If you don’t feel safe swimming on your own, choose one of the many supervised beaches of the Dordogne Valley. The Dordogne River is the cleanest in France and has been awarded UNESCO biosphere status. So, take advantage of the freshwater swimming. The Dordogne is inland, there’s no coast. But it’s also a good choice for those into their food and wine. The area will be a good choice if you want an active retirement, as there are plenty of historical and cultural activities on offer. If you want low property prices and the most “authentic” French experience, you’d do better moving to a smaller town or village. The region benefits from being fairly spacious, meaning land has less value.īut this isn’t necessarily true when moving to a town or city. Doing so does bring some advantages though, such as learning from their experience and having assistance with general admin processes.Ī big advantage of living in the Dordogne is that you get good value for money on property prices. This means that there’s a fairly sizeable English-speaking community, and you can choose whether or not to integrate into this.Īfter all, you don’t have to mix with expats if you don’t want to. The advantage (or disadvantage depending on how you feel about it) of the Dordogne is that it’s a popular destination for British expats. The advantages and disadvantages of living in the Dordogne However, on the whole, the Dordogne gives expats a brilliant lifestyle and for this reason, it’s hugely popular. Just like any other location in the world this beautiful area of France has its pros and cons. From Classical to Baroque music, to unusual, eclectic Jazz and African rhythms, there’s something to suit all tastes. Love music? There are about thirty various music festivals taking place in the Dordogne. You can go walking, horse riding, cycling or canoeing in one of the region’s 33 parks and gardens. Périgueux, Bergerac and Sarlat are all labelled ‘Towns of Art and History’, with vast, protected areas to explore. There are infinite picturesque walks where you can enjoy the natural beauty as well as some remarkable architecture. Saint Leon Sur Vezere, a small and very pretty village in the Vezere valley between Montignac and Les Eyzies set in a curve of the Vézere River The Dordogne has the largest number of villages boasting the title of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”. If you love nature, walking, history and arts – you are in the right place. The Dordogne has lots to offer for those wanting a French lifestyle, from good wine to warm climates. Yes, the Dordogne is a great place to retire.ĭeciding whether an area is good for retirement largely depends on what you want from this part of your life. This makes it easy to see friends and family after moving. For example, Aeroport Bergerac Dordogne Perigord has several regular flights to the UK. The Dordogne has three airports, all of which have international connections to some extent. It’s worth taking the time to learn some French, but language classes are quite common in expat circles. The main spoken language is, of course, French, but the area is popular with Brits, meaning English is fairly widely spoken. Expect it to top out around 40 degrees C in July and August and drop to freezing or below in the depths of winter. The Dordogne enjoys a typical French climate of high summer temperatures and lows in the winter. On top of this, you have amazing weather. You’ll find well-kept medieval castles (chateau in French), prehistoric cave complexes (Lascaux, for example), and more recent historic sites like the Cabanes du Breuil. There’s lots of historical heritage in the region too. The Dordogne Valley is home to an enchanting mix of picture-perfect villages, medieval castles, mysterious caves, gorgeous food and the calm beautiful waters of the Dordogne River It has plenty of beautiful rolling countryside – perfect for walking or driving – and lots to see and do. The Dordogne has a lot to offer those looking for a typical French lifestyle.
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