Dordogne looks like the dream. Stone farmhouses. Rolling countryside. Medieval villages. Markets overflowing with local produce. And property prices that feel refreshingly sane compared to much of France.
But Dordogne is not just a postcard. It’s a specific lifestyle choice.
If you’re considering moving to Dordogne, this article will help you understand who it suits, and who it doesn’t.
Table of Contents
Where is Dordogne?
Dordogne is a department in southwest France, part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
It’s deeply rural in many parts, with a handful of modest towns acting as administrative and service hubs. The pace is slow. The landscape is generous. And life here runs on a different rhythm to Bordeaux or Paris.
Understanding that rhythm is key.
Who Dordogne is (and isn’t) for
Before looking at property prices or villages, ask a more important question:
What kind of friction are you comfortable with in your weekly life?
Dordogne is best for
- Retirees seeking space, safety and quiet
- Remote workers with foreign income
- Families who prioritise land, calm and affordability
- Buyers who want character homes without Riviera prices
- Those who value community over convenience
Dordogne is less ideal for
- Career-driven professionals needing a deep job market
- People who dislike driving
- Anyone dependent on dense public transport
- Those who need fast access to specialist urban healthcare
- People who thrive on spontaneity and city buzz
Dordogne rewards commitment. It does not reward indecision.
The real pros of living in Dordogne
Lower cost of living
Compared to most major French cities, Dordogne is noticeably more affordable.
- Average purchase price: ~1,827 €/m²
- Average rent: ~10 €/m². Furnished apartment for around 490 €/month
Groceries, dining and everyday services are also lower than in Bordeaux, Lyon or Paris. For retirees or remote earners, this stretches income meaningfully.
Affordable character property
You can still buy:
- Stone farmhouses
- Renovated longères
- Village houses with gardens
- Small estates with land
In popular areas like Sarlat or Bergerac, good-condition 2–3 bed homes typically range between 200,000-300,000 €, often far below coastal or city equivalents.
For many buyers, this is the first time France feels financially achievable.
Established expat community
Dordogne has a long-standing Anglophone presence.
In some analyses, foreign buyers account for 35-40% of property transactions in certain areas.
You’ll find British, Dutch and other expat networks, English-speaking tradespeople, and established social circles. This can ease the landing, especially if your French isn’t yet fluent.
Safety and quality of life
Dordogne is one of the lower-crime rural departments in France.
Life revolves around:
- Markets
- Outdoor activities
- River walks
- Village festivals
- Historic towns
If you want slow-paced countryside life, this delivers.
➡️ Read more on Where do most British expats live in France?
The downsides you need to be honest about
You will almost certainly need a car
Public transport is limited outside main towns.
Villages can feel isolated, particularly in winter. Healthcare trips, supermarket runs and social visits often require driving.
If you dislike car dependence, Dordogne may frustrate you.
Winters can feel very quiet
Summer tourism masks reality. Outside peak season, especially in hotspots like Sarlat, life slows dramatically. Restaurants close. Streets empty. Social life becomes planned rather than spontaneous.
If you’re used to urban stimulation, this can feel sleepy, sometimes too sleepy.
Limited local jobs
Employment is heavily skewed toward:
- Tourism
- Hospitality
- Services
- Trades
If you don’t speak good French, opportunities narrow further.
Dordogne works best if:
- You’re retired
- You have remote income
- You have a clear business plan (gîte, hospitality, trades)
It’s rarely ideal for building a new corporate career.
Integration requires effort
Locals are friendly, but reserved. English is not default. Administration is entirely in French. Real integration takes language effort.
If you remain only in the expat bubble, life can become socially narrow.
Where to live in Dordogne
Your decision in Dordogne is less about choosing the prettiest village and more about being honest about how rural you truly want your day-to-day life to be. The department offers very different experiences depending on how close you stay to services, transport and infrastructure.
Périgueux: The practical first base
As the department capital (around 30-40,000 residents), Périgueux offers the most balanced lifestyle in Dordogne. You’ll find stronger healthcare access, more consistent public services, schools, shops and better transport links than in most smaller towns.
Property remains relatively accessible compared to major French cities, with buying prices around 1,975 €/m² and rents near 12 €/m². For newcomers, especially retirees or remote workers testing the region, Périgueux often feels like a safer first landing point, rural France, but with infrastructure.
Bergerac: Popular and well connected
Bergerac is particularly attractive to expats. It has its own airport, solid rail links and a charming historic centre. Prices remain reasonable (around 1,793 €/m² to buy and 11 €/m² to rent), and it offers a balance between countryside calm and practical accessibility.
It feels less isolated than deeper rural zones while still delivering Dordogne’s slower pace.
Sarlat & the Dordogne valley: Beautiful but seasonal
Sarlat and the surrounding valley are postcard Dordogne. Medieval streets, golden stone houses and strong tourism define the area. Buying averages around 2,155 €/m², with rents close to 11 €/m².
The trade-off is seasonality. Summers are vibrant. Winters are noticeably quiet.
Deep rural villages: Maximum charm, maximum self-reliance
Areas around Brantôme and smaller countryside villages offer the lowest prices and the most space. But you will depend heavily on a car, and winter isolation is real.
It’s freedom, just without many safety nets.
Before you move: Test it properly
Romantic photos of sunflower fields and stone cottages don’t show you daily reality. Dordogne rewards preparation, and punishes assumptions.
Visit in Winter
If you are serious about moving, come outside high season. November, January or February will tell you more than any July visit ever could.
See which cafés stay open. Notice how quiet the villages become. Pay attention to the weather, the damp, the grey, the shorter days. Summer hides friction. Winter reveals whether you genuinely enjoy the pace.
Map your healthcare access
In rural France, healthcare is available, but distance matters. Before committing, check how far you are from a GP, a hospital, and any specialists you may need.
Appointments may require planning and travel. That’s manageable, but only if you factor it into your expectations from the beginning.
Plan your income first
If you’re not retired, secure stable income before moving. Ideally remote work tied to another country, or a clearly viable local business plan.
Dordogne feels idyllic when income is predictable. It feels very different when financial uncertainty meets rural isolation.
Before you move: Test it properly
Dordogne can be a fantastic move if you want:
- Slow-paced countryside living
- Affordable character property
- Strong expat networks
- Space and safety
It’s a poor fit if you need:
- Dense services
- Public transport
- A dynamic job market
- High-energy urban life
The question isn’t “Is Dordogne beautiful?”
It is.
The real question is: How much friction are you willing to accept for the lifestyle you want?
Because Dordogne rewards those who choose it deliberately, not those who drift into it.
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