Published 02/01/20
Le Bugue, a family destination, authentic and full of charm
At the gateway to the Vallée de l’Homme, the town of Bugue-sur-Vézère is nestled at the meeting point of the stream of Ladouch and the river Vézère, adjoining a verdant hill. This natural setting gives an undeniable interest to this small town that has been inhabited since prehistoric times, where the charm is immediately apparent.
The panoramic view of the river, the stream hidden at the bend of a lane, the meeting of the two rivers, the majestic bridge linking the two banks, the paved streets, the small shops and craftsmen, the church and the clock tower, the old wash-house, the typical houses, the market hall made of local stone, all seduce holidaymakers in the region. Making this typical Perigordian village a must for any stay in the Périgord Noir.
Le Bugue is a flowery town and has been awarded the “green holiday resort” label. It also pleases for its just balance between a gentle way of life, calm and dynamism. Pretty and serene, there are many shops, a renowned market, leisure activities for the whole family and important tourist attractions. An ideal destination for a camping holiday in the Dordogne.
An ideal starting point for Tourism in Dordogne
Le Bugue is located in the heart of the triangle formed by the three major cities of the Périgord, Sarlat-la-Canéda, Périgueux and Bergerac, in the Valley known as the Vézère Valley which is home to the Valley of Man where the major prehistoric sites recognized by UNESCO are concentrated.
It is therefore ideally placed to explore the region, the Périgord Noir and the neighbouring Dordogne Valley, and to discover its many places of interest. From your pitch or mobile home, you will be surrounded by wonders to visit such as the bastides of Montpazier, Beaumont-du-Périgord, the Most Beautiful Villages of France of Limeuil or Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère, the great sites of the Dordogne such as the Lascaux cave, the cave of Font-de-Gaume, the cave of Combarelles, the national museum of Prehistory, the cave of Grand Roc and Laugerie-Haute and Laugerie-Basse in Les Eyzies, the castles of Commarque, Beynac, Castelnaud, des Milandes where Josephine Baker lived.
Not far also, you can discover the troglodyte cave dwellings of the Roque-Saint-Christophe, the Roc de Cazelle, La Madeleine and La Maison Forte de Reignac and explore the magnificent Gouffre de Proumeyssac, in the pretty little neighbouring commune of Audrix.
Numerous tourist activities in the city
What also makes the success of Le Bugue is the important presence of tourist sites within the city walls. Thus, just a few steps or more from your vacation rental, you can easily have access to activities that will delight the whole family, from children to the elderly.
Le Bugue contains one of the decorated Palaeolithic caves of the Vézère Valley: the Bara-Bahau cave. In this small cave, you will discover real animal engravings, cave bear scratches and even an erotic engraving!
Closer in time and to your location, you can enjoy the Parc du Bournat, an unusual theme park in which we travel in the 1900s. The village life, the festival, the craftsmen, everything here takes you back in time and disconnects you from modern life.
The customers of our campsite benefit from a direct, privileged and unlimited access to this attraction. The offer here.
Also, nearby, the largest private freshwater aquarium in Europe, the Périgord Noir aquarium, the Prehistoric Labyrinth and the giant aerial course the Big Bird. For thrills and excitement, you can try the zip wires at the Bois des Lutins or the Jacquou water park.
The Le Bugue market, 700 years of royal tradition
The other unmissable event is undoubtedly the Le Bugue market. It is also one of the most important dates in the history of the city. November 1319, 700 years ago, the King of France, Philippe the Long, ordered that the market, which had until then been held sometimes on one day and sometimes on the other, be perpetually scheduled on Tuesdays. Today, the kings will laid down in a sealed deed is still respected, making the Bugue market one of the oldest in France.
In summer and winter alike, and in all weathers, nearly 300 merchants take place under the magnificent stone hall at the foot of the Town Hall and along the main street. It attracts the inhabitants of Le Bugue, its surroundings and tourists in search of local, fresh produce, Périgord specialities, handicrafts and the unparalleled atmosphere of the country markets.
You will find all the best of the region’s cuisine: truffles and derivatives, duck in all its forms, foie gras, confit, magret, cakes and walnut tarts, strawberries from the Périgord …
Looking for sport
A holiday in the Dordogne is also an opportunity to do sports in a privileged natural environment to recharge your batteries and soak up the fresh air.
Crossed by a river, the Bugue invites you to go for a canoe or kayak ride on the white waters of the Vézère which can take you to the most beautiful sites of the Dordogne. Several routes are proposed depending on the time available, your fitness level and your motivation. Paddle is also proposed for a physical but more contemplative outing.
Other sports to be practiced in Le Bugue to fully enjoy the joys of the open air and the landscapes: mountain biking, hiking and running, along the many hiking trails surrounding the town through oak forests, undergrowth, meadows, villages.
20 ideas for hikes to do in Le Bugue
4 Mountain bike circuits here
And at the campsite you can play pétanque, basketball, table tennis and swim in one of our outdoor or covered and heated swimming pools.
A dynamic and commercial city
The small town of Le Bugue has many shops, restaurants, cafés, tea rooms, wine merchants, pharmacies, florists, delicatessens, organic products, farmers, foie gras producers, bakers, pastry chefs, butchers, ice-cream makers, opticians, shoemakers, shoemakers, newsagents, bookshops, tobacco shops, hairdressers, beauticians, nail salons, household appliances, …
Two supermarkets are also located there: Intermarché and Lidl with a wide choice of food, decoration, clothes, toys …
And if you don’t find what you need, many other small and large shops are located in Périgueux in the town centre or in the largest shopping area of the Périgord, in Boulazac, about thirty minutes from our campsite (Orange, Décathlon, Darty …).
Guided tours
During the day and in the evening there are visits during the high season offering a good way to discover the city, its history, anecdotes and key people. Information at the Tourist Office of Le Bugue.
The Guidigo application allows you to discover the town through the life of a 19th century washerwoman. During the walk, it will tell you all about the 13th century mill, the quays of the Vézère, the remains of the convent, the bridge, the fountain, the kiosk and the wash-house.
The town of Le Bugue is lively all year round.
Events are programmed throughout the year for the pleasure of the Périgourdins and holidaymakers passing through the Dordogne Périgord Noir.
In spring, the Flower Fair takes place. The town is adorned with thousands of colours and scents.
In April, another atmosphere, Le Bugue welcomes a concentration of motorcyclists during the motorcycle festival.
At Whitsun, the town takes on an artistic air with the Brikabrak Festival and its programme of circus, theatre and music shows for young audiences.
All summer long, every Tuesday evening, an important gourmet market takes place on the banks of the Vézère.
In August, the great Saint-Louis celebrations take place for a week, with a fairground, fishing contests, flea markets, parades of floats in bloom and fireworks. Atmosphere of the South West guaranteed.
In October, the “Fête du Terroir et des Traditions” honours the folklore and products of the Périgord.
How to get to Le Bugue.
By train: get off at the Gare du Bugue, du Buisson or Périgueux station.
By plane: Bergerac, Bordeaux or Brive-la-Gaillarde airports.
By car: motorway axes A20, A89, N21
Bordeaux: 2h, Toulouse: 2h50, Lyon: 4h30, Paris: 5h30, Nantes: 4h45, Marseille: 6h15, Lille: 8h, Strasbourg: 8h
Getting about in Le Bugue?
On foot: it is quite possible to criss-cross the town of Le Bugue on foot.
By bike: bike hire at the Bournat campsite and electric bike hire 7 days a week, 24 hours a day in front of the town hall (More info)
By car: to discover the Dordogne, we recommend you drive. Car hire: Périgueux or Sarlat.
By canoe: from Le Bugue, you can go by canoe to discover the region and many places of interest such as Lascaux.
The weather in Le Bugue
The summer is mild in the region. The thermometer varies between 25 and 35°, sometimes more. The region is very shady due to the dense vegetation and the hills. The evenings and nights are pleasant thanks to the falling temperatures.
Information Tourism in Bugue
Le Bugue-sur-Vézère is part of the Lascaux – Dordogne Vallée Vézère Tourist Office which groups together 5 tourist information offices spread along the Vézère Valley also known as the “Valley of Man”: Montignac, Bugue, Eyzies de Tayac, Rouffignac, Limeuil.
Tourist information office of Bugue
22 Place de l’hôtel de ville
24260 Le Bugue
All year round
Tel : 05 53 07 20 48
www.lascaux-dordogne.com/