Fly into Bergerac with Jet2.com and you’ll have the Dordogne at your fingertips. This oh-so-romantic region is a place packed to the rafters with top sights and tasty delights.

In a land famed for its spired châteaux, hill-striping vineyards and hidden valley villages, it’s hard to know where to begin – which is where our go-to guide comes in!

We perused every périgord, marvelled many-a-market and left no truffle unturned in bringing you the top ten things to do in the Dordogne. So, are you ready? Let your French fairytale unfold…

1. Bumble around a petite street market

There’s a real je ne sais quoi to the Dordogne’s markets. Held both day and night across the region, these are the places to pick up ice-bedded shellfish, tangles of fresh tagliatelle, cured salamis and wedges of refreshing watermelon to name just a few. Gaze up at each little village’s impressive architecture as you wander among canopy-capped stalls and discover French fare at both its freshest and finest. One of the quaintest? It has to be Sarlot.

2. Marvel at prehistoric cave art

When it comes to paintings, does it get any cooler than cave art? We think not. Prepare to be transported back into the creative minds of those who walked before us at sites such as Grotte de Rouffignac. Translating as the Cave of a Hundred Mammoths, this incredible underground gallery is home to hundreds of depictions of bison and woolly rhinos, to name just two! And the most impressive part? They date all the way back to 11000 BCE!

3. Burn off those excess calories!

There’s no denying it, French food is pretty darn delectable. And if you plan on indulging on some of the Dordogne’s richer dishes, you might fancy burning off them extra calories on an outdoor adventure! Paddle boarding, walking, canoeing and cycling are all popular round here. So whether you like to take to the water, two wheels, or prefer to keep your feet firmly on dry land – there’s something for every outdoorsy type.

4. See the blooms at Les Jardins du Manoir d’Eyrignac

Channel your inner Alan Titchmarsh with a wander through these magnificent gardens in Salignac-Eyvigues. Fountains, ponds, manicured hedges and centuries-old monuments come together to create a place that’s as peaceful as it is impressive. As well as greenery galore, expect floral displays in every shade from faded peaches to popping pinks.

5. Become royalty for the day

You can’t visit the Dordogne and not check out the incredible castles – it’s practically illegal! For starters, these turreted lovelies dominate the skyline in every direction you glance, but more importantly, they’re absolutely breathtaking and are not to be missed! Château de Beynac, the former fortress of none other than Richard the Lionheart himself, is a prime example.

6. Take a vineyard tour

The Dordogne’s vineyards are as enchanting as you’d imagine – think French postcard perfection and you’ll be on the right track. The family-run Château Lestevenie is home to some award-winning tipples, with rolling rows of twisting vines creaking under the weight of their bunches as the sun beams down – there are worse ways to spend an afternoon! Learn everything there is to know about this famous wine region, including how the fruits go from grape to glass.

7. Hop between honey pot villages

Rocamadour… Domme… Beynac-et-Cazenac… France’s answer to the Cotswolds, the Dordogne area is speckled with some outrageously pretty plots. Take Bourdeilles for example. As well as a quaint castle you can expect an idyllic arched bridge, a moulin (mill) and willow trees that drape the river – it’s a site to behold. Then there’s Brântome with its iconic wooden-shuttered windows and grand abbey – ooh la la!

8. Dine under the stars

Name a better way to spend an evening than sipping locally produced wine under the starry summer’s sky… it’s okay, we can wait! When it comes to the menus, expect chalk boards etched with everything from foie gras to caviar, but it’s the crumbly walnuts, punnet-fresh strawberries and expertly foraged black diamond truffle that are iconic to the area.

9. Be blown away by Bergerac

Say bonjour to flower-filled squares, timber-trimmed houses and an Old Town that’s so quaint, quite frankly, it shouldn’t be allowed! Wondering where to head first? The Place Pelissiere’s, a tree-shaded square, is a pretty-perfect place to start.

10. Completely relax

A trip to the Dordogne doesn’t have to be all systems go. In fact, it can be far from it! Make the most of your time in this utterly magical part of the world by simply slowing down the pace and soaking up the atmosphere. Pull up a pew in Domme’s pretty village square, sip a freshly ground coffee and watch locals bustle by as the church bells chime – if that isn’t the dreamiest of ways to while away a day, then we don’t know what is…

Does the Dordogne have all the makings of an oh-so-chic getaway? It goes without saying!