In the summer, on the other hand, there is more sun in the southwest of the department – the band stretching up from Bergerac to Ribérac- than elsewhere.Īverage annual rainfall in the department is 860 mm. The curious result of this is that in the winter there is more sunshine in the Sarlat area to the southeast, than in that of Ribérac to the west, where the greater proximity to the coast makes for a milder but also cloudier and foggier winter climate. These variations are partly influenced by a combination of airstream coming in from the Atlantic coast to the west, and the slightly more continental conditions affecting the east and north, and partly by the configuration of the landscape and the nature of the subsoil. However, within the department there are variations in weather patterns, making weather a very local affair, with temperatures and rainfall varying not only in broad bands across the department, but also within quite small areas. If you come from the south of England you will find that the summers are hotter than in the UK, but that the winters may be colder. Generally the Dordogne enjoys a varied and temperate climate. In the south they flow through broader plains.Ī temperate climate, with local variations In the northern and eastern parts of the department the rivers cut valleys into the hills. The numerous rivers that flow through the department follow this north/northeast to southwest trajectory, gradually combining in the Dordogne, which in turn flows into the Gironde estuary. (The first and second largest are the Gironde, round Bordeaux, and the Landes, to the southwest.) To understand its structure and climate, you need to see it as a transitional landscape, changing from the “Bassin Aquitain” – the coastal plain around Bordeaux – in the southwest, to the higher country in the north, culminating in the Limousin and the Massif Central. Discover too the joys of truffle celebration as this delicacy is traded and celebrated in the winter months with truffle markets and fetes.The Dordogne is the third largest département in France, with a total area of 9,200 square kilometres. The unique thing about visiting at this time of the year though, are wandering through the Christmas markets that lead up to the big day. Most major sites will be closed but some such as Rocamadour, remain open year round. Whatever the weather, you will find that you can walk and explore the Dordogne Valley with almost all of it all for yourself. It very rarely snows, and if it does so the snow will not settle for long periods. It does rain in winter obviously but rainfall is off and on. Temperatures do go negative (averaging from the low 5s to the -5s) and sometimes in the depth of winter it can get down to -10! However, these really cold periods don’t last very long (a week or two at most in either January or February). In the Dordogne Valley, winters are of the crisp variety where you might need to rub your hands together but often under a cold blue sky. It is never very windy in the Valley, although there will be the occasional breeze that calms things down in the hotter months.Ĭold winters : November, December, January and February Either way you are very unlikely to have your holiday ruined by bad weather in summer. Sometimes it arrives in a summer storm with thundery downpours (often with spectacular lightning) or just a day or two of showers. This means that you do get a bit of rainfall in summer. Of course the landscape would not be so green without a bit of rain, and the temperate climate of the Dordogne Valley is a major draw for visitors. It generally only gets humid when a storm is looming. Castles, with their thick medieval walls are great at keeping the heat out and you can visit a cave where the temperature always hovers between 13 and 14 degrees Celsius. You can also do a bit of sightseeing to avoid the heat. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve it’s the cleanest river in France –so don’t hesitate to jump straight in. Whether you canoe down it, swim in it or just splash around in it the Dordogne is waiting for you. When the summer sun is drenching the region getting drenched in water is the best way to cool off. You will always find a choice spot to cool down though - be it a shady beach beside the river or a swimming pool. In general, July is slightly hotter than August and the average temperature in summer hovers around the late ‘20s. It rarely climbs beyond the mid ‘30s for any substantial length of time. Summers are hot in the Dordogne Valley and the temperature often goes above 30 degrees Celsius. The definitive guide to fishing in the Dordogne Valley.Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne Strawberry Festival.Rocamadour Classical Sacred Music Festival.Beers and Spirits made in the Dordogne Valley.
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