Domme, France
Self Catering Domme Holiday Homes – Accommodation Domme
Domme is a village in the Dordogne department in the Aquitaine region in south-western France. The village, on the Dordogne river just 8 km south of Sarlat, is quite rightly a member of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France ("The most beautiful villages of France") association. It is also called "Akropolis des Périgord".
Staying in a Domme holiday rental house or cottage is never a disappointment; at the top of a fairly steep hill, this stunning village has sumptuous 180 degree views across the Dordogne river and the surrounding countryside, including Beynac and La Roque Gageac.
Domme is a perfect example of the medieval fortified town known as a bastide - it was founded by Philip the Bold in 1281. Its impressive history also includes graffiti on the tower gates by Knights Templar imprisoned here following the dissolution of the order in 1307.
Unsuprisingly Domme has had an unstable, yet fascinating, early history – which is still apparent today throughout the village. It changed hands several times between the English and the French during the Hundred Years War. As recently as WWII its caves were used as a hideout.
When you rent self catering holiday accommodation in Domme, the first thing you’ll notice on entering the village is that you enter by a large fortified gate at the bottom of the main street. The huge towers either side also served as prisons.
As you rise up Domme’s hill, between stunning honey-coloured old houses, you’ll notice that the village has retained its traditions - including attractively decorated houses – festooned with geraniums in the summer - with balconies and stone staircases.
Domme’s centre offers its famous magnificent views, cafes where you can people watch, and, of course, the entrance to Domme caves. It’s here when you stay in Domme that you’ll also find the 15th century 'Hotel du Gouverneur'. Domme caves offer half a kilometre of impressive galleries. There is also a small archaeological museum to discover in Domme too.
Travelling to your Domme holiday rental home: The nearest airport is the Bergerac-Roumanière airport, which has internal flights, and routes to UK airports including Southampton, Bristol, East Midlands, Luton, Edinburgh, Exeter, Liverpool, Birmingham, Leeds-Bradford and London Stansted Airport. Ryanair and Flybe operate out of this airport. Nearby Bergerac has an SNCF station with regular services.