The sun-drenched medieval villages, towns and castles of the Dordogne Valley offer a ton of choices to keep any food lover content. From the vineyards of Bergerac and cheese stalls of Bretenoux to the truffle farms of Martel and the saffron festival of Carjac, mealtimes aren’t to be messed with in the Dordogne.
Food Specialities
Truffles, Foie Gras, Strawberries, Wine...
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Champignons étonnants Truffes Boris St Laurent Les Tours © Cochise Ory Hd
1506609405 482460348.jpgCheese...and wine to go with it
A popular purchase at any local market or restaurant is of course Rocamadour cheese. This small creamy piece of heaven made from goat’s milk bears the label ‘Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée’ which guarantees the produce was made in the region with the use of traditional methods and ingredients.
Because cheese is so central to the Dordogne diet, it’s no surprise there’s an abundance of local wines to go with them. Despite its close proximity to Bordeaux, the Dordogne produces a delicious variety of lesser-known local wines like Coteaux de Glanes that are representative of the warm summers and how the grapes ripen.
With a reputation for its love of grapes, many of the wines go hand-in-hand with traditional gourmet produce like magret de canard and foie gras (amazing with a local sweet wine called Vin de Branceilles)
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1506609405 1938743828.jpgSeasonal treats and organic delicacies
Although the selection of organic fruit and veg vary according to season, these regional treasures are in constant supply and are pretty darn tasty.
Quercy lamb is another of the Dordogne Valley’s ambassadors. Left to roam on the Causse’s limestone plateaux, these free-range lambs graze on thyme and other herbs giving the meat a beautiful fragrant flavour.
Visitors with a sweet tooth can enjoy the region’s delicate, candy-sweet strawberries, melon and plums where as visitors with a fine palate can savour the Dordogne’s highly sought-after truffles or rather ‘Black Diamonds’.
Other palate-teasers like walnuts continue to be celebrated for their use in vin de noix (a rich liqueur made from unripe green nuts) and walnut oil.
Most of the Dordogne Valley’s village squares are transformed into a market place at least once a week, welcoming local farmers to set up shop with their fresh produce. Festivals and one-off markets are organized all year round to celebrate a particular local speciality such as ‘Fête de la Truffe‘ in Sarlat and Cuzance or ‘Fête de la Fraise‘ in Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne.
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Hôtel-restaurant le Pont de l'OuysseOn aime aussi...
cofBeers and Spirits made in the Dordogne Valley
183 Bergerac Luc.fauret.photographe Expireson 2025 01 01 1Wine Tasting and Vineyards
The Dordogne Valley boasts an abundance of exceptional local wines, crafted by passionate vintners across a diverse range of vineyards. From robust reds to crisp whites and delicate rosés, each bottle reflects the rich terroir and centuries-old winemaking traditions of the region. These wines are the perfect companions to the Dordogne Valley’s renowned gastronomy, creating unforgettable pairings that celebrate French culinary heritage. Ready to explore even more flavors? Discover the region’s delicious food specialities and make every meal a journey through the tastes of the Dordogne Valley. Cheers to savoring the best of the region!
Fraises 6.jpgStrawberry Fields
A delicious food speciality of the Dordogne Valley, find out where you can buy local and organic strawberries- directly from the producers.
Aop Noix Périgord Noix En Rangées 2Walnuts – La Noix du Périgord
Nuts about Walnuts
The Dordogne Valley is the biggest regional producer of walnuts in France – the cultivation of this tasty food speciality has been an integral part of the region’s cultural and farming history.
Bois D'almathée Cabécous, Fromages©otvd C.ory.1093 2Cheese
For many, the Dordogne Valley is synonymous with fromage. From melt-in-your mouth cabécous to flavoursome blues, delve into the region’s culinary specialities and take tonnes of tastebud-tickling opportunities to sample some of France’s very best cheeses!
Foie Gras Ory0131.jpgFoie Gras
From family farms to families plates… Foie Gras is the holy grail of French dishes and it just so happens to be one of the specialities of the Dordogne Valley. Read on to find out more about the region’s history and passion for this world-renowned delicacy. Knives and forks at the ready, ladies and gents!
2013 01 06 Truffes Boris St Laurent Les Tourscotvd Cochise Ory4062.jpgTruffles
Truffles are one of the main local specialities and Dordognians have been harvesting the prized ‘truffe noire’ since forever. So it’s no surprise that feasting on truffled dishes is part and parcel of every day life in the Dordogne Valley. Prepare yourselves for a scrumptiously mouth-watering tour around truffle heaven!
Moutons.jpgVeal and Quercy Lamb
One of the most important food regions in France the Dordogne Valley is known for produce and farm products of extremely high quality.
Cepes5.jpeg 1920pxCep mushrooms
Whether you’re hunting for ceps, buying them at a local market or tucking into a dish at a cozy Périgord restaurant, one thing’s for sure—the Périgord cep is a local delicacy you won’t want to miss!
