Dordogne villa holidays in May and June.

Dordogne villa holidays in May and June. It’s a perfect time for a villa holiday because it’s so wonderfully green, sunny, blooming with headily scented flowers and supremely tranquil and relaxing.

Having just returned from a trip to the Dordogne which combined visiting a number of the excellent villas with private pools which Villas Worldwide have featured in the Dordogne villas program for a number of years and a new luxury manor which we have just taken on for this summer, along with some sightseeing, I can’t help marveling at what a superb villa holiday destination the Dordogne is in May and June.

It’s the beauty and calm of the place which struck the most. I have been to the Dordogne countless times and despite the fact that I spend most of my time in the most beautiful places imaginable, namely the Cote d’Azur and the Yorkshire Dales I still found myself overwhelmed as I sat by the villa swimming pool in the Dordogne, in 30 degrees of heat, listening to the sound of the songbirds, surrounded by the gorgeous scent of blooming roses amidst utter tranquility.

I swam in the pool in the morning when it was still fresh and was joined by an elderly couple of friends who spent hours in the water in the afternoon. The pool was not heated, just warmed by the natural rays of the sun. What bliss.

On Sunday afternoon we visited the working watermill, just ten minutes drive away, watched the miller making walnut oil, first pressing the nuts into a paste, then heating the pulp (what an amazing smell that is) then crushing the oil from the mush in the press. You cannot get a better tasting, pure walnut oil (with no additives) so reasonably priced in any shop. The spin off walnut jam is also delicious.

Outside the mill was a hive of serene, healthy activity. A family with young children was fishing (successfully) on the river dam, the odd group of canoeist paddled by. On the river bank climbers heaved themselves up the nearby limestone cliffs and groups of mountain bike riders slumped in the shade of the riverbank trees to refresh themselves. Down to earth, wholesome activities in fresh air and sunshine alongside traditional food production, a joy to see.

In town Perigueux was pleasantly bustling without being too busy, the shops were as interesting and varied as ever, it is clean and sophisticated and being mainly pedestrianised and punctuated with beautiful squares lined with relaxing cafes and restaurants it made for a delightful visit.

The amazing archeological sites of Les Eyzies, which houses the national prehistory museum (Musee national de Prehistoire) and the nearby Roque St Cristophe, a UNESCO museum set in a cliff, which has to be seen to be believed, were as fascinating and jaw dropping as ever even after numerous visits. Even if you’re not into prehistoric goings on, child or adult, you can’t fail to appreciate a visit. Best of all when there is hardly anyone else there.

Up the river Drone the village of Bourdeilles was gently alive with visitors who were enjoying the splendour of the chateau which is renowned for its interior intended to impress Catherine Medici and further upstream Brantome basked in sunshine as holidaymakers enjoyed river boat trips allowing them to admire the striking Abbey and medieval architecture of the town. The Dordogne has so much to offer throughout the summer but it is particularly warm, verdant, beautiful and free of crowds in May and June that there is no better time to take a Dordogne villa holiday.

To book a Dordogne villa holiday view the Villas du Monde - Villas Worldwide selection, part of a hand picked range of French holiday villas, which have been inspected and selected especially for their reliability and suitability by our experienced managers. Our holiday advisors are on hand to give you all the information you need to make sure your holiday is entirely to your satisfaction.