Planning a Dordogne holiday in September?
This seven-day itinerary combines the Dordogne River and medieval bastide towns with live music, classic cars, French brocantes and plenty of time to enjoy the private pool at Le Petit Capelier.September is a lovely time for a more grown-up Dordogne holiday: quieter roads and villages, cooler days for exploring, but still the chance of warm afternoons and a swim back at Le Petit Capelier. Here’s how we’d spend a week.
Sunday 13 September — Classic cars & brocante hunting
Begin in Eymet, where classic and collectable cars gather on Place Gambetta from 09:00–13:00. Dordogne Périgord Tourisme Then head to Villeréal, where professional brocanteurs and antique dealers take over the historic market square. Les Plus Beaux Villages de France Lunch, home, pool.
Monday 14 September — Stay home
Breakfast outside, read, swim and enjoy LPC. Pick up something good for supper and open a bottle of Bergerac wine. Holidays shouldn’t require military planning.
Tuesday 15 September — The Dordogne River
Drive north to Limeuil, where the Vézère meets the Dordogne. Explore the old village, have lunch beside the river and spend the afternoon by the water — with a gentle swim if conditions suit.
Wednesday 16 September — A little piece of British music history
Explore Saint-Avit-Sénieur and its remarkable abbey before an evening at La Bougeotte. At 19:30, Lou Stonebridge performs blues, country and rock. Stonebridge joined McGuinness Flint in the early 1970s as vocalist, keyboard player and multi-instrumentalist — a nice connection to the British blues/folk-rock scene of that period. jds.fr
Thursday 17 September — Pool, vineyards & absolutely no rushing
A leisurely day around LPC. Perhaps visit a nearby vineyard, find provisions for dinner and come home for a late-afternoon swim.
Friday 18 September — Five voices in a tiny chapel
Spend the day as you please, then head towards Villeréal for L’Écume des Sons at 20:30 in the Chapelle Saint-Clair de Parisot — five voices performing in the intimate acoustics of this little historic chapel. €10 adults, including a verre de l’amitié afterwards. WCF
Saturday 19 September — Bergerac & French heritage
Spend the day in Bergerac during the Journées Européennes du Patrimoine, exploring the old town, riverfront and special heritage openings before dinner.
Sunday 20 September — One last rummage
Finish at Les Vide-Greniers de la Bastide in Castillonnès: stalls of vintage finds, collectables and French curiosities around the old bastide square. Then lunch and one final afternoon beside the LPC pool.
Getting here
September also moves you beyond the expensive peak school-holiday flight period, so check Bergerac fares before assuming France requires a long drive from the UK.
A car is essential for this particular week. For LPC guests we recommend Buggs Car Hire at Bergerac Airport — collect the car after landing and the holiday starts immediately.