Domme is on the list of 'most beautiful villages of the Dordogne' and is 8 km south of Sarlat. Domme is a very attractive bastide town, founded in 1283 and in on one of the best defensive locations possible, perched on top of a limestone 793 foot high hill.

If you have problems walking up slopes this is not the town for you. It has many steep gradients. The Dordogne region was a medieval war zone. The English occupied the land south of the river Dordogne and the French owned the northern lands. Towns, cities and villages often changed sides depending on who was winning the war at the time.

It is unusual for a walled hill top bastide towns to retain its fortifications. Domme is very unique in having large sections of its outer curtain wall visible and its many of it's town gates still standing. For this reason alone Domme is worth a visit. The town can entered by a large fortified gate at the bottom of the main street with huge towers either side that also served as a prisons as well as a guard house.

The main street then passes up the hill, between lots of lovely honey-coloured old houses which are now mainly gift shops, restaurants and enchanting cafes. Many of the traditional houses are attractively decorated with balconies and stone staircases.

Domme is situated high above the river with outstanding views of the Dordogne countryside and the patchwork of fields, orchards and woodland. You can also spot some of the many châteaux in the area. The thrilling hill top walk way can be found to the northern side of the town. The Terraced Belvedere offers another good viewing point were the towns of Beynac and La Roque Gageac can be seen.

Domme had an unstable history having changed hands several times between the English and French Hundred Years War. The turbulent times continued in the later Wars of Religion, and during the Second World War. the town's caves were used as a hideout. It can get very popular in the summer so arrive very early or just before sunset to miss the crowds.

Thursday is Market Day. In the main town square there is a beautiful example of a covered market. As well as having a tiled roof it has a balcony and is mainly constructed from yellow sandstone Colourful hanging baskets decorate the balcony. Underneath the market square there is a cave with stalagmites and stalactites. It has almost half a kilometre of galleries. It is a lovely place to cool down on a hot summers day. There is also a small archaeological museum in Domme.

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