The Dordogne River

Meandering majestically through our terroir, the Dordogne River offers an enchanting spectacle: its peaceful meanders lined with vineyards reflect the gentle way of life in the Périgord region, inviting you on bucolic cruises where gastronomy, wine and landscapes combine in a symphony of the senses.

A river Biosphere Reserve

This peaceful river is a paradise for nature lovers and anglers alike. With over 40 species of fish, including the famous Atlantic salmon, trout, pike and carp, the Dordogne offers a remarkable diversity of fish life. Every year, some 15,000 anglers come to tease the fish, guided and supported by passionate local associations such as the Fédération de Pêche de la Dordogne.
But the Dordogne isn’t just for anglers. Canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts will find it an ideal playground. More than 20 water sports centers line its banks, offering trips ranging from a few hours to several days. It’s a unique way to discover the spectacular scenery of our region, with its limestone cliffs, perched castles and pebble beaches.
The river also plays a crucial role in the region’s ecological balance. Its wetlands are home to a rich flora and fauna, including rare species such as the European otter and the American mink. The Biosphere Reserve’s conservation efforts aim to maintain this fragile balance between human activity and nature conservation.
Whether you’re fishing at sunrise, canoeing along the river or simply admiring the golden glow of the setting sun, the Dordogne offers moments of pure magic. It is the silent witness to the history of our region, and continues day after day to shape the life and landscapes of the Bergerac region.

Find out more about the Biosphere Reserve classification

Greenway 91

From Prigonrieux to Mauzac, the V91 is a 40km route along the Dordogne river. On foot, by bike or on rollerblades, come and enjoy the peace and quiet of the Dordogne banks.

Discover the V91

Legend The corridor

A little local anecdote: the inhabitants of the Bergerac region are very fond of the Coulobre legend! But what is it? Passed down orally in Périgord since the year 1000, the Coulobre is part of our imaginary heritage.

Some people even see in the meanders of Trémolat (a legacy of the Coulobre).

The Coulobre (meaning “snake” in Occitan) is a mysterious, legendary winged creature, part snake, part dragon, that haunts the banks of the Dordogne and burrows into the side of a cliff in Lalinde. The beast spits fire at the gabarres, attacks the gabarriers, sinks the boats, captures the washerwomen and devours them in its cave. There’s even talk of a curse for the town of Lalinde.

Indeed, in the Middle Ages, Lalinde was a dreaded passageway for the gabarriers. The stretch from Lalinde to Tuilière was dangerous. The Dordogne, with its sometimes low waters, was the cause of numerous accidents and shipwrecks, which in the Middle Ages were attributed to the Coulobre (actually Satan). Indeed, the dragon has always represented evil in the Catholic religion.

St Front, bishop of Périgueux, is said to have intervened to strike down and defeat the monster. There are several versions: he is said to have drowned the beast, killed it with his staff or burned it, but the best-known version is this: The creature took fright and disappeared forever. Since this miraculous act, St Front has had his own chapel at Couze St Front. The monster’s hideout can also be seen not far away, on the side of the cliff. A cult around this patron saint of Périgord was thus built.

The legend of the Coulobre was so present in the minds of the Bergeracois and the Gabarriers that it is depicted on the coat of arms of the town of Bergerac.