3 Best Sights in The Dordogne, France

For an introduction to Cahors wine, this is the place. Though Cahors may not be as familiar as Bordeaux or Bourgogne, the local appellation is well-known and loved in France. Made from the inky black Malbec grape, this is a robust wine, bold and full-bodied and perfect for pairing with the local delicacies: walnuts, truffles, Rocamadour cheese, and foie gras. Adjacent to the Cahors tourist office, La Villa Cahors and chic Malbec Lounge provide visitors the opportunity to explore, taste, and learn about the local wines in an ever-changing series of tastings, courses, and evening events.

American winemakers Frank and Riki Campbell not only restored this graceful 15th-century chateau and wine estate in the heart of Bergerac wine country, but made it into one of the most delightful experiences in the region with some of Bergerac’s most sought-after wines. Come for lunch and a sampling of the nine different wines, including award-winning Bergerac reds, whites, a sweet wine, a sparkler, and a rosé, then explore the antiques shop and wine boutique or stay for a picnic on the lovely grounds, surrounded by meadows and woods with views for miles around. Check the website for the chateau’s many convivial events. Be sure to reserve at least two weeks in advance for lunch in high season.

This former convent is now in the wine business, and its stone-and-brick buildings, dating from the 12th to the 15th century, include galleries, a large vaulted cellar, and a cloister where the Maison des Vins (Wine Center) provides information on—and samples of—local vintages of sweet whites and fruity young reds.