Les Jardins de Colette, is about 15 minutes away from the airport, situated in Varetz, is a great way to start exploring the area and ‘meet’ the first woman in this French adventure in the Dordogne: Colette, a Belle Epoque French novelist, the writer of the famous books that turned in to Hollywood blockbusters, Gigi and most recently Cheri. This adventure started in the commune of Varetz, 15 minutes drive from Brive airport. Fresh organic and often homemade foies-gras is certainly on the menu very often, more about that later. The food and drink is one of the attractions of this region, from lively markets, equally beautiful produce to Michelin star restaurants in the area. This area hasn’t been industrialised and that explains the unspoiled and beautiful verdant countryside. The Lot, Correze and The Dordogne departments share a lot of history and traditions apart from the geography. Here is the map to help out location-wise:Īnyway, back to the Dordogne, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, geographically speaking, has a variety of landscapes, from the steep, narrow valleys of granite uplands, though lime stones plateau with their flat horizons, deep valleys lined with tall cliffs, to fertile, vibrant bright green colour of lush grass and river plains.

Getting to the Dordogne is easy from London, it’s one and half hours by plane from Stansted and City Airport landing in Brive – Dordogne Valley airport situated in between three departments, Correze, Lot and Dordogne. They have helped and still to this day shaping the region values, heritage, culture as well as the gastronomic scene. The women in the area, past and present, are of upmost importance. The region is dotted by about 1500 Chateau and Manoir (castles and manor houses). It roughly corresponds with the ancient county of Périgord. Named after the Dordogne river that runs through it and spread over 6 departments and 4 regions.

This is what I dreamed when I was young medieval castles, perfect manicured gardens, beautiful and friendly people, rustic and tranquil farms, a little later in life : Michelin star establishments, plentiful and fresh food with delightful wines to match and a carriage taking me everywhere….Back in May I spent sometime in the Dordogne Valley in southwestern of France, between the Loire Valley and the Pyrenees.

Dordogne river region of france map