Disabled Holidays in Dordogne
One of France’s most beloved rural holiday destinations, the Dordogne delights with luscious green hills and valleys dotted with scenic châteaux, medieval villages and prehistoric cave art.
It’s a foodie’s paradise too, with a cornucopia of restaurants and pubs serving up specialities like foie gras and confit de canard, along with locally produced cheese, walnuts and luxurious black truffles.
As France’s third-largest department, the Dordogne (or Périgord to the French) offers a wealth of holiday experiences and is divided into four colour-coded areas, each with its own individual appeal.
The south is comprised of Périgord Purple, famous for its winegrowing regions around Bergerac, and Périgord Black, with its dark oak forests around the Vézère Valley. Central Périgord White is named after the limestone hills around the capital, Périgueux; while Périgord Green encompasses the forested regions of the north.
Even though it's landlocked, the region also has some fantastic sandy beaches along the Dordogne and Dromme rivers – perfect for sunbathing and taking a dip in the waters.
Accessible attractions
One of the most beautiful stretches along the Dordogne river is also one of the most accessible, thanks to a Greenway path (Voie Verte) that begins at Sarlat then snakes its way along the riverside to Peyrillac. The majority of the paths are smooth and great for scenic wheelchair walks.
If you want to get a closer look at the local cave art, there are several accessible options. The Lascaux centre in Montignac is wheelchair accessible and features incredible recreations of local paintings dating back 15,000 years; while in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil, you’ll find the National Museum of Prehistory, which has ramps and lifts designed for wheelchair access.
Grotte de Tourtoirac is a great option for those wanting to do some accessible cave exploration. Its otherworldly displays of stalagmites, stalactites, columns, draperies and helictites can all be observed up close from the wheelchair-friendly pathways.
Getting there
By ferry and car: From Calais it’s a 450-mile drive to the northern edge of the Dordogne, taking approximately seven hours. Alternatively, you can take your car to the AutoTrain station in Paris and have it transported to the town of Brive-la-Gaillarde, just east of the Dordogne, and take the train down to pick it up.
By train: The train from London St Pancras to Périgueux (changing in Paris and Bordeaux or Limoges), in the heart of the Dordogne, takes approximately seven hours.
By plane: There are regular flights to Bergerac, in the south of the Dordogne, from several UK airports, with journey times lasting approximately two hours.
Types of accessible accommodation: Villas, gîtes and hotels.
What’s available with our disabled holidays in the Dordogne?
- Accessible accommodation – guaranteed
- Flights
- Adapted transfers
- Mobility equipment hire – wheelchairs, hoists, shower chairs and electric beds
- Attractions and days out
- Financial protection
- Our award-winning service