeping between two and four guests. And, if you want to take a crowd with you on a group holiday – no problem. There’s an option for exclusive site hire too (though stag and hen-dos are not allowed). Each tent comes well-equipped with all the kitchen utensils you’ll need, along with a camping stove and use of a shared barbecue and pizza oven.
The adult and smaller, child-friendly, pools, are located a minute’s walk from the tents and are surrounded by a sun deck and loungers for guests who don’t fancy a dip. It’s the perfect place to top up your tan while sporty types can make the most of nearby table tennis and badminton. Board games and a rustic little library will also help keep big kids and smaller ones occupied.
The site itself offers laid-back camping without the hassle of pitching your own tent, but it’s the enviable location that makes this such an alluring spot. The Dordogne is all idyllic settlements backed by forests and towering limestone cliffs. Day trips here are plentiful. You can join in with the slow-paced living on the north bank of the Dordogne River in La Roque-Gageac, drink in the valley views in the gorgeous village of Domme, browse market stalls in Sarlat-la-Canéda or immerse yourself in the area’s relatively untampered history. There’s Unesco World Heritage-listed Rocamadour, the fortress of Château de Beynac and the prehistoric caves at Lascaux, all just waiting to be explored. But take your time; on warm summer’s days long lunches in French bistros followed by snoozes on pool-side sun loungers make for perfectly respectable ways to spend days in the Dordogne. Just make sure you book enough of them.
Domme is known as one of France’s most beautiful villages and is less than a 20-minute drive away from the site. The village offers unparalleled views across the Dordogne valley, with a tour of the Grotte de Domme (+33 5 53 31 71 00) taking you through the huge caves beneath the town, before a lift at the end of the visit carries you up to a panoramic view of the valley.
La Roque-Gageac is a 15-minute drive and another stunning village with an incredible position on the north bank of the Dordogne River. Here you can experience a complete change of scenery in Bambousaie de La Roque-Gageac (+33 5 53 28 18 58), a towering bamboo garden concluding with a bar for refreshments. More adventurous guests can also book an unforgettable hot air balloon flight with Montgolfière du Périgord (+33 5 53 28 18 58).
Slightly further afield is Beynac-et-Cazenac, a 25-minute drive and yet another hugely picturesque location, overlooked by the Château de Beynac (+33 5 53 29 50 40), a 12th-century castle that’s a must-visit for history buffs. The pretty market town of Sarlat-la-Canéda is about the same distance with the Unesco World Heritage-listed caves at Lascaux and Rocamadour within an hour's drive.