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Saint-Vincent-de-Cosse · 9 km away
A great base for river days, castles and Sarlat.
View propertyBastide town · Dordogne Valley
Domme
A fortified bastide on a clifftop, with one of the widest views over the Dordogne Valley.
Domme sits on a high limestone cliff on the south side of the Dordogne, looking down over a wide loop of the river and a patchwork of fields, walnut orchards and villages. It is a bastide, a planned medieval town founded in the late thirteenth century, and it still keeps much of its walls and three of its gates.
Most people come for the view, which is one of the broadest in the valley. Stay a little longer and Domme rewards you with honey-coloured streets, a covered market hall with caves beneath it and an easy walk along the cliff top.
Where to stay- Area
- Dordogne Valley, Périgord Noir
- Type of place
- Fortified clifftop bastide
- Best known for
- The panorama over the Dordogne
- Time to allow
- Half a day
- Recognition
- Listed among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France
- Combines well with
- La Roque-Gageac, Marqueyssac, Castelnaud, Sarlat
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Where to stay near Domme
Prototype propertyLa Liberté Studio
Sarlat-la-Canéda · 10 km away
Watch the Sarlat market from your window.
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What to see in Domme
The centre is compact and easy to explore on foot.
- The belvedere
- The terrace by the church at the edge of the cliff, with the view along the river towards Beynac and La Roque-Gageac.
- Porte des Tours
- The main fortified gate, flanked by two round towers. Visits inside are usually guided through the tourist office.
- The market hall
- The covered hall on the main square, which also holds the entrance to the caves.
- Grand' Rue
- The main street running through the bastide, lined with stone houses and shops.
- Promenade des Falaises
- A path along the cliff top below the town, with views over the valley.
- Porte del Bos and Porte de la Combe
- The two other surviving gates in the walls.
A bastide on a cliff
Domme was founded in 1281 under the French crown. Most bastides were laid out on a regular grid, but here the plan had to follow the shape of the cliff, so the streets bend to fit the plateau rather than forming a neat chequerboard.
The town changed hands during the Hundred Years' War and again in the Wars of Religion, when a Protestant captain is said to have taken it by climbing the cliff at night. The walls and gates you see today date largely from the medieval town.
In the early fourteenth century members of the Knights Templar were held in the Porte des Tours, and graffiti attributed to them survives inside the gate towers.
The caves beneath the town
Under the plateau runs a network of natural caves, entered from the market hall. They have stalactites and other formations, and the townspeople are said to have sheltered in them during the wars of the past.
The visit is guided and ends with a lift up the cliff face to the panoramic walk. It is a short, cool visit that works well on a hot afternoon.
Market day and food
Domme holds a weekly market in the main square around the market hall. Check the current day and season with the tourist office before you plan around it.
The town has several restaurants and cafés with terraces facing the valley, and shops selling walnuts, foie gras and other Périgord produce. Walnut products in particular are a local speciality, with orchards all over the slopes below.
Planning your visit
The road up to Domme is narrow and winding, and cars park outside the walls. Check current parking arrangements before you travel, especially in July and August when the town is busy.
A small tourist train runs up from the foot of the cliff in season. The streets inside the walls are mostly gentle, but the walk up from the lower car parks can be steep.
Go early or late in the day in summer for cooler streets and the best light on the view.
What to combine with Domme
Domme pairs naturally with La Roque-Gageac just downstream: see the river from above, then from the water. Marqueyssac and Castelnaud are also a short drive away, making a full day in the heart of the valley.
Sarlat lies to the north, and the river beaches and canoe routes below Domme around Vitrac and Cénac make a relaxing end to a summer day.
Questions about Domme
Is Domme worth visiting?
Yes. It has one of the widest views over the Dordogne, well preserved medieval gates and a compact, attractive centre.
How long should I spend in Domme?
Half a day is enough to see the view, walk the streets and visit the caves without rushing.
Can you visit the caves at Domme?
Yes. Guided visits start from the market hall. Check current times and prices with the tourist office.
Is Domme suitable for children?
Yes. The caves, the tourist train and the cliff top walk all appeal to families. Keep an eye on young children near the cliff edge.
What is near Domme?
La Roque-Gageac, Marqueyssac, Castelnaud and Sarlat are all a short drive away.
Opening times, prices and parking change. Check before you travel: Sarlat-Périgord Noir tourist office, Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.