Domme: Things to See and Do in Domme

The village of Domme sits high above the Dordogne Valley, 150 metres above the Dordogne River which meanders peacefully below. Perched on a cliff with panoramic views, Domme is one of the most beautifully located bastide towns in the region, offering a perfect blend of medieval history, stunning scenery and peaceful charm. There are many things to do and see in Domme, from exploring its intact fortifications to descending into its underground caves.

Situated on an exceptional site at the crossroads of main regional routes, a feudal castle once marked the spot until 1280. King Philippe the Bold (Philip III of France) ordered the construction of this fortified village in 1280, following his campaign along the Dordogne River to assert royal authority over the powerful local lords. Domme was granted the privilege of minting its own currency, reflecting its strategic and economic importance.

During the Hundred Years' War, the bastide was repeatedly coveted by the English, who first took the town in 1347. It changed hands several times until finally falling under permanent French control in 1437. The most severe period came during the Wars of Religion, when Huguenots under the command of Protestant captain Geoffroy de Vivans captured Domme and destroyed a majority of its medieval buildings. Despite these turbulent times, Domme was rebuilt according to the strict architectural principles of fortified bastide towns, with streets intersecting at right angles in a trapeze-shaped layout adapted to the natural contours of the land. Today, with its flower-filled lanes, honey-coloured stone houses and brown roof tiles, Domme has preserved all of its charm.